A world without grace

I have been watching, reading and listening to the changes coming in our world. The winds of change are brewing, and they whisper about a world ahead without grace. It's evident in the muslim faith- if you convert to Islam, great. But if you convert to another faith you must die! It is a faith completely lacking grace. The contrast between Islam and Christianity is dramatic, and it's very evident in this one area- grace. The God of the bible demonstrated his grace and love for man by becoming one of us, revealing himself to us, dying for us, and offering us forgiveness of all our sins...simply because we ask in faith!

There is no other faith like it. A faith based on the grace and love of God, full of promise and hope. All the work is done by God, not by us.

But we are in a time, in many parts of the world, where the grace of God is denied, ridiculed and suppressed...it's no longer the iron curtain we deal with, it's the graceless curtain of Islam. But God is amazing. He is penetrating that curtain with his grace and love. Man's best attempts at keeping him out look like children trying to dam a mighty river....their efforts are hopeless, the river will win and sweep them away. And in this battle between the world and the grace of God...God will win....he always does.

I have continued to read and think about the rise of Islam and its appeal...what is it that draws people to it? It's not grace, but the rules, the idea that I can work to please my god! How amazing that, in a world where God's riches and grace are free, so many want to work for them to please and worship a god who isn't really there! This is spiritual warfare at the highest levels. It's our opportunity to shine the light on God's wonderful grace in a world where many are without God's grace, and have no idea of how much he loves them.

Deep thoughts, part 4

Ok, now for some deep thoughts from a shallow mind. Realize that profound is just a word to me, and I live in the world of application (so what do I do with that?) So my thoughts will not stir you to great heights, but I do hope they will encourage you.

A few days ago I was working through some thoughts and came up with a new way to describe those who really enjoy the adventure of living- life adventurers. That concept has stuck with me and continued to make me think. Now these special people are few in our world, because so few realize who they are and what they have been given. It's a small club, membership is required. Membership is faith in Christ as savior. Only then do we have real life in the first place, only then do we even begin to begin the adventure, only then do we begin to see all that God has given us, only then are our eyes open to what an adventure this life with God can be. And yet there are so few of us...so few of those who have life who are enjoying the adventure. Most are still trying to act like the world. Most are still trying to fit in. Most are too afraid of God to trust him....yes, we will trust him for salvation, but thank you very much, we will handle the rest....and so we miss the adventure.

The model for life adventurers is Peter. Here's where his adventure really began-

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?"

For the rest of his life Peter had this night to think about, this adventure that changed his life....he had walked on water! It's funny that he still struggled so, yet he chose the adventure rather than the safety of the boat. I wonder how many of the 11 in the boat thought, "I wish I would have tried that. I wonder what it was like."

Life adventurers.....willing to step out of the safety of what we know, and choosing to trust God.

It be will exciting to see what God will do in the lives of those who choose the adventure.

Monday's cartoon

A great message

It's Sunday. I'm home sick. But still I wanted to take some time for the word....other than my personal reading, so I put on a message by Rob Bell that I got from my friend, Iggy. I have had the link for a few weeks, but haven't had time to watch it yet. Today I did...in my chair, under my blanket, shivering....and I want to share it with you as well. Take some time and watch this. It will be a great encouragement to you. Well done, Rob, well done....

Rob Bell at Willowcreek

A word from God

I'm reading through the book of Jeremiah as part of my daily reading and have come to chapter 23. It's a profound chapter addressing the problems of their day AND ours. God says to Jeremiah,


Jer 23:23 "Am I not a God near at hand"--GOD's Decree-- "and not a God far off?
Jer 23:24 Can anyone hide out in a corner where I can't see him?" GOD's Decree. "Am I not present everywhere, whether seen or unseen?" GOD's Decree.
Jer 23:25 "I know what they're saying, all these prophets who preach lies using me as their text, saying 'I had this dream! I had this dream!'
Jer 23:26 How long do I have to put up with this? Do these prophets give two cents about me as they preach their lies and spew out their grandiose delusions?
Jer 23:27 They swap dreams with one another, feed on each other's delusive dreams, trying to distract my people from me just as their ancestors were distracted by the no-god Baal.
Jer 23:28 "You prophets who do nothing but dream-- go ahead and tell your silly dreams. But you prophets who have a message from me-- tell it truly and faithfully. What does straw have in common with wheat? Nothing else is like GOD's Decree.
Jer 23:29 Isn't my Message like fire?" GOD's Decree. "Isn't it like a sledgehammer busting a rock?
Jer 23:30 "I've had it with the 'prophets' who get all their sermons secondhand from each other.
Jer 23:31 Yes, I've had it with them. They make up stuff and then pretend it's a real sermon.
Jer 23:32 "Oh yes, I've had it with the prophets who preach the lies they dream up, spreading them all over the country, ruining the lives of my people with their cheap and reckless lies. "I never sent these prophets, never authorized a single one of them. They do nothing for this people--nothing!" GOD's Decree.
Jer 23:33 "And anyone, including prophets and priests, who asks, 'What's GOD got to say about all this, what's troubling him?' tell him, 'You, you're the trouble, and I'm getting rid of you.'" GOD's Decree.
Jer 23:34 "And if anyone, including prophets and priests, goes around saying glibly 'GOD's Message! GOD's Message!' I'll punish him and his family.
Jer 23:35 "Instead of claiming to know what GOD says, ask questions of one another, such as 'How do we understand GOD in this?'
Jer 23:36 But don't go around pretending to know it all, saying 'God told me this . . . God told me that. . . .' I don't want to hear it anymore. Only the person I authorize speaks for me. Otherwise, my Message gets twisted, the Message of the living GOD-of-the-Angel-Armies.
Jer 23:37 "You can ask the prophets, 'How did GOD answer you? What did he tell you?'
Jer 23:38 But don't pretend that you know all the answers yourselves and talk like you know it all. I'm telling you: Quit the 'God told me this . . . God told me that . . .' kind of talk.
Jer 23:39 "Are you paying attention? You'd better, because I'm about to take you in hand and throw you to the ground, you and this entire city that I gave to your ancestors. I've had it with the lot of you.
Jer 23:40 You're never going to live this down. You're going down in history as a disgrace."

• It's amazing- I hear that God is speaking to the church today as well! I hear it from Christians often, "The Lord told me...." and off they go on some wonderful new revelation, but when I ask them if they are spending time in God's word I must tell you that I am greatly disappointed. Most Christians I run into do not spend time in God's word AT ALL! I am really disappointed by that. If this is true in other parts of the church in America we are in trouble.
• No one is willing to invest their time in the living word of God, but indulge new revelations like a wonderful piece of candy. It's almost as if they do not really want to hear what God really says, but would rather get some "word from God" to direct them and short-cut the very book God gave the church to help us grow up.
• I am tired of it. I am tired of hearing "The Lord told me" (when I know, after I hear what he supposedly said, that he didn't speak to them at all!) I am tired of people not caring enough about God to take even 5 minutes to spend in his word. I'm tired of the very things God speaks about in this passage in Jeremiah 23.
• So, having heard it, and seen it for many years now let me give you my insiders view- If someone says, "the Lord told me" I will almost guarantee they didn't get it from the bible, nor are they spending any time in the bible. I will almost guarantee they wouldn't know the voice of God if he spoke out loud from heaven. I will almost guarantee that these "revelations" are pride based....(I hear from God and you don't!)
• Well, enough of that. I have wanted to say something about this for years, and never have, so now...there it is. For my charismatic brothers- get in the word and see what God really says. For my evangelical brothers- get in the word and see what God really says. Then, when you say, "Can I share with you what I found in the word that really spoke to me?" I'm there! I'm all ears....that's my kind of word from God!

Now I know I will hear from some saying, "but doesn't God speak today?" Yes he does...and that's a visit for another post. But for today....get in his word and let him speak to you!

Things that don't make sense

What a world! We live in a time when people do and say things that don't make sense, then again maybe we have always been that way and I'm just now noticing. Anyway, this will be a new additon to this blog with funny signs, videos and "things that don't make sense." Some of the best material for this is in the news! As I find them you will see them. As you know by now I love humor, and think life should be enjoyed....there are a lot of bad days, so make the best of the good ones! Didn't Paul say the same thing? Something like, "rejoice in the Lord always, and again I say rejoice." I agree with him, and will try to make sure you get to smile once in a while.

Have a great day.

A fun blog site for those strange ones among us

As a college student I got hooked on the christian version of Mad Magazine- The Wittenburg Door. They are back in print again, it's not as good as it used to be, but still a lot of fun. They have now started a blog. SO......for those of you who like strange Christian humor...enjoy.

http://www.wittenburgblog.com/

A great day

I had the opportunity to attend a conference at Dallas Theological Seminary on Monday. The keynote speaker was Andy Stanley. I got there early and got a front row seat. I must tell you that Andy is a very gifted communicator. I really enjoyed his two sessions. Now I know that he has probably given these lectures dozens of times, but he did a great job of communicating some very important principles for pastors.

His focus in the first session was on systems. I won't go into that, but the second session was from one of his books on doing only what you do best. It's been a lingering thought in my mind since I read his book, and his talk brought it back to focus.

What is it that you do better than anyone else? What do you most enjoy? Is there a way you can focus on doing that and letting others do what they do best? These are some of the questions. I know it may be a "ministry" question, but I think it applies to all areas of life. What are you made to do, and are you doing it?

Just a few questions I will be thinking about this week.

Monday's cartoon

Behold, the Lamb!

It's Sunday morning. In about an hour I get to teach on one of the most amazing passages in the entire bible!

John 1: 29- "Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!"

John the Baptist made this proclamation as Jesus walked by one day. It was one of the most amazing proclamations of all times. Jesus, a lamb? In one specific way he was- he came for one purpose...to take away the sin of the world. He didn't come just to cover it, he came to take it away and he did. But did you notice he said sin not sins? Why? John was telling us that Jesus' work took care of the entire sin problem of mankind. And he didn't do it for just a few; he did it for the world, the KOSMOS in Greek, everyone! What an amazing statement! At the beginning of John we see by John's testimony how Jesus' life will end, as a sacrifice for sin.

How wonderful! How amazing! All we have to do is believe in him and trust him for what he has done. It's a free gift, available for "whosoever will come". If you haven't trusted him yet I invite you to trust him as your savior, your lamb sacrificed. There is no other payment for sin that God will accept.

How can we ever say thank you enough for what he has done? In fact he tells us in Rev. 5. Take a few moments in quiet to read this chapter, its amazing!

Rev 5:1 I saw in the right hand of Him who sat on the throne a book written inside and on the back, sealed up with seven seals.
Rev 5:2 And I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, "Who is worthy to open the book and to break its seals?"
Rev 5:3 And no one in heaven or on the earth or under the earth was able to open the book or to look into it.
Rev 5:4 Then I began to weep greatly because no one was found worthy to open the book or to look into it;
Rev 5:5 and one of the elders *said to me, "Stop weeping; behold, the Lion that is from the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has overcome so as to open the book and its seven seals."
Rev 5:6 And I saw between the throne (with the four living creatures) and the elders a Lamb standing, as if slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God, sent out into all the earth.
Rev 5:7 And He came and took the book out of the right hand of Him who sat on the throne.
Rev 5:8 When He had taken the book, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each one holding a harp and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints.
Rev 5:9 And they *sang a new song, saying, "Worthy are You to take the book and to break its seals; for You were slain, and purchased for God with Your blood men from every tribe and tongue and people and nation.
Rev 5:10 "You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to our God; and they will reign upon the earth."
Rev 5:11 Then I looked, and I heard the voice of many angels around the throne and the living creatures and the elders; and the number of them was myriads of myriads, and thousands of thousands,
Rev 5:12 saying with a loud voice, "Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power and riches and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing."
Rev 5:13 And every created thing which is in heaven and on the earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all things in them, I heard saying, "To Him who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb, be blessing and honor and glory and dominion forever and ever."
Rev 5:14 And the four living creatures kept saying, "Amen." And the elders fell down and worshiped.

Life!

One year ago today a young man in our community died from an overdose of drugs. I had the honor of doing his funeral. In the course of those days, after he was found, the grief of the family began to pour out. It was a very difficult time.

Over the years I have done many funerals like this, and they are all hard...the loss of a loved one, the sadness of bad choices, the questions "why?", the hurt.....there is so much that goes on in our hearts with a loss like this.

All of this is called life, and it's not simply a straight road off into the horizon. There are many twists and bends in our roads that we don't see coming. We all want a straight, smooth road with no bumps or surprises...just an easy course to eternity, but life doesn't work that way. The road we are on isn't always smooth, straight, easy or predictable. It's bumpy, with twists we didn't expect, it's rarely smooth and straight only happens in pictures....it's life!

I love the script of the movie "Parenthood" with Steve Martin when his wife talks about life, and how we look at it, whether we are a "roller coaster person" or a "merry-go-round person". Some people hate the roller coaster, and others love it. I have always been like Steve Martin's character- I like the merry-go-round...it's more predictable, no surprises. But I am honestly glad this life we are living isn't just a boring road into the distance, or a merry-go-round going in circles. I'm glad there are surprises, I am thrilled to have times of laughter and sorrow, I can't wait to see what's around the next turn in the road.....because I get to use those times to trust God more. My bumps, twists, turns, sorrows, surprises and disappointments are all faith opportunities...what will I do with them? How will I respond to the bump? What will I do with the next disappointment? How will I handle my next loss? How will I respond to the next praise I receive? How will I handle the blessings I get? Will good days make me comfortable? Will bad days make me bitter?

All of it is an adventure...an opportunity to grow in faith. I think I got some of that from my mom, she is the ultimate "life-adventurer", she lives for the opportunity to see what God will do next, and can't wait to rejoice in it. How's your life going- an adventure or an ordeal? Let me encourage you to join me as a "life-adventurer."

Pro 3:5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart And do not lean on your own understanding.
Pro 3:6 In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He will make your roads straight.

Psa 43:5 Why are you in despair, O my soul? And why are you disturbed within me? Hope in God, for I shall again praise Him, The help of my countenance and my God.

Blessed!

Pro 18:22 He who finds a wife finds a good thing and obtains favor from the LORD.

I must tell you that God loves me because he gave me such a wonderful wife! My sweet wife, Joye, and I celebrate 33 years of marriage today!

We are most blessed, and I'm thrilled to have such a wonderful partner to go through life with.

I have indeed found favor from the Lord!

Valentine's Day!

I had to run by the store tonight on my way home and stumbled into the funniest site! In the store were roses and cards on display for Valentine's day and hovering around them were dozens of men, glazed looks in their eyes staring at cards, flowers and candy. They looked lost and confused. It almost made me laugh until I realized I had joined them. And like the other devoted men in line I paid way too much for my dozen roses and went home to my wonderful wife. Happy Valentine's Day!

Deep thoughts, part 3

Ok, now for some deep thoughts from a shallow mind. Realize that profound is just a word to me, and I live in the world of application (so what do I do with that?) So my thoughts will not stir you to great heights, but I do hope they will encourage you.

I am amazed at how God works. He sure does things differently than I would do them! I'm the kind of person that just does it, gets it done...I like the comedian who says, "get 'er done!" I think that's funny. (I know, I'm strange.) But God works in such a different way. He has a grand plan for man and the universe, but to do it he uses the fallen men and women he came to save. He saves us, gives us gifts, then gives us a mission. We use his word, his gifts, his spirit, his resources, and his leading to reach those around us. He provides everything, and all I provide is me. Available...that's the key. Everything else is from him. What a strange way of doing things! But it works, and out of it all he gets all the glory. I'm amazed at the way God works- His gifts, his spirit, his word, his power, his leading, his glory.....and all I bring is me. I think I get it....it's all about him, by him, through him and for him. It's an amazing kingdom....this kingdom God has invited us to participate in.

Monday's cartoon