When I am afraid

1O God, have mercy on me,

for people are hounding me.

My foes attack me all day long.

2I am constantly hounded by those who slander me,

and many are boldly attacking me.

3But when I am afraid,

I will put my trust in you.

4I praise God for what he has promised.

I trust in God, so why should I be afraid?

What can mere mortals do to me?

Psalm 56

I've only lived 6 decades, but I've never seen a time when fear is so dominant in our lives.  This week I've watched as radical Muslims have killed hundreds in Iraq.  I've watched as fear begins to rise in the cultures of the world....fear of man, fear of economic crisis, fear of disease.  Fear is in the very air we breathe.

No one is immune to the temptation to fear.  We are surrounded by the opportunities to fear.  Companies downsizing, layoffs all around, economies is crisis, ebola spreading.....shall I go on?  Fears are abundant!

David lived in days when his very life was often on the line.  He found himself, more than once, running for his life.  Fear was part of his reality too, but he made choices to deal with the fears. This Psalm is one of them.

In verse 3 he writes, "but when I am afraid, I will put my trust in you."  He never said he didn't fear or that fear wasn't real for him.  He gave us his choice when fears arive.  When I am afraid I will put my trust in you.  What profound and rich statement of faith.  When all I see around me is an opportunity to fear I will choose to trust the God who loves me.  

So what is your choice when fear comes, because it will.  

What do you do?  

Do you fret, get anxious, drink too much, pace the floor, take a sedative, panic!  What do you do?  It's a choice you know.

Fear will come, what will you do when it arrives?

David said, "When I am afraid I will put my trust in YOU!"  

What will you choose?

Who am I?

The great challenge we each face is discovering who we are, finding our identity.  Many get lost in the quest and sink into depression not knowing how to answer this critical question, "Who am I?"

I'm thinking about this today and like many of you have thought about identity and purpose most of my life, trying to discover who I am. What am I here for? What's my value and purpose in this world?  It's a quest we all begin, but along the road to the answer many have simply given up.  This morning may I offer a few thoughts for you to consider on your quest for the answer?

I am a nobody to the world around me, BUT the creator of the universe knows my name and loves me. In fact he wrote my name in a book before he made the universe!  Isn't that amazing?

I am mortal, dying a bit each day, BUT eternal life awaits my departure from this shadow of life.

I am fallen, a sinner by nature and really good at it, BUT the God who made me has forgiven ALL my sins because I have trusted Christ and what he did on the cross.  In fact, he has chosen to forget all my sins and faults! 

I am often depressed, discouraged, frustrated, angry, BUT all that causes those emotions will be swept away with an eternal joy that will make them a forgotten memory of days long ago.

I am not handsome or good looking....most of us aren't according to the world's standards, BUT the creator of the universe designed me and he really likes what he made!

I am weak and often fearful BUT I stand on a rock that can never be shaken, Jesus Christ, and my fears will seem like childish nightmares as I trust him more.

This contrast could go on for volumes.  There is so much to say on this topic, but let me challenge you to find the answer for this question in God's word.  Most of us look to the world for our answers and they have none, but God has answered the question, "who am I?" with a clarity that will make you smile each time you discover another thread of the tapestry that describes you in his eyes.

I am HIS child, an eternal son of God, an heir to all that Christ is promised.  I am part of an eternal kingdom and have the great joy of approaching the creator of the universe anytime I wish simply to talk.  I am loved, watched and cared for every moment by God. I am constantly prayed for by Jesus himself. I am in-dwelt by God's Spirit who guides and guarantees his promises.  

Who am I?  I am richly blessed and owned by the God of creation! 

That's who I am.

Barbarians at the gate

I'm sure no one has escaped the ever present news this week about the execution of an American journalist, James Foley.  I don't need to go into detail, it's simply too graphic, but sadly far too common in our world today.  

The barbarians are at the gate and they are knocking, rather....they are blowing up the gate to take over the world by fear, force and total inhumanity.  So, let's call this what it is.  It's far too easy to use nice words, play it safe and hope not to offend, but let's be honest about what is happening in Iraq and many other parts of the world.

These barbaric Muslims are inhuman, evil, demonic, wicked, heartless, satanic animals.  They are cowards, bullies and brutal.  If they were ever humans in the past they abandoned their humanity to become barbaric animals.  They are without hope, without God, filled with all unrighteousness, wickedness, greed and evil.  They are full of envy, murder and strife. They are arrogant, unloving and  unmerciful evil beasts.

Their father is the source of evil and their fate is damnation.  They are wicked men who have no fear of God.  Yes, the barbarians are at the gate and they are coming in whether we are ready or not.

How do we respond?  How do we live in light of brutal evil filming and flaunting their evil around the world?  

First, in spite of our temptation to fear we must choose to trust God.  

Second, we need to clearly call evil what it is and not be fearful of the enemies attacks.  

We worship the sovereign of the Universe, the only God.  He is Lord of all and in the end we will see his victory, but as we approach the last days evil will grow and proudly boast of its victory.  And yes, for a moment evil will seem to be winning, but those who trust in God will be the final victors!

What is it that overcomes the world?  Our faith in Him!  He is Lord of all!

What happened?

It's been 10 days since I wrote anything.  What happened?  How did the days escape me so quickly?  I apologize to you, if you have stopped to check, but it's been a strange time.  Like many around me life has been a bit out of control.  I'm sure that's my fault.  I will be back later today with a few thoughts that have been nagging me.

The dark clouds of depression

The choices this week of a dearly loved comedian, Robin Williams, bring to light a struggle many people live with and battle most of their lives. It's far too common.  Just last year my niece, Dez, committed suicide in a similar way to Robin.  It's sad, tragic, and shocking for many of us who know them and don't often see the dark clouds they live with, the depression they can't seem to escape.

Like many of you, I have struggled with depression most of my life.  It's a family burden and one my mother deals with as well so I'm not simply writing thoughts as a casual observer, but as an unwilling participant.  Over the years my own struggles have made me aware of how difficult depression is to battle.  There are days that begin with the dread of what's ahead.  It demands, for me, an ongoing battle against the darkness.

As my wife wrote recently, "depression brings a hopelessness that makes life feel like a dirty trick."  I get that and if you have battled depression you understand it as well.

Some would say that if you are a Christian you shouldn't have problems with depression. They would then try to help by giving you some bible verses and tell you to "just get over it!"  But it's really more insidious than that.  It weaves its dark shadows through a life and shows up at the most unexpected times.  For my sweet niece it was the middle of the night and she could no longer live with her dark moments.  She made a permanent choice for a temporary problem and we, her family, are left devastated.

If you or someone you know is struggling with depression, you need to know it's a common human malady we all battle at times. You are not alone even in the dark moments when you think no one cares. The morning sun will come and the dark clouds will lift.  

Some may struggle with depression on a regular basis and come to a point where they just don't think they can go on another day.  If that is you, don't give up.  Talk to someone. Get help. See a doctor. Call a friend. Talk to your pastor.  The dark clouds of the moment will pass. The sun will shine again.  There are people who love you, you are not alone.  

When you see someone going through a time of depression pray for them, listen to them and be there for them.  If they threaten suicide call for help immediately! Don't wait!!  Any threat of suicide should be taken seriously.

Years ago, in my first church, one of our dear members took his own life in the bedroom of his five year old daughter on her birthday.  It was a tragedy magnified by the situation and the day.  But once he made the choice the lives of everyone around him were changed forever!

For those of you living with depression get help, tell someone, ask God for his help.  He is there and he will come to your rescue in that dark place.  There is help!  Ann Voscamp wrote about depression in her recent blog.  Her words are helpful on this topic. I encourage you to read her August 12th post at http://www.aholyexperience.com/.

One of my favorite bible authors is David, a man who battled depression in his own life.  In one of his journals (Psalms 40) he talked about being in a miry pit of despair and unable to get out.  It was a dark place for him, a time of real depression.  What he describes in these words is what everyone battling depression needs- HOPE!  There is hope and it comes from God. These are encouraging words from someone who struggled with depression and found help in God, 

“I waited patiently for the Lord to help me,

    and he turned to me and heard my cry.

He lifted me out of the pit of despair,

    out of the mud and the mire.

He set my feet on solid ground

    and steadied me as I walked along.

He has given me a new song to sing,

    a hymn of praise to our God.

Many will see what he has done and be amazed.

    They will put their trust in the Lord.

Oh, the joys of those who trust the Lord.”

How do you know....?

Last night, as I wrote a few thoughts online, a young friend of mine who has become an atheist sent me a message with a question.  He's working through the issues of faith and his loss of it.  He is still talking to me so I'm encouraged, but his influence from the atheist crowds of our world and the Internet have obviously affected him and made him abandon his faith.

Last night he asked a simple question. He asked, "How do you know that God knows everything?"  This is an obvious point of theology for any pastor and something I have always believed, but he was more pointed in his question...he asked, "how do YOU know that?"  And with his question I had to admit....I've simply believed it because that is part of God's job description.  If he didn't know everything he wouldn't be God!

But I had to tell my young friend that I have never really searched out the knowing of this....I've simply believed it.  I asked him for time to work on it and I would get back to him.  But it's a perfect opportunity to discuss the question as a community.  How do YOU know that God knows everything?

Ready, discuss....

Flying!

(Click on photo to enlarge)

This is a photo I took yesterday while we are getting some time away in Galveston.  I love the feeling of the photo and the simple colors.  Just thought I would share it with you.  

A new identity

1 Peter2:9 But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; 10 for you once were not a people, but now you are the people of God; you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.

It seems to me, as I watch the Christian world around me, that we have little knowledge of our identity in Christ.  We live, act and talk just like the world around us. The reality of lives lived like everyone else tells me we simply don't know who we are!  Our identity is defined by television and pop culture.  Our opinions are formed by our favorite newscaster. Our fears are magnified by a media that creates fear for a living. 

Who are we really?  How is it that we look like, live like, think like most of those around us who don't know God?  How have we so easily fallen into the identity of the world instead of the identity of God?  Those are a few of the questions that come to my mind as I read these verses in 1 Peter.  "You are..."  and with those words Peter draws a picture of a man or woman completely different than the world around them. Different enough that it's seen without saying a word! 

a chosen race.  Chosen, what a great word.  Chosen by God.  Chosen to be his child, chosen to be forgiven, chosen to see his face, chosen to live for him, chosen to suffer, chosen has rich blessings with it.  Part of our identity is that we are chosen. 

a royal priesthood. A royal priesthood is a phrase that would sound odd to any Jew. There was the royal tribe of Judah and the priestly tribe of Levi, but never were they blended!  Now, in Christ, we are described as being part of a royal priesthood, a whole new class of people.  We are part of the royal family AND part of the priesthood of God.  There are pages to write about this blend of two rolls, but behind it all is a new category of people designed by God...you and me!  

a holy nation. A holy nation is something God made Israel to be, but they never fulfilled the promise.  Now, in Christ, our holy status isn't accomplished by us, but by God himself.  Now, we the gathered nation of God come as a holy people, different from the world around us because of what Christ has done.  A people forgiven!  Hebrews describes it this way, "He has made perfect forever those who are becoming holy." 10:14.  We have a status and a calling. Live as holy, forgiven people rejoicing in an already done work!  

a people for God’s own possession. Possessed by God, what a concept. It makes my mind spin that I'm one of God's chosen possessions.  Why would he want me? I'm honestly quite a mess and yet he has chosen me!  What an amazing thing.  How do I respond to that? How do I live because of just these few phrases that describe me?

If I really saw myself as God sees me and describes me I would live a completely different life.  It wouldn't be a "hollier than thou" life, it would be a joyous life of freedom in him! It would be a life relaxed in what he has done and a life of response to the amazing love of God.  I pray we see ourselves as God sees us...it would change everything!  We would begin to look like the People of God we really are!

Love of God lived out

Sometimes you read something and say, "THAT'S IT!"  

This short statement of life hit that note with me.  Her it is-

"I want to live in, walk in, soak in the love of God to such an extent that others are drawn to God because of their encounter with me."

Saturday's cartoon

What do you want?

Life is short.  The bible says repeatedly that it's like a vapor, a mist that is quickly gone.  We are here for just a few years and then.....we are gone.

So,  what do you want?  What do you want to do? What do you want to be remembered for? What do you want to accomplish?  These are questions I'm visiting again as I near the last third.  What do I want?

It's a hard question!  We could easily respond, I want to be happy. I want to be remembered. I want to do something significant with my life, but honestly...maybe too honestly...none of those are in our control.  They are the things we hope happen, but we can't pursue them.  It just doesn't work that way.

My wonderful wife asked me this question earlier this week as we were talking about these things.  "What do you want?"  It has me spinning in my thoughts about what's possible.  I think, if we were honest, most of us would reply, "I DON'T KNOW!"

Our simple answers of wanting happiness, success, significance and other words freely spoken in our culture just don't get to the real heart of the question.  Many philosophers has asked this and tried to answer it from their perspective.  It begins with "Why am I here?", "What's my purpose?" and ends with ultimate destiny, but let's not go there today.  I would rather get to the heart of the question.

What do you want?  At the core we all want meaning. We all want to know our lives are not a waste. We want to matter.  Where does that come from?  If we are simply animals that would never be an issue.  My dog never thinks of these things.  She is happy with a back rub and a walk.  If I ask her, "what do you want" she would cock her head wondering what on earth I'm talking about.

But built into us as humans is a desire for something more than food and comfort.  We want to matter!  That's not an animal instinct.  That comes from our creator.  He made us to ask this question.  He made us to struggle with it and hopefully be discontent with the answers.  

He made us with a desire for more and it's not success, a title, a legacy, a name that's remembered, a lot of money, a nice house or car, it's none of these things....but it is something.

Have you worked through this in your life?  Do you know what you want?  What is it?