Valentine's Day

Tomorrow is Valentine's day. Another chance to show the one you love how much you care OR what a slug you are. Flowers, candy, gold, diamond...wow. It almost feels like a conspiracy to make us men look bad if we don't buy all this stuff to show our love.

Love is something we should be showing the one we care about every day. An imposed holiday to "make us do it" almost feels fake, but we will all line up at the card racks tonight after work to get that last minute card, those flowers, the candy....so we can show our mates how much we love them.

Let me suggest you do this more often than once a year....then this day won't be so expensive. By the way, I will be one of those guys getting a card tonight with the rest of you. Happy Valentine's Day! (gulp)

Living the Christian life

One of the most fascinating passages in all of Paul's writings is his monologue in Romans 7 concerning his own struggle to live the Christian life. Here is part of it...

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I realize that I don't have what it takes. I can will it, but I can't do it. I decide to do good, but I don't really do it; I decide not to do bad, but then I do it anyway. My decisions, such as they are, don't result in actions. Something has gone wrong deep within me and gets the better of me every time. It happens so regularly that it's predictable. The moment I decide to do good, sin is there to trip me up. I truly delight in God's commands, but it's pretty obvious that not all of me joins in that delight. Parts of me covertly rebel, and just when I least expect it, they take charge. I've tried everything and nothing helps. I'm at the end of my rope. Is there no one who can do anything for me? Isn't that the real question? The answer, thank God, is that Jesus Christ can and does. He acted to set things right in this life of contradictions where I want to serve God with all my heart and mind, but am pulled by the influence of sin to do something totally different. (Romans 7:18-25 THE MESSAGE)

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Living the Christian life often feels like a tightrope act. It's such a challenge to walk in the Spirit, and then watch as my flesh acts out. It's frustrating! But what Paul describes as his problem is in fact a problem for all of us. How do we live a life that pleases God? What Paul, and millions after him, discovered is that we cannot do it. You read that correctly. We cannot do it. Only Jesus Christ living his life in and through us can do it. He is the only one who can live the Christian life....so as I find myself on the tightrope of living a godly life in a fallen body I must allow him to live his life through me. He is the one who can keep me from falling.

Riding the roller coaster

I'm sorry for my few days of absence. It has been busy! I feel like I'm riding a roller coaster, and I didn't even buy a ticket. Over the weekend we were away for a pastor-elder retreat. Great coordinator, and a really good start for future direction.
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Counseling has filled many of my days and the basic needs of life take the rest. Suddenly I turn around and it's Monday again!
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When I'm on a "roller coaster" like this I think of the movie with Steve Martin called Parenthood. There is a scene in the movie where Steve and his wife are discussing all the ups and downs of life. His wife is enjoying them all, but his anxiety is overwhelming for him, then his grandmother steps into the picture with a story, she says, "Some people like roller coasters but some like the merry-go-round. Some enjoy the excitement of the roller coaster, but others want the predictability of the merry-go-round. For me the merry-go-round is boring, I like the roller coaster...it's more fun."
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And so goes our lives, up and down, we never know what's next. If you are a merry-go-round person life is hard for you, but if you like the roller coaster then you can't wait to see what's coming next. I do enjoy the roller coaster of life, I just need to get off the ride once in a while to get a hot dog....

Monday's cartoon

Thoughts on Psalm 105

Today I am reading in Psalm 105. In this rich chapter is a brief history of God's work in the lives of the Jewish people. It's an amazing chapter as the author outlines God's work from God's perspective. Sometimes that's what I need most- to see things as God does. Here's just part of it written from God's perspective.

In verse 17 the author says,

"He sent a man before them, Joseph, who was sold as a slave. They afflicted his feet with fetters, He himself was laid in irons; Until the time that his word came to pass, the word of the Lord tested him."

He sent him!

From Joseph's perspective he was betrayed by his brothers and sold into slavery, but from the divine perspective he was sent.

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As I walk towards the goal how often do I see the disasters and dilemmas of life as part of a divine plan? I will tell you how often- NEVER! In the middle of being in chains on the way to Egypt it's hard to see what God is doing. Honestly there are times when you wonder if God is even aware of your situation, but he is and he is actively working throughout our lives towards his goal- each of us complete in Christ.

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As you walk towards the goal realize that what you may see as disaster God may see as exactly where he wants you. Trust him. He has a plan....even when you're in chains on the way to Egypt.

Thinking back

The most important thing in life is relationship. My relationship with God. My relationship with people. The only things of value we leave behind when we die are the lives we have touched. Money means nothing, possessions mean nothing, fame means nothing….

The currency of eternity is people.

I mentioned last week that I would tell you about a divine appointment I had with Rodney. Rodney tracked me down because of a book he found in his families library. It was a copy of a book by Tom Skinner called Black and Free. In the front of this faded old book was Tom’s signature and my name.

Rodney did a search and found me. We talked, and then met for coffee. He wanted to know about Tom and my relationship with him. It was a great time. But what it did for me is bring a flood of old memories of those days in the early 70’s….being at a white university in the south, the KKK all around alive and well, and me, a little white boy from Iowa in the middle of something I had never experienced before.

It’s a long story, but I was able to get Tom Skinner (photo), an amazing evangelist and black Christian revolutionary of the 70’s, to come and speak at our little white university. It caused quite a storm, and nearly cost me my college education. The next year I brought in his associate, Bill Pannell, to speak for a few days. It was my first experience of real racism when we went out for dinner together, and were refused service.

Rodney’s visit spurred my thoughts, so I did a search for Bill Pannell and found him. He’s now a retired professor at Fuller Seminary. I sent him a note, and he responded with memories of those days and our failed dinner together. It was still sharply in focus for him as well.

And so I come to this as I look back on my life so far….it’s the people in my life that have meant the most. All the “stuff” of life is either lost, forgotten or thrown away, but the people and their memories will be with me forever.

If you want to make an eternal difference here is the list beginning with the most important-

1. Pursue a relationship with God through faith in Christ as savior and passionately pursue God as the most important thing.
2. Love people, pursue relationships, gather friends, care about people, invest all you have in others.
3. Use things. But only use them as a means to achieve #1 and #2.

There’s my list. It’s what I have found myself doing over time, and although I have few riches I feel like the richest man in the world!

Dealing with dry times

I'm not sure what "it" is- busy, tired, allergies, distractions, cares of the world....but I'm feeling like I am in the middle of a dry time. These things always sneak up on me. I'm a rather melancholy person anyway, so I am never far from a down time. I have to constantly watch my thinking and my heart to stay away from a melancholy mindset, but dry times happen no matter what your personality.

Well, here I am, in a dry place. After walking through these so many times before I know one thing from experience- keep walking! Keep praying, keep reading the word, keep close to people. There is an oasis ahead, but if I stop here I will never find it....so keep walking and remember verses that have helped you in the past- Psalm 37, Prov. 3:5-6, Philippians 3-4 and many others. They are part of my "survival pack" in these dry places because I know I will need them. God is good, nothing has changed, enjoy the scenery, trust the Lord and keep walking with him. Dry times pass and you will find that you have grown through them.

The Universe,Milky Way and Beyond-How big is the Universe ?

Here's a great visual devotion for the day. After you watch this clip read Psalm 103:11-19. I am so excited that the God who made the universe cares about me.

A new reading project

I'm really excited. I just got a copy of Ravi Zacharias' new book, Beyond Opinion. This is a work by a number of authors on the topic of apologetics. I can't wait to get into this book. Apologetics is a great love of mine, and I really enjoy the thought process needed to defend the Christian faith. I'll keep you updated on what I find.

Living a present tense life (dealing with fantasy and fear)

Mat 6:33 Steep your life in God-reality, God-initiative, God-provisions. Don't worry about missing out. You'll find all your everyday human concerns will be met. Mat 6:34 "Give your entire attention to what God is doing right now, and don't get worked up about what may or may not happen tomorrow. God will help you deal with whatever hard things come up when the time comes. -THE MESSAGE.

One of the great challenges of life is just the simple task of living in this moment, living a "present tense life." There are two great enemies of a walk with God that try to keep us from walking with God in the "now." One is "the fantasy of what could have been," and the other is "the fear of what might be." Let me address each one of these for a moment.

1. The fantasy of what could have been- We all live our lives looking back to the past or ahead to the future. It's rare that we live in the present tense. One of our enemies is the "fantasy of what could have been." We will often look with a longing for a change because of our present adversities- "If only I had married the other person," or "If only I had finished college," or "If only I hadn't made that horrible mistake" then life would be..... And our thoughts race to alternate present reality because of our dreams of "if only." Dreaming about what could have been can be a wonderful diversion, but it's sin plain and simple. The truth is that there is no "if only I had." There is only what is. Dreaming about an alternate life that would turn out different is a fantasy that brings nothing good to our present situation. It only makes the "now" harder because our fantasy solutions would have completely eliminated our real dilemmas and the need to trust the Lord with our real problems today. So, here is the first sin we often fall into. When you are tempted to visit the land of "if only I had..." make the decision not to go. It's a trip that only brings disappointment to what is your life right now.

2. The fear of what might be- The other problem I see many struggle with is "the fear of what might be." They are experts at worrying about something that hasn't even happened yet. There is no way any of us can see the future, so for us to worry about it before it ever gets here is a clear lack of faith in God to care for our tomorrows. Jesus clearly said, "don't worry about tomorrow." He knew we were tempted to do this, and warned us against it. Fear of what might be often keeps us from walking with God and trusting him RIGHT NOW. We miss the joy of a walk with God in the present tense.

We each have to live a present tense life intentionally. The distractions of fantasy about the past and fear about the future will easily get our attention away from a walk with the living God right now. I mentioned the word “walk” intentionally. It’s the word that the bible uses to talk about our lives of faith. The bible calls it a walk because there are some wonderful present tense elements to a walk that will help us stay focused on the now. Here they are quickly for your consideration- a walk demands a destination, but it can only be done one step at a time, one foot on the path toward the goal, one decision at a time to reach the goal. A walk demands a present tense life. That word, walk, often helps me get back to “now.”

As you go through your day living your life and find the temptation toward fantasy or fear, stop for a moment and ask the Lord, “Lord, where are we right now? What are we working on? Why am I tempted to leave this present tense walk with you?” That quick prayer and awareness of the temptation to thoughts of the impossible will make your present tense life an exciting place to be and will quiet those fantasies and calm those fears. Have a great day.

Monday's cartoon

One of my favorite stories is in Matthew 14. It's the story of Peter's great adventure. Here is the text and at the end I will make a few comments:

Mat 14:25 And in the fourth watch of the night He came to them, walking on the sea.
Mat 14:26 When the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were terrified, and said, "It is a ghost!" And they cried out in fear.
Mat 14:27 But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, "Take courage, it is I; do not be afraid."
Mat 14:28 Peter said to Him, "Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water."
Mat 14:29 And He said, "Come!" And Peter got out of the boat, and walked on the water and came toward Jesus.
Mat 14:30 But seeing the wind, he became frightened, and beginning to sink, he cried out, "Lord, save me!"
Mat 14:31 Immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and took hold of him, and *said to him, "You of little faith, why did you doubt?"

What inspired Peter to ask such a thing? What a question- can I walk on water too? And he did until he "saw the wind." That's such an interesting phrase to me when the text says, "But seeing the wind, he became frightened, and beginning to sink, he cried out." How do we see the wind? Wasn't what he was doing already impossible? Why did he let the wind distract him. Did he suddenly realize that he was doing the impossible and the wind brought him back to "reality." "Man can't walk on water, what am I doing?" So he took his eyes off Jesus and got distracted by the wind.

How often I do that as well. I'm already living an impossible life, and then, in a moment of panic or fear I let the storms around me distract me from my trust in Christ. I'm already living an impossible life, what's a little wind? So, today, as you "walk on water" keep your eyes on the Lord, don't let the winds of worry, work, problems or trials distract you. They can't hurt you. Keep your eyes on the Lord who makes the impossible possible.

Quote of the day

I chose the quote of the day in honor of my new friend, Rodney (I will tell you more about this divine appointment later.) The quote is from Tom Skinner. Most have never heard of him. Tom was a black evangelist in the late 60's until his early death in 1994. Tom came to speak for me at university in the early 70's and made an amazing impact in my life. My visit with Rodney yesterday brought up a flood of old memories of those days with Tom and his associate, Bill Pannell. So, in honor of them and Rodney, here is a quote from Tom Skinner-

The fullness of the Spirit is not a state of perfection; it is a state of surrender. It is not a state of sinlessness; it is a state of abandonment to Jesus Christ—when a person simply says, “I renounce all rights to myself and I give Jesus the right to do with me whatever he pleases.”
-Tom Skinner

Saturday's cartoon

Dramatic Lemur

Ok, since we are on the animal theme today I found this at Pastor Kris's blog- http://krissorensen.blogspot.com/.
Be sure to turn up your sound all the way for this.

New discoveries

This morning I read that scientists have found two new species of animal they didn't know existed before.

God is so creative. He has made some amazing animals that we are still discovering even today. Here's their photos.....go online and read more about them. As my granddaughters would say, "Aren't they cute?"