God's plan

Imagine being part of God's plan and the unveiling of his son to the world. Imagine that until your part is revealed you think your life and situation is a curse from God. How different things look when God shows up to tell us what he's up to. How different things look when you know what God's plan is. Here's a story about a man who lived most of his life thinking he was cursed by God only to discover he was part of God's amazing plan to reveal his son.

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Here's part of his story-

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John 9:1-3 As He passed by, He saw a man blind from birth. And His disciples asked Him, "Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he would be born blind?" Jesus answered, "It was neither that this man sinned, nor his parents; but it was so that the works of God might be displayed in him."

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I'm sure this man heard the discussion between Jesus and his disciples. I'm sure it's a discussion he had heard many times. To be born blind was considered a curse from God because of sin. Since he was born this way there was the question of who sinned- he, before he was born or his parents. This kind of thing was seen as a curse, a punishment. He lived his life with the belief that he was being punished by God, but had no idea why. Then he hears these word- "It was neither that this man sinned, nor his parents; but it was so that the works of God might be displayed in him." What a revelation! It wasn't sin, it was God's plan! He's part of God's plan. Suddenly his view of his life and purpose completely changes. Suddenly hope begins to grow. And shortly he will see for the first time. He's part of God's plan to reveal the Messiah to the world. Now the question- Would you say "yes" to this plan if given the choice? Would you say, "Yes, Lord, give me blindness for 40 years so you can reveal your son to the world and be glorified by it."

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Do you realize you are part of God's amazing plan for the world. Your problems, your life, your situation are all things that God can and will use to bring him glory. He has a plan. He plans to be glorified in the world. Will you say "yes" to your part in his amazing plan? You may not know today what God is doing, it may be years before it's all made clear....before you really see what he's doing, but while the darkness exists will you trust him? Will you put your 'yes' on the table and allow him to work in your life?

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This man's story is an amazing one. It's in the 9th chapter of John. If you have time read his entire story. He does say yes to God's plan for him and is wonderfully saved. Some day you will see him in heaven. Make sure you sit down with him and talk to him about his life and his part in God's plan. I think you will find he was thrilled to be blind for those years so Jesus could be revealed to the world as Messiah. Will you put your 'yes' on the table for God to work out his amazing plan in your life?

Thoughts from the gospel of John

I'm reading through the gospel of John and came to the end of chapter 7 and beginning of chapter 8 and I find these two contrasting verses-

7:53 Everyone went to his home.

Then, beginning chapter 8 is this contrast-

8:1 But Jesus went to the Mount of Olives.

This contrast is so obvious I am always caught by it as I read through these verses. Clearly, the Jewish leaders go home to a warm bed and roof over their heads, but what a contrast....Jesus went to the Mount of Olives. The implication is clear. He slept on the mount, possibly in the garden, without a bed, without a roof.

The reason this catches my attention is the dramatic contrast of these two verses. The very creator of the universe, the Lord of heaven and earth is sleeping in a garden while his opponents are home asleep in bed, warm and dry. I cannot escape the amazing contrast of these two verses and the people involved. I cannot escape how much Jesus gave up to come and save us. I cannot imagine how humble Jesus was to do all of this, to sleep in a garden, to lay aside his throne to become a human being and ultimately die to save us. It's an amazing contrast.

Personally, I'm most grateful that Jesus humbled himself in this way. It's such an amazing example to me. To humble himself and serve me in this way leaves me grateful and challenged to follow his example as a servant.

Just a few thoughts from two short verses.

Time passes so quickly

I couldn't believe it. As we drove by the city square of the town I grew up in music was coming from the gazebo in the center of the square. It's Thursday night, summer music in the park night. What a flashback! I was in this same gazebo playing music on Thursday nights more than 40 years ago. We stopped, sat on a park bench, and listened to music. 40 years passses so quickly. What an experience.

Balancing truth and arrogance

I saw this cartoon a few days ago and immediately understood the message. It's far too easy to find truth and then, without even realizing it, become arrogant about the truth we have found. This is a problem in any arena, but I've seen it far too often in Christian circles. I pray that I will be able to humbly share the truth of what I have found in God's word without an attitude of arrogance. It's a natural trap for the faith and one we must intentionally avoid.

While I've been gone...

It's the end of a long day of driving and I'm exhausted! This morning, at 3:30am, Joye and I hoped in the van, picked up the kids at 4am and headed for Iowa. 800 miles later, with more stops for bathrooms than I can count, we are finally here. Traveling with four small children will make a long trip into a series of short trips with numerous visits to all the best restrooms along the way.

Why are we here you ask? My parents are celebrating their 60th anniversary this week and we came up to be with them for this wonderful celebration. My dad is 83 and mom is 78. We didn't want to miss this time with them and so we are here. We saw my parents for a bit tonight and then to the motel for some rest. I'm really excited to be here with them and I consider myself very blessed to have my parents still living and married to each other after all these years. I know this is most rare these days.

While I've been gone I also noticed I have missed a number of good discussions on a previous post. Thanks, Brandon, for doing all my work for me. I appreciate you, brother. Thanks for your sweet spirit and for doing such a wonderful job defending the faith.

Ok, exhaustion has set in. Some rest tonight, a flat tire to fix in the morning and then off to the celebration with my wonderful parents.

What is Christian Apologetics? Defending "THE" Faith - BibleOrTraditions

Here's a great introduction to apologetics. I really like the way Dr. Morey introduces the topic.

What questions about the Christian faith have you heard or had to answer recently?

You won't believe this....

The marketing of Christianity has finally reached its peak (or should I say its valley). Now you can purchase a PERSONALIZED bible. Here's an example of what it looks like-

John 5:24
Mike has passed from death to life in Christ. Most assuredly I tell you, if Mike hears My word, and believes Him who sent Me, Mike has eternal life, and doesn't come into judgment, but he has passed out of death into life.

Rom. 3:24
Mike has been justified through grace. Mike is justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.

Rom. 5:1
Mike has been justified, completely forgiven, made righteous, and has peace. Being therefore justified by faith, Mike has peace with God through his Lord, Jesus Christ.

I'm not sure who thought of this idea, but it takes marketing Christianity to a whole new level. The problem for me is that God's word is not all about me, it's all about HIM.

For someone to put my name in the text like this is just plain wrong! I am amazed that someone would think this is a good idea and market it, but they have.....just thought you would want to know.

Thanks, Dave

Our anniversary was a few months ago, but we waited until our recent mission trip to get a photo taken for our 35th anniversary. Our friend, Dave, took this photo of Joye and I while we were in Kenya. It's hard to believe we have been married for 35 years, but it's been great to spend my years with such a wonderful friend and partner. So, thanks Dave for taking such a great photo of an old guy and his pretty wife.

Monday's cartoon

I wonder....how often do miracles happen in our lives and we don't even notice, we don't even stop to see how amazing God's work is in our lives. I wonder...how many miracles God has done in my life that I have completely missed. I know there will be a day when our eyes will be opened to see all that God has done. I think we will be amazed.

Thought for the day

The race begins...

It's the 4th of July for us in the US, but in Monaco this morning the Tour de France begins. It's my favorite sporting event. I look forward to July and the beginning of the tour. For the next three weeks 180 amazing athletes will bicycle across France to try to win an impossible race. And, for a little more excitement, Lance Armstrong is back to race this year. It should be an interesting race!

Have a great 4th!

Today we celebrate the birth of our country. What an amazing place this is! What a great freedom we have to worship God and follow him as we wish. That may change in the days ahead, but what a wonderful heritage we have. I'm grateful to God that he placed us in this time, in this place and saved us as well to be part of his amazing plan for the ages. So, as you relax and celebrate this best of American holidays do take a moment and thank God for the freedoms we enjoy and often take for granted.

Spice and life

I'm so glad that God did not make life boring! I'm so glad he made problems for us to deal with, challenges to overcome, struggles to wrestle with, issues to face. I'm glad he made life rich with flavor.

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Can you imagine life without spices in it? Eggs without salt? Ice tea without sugar? Indian food without curry? Mexican food without HOT? Imagine food without onion. Garlic. Cinnamon. Pepper. Sage and a hundred other spices and flavors that add so much to our lives. How boring it would be to live without salt. How sad to eat Mexican food without HOT. Indian food just wouldn't be the same without curry. Spice in our lives is taken for granted, but let me change the spice a little and then ask these same questions.

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How boring would life be without needs to seek satisfaction, questions to ask God, problems to resolve, challenges to work on together, things in our lives that demand we trust God. Imagine how boring life would be if we had no spice, no problems or issues to deal with. Imagine if there was no need to pray, to ask for God's help. Imagine if we had all we needed and everything went well....where's the opportunity to trust God...to see him work in our lives? Where's the challenge to overcome? Where's the spice to flavor our lives? All of these things- needs, problems, challenges, health issues, questions, financial crisis, struggles and a hundred other things are spices that flavor our lives and drive us to God for his help, his care and his provision. They flavor us.

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So, when the trials of life become part of your days welcome then as fine spices to flavor and season you. Invite them in as friends who give you opportunity to trust God and make you depend on him more. Take the trials and challenges of your life and allow them to season who you are and make you even more dependent on God who provides us with all things richly. Welcome the spices of life and say boldly, "How wonderful, another opportunity to trust God and see him work in my life!" A well seasoned life is not an easy one, but it's never boring. And when it's all done you will be wonderfully flavored and rich with the spices of God's work flowing through your veins.

Water in dry places

I find myself a little dry once more. Inspiration is elusive, thoughts are scattered, and the body is tired. I find that, once more, I'm reading the bible and not getting much from my time in the word. This is something I experience in my walk with God at different times. It's quite common. I feel that I'm in a desolate place wishing for water, spiritual water. I know this is a common thing. I know this will only last for a short time, so I continue to read God's word, pray and walk with God. Whether I am really experiencing a dry time or simply tired I know I need to keep going. This is no place to stop. And so, as I have done many times before, I press on, I continue to walk with God, read his word and pray. Keep going, don't stop here....rain will come soon, refreshment is near. God will not leave me thirsty for long.

Every man

Since our trip to Africa I've been thinking often of one person. He was a homeless man who "lived" on a spot of dirt near our hotel. His spot of dirt was beside the dump where he foraged each morning.

Each morning, on our way to meetings, I would look out toward the field and see this picture....this homeless man sitting on his spot of dirt after a long night sleeping in that same spot.

I've thought about him often because he is burned into my mind as an image of the hopelessness of the human race without God.....living in rags, claiming a spot of dirt to rest on, eating garbage, with no hope and no future, but only more of the same mind-numbing routine.

We do dress nicer, our spot of dirt is a little more comfortable, we do eat better, but this man is, in my mind, the poster child for the human race.....holding onto rags, living for nothing, looking forward to the same thing day after day, without hope.

Using this man as a picture of us in the west, with our clean clothes, nice homes and good food may be repulsed by some, but if you think about it for a moment the only difference is circumstance. Everything else is the same. Without God the only difference is the packaging and the place. Without God the only future is despair and depression. Without God there is no purpose or plan. So, let me introduce you to "every man". He lives in Kilifi, Kenya, but he may be your neighbor next door as well. Without God there's no reason to do anything more than just exist.