Are we doing this right???

My 8 year old niece is a video game wizard. You can place her in front of a Wii, PlayStation, or Xbox, and without even glancing at the instructions she will master any game out there. This is amazing to me, because I grew up in a world where there was only a joystick and a single button. Although I could take the time to learn how to play the new systems, there are really too many buttons for me to really enjoy the fun.

Anyway, for Christmas, my niece received one of those video game consoles that has over 100 built in games. This machine was filled with things like Donkey Kong Junior, Centipede, Galaga and Mario to name a few. I watched as she tried to figure out the games and how she marveled that her Dad and I knew the secrets of how to navigate these games.

She was used to playing by a certain set of rules and functionality that just didn’t fit into the way these games were built. Although the controller that came with this game looked like the PlayStation controller, the games behaved like the single joystick/single button games.

This made me think about Christianity. A lot of times, we try to handle situations, struggles and problems, but we’re using the wrong controller. We have the internet, so answers are always at our fingers – and there are a million opinions to be found to help with almost any situation. We have doctors that prescribe drugs for almost any problem that can be found. We have self-help books that are designed to help us manage our lives.

The problem is that we are in a spiritual battle. And  although “We are human, but we don’t wage war as humans do. We use God’s might weapons, not worldly weapons, to knock down strongholds of human reasoning to destroy false arguments. We destroy every proud obstacle that keeps people from knowing God. We capture their rebellious thoughts and teach them to obey Christ.” 2 Cor 10:3-4 New Living Translation.

Sometimes, as Christians, we forget that “we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world,  and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.” Ephesians 6:12 New Living Translation.

My question for the day is – are you approaching life with the right perspective to handle the struggles that we face on a regular basis, or are you still using the same rules for a system that doesn’t apply to spiritual matters?

What does your tree look like?

I love Christmas time. It is the time of year when people put a sharp focus on Jesus. More people come to church on Christmas and Easter than any other time of the year. When my sons were younger, their Mother would say -It's Jesus' birthday, which is a trend that I am seeing now more than ever.

Of course in hard economic times such as these, I also know of many parents who were very stressed about whether or not their children would "have Christmas." Having Christmas, in today's terms, means having toys to open under the Christmas tree.

There are others that wonder why the fruits of our labor, the hard work that we've all done over the course of the year can put so little under the tree. People literally stress out looking for sales and bargains, while others go deeper into debt - for gifts for all those around us.

We really pay attention to showing others that we care - and we do it by sharing gifts. Every year... we struggle hard to do this... More than one time this year, I've heard these words uttered to this effect - "I don't know why I try, you don't deserve this..." or even worse... recipients of a GIFT not thankful for what was given.

There is a difference between gifts under a tree and fruit on a tree. Gifts under a tree brings temporary happiness, where fruit on a tree brings life. As Christians, we should truly be more concerned with the fruit on our tree and how we show that to others!

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. Galatians 5:22-23 (King James)

Were there times when we didn't show these fruits this season? If so, we should concentrate on trimming our spiritual tree a little more than the care we spent making sure our Christmas tree looked good...

Trust me, I'm not trying to make you feel bad. Let's call it - good old fashioned Christian accountability. When I was in college and involved in campus ministry the leadership team would keep each other in check by quoting Philippians 4:8 to each other when we weren't totally being Christlike. It hurt to be called out in front of each other... but it helped us become aware of just how visible our life is to others.

So, I leave you with this checklist to keep in the back of your mind. When you go through your day take a quick pulse check to make sure you're concentrating on the right thing...

Summing it all up, friends, I'd say you'll do best by filling your minds and meditating on things true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious - the best, not the worst; the beautiful, not the ugly; things to praise, not things to curse. Put into practice what you learned from me, what you saw and realized. Do that, and God, who makes everything work together, will work you into his most excellent harmonies. Philippians 4:8 (The Message)

What is the Bible?

What is the Bible? This seems like such an easy and straight forward question... but is it?

I once had a Pastor that considered the Bible to be nothing more than a mine where you find "nuggets of truth" - and if you found enough of these nuggets of truth that applied to your life, then you would have a rich life.

In the 80's - it was broken down as the acronym "Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth" - or a set of rules that you had  to follow if you wanted to make it to heaven...

To others, it's history - and you read it like a history book - it's a series of events that happened 2000 and more years ago.

But really... what is it and why is it important to read it, spend time in it and know it?

The Bible is really just a collection of words... the thing that makes the words important is that they are the words of a Holy God, and as a result are true words that have the power to change lives. They are the words that teach us the will of a living God who cares for us and wants to get to know us intimately.

The words have the power to change our lives and give us the ability to overcome sin.

Thy word have I hid in my heart, so I won't sin against you. (Psalm 119:11)

 The words helps us know what to ask for to stay in the will of God.

...But if you remain in me and my words remain in you, you may ask for anything you want, and it will be granted. (John 15:7)

 Words build relationship

Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and the Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him. (John 4:23)

 God's word is eternal - even when we get to heaven, his words will still be true!

Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away. (Luke 21:33)

 I can go on and on with scriptural references about what the word of God is and how it applies to our lives and why it's important... but I just want to leave you with this one thought...

Can you name one person that you have a good relationship with where you don't understand their words? If Christianity is a relationship with God through Christ, shouldn't we... understand his words?

No one likes a spoiled brat...

My oldest son is 19. When he was about 19 months old he burned his hands one Thanksgiving. It was really one of those freak accidents that every parent feels bad about. His mother was taking the turkey out of the oven, and while she was putting it on the counter, he bent over and placed both of his hands on the open oven door!

I know all of the parents out there just cringed - because it's the worst possible thing ever to see or hear about children getting hurt. The thing is... if the situation was different, if there were no turkey in her hands, if she were able... she would have done anything to keep that accident from happening.

Parents who don't believe in yelling would yell at their child. Parents who don't believe in spanking would instinctively swat at their child. Others would violently lunge at their child and snatch the back of their pant to remove them from the danger.

We, as parents would do anything to correct our children and keep them from harm... even if it startled the child or caused the child to cry, That's because we know the pain of the consequences of the danger that they were in.

Our oldest son is fine. The burns weren't bad, thank God. He doesn't even remember that this happened and there are no long lasting effects. That's a good thing... but here's something to think about...

Everyone out there - parent or non-parent would have done anything in their power to prevent this from happening because at some fundamental level, we understand that kids do not know better and they need to be protected from dangers that they do not understand.

So, my question of the day is this... Where in your life is God correcting you? None of us are perfect. If there isn't an area where God isn't trying to make you better then something is wrong! God has a track record of helping us live according a holy life. If we aren't hearing from God ways that we can become better Christians, we need to wonder why... Either God is speaking and we've learned to tune Him out, or maybe our relationship with our heavenly Father isn't quite where we thought it was....

Proverbs 13:24 (NLT) Those who spare the rod of discipline hate their children. Those who love their children care enough to discipline them.

Hebrews 12:5-7 (NLT) And have you forgotten the encouraging words God spoke to you as his children? He said, "My child, don't make light of the Lord's discipline, and don't give up when he corrects you. For the Lord disciplines those he loves, and he punishes each one he accepts as his child." As you endure this divine discipline, remember that God is treating you as his own children. Who ever heard of a child who is never disciplined by his father?"

Revelation 3:19-20 (NLT) As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent. Behold, I stand at the door and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.

... and they lived happily ever after... The End?

Fairy tales... we all read them when we were growing up. The most famous ones become Disney movies. The interesting thing is that they all have the same basic story. There is a princess that needs rescuing, a hero that doesn't know that he's a hero and a villain or an obstacle that needs to be overcome.

Imaginations are unleashed when the story is told. Most little girls dream about being a princess and it even flows into the way that they play. I don't think I've ever visited a friend who has a daughter that hasn't had at least one plastic tiara encrusted with  plastic ornate jewels.

We can't forget the little boys who will find a stick in the back yard and wave it around like it's a sword, or even wrestle a pillow like it's an adversary that needs to be overcome.

We tend to lose ourselves in that story and actually want to become the heroes.

When it comes to reading the Bible, it's a little different. Sometimes, we think about the Bible as being about the people that did mighty things - and we even think about what Jesus did for us, but we forget who the Bible is about.

The Bible is God's story. "In the beginning God created..." - it's about what He has done and continues to do for the people that are called by His name.

Sometimes, we get caught up in what God can do for us and frustrated because He may not grant a prayer request when we want him to... but we need to remember... it's not our story - it's His.

In the end, God gets the ultimate victory and we will rejoice and praise Him for all that He has done, because He is faithful, just and true.

So... today - let's take a moment and remember that we are God's supporting cast. Let us pray for His success in the world and that we may loyally follow Him so that His goal is accomplished. After all, we call ourselves Christians because we do what Christ did. In John 6:38 Jesus says:

I come down form heaven, not to do my own will, but the will of Him that sent me.

Let's try to remember that today, and keep things in perspective!

Battling burn out

I love my wife. When I think about her, a smile flickers across my face. Almost every weekend it's guaranteed that the following will take place. She'll wake up in the morning, have her morning cup of coffee... then get busy with the things that need to be done around the house.

 She will work at a frenetic pace. Start a load of laundry, fold a load of clothes, make sure the dish washer is running, vacuum one room then mop the kitchen floor. It's a wonder to behold as she works in multiple rooms at what appears to be the same time.

Now... all the women that are reading this are probably wondering "why... since you notice this, don't you get off your behind and help her?"

That... is a brilliant question! We're newlyweds - we've been married for about 6 months. I don't know her system. She hasn't discipled me - or taught me her system. I have asked - she occasionally asks me to do some things - which I do well... but she hasn't taught me her system.

Even bigger than that, sometimes she get frustrated because others in the house don't see all the work that needs to be done, so she truly feels that all the responsibility lies squarely on her shoulders!

What I see in our house on a weekly basis is the same thing that I see in the church. The same small group of people run around frantically trying to hold things together and make things happen.

This... is a recipe for burn-out and frustration.

In Matthew 9:38 Jesus tells his disciples to "Pray that the Lord of the harvest will send laborers into his harvest." The thing is... if we don't teach them how to "pick the grapes" then they're really just sitting in the way and there is no need for the Lord of the harvest to send more workers.

We have to train the workers that we have!

It's the most wonderful time... of the year...!

Christmas has always fascinated me. It is a season of deep contrasts and as of late, bitter debate among many. For example, for years Christians have been rallying against those who want to say "Merry Xmas" or "Happy Holidays!" This is the time of year when Christians put up signs and wear buttons that say things like: "Let's keep the Christ in CHRISTmas" or "It's okay to say Merry Christmas." Even where I work, we no longer have a Christmas party, we have a Holiday party, even though everyone that I work with celebrates Christmas! It's an interesting struggle to watch year after year.

The other deep contrast that I see unfold lies between gift giving and gift receiving. From kids to adults, a month or more before Christmas, people become obsessed with gift giving... or is it gift receiving? I'm not sure. Most parents struggle and make sacrifices to make sure that their children get the one or two things that they really want. And even though parents who sacrifice for their children, feel a little hint of sadness when they receive socks for Christmas.

These two things are a stark contrast to me - keeping Christ in Christmas and the obsession with gifts.

I John 2:15-17 (New Living Translation)
15 Do not love this world nor the things it offers you, for when you love the world, you do not have the love of the Father in you. 16 For the world offers only a craving for physical pleasure, a craving for everything we see, and pride in our achievements and possessions. These are not from the Father, but are from this world. 17 And this world is fading away, along with everything that people crave. But anyone who does what pleases God will live forever.

 I understand that Jesus emptied Himself of all of His riches and gave to us the means to be adopted into His family. My question is, as Christians, are we teaching the emptying of our wallets for temporary happiness, or are we teaching the world through our actions to show compassion to those who don't have. Are we sharing the gospel with the sick, the sad, and the lonely?

This time of year, we struggle to keep Christ in Christmas. Let's also struggle to keep Christ in Christianity and do what Jesus did. Jesus came to reach out to those who were lost an in need of a savior. So let's not forget those who are less fortunate than we are this time of year.

Mark 2:17
When Jesus heard it, he saith unto them, They that are whole have no need of the physician, but they that are sick: I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.

The Power of Adoption

Have you heard of Rachel Crow? If you haven't, you will. Rachel made her debut on season one of The X Factor. She captured America's heart from her first appearance on the show. The thing about Rachel is that she has an interesting story. Her birth mother was addicted to crack cocaine. As a matter of fact, there were times when her and her Mother were homeless, and at one point - she even lived in a crack house with her Mom.

Once the authorities found out, Rachel was taken out of the house, placed in foster care and eventually was adopted by another family. On the show, you can see how her adopted mother and sister truly cared for her and supported her.

Rachel understands the importance of adoption. There are a couple things we can be sure of from this story. Rachel will probably never do drugs. This is because she remembers what her past was like and the boundless potential that she now has living with supporting parents.

Christians can take a lesson from this. You see, many of us accept Jesus as our personal Lord and Savior. We view it as a decision that we make. Since it's only a decision, then there are times when we can choose to live according to the flesh... when it's convenient... as a matter of fact, although we're ashamed to admit it, many of us do.

But... what if we realized that we were adopted into God's family. How would that change our lives if on a regular basis we realized what our past was like - and that our past would only bring pain and eventual death. Would we treat this adoption that we have frivolously? I don't think so!

It's time that we stop thinking about Christianity as just a choice that we make - and realize that it's a relationship where we are now a part of God's family. We need to stop "sneaking out of our new house" and going back to our life before adoption. We need to cherish and experience all that God has in store for us as he embraces us as his Children.

Let's stop thinking about this as it being our choice to come to God's house - where as a result, we can leave any time we want to. Let's understand that we've been adopted into a family... and start acting like it!

Romans 8:15
For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.

Galatians 4:4-7
King James Version (KJV)
 4But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law,
 5To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.
 6And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.
7Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.

John 1:12-13
King James Version (KJV)
 12But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:
 13Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.

1 John 3:1-2
King James Version (KJV)
1 John 3
 1Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not.
 2Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.

What should I study?

There's an old joke - if you want to get a guitar player to turn his instrument down, put sheet music in front of him. The sad truth is, the quickest way to get the average church goer to be quiet is to say "where is that found in the Bible?"

We live in an era where we can tell you our favorite web pages, tell you what happened in every Will Ferrell movie, quote the stats of our favorite athletes, even explain why we like or dislike certain politicians, but are hard pressed to explain what we believe when it comes to our Christian faith!

I admit it, the Bible is big. 66 books spanning thousands of years. There are cultural differences that don't seem to make sense in today's time and so many strange names and places. Most of us read devotionals, and can probably quote a handful of scriptures - but how can you really understand more?

I've never been one for checklists, but I'll provide a few suggestions:

• Read an entire book.
• Read all the way through whole books in the New Testament in one setting, like Ephesians, Hebrews, Romans, or Luke.
• When you read a devotional that has a single verse or 2 extracted, take time to read the whole chapter that the verse is in. 
• Read the chapters before or after as well to get an understanding of what the author was really trying to address
• Get a good chain reference Bible
• follow the references to see how the story of the Bible unfolds and how the Old and New Testament share so many of the same truths

2 Peter 2:15 (Ampliphied)
15Study and be eager and do your utmost to present yourself to God approved (tested by trial), a workman who has no cause to be ashamed, correctly analyzing and accurately dividing [rightly handling and skillfully teaching] the Word of Truth.

The first and most important thing to do is to start reading your Bible. Even if you don't understand it... read it. Think about the things that your read, ponder them, pray about them.

When you're faithful in this, God's Holy Spirit will help it all make sense to you. That was one of the last promises that Jesus left with his disciples:

John 14:26
New Living Translation (NLT)
26 But when the Father sends the Advocate as my representative—that is, the Holy Spirit—he will teach you everything and will remind you of everything I have told you.

God promises to send us the Holy Spirit that will teach us what we need to know and help us to remember it so we may grow and disciple others.

Strong as an lion...

When I ask Christians how strong they are in their faith, most of them say that they still need to grow, or that they still have a lot to learn. Even people who have been in the church for years somehow feel woefully inadequate when it comes to really understanding and knowing what they believe.

A lot of times, when asked to explain why they believe something, they either quote what they read in a book or what their Pastor said. It's rare to find someone that can explain what they mean and back it up with a Biblical reference.

I'm not trying to put the blame on the Pastor. Most Pastors I know lament over the fact that they have to keep their sermons short and at a surface level so their congregation can get something that will hopefully stick and pique their interest to want to know more.

I think it's more tradition. Our tradition has taught us that we as lay people (a lay person is someone that has not been called into the clergy) cannot possibly understand what the Bible says and that we can't truly understand it because we haven't gone to seminary or Bible school. Our tradition has taught us to depend on others to teach us what the Bible says because we can't possible read it for ourselves.

This... has changed the way that we see ourselves - and for most, has us living a mediocre Christian life.

Maybe, it's time to break the tradition and really study the Bible for what it says ourselves. Maybe it's time for us to read it, meditate on it, and ask questions until we are sure that we understand it for ourselves... I know that's not the ways it's been done in the past... that's not "our tradition."

Colossians 2:6-12
New International Version (NIV)
 6 So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, 7 rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.
 8 See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the elemental spiritual forces of this world rather than on Christ.
 9 For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, 10 and in Christ you have been brought to fullness. He is the head over every power and authority. 11 In him you were also circumcised with a circumcision not performed by human hands. Your whole self ruled by the flesh was put off when you were circumcised by Christ, 12 having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through your faith in the working of God, who raised him from the dead.

... that was embarrassing...

Have you ever been out in public and tripped over something? The very first thing you do when you recover is look around to see if anyone is looking. It's embarrassing.

I was running sound at this church and needed to get on stage to set something up. For a moment, I thought back to my glory days as an athlete as I jogged down the aisle. I looked at the stage, carefully measured, leaped into the air like a graceful gazelle!

Unfortunately, my foot caught the edge of the stage and I went sprawling across the floor. Several people ran over to me to see if I was okay. All I could do was laugh. If I would have thought about the extra 30 pounds I'm carrying, and the fact that I hadn't tried to jump in like 5 years, I would have known.

That was an embarrassing fall.

On TV, there have also been other embarrassing falls of a different kind. Jimmy Swaggart, Jim Baker, Bishop Eddy Long. We all seem less forgiving when there's a spiritual fall.

One of the things that I struggle with as a Christian is that we don't prepare the people in our churches with how to respond accordingly when they mess up in their Christian walk. A lot of times, people don't discuss their struggles or when they fall because they don't want to be in the spotlight. This results in them living in secret sin that doesn't really help them repent, change, or do better.

Jesus, taught his disciples how to respond.

In Luke 22:31-32, Jesus looks at Peter and says:

"Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift each of you like wheat. But I have pleaded in prayer for you, Simon, that your faith should not fail. So when you have repented and turned to me again, strengthen your brothers. (NLT)

Wow... Jesus took the time to instruct Peter on how to respond when he fell into temptation and failed!

• Repent
• Turn to me again
• Strengthen your brothers

So many times, we try to hide our sins. Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying that we should embrace them... we shouldn't. But we do need to repent, turn to God, and strengthen our fellow Christians by letting them know what we did, and that we've repented, and that we all need to struggle together to achieve all that God has planned for us.

Teachable Moments

Give some fruit

Pluck it off the vine

I'm giving my fruit

'Cause it ain't mine

It was only made for others to eat

To me it's bitter

But to them it's sweet.

Give some fruit

Take it off the shelf

Good for others' consumption

But stale to eat yourself. 

-Your Life, His Masterpiece - LBF

Why do I start off my blog posts with a story? A few reasons... first, to catch your attention, to connect at a human level, to give you something to think about. Jesus actually did the same thing - except he called them parables.

Many times, Jesus would teach in parables and sometimes, even his own disciples wouldn't understand exactly what he meant. In Matt 13:36 is says:

Then leaving the crowds outside, Jesus went into the house. His disciples said, "Please explain to us the story of the weeds in the field." (NLT)

Jesus took the time to explain plainly what the parables meant then in Matt 13:51 asks

"Do you understand all these things?  (NLT)

That's a big part of discipleship. It's not just saying something and hoping that it sticks. It's taking the time to explain exactly what you mean so they can understand it. 

With that said, please allow me to tell you what the above poem means to me...

The fruit, is what we've learned from the word of God. We share it with others because it's not ours. It's God's message to a world that he desperately loves. Sometimes, it's annoying to have to explain what seems so clear to us... that's when it's bitter But - to people that don't know, who haven't heard... it's sweet and they want more!

That's what discipleship is... sharing what you know, and making sure that others understand... BUT... if you notice... the explanation is only given to those that want to know...

Backyard gardens...

We had a vegetable garden in our back yard when I was growing up. Every year, we would plant tomatoes, green beans, collard greens, and a few other items. Every year my Father would get out there and work the ground, plant the seeds, remove the weeds by hand, build trellises for the tomatoes and beans. At the end of the year, he would happily go out there, pick the food and for a few weeks we would have fresh home grown vegetables. There wasn't enough food to get us through the winter - just enough to enjoy some home cooked food with the work of his hand.

One year, when I turned 8 or 9, my Dad called me into the back yard with him. He showed me how to till the ground. That's how it all started. For the rest of the year every time the garden needed to be tended, I was out there by his side learning, step by step. At the end of the year, he taught me the proper way to pick the fruits and vegetables in a way not to damage the fruit.

The next year, I did more of the gardening while he watched. He successfully taught me how to garden.

That... is discipleship in the nutshell.

When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them because they were confused and helpless, like a sheep without a shepherd. He said to his disciples, "The harvest is great, but the workers are few. So pray to the Lord who is in charge of the harvest; ask him to send more workers into his fields." (Matt 9:36-38 NLT)

The first thing that Jesus did when he began to disciple who we later call The Apostles was - pray that God send workers.

The thing is... when the workers get there... just like my Dad did to me, we're going to have to teach them how to work the field...

So, here's my challenge for you today. Take a moment and look around you. Notice the people that are hurting. Ask God to make you aware of the people that need Him... and pray that he sends workers.

Selah.

What does it mean to disciple someone?

When I was in high school we had the opportunity to take a lump of clay, use a pottery wheel and make a little earthen vase. No matter how hard I tried, no matter how many times I started over, my lump of clay never took any form that looked like anything. I think when I was all done, I had this short, shallow, leaning, malformed, lumpy thing that I called an ash tray. In reality, it wasn't even good enough to hold ash because of the cracks in the side.

I didn't realize until today why I was never able to make anything. It's because I didn't have an idea of what I wanted it to look like, I half expected it to form itself. There was no plan. The clay was there. The pottery wheel was there. My fingers, some water and a sponge was there. I had all the elements, so a beautiful work of art should just form... right?

In reality, it takes vision and intent to make something out of nothing. You have to have a plan.

I was talking with a friend of mine from college last night. We were discussing what it was like when we were in college and involved in campus ministry. When we got there, we were just these lumps of misshaped clay, and by the time we graduated, we had been made into disciples. We knew what we believed, we knew how to teach others and we were on fire. Our campus leaders knew how to equip us.

When Jesus started his ministry he said these words:

Come, follow me, and I will show you how to fish for people! (Matt 4:19 NLT)

For the next 3 1/2 years, he taught them. As a matter of fact, the last thing that Jesus says before going back to heaven was:

I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age. (Matt 28:18-20)

My mind drifts back to a book... "Disciples are made not born" by Walter A. Henrichsen ... I may have to dig that up for a refresher...

I want it now!

I remember when I was a child and the Sears catalog would come just when the holiday season would come. I would sit down and look over the pages... carefully picking out the things that I would ask my parents for. There was a lot of excitement and anticipation after I made my list - wondering if I would get what I wanted.

The truth is, in those days, I generally got what I needed - another pair of shoes for the 2nd half of the school year, clothes to replace what I had grown out of and usually the one big toy that I wanted and a few other things as well. That was enough to make me happy.

Times have changed as our economy has grown. People are use to getting what they want all the time now - well at least before the great recession hit... but most people still sacrifice to give their children what they want. I can understand that... I think of what Jesus sacrificed to give us eternal life, in that same spirit, we sacrifice to give to those around us.

But... what does that teach us about patience? After all, when it comes to God's plan, he rarely moves as quickly as we do for our children.

I woke up this morning thinking about Jacob. Jacob needed a wife, and he saw this beautiful woman named Rachel.  He told her father that he would work for him for 7 years to marry her... wait. sees this woman - that he wants to marry... and he is willing to wait how long? 7 years? Ooooookay.... (Genesis 29:15-18)

Jacob works for 7 years. It goes by quickly - he's in love. He gets to see to object of his affection on a daily basis - so time flies. I imagine he got to see her at meal times and that they had great conversations as they continued to get to know each other.

Then... it comes time to marry her - his father pulls the switharoo and he ends up marrying Leah. (Gen 29:21-27)

WHAT??!!!

He marries Leah, and according to their custom spends a week with her which is time that he isn't spending with the object of his desire - Rachel.

After all of that, he was allowed to marry Rachel.

I'm not sure why God allowed such a thing to happen, but what I do know is that from all of this, Jacob had 12 song who eventually became the 12 tribes of Israel - a nation by which we are all blessed today.

I guess God does have a plan, maybe we aren't patient enough to see it through today...

Sounding like a broken record...

In the days when records ruled more than cassette tapes, and CDs, MP3s and iPods weren't even a thought - there were these things called records. Records were great, and many music lovers still buy "vinyl" today because they believe the music just sounds better.

The problem with records was that it was easy for records to "skip". A skip could be caused by a few things... too much dust collecting in the grooves causing the needle not to progress. That would mess with the sound. Other imes make the arm not progress across the record causing the same thing to be played over... and over.

A scratch or a blemish could also cause the record to skip. When there was a scratch, the needle might slide backwards and cause a segment of the song to be played over and over again. In other instances, if the scratch were really bad, it would skip across multiple songs.

Sometimes, reading the Bible is like listening to a scratched record. Mankind has these blemishes and flaws that  cause us to either repeat the same mistakes over and over OR try to skip to the end. Either way... the intent of having the playlist of our life gets disrupted by these scratches that we pick up along the way.

Let me see if I can demonstrate  this...

• We choose to follow God (Joshua 24:15 - But as for me and my family, we will serve the Lord.)
• Life gets in the way, and we forget about God (Judges 2:10 - A generation grew up who did not acknowledge the Lord or remember the mighty things he had done.)
• Then, someone comes along and reminds us to serve God (2 Kings 22 - Josiah finds the law and brings the people to repentance)
•  We become comfortable with God and treat our relationship with him casually (Romans 1:21 Yes, they knew God, but they didn't worship him as God or give him thanks.)

Then, I read about people who got it. People who endured being mocked and beat. People who are put in prison. People who were killed for their belief "Of whom the world was not worthy" (Hebrews 11:38 KJV) and I get a little anxious.

I, sometimes am afraid that if I try really hard I will fail God, That I won't have the faith required to do what he is asking of me. So, sometimes, I sit content - and not do anything at all.

Sometimes I get caught up at looking at the people that got it wrong and put myself in that lot and not looking at the ones that got it right.

Do you see what this means - all these pioneers who blazed the way, all these veterans cheering on? It means we'd better get on with it. Strip down, start running - and never quit! No extra spiritual fat, no parasitic sins. Keep your eyes on Jesus, who both began and finished this race we're in. Study how he did it. Because he never lost sight f where he was headed - that exhilarating finish in and with God - he could put up with anything along the way: Cross, shame, whatever. And now he's there, in the place of honor, right alongside God. When you find yourselves flagging in your faith, go over that story again, item by item, that long litany of hostility he plowed through. That will shoot adrenaline into your souls!

In this all-out match against sin, others have suffered far worse than you, to say nothing of what Jesus went through - all that bloodshed! So don't feel sorry for yourselves. (Hebrews 11:1-5 - The Message)

What are you using to measure?

Most of the people that I know are battling their weight on some level. I know people that go to the doctor, step on the scale, then when they see the weight, immediately start making excuses and say things like - "I can take 10 pounds off for my shoes, clothes, keys, and the 3 pennies that I have in my pocket..."

The truth is, if you're trying to shave 10 pounds, you probably have more than 10 pounds that you need to worry about.

But we try to rationalize things using the scale in our mind... and as a result, we rarely do anything about the belly fat that resides around our mid section. The problem is - we are trying to rationalize with an objective measure, and our justification in our own mind, doesn't change the reality.

This spills over into our work life. We compare ourselves to what we perceive others doing at work, and even worse... we do the same thing in the church.

The question is... as Christians, what should we be measuring ourselves against?

In Leviticus 20:7, it says "Sanctify yourselves therefore, and be ye holy: for I am the Lord your God. He goes further in verse 8 and says "And you shall keep my statutes, and do them: I am the Lord that sanctifies you."

God is basically saying He is the line that we should want to measure ourselves by. We need to considere ourselves sacred or a holy people. And as we continue in living a holy life, God will help us achieve that. But... we have to be willing. We have to decide!

But surely, that's just in the old testament... we are under grace now, right?

1 Peter 1:16 - Because it is written, be holy for I am holy.

Today, let's struggle to do more than what is needed to get by. Let us strive to be all that God has called us to be.

Impossible? That's what you think...

Somewhere along the way, I think a lot of Christians got confused. There is this belief that we can ask God for anything that we want, and He will give it to us. We are taught that if we just have faith, the size of a mustard seed... that we can ask for anything we want and God will do it. Nothing will be impossible. (Matt 17:19-20)

So, one day, something happens... and we pray, and pray, and pray, and pray... and the situation doesn't get better. So we get angry with God. Our faith gets shaken. In the future, when is comes time to pray, we only pray half hearted.

Maybe our premise is wrong.

Jesus said that he came to do the will of the the One that sent him. (John 6:38). What if Jesus was truly saying God will ask you to do things that you think are impossible, but if you ask Him to do what he says, and believe - He will make it happen.

Ezekiel 37:1-7
 1 The Lord took hold of me, and I was carried away by the Spirit of the Lord to a valley filled with bones. 2 He led me all around among the bones that covered the valley floor. They were scattered everywhere across the ground and were completely dried out. 3 Then he asked me, “Son of man, can these bones become living people again?”
   “O Sovereign Lord,” I replied, “you alone know the answer to that.”
 4 Then he said to me, “Speak a prophetic message to these bones and say, ‘Dry bones, listen to the word of the Lord! 5 This is what the Sovereign Lord says: Look! I am going to put breath into you and make you live again! 6 I will put flesh and muscles on you and cover you with skin. I will put breath into you, and you will come to life. Then you will know that I am the Lord.’”
 7 So I spoke this message, just as he told me. Suddenly as I spoke, there was a rattling noise all across the valley. The bones of each body came together and attached themselves as complete skeletons.

But this is extreme, right? Things like this just don't happen... this was a vision... wasn't it?

John 6:5-7 
5 When Jesus looked up and saw a great crowd coming toward him, he said to Philip, “Where shall we buy bread for these people to eat?” 6 He asked this only to test him, for he already had in mind what he was going to do.
 7 Philip answered him, “It would take more than half a year’s wages[a] to buy enough bread for each one to have a bite!”

God knows what he is going to do. I know sometimes what he asks of us seems impossible... but we need to believe that He is faithful... so maybe, when you feel God is asking us to do the impossible, we should pray... have faith... and watch Him do the impossible.

That's the kind of faith and relationship that I want to have with God... I want to show myself faithful in the small things so He will show me how big He really is.

Why am I here

At some point, I think thinks about this question in some way.

Why am I here.
Why was I born into this family.
Why do I live here.

It's almost like we instinctively know that we're suppose to fulfill some purpose with our lives, but we can't quite figure out how we can get there from here.

Maybe... just maybe, we are where we are suppose to be, but WE are the ones trying to solve the wrong problem.

I always like to go to the Bible to try and get a little understanding... what did Jesus, our model for living say?

John 6:38
The Message
I came down from heaven not to follow my own whim, but to accomplish the will of the One who sent me.

Jesus accomplished so much in his 3 1/2 years of ministry because he knew why he was there, and born into that family, living where he lived... He was there so he could accomplish the will of God.

Do you know what the will of God is in your life? Do you know what he wants you to do? Do you spend time fasting and praying to discern what his plan is for your life? More importantly... are you doing it?

I think that sums up Christianity in the nutshell. We shouldn't follow our own whims. We do what God asks us to do. I understand that obedience can be difficult at times... believe me, I know... but here are my closing questions for the day.

• When you hear the voice of God, are we obedient?
• Do you even try?

Climbing higher

In the United States we really want things to be done the easy way. I have friends from across the world and they all really pretty much say the same thing. We would rather drive to the store at the end of the street than walk. We have automatic vacuum cleaners that will snake their way around the room so we don't even have to lift a finger. We have automatic hammers! We have special tools to core or slice apples, automatic salad makers. We have gotten use to everything being... easy.

Part of that has spilled over into the church as well, I'm sad to say. We want all the benefits of being a Christian without doing the work. We will listen to a sermon on the radio or watch something on the TV instead of picking up our Bible. We don't really don't check to see if the teachers that we're listening to are telling the truth or subtly perverting the gospel. If you asked any member in your church to tell you what they believe, and back it up with scripture - I wonder how many would be able to comply.

So, the question that I had this morning was... how do I break the desire to want things the easy way and become the Christian that God is calling me to be?

I think one of the keys lies in fasting.

Isaiah 58:6

Amplified Version

[Rather] is not this the fast that I have chosen:

to loose the bonds of wickedness,

to undo the bands of yoke,

to let the oppressed go free,

and that you break every [enslaving] yoke?

When I read this, it points to an inward action. If I fast it will loose the bonds of wickedness in my life. It will undo the bands of things that yoke me. It will free me from the oppressive weight of sin. Fasting will help me break free of those things that enslave me!

But, as I am learning, God doesn't do these to us so we can enjoy freedom. He wants something in return.

Isaiah 58:7

Amplified Version

Is it not to divide your bread with the hungry

 and bring the homeless poor into your house

 -- when you see the naked, that you cover him,

 and that you hide not yourself from [the needs of] your own flesh and blood?

There's an element of outreach that's associated with it. As we fast and learn from the Word of God which is the bread of life we are to share that with those that hunger. And Jesus said to the, I am the bread of life: he that comes to me shall never hunger; and he that believes on me shall never thirst. (John 6:35) 

We are to take those who do not know that heaven is their home, the ones that are truly homeless to worship with us. After all, when we were lost, God sent His son to offer us the spirit of adoption allowing us to call God our Father!

Today, I'm struggling with how far I'm willing to take my beliefs. Am I willing to deny myself food, television, time doing what I would rather do in order to reach those who do not know who Jesus is? Am I willing to spend more time in His word so I will know His voice when I hear it? Am I willing to pray - not just for my needs and the needs of those close to me... but am I willing to intercede and let God set my prayer agenda for me? What are the limits to which I am willing to serve?

A silent act of praise

I was reading in the The Psalms today looking for examples of how to praise God. There are so many instances where David instructs the people to give praise to God. But, when you read deeper, you'll see that in many of those situations, it was as a result of asking for deliverance from an enemy or the hand of another man.

There was always this sense of urgency because David, the warrior king knew the dangers and perils that surrounded him and was aware that God was his deliverer. As a result, he always kept in mind that God was the one that kept him and he had a reliance upon him.

Today, we don't really have any enemies. I mean, there's the threat of terrorism, but that isn't directly pointed at us in a personal way.

Most of us have fairly comfortable lives. We may stress about the economy, or our family... but for the most part we live in peace.

So when do we praise God?

• in church on Sunday?
• if we hear a praise song that we like?

When was the last time you just sat there and thought about what God has done for you and why you love Him?

So... today, step away from the computer for a moment... grab a pen and a piece of paper. Write out your own Psalm to the Lord. Don't try to use Bible phrases... just write it out. When you're done, post it in the comments section so others can be encouraged as well.

Here's mine:

I love you because you love me

and you're faithful when I am not.

You call to me like a mother calls to her newborn child

so I will always recognize your voice.

You give me what I need to grow

and the medicine of your word, even though I may not

like the taste, I know will heal me spirit

and make me whole.

Like a teenage child, I mutter and complain

and think I can do things on my own

but I know you love and guide me and

provide more than just a home.

I think about you and smile, God.

This morning I praise your worth.

I want to love you more and more

than anything on this earth.

Teach me your Word

Sometimes warriors get tired...

Sometimes, I get tired. Sometimes, I honestly don't "feel" motivated about my relationship with God. It could be due to everything that's going on in the world around me... it could just be me.

The question is, what do I do about it? Well, right now - to be totally honest, I would love to have a bacon double cheeseburger topped with bleu cheese, cajun flavored french fries and 32 ounces of root beer. Not that that would motivate me or make me feel better. As a matter of fact - it would probably flow against my long term plans.

But, I still wouldn't feel like praying,  picking up my Bible or blogging... but here I am. As I struggle to hear from God, I read these words:

1 Timothy 2:1
I urge you first of all, to pray for all people. Ask God to help them; intercede on their behalf, and give thanks for them.

Then it all makes sense. The pity party that I'm throwing for myself doesn't matter. I know God. We have a relationship.  I know that He has a bigger plan and that in everything that I think I'm enduring, He is tempering me like steal - removing impurities so I can be stronger, wiser, and more reliant.

It's not about me.

Today, I need to humble myself and pray... and I'm praying for you.

1 Peter 5:6-7
Humble yourself therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: casting all your care upon him; because he cares for you.

Lead us not into temptation

"And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen" (Matthew 6:13)

When the disciples asked Jesus to teach them how to pray,  He tells them to pray - "lead us not into temptation." because You, God, our Father have all the power and glory. But in James 1:13 it says

"Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither does he tempt any man: but every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed." (James 1:13-14)

Jay Carty, in Counter Attack, Taking Back Ground Lost To Sin, defines this as "Eclairs in the refrigerator", or in the example, cookies in the cookie jar.

Here's an example from the book... let's say that you decide that you want to start working out. Good. So, the first thing that you do is go to the store and purchase your favorite snack food... as a reward. You put them on the highest shelf and promise yourself that you will only have a few as a reward after you work out.

What will probably happen is - you'll end up going to the cabinet and snacking on this treat more than you thought when you came up with the reward plan. (Some of you have greater will power than others, so note the word probably.)

This applies to many situations in our life. For some - it's toying around with the triggers that will cause us to watch porn, or over eat, or do whatever that "thing" is that will cause us to slip into sin. We place ourselves there and then wonder why we fall.

It's important to note that we have responsibility in this. The lead us not into temptation prayer is what we should be praying before we are engrossed in the temptation. We should be vigilant and struggle and fight before it gets to that point.

After all, aren't we tempting God if we willingly walk into an "evil" situation, then say - God! Help me???

The question is... why did you go there in the first place? In order to experience the kingdom, power and glory of God, we need to stay present in the kingdom where we can experience God's power and glory.

We should struggle to pray before we get into the situation, then fight with all we have not to fall... and God will be faithful to help us.

Romans 12:1-2
The Message (MSG)
 1-2 So here's what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life—your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life—and place it before God as an offering. Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for him. Don't become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You'll be changed from the inside out. Readily recognize what he wants from you, and quickly respond to it. Unlike the culture around you, always dragging you down to its level of immaturity, God brings the best out of you, develops well-formed maturity in you.

Someone's watching you...

"I have a friend, Don Snow, who is retired from the Army. He finished his tour in Viet Nam and has some great stories. My favorite is about his first night mission.

Upon entering a village one particularly black and inky night, Don heard breathing on the other side of a fence. When he took a step, a step was taken on the other side. When he stopped, it stopped. And so it went, for the full length of the fence.

As Don approached the end of the barrier, he flipped the safety on his M-2 carbine and set it to automatic. His heart beat wildly, tensions sweat soaked through his shirt, and the pit of his stomach ached with emotion. Each muscle quivered and twitched. His breathing was shallow and rapid. The moment was intense. There was no way to know how many enemy Vietcong were on the other side. But Don was ready for whatever might happen. He was a well-trained veteran.

As he got to the end of the fence, he took as deep a breath as he could and held it. He heard breathing on the other side, but the steps had stopped. Then with all the strength, quickness, and agility he had, my friend coiled and sprang around the corner with his carbine blazing.

To his surprise, he killed the biggest pig in Viet Nam." Jay Carty - Counter Attack. Taking back ground lost to sin

What does that story have to do with Christianity? A lot. You see, the pig didn't realize that he was in a war!

A lot of times, Christians forget that we are in a battle, and far too many of us end up as collateral damage not really understanding what happened or why.

Over the next few days, let's explore what it means to be vigilant so we don't fall into sin or temptation.

Be alert, be on watch! Your enemy, the Devil, roams around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour/ (1 Peter 5:8 Good News Translation) 

 

What does the cross mean?

     The cross was well known during Jesus time. Guilty criminals of the worse kind were subject to the cross. The worse kind of criminal, and those that wanted to over throw the government were placed on a cross as a deterant for anyone else that might consider behaving the same way. The cross was not considered as something that was honorable. Frequently criminals had to drag the cross - the instrument of their death with them. They knew their death as a public spectacle was near... and that everyone was going to be able to watch and see.

     Now, we view the cross as a thing of beauty. For most, it is a charm that we wear on a necklace or it adorns our clothing or our car. It is a symbol that we attend a church, or believe in God... but is that where it ends?

     The cross represents a few things. First and most importantly it is the way God bridged the gap between God and man. It is the ultimate sacrifice, the shedding of blood to cover the sins of man, because without the shedding of blood there is no removal of sin (Heb 9:2). Since this work is done, complete, and final there is no need for a new sacrifice. So, when Jesus says pick up your cross and follow me, what is he talking about?

     To understand this, we need to understand who Jesus is. First, Jesus is God. He existed from the beginning.

     In the beginning was the Word. The Word was with God and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him, and without him was not anything made that was made (John 1:1-3)

     This means that Jesus was there when the words "let us make man in our image" (Gen 1:26) were uttered. Jesus witnessed the rift that separated mam from God. He knew firsthand the impact that sin had in the relationship between God and man.

     Jesus was there when the high priest had to enter the most holy part of the temple every year to offer a sacrifice so that the sins of the people might be forgiven.

     He saw countless rams and bulls killed and the blood spill. He saw the blood sprinkled and for all this, the gulf still existed between God and man.

     Jesus was there when Solomon built the temple and the holiness of God entered in, but the sinful nature of man could not bear to be in the same place as a holy God.

     He understood that resolution would never come through the sacrifice and offerings of men. That is why he said a body has been prepared for me (Heb 10:4-6). He understood that sin entered the world by one man, Adam (Heb 5:13-15) and the only way to reconcile man back to God was to offer himself as the perfect sacrifice.

     Picking up the cross meant Jesus had to put others above his own comfort. He left his throne in heaven where creatures of unimaginable beauty covered their faces and flew back and forth proclaiming his holiness.

     He came down cloaked in the frailty of humanity to be a minister of reconciliation. The example that Jesus set picking up his cross teaches us that there are more important things than status, comfort, or pleasure. It all pales in comparison to reconciling others so they too can experience true relationship with God (Phil2:5-8).

What lengths are you willing to go to pick up your cross to share what you believe with others?

Trust this...

 

"Trust God." How many times have your heard that? The more I think about that phrase, the more  I think it should be: "does God trust you?"

The Bible is filled with history that shows us that God loves man and that he desires to have to have a relationship with us. The Bible is also filled with account after account where man has not returned the affection. God trusts us to love, and we make the mistake of violating the trust or trying to change the rules by which the relationship is designed to work!

We try to force Gods hand, when in reality He is trying to build our faith, make our relationship with him stronger. He wants us to be at that point where we believe and trust him regardless of the situation!

Have you ever read the book of Job? Have you seen the things that Job went through? Why did he have to go through that? Because God new that Job would be faithful. God trusted Job.

 In Job 1:8, God says to Satan, have you considered my servant Job?

 That has to be an isolated incident, right? That's the Old Testament. But the same holds true in the New Testament.

James 1:2: My friends, consider yourself fortunate when all kinds of trials come your way, for you know that when your faith succeeds in facing trials, the result is the ability to endure.

Romans 5:3: We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love.

More than anything, God wants man to have a right relationship with Him, but because we live in a fallen world, we like to take the easy way out. We believe that if we don't struggle, then the trials will go maybe we can live in peace. But we can't believe that because the Bible teaches us that:

The sinful nature is always hostile to God. It never did obey God's laws, and it never will. (Romans 8:7)

Once we give in to sin, we will continue to sin. By nature this is our struggle! In yesterdays post I talked about birth pains. Although we accept Christ and we are a new creation, old things are passed away, and all things have become new - we still have to contend with our flesh. The process of living how God intends for us to live is only possible by accepting His grace and power that allows us to overcome! (See the earlier blog posts on grace.)

 God says in the Old Testament:

 "I have no pleasure in the death of him who dies. turn, be converted and live! (Ezekiel 18:32)

and in the New Testament:

God isn't late with his promises as some measure lateness. He is restraining himself on account of you, holding back the end because he doesn't want anyone lost. He's giving everyone space and time to change. (2 Pet 3:9)

Anything that we go through is to help us realize that God loves us. If it's good, if it's bad - it shouldn't matter. Our faith should be able to help us trust God  - and he will help us trust Him!

So... today, I encourage you to not just trust God, but be strong and show that he can trust you! Resist taking the easy way out. Just like in the picture, take that leap of faith that proves that the Bible is more than an archaic book that has no relevance in today's society. Believe it. Live it. Trust it. You'll grow stronger in your faith when you do! 

Childbirth hurts...

Okay... what do I know about birthing pains? Nothing. Not a thing at all... and, a lot at the same time.

The name of this blog is Christianity Struggles, and if you're here, and reading then you know that Christianity can be difficult sometimes. A lot of times, people aren't prepared for how difficult it is to live as a Christian, so they live some bastardized form of light Christianity where they want all of the benefits of being called by the name of Christ without the burden of picking up their cross. (Did you know the Bible says in 4 different places in 3 different gospels "pick up your cross and follow me?")

Anyway... you're here, you're reading... which means you must be in the struggle too.

So, why? Why can't Christianity be easy? Why can't we always get what we want? If God is our good heavenly Father, and he owns everything why do I have to work so hard for what seems to be so little when there are so many other people who seem to be doing wrong and living these lavish lifestyles?

Why do I have to struggle with doing right when so many others are doing wrong and don't seem to care?

Let me try to explain it this way: That's why I don't think there's any comparison between the present hard times and the coming good times. The created world itself can hardly wait for what's coming next. Everything in creation is being more or less held back. God reins it in until both creation and all the creatures are ready and can be released at the same moment into the glorious times ahead. Meanwhile, the joyful anticipation deepens.

 All around us we observe a pregnant creation. The difficult times of pain throughout the world are simply birth pangs. But it's not only around us; it's within us. The Spirit of God is arousing us within. We're also feeling the birth pangs. These sterile and barren bodies of ours are yearning for full deliverance. That is why waiting does not diminish us, any more than waiting diminishes a pregnant mother. We are enlarged in the waiting. We, of course, don't see what is enlarging us. But the longer we wait, the larger we become, and the more joyful our expectancy. (Romans 8:18-23 The Message)

Your first love...

I was in the shower this morning thinking about my Mom and Dad. My Dad died about 3 years ago, but he was married to my Mom for over 50 years. Sometimes, just out of the blue, she'll smile and strike up a conversation about a memory of him.

I closed my eyes, and decided to think about my first crush, the first person that I KNEW that I loved when I was 13 years old. My 17 year old crush. I could vividly remember things about all of them. Things that made me smile.

Then, I felt God asking me the following questions:

• What do you love about God?
• When was the last time thinking about me made you smile?
• Do you sit down and tell others about time that we spent together or something that we did?

I think we all struggle with times when we're close to God and times when we wander off. Sometimes, we go years without even thinking about what he wants us to do, we're on automatic.

That's not a way for any kind of relationship to grow. It causes us to drift away.

Admittedly, I struggle with that sometimes. I get in the habit of treating the relationship casually, because I know he'll always be there... and there's always later. But just like my early crushes... even with the help of Facebook... I may never find them... and if I did, I doubt my feelings would be the same.

The Bible talks about how we should love God because He first loved us. He is our first love... so, let's try not be live out the warning in the Bible about wandering away from our first love.

Let's not confuse our religious habits with relationship.

Revelation 2:3-5
The Message (MSG)
2-3"I see what you've done, your hard, hard work, your refusal to quit. I know you can't stomach evil, that you weed out apostolic pretenders. I know your persistence, your courage in my cause, that you never wear out.
 4-5"But you walked away from your first love—why? What's going on with you, anyway? Do you have any idea how far you've fallen? A Lucifer fall!
   "Turn back! Recover your dear early love. No time to waste, for I'm well on my way to removing your light from the golden circle.

No apologies...

At first, I felt bad about what I wrote in my last post. I felt that maybe, just maybe I was being a little hard. Then it hit me... the name of the blog is:

Christianity Struggles

The above image is from the Civil Rights movement. Pictured is a man facing a menacing dog with another that has his teeth ripping at his clothes. That man realizes that he is in a struggle for his freedom. The people that marched knew that they would face dogs, water cannons, imprisonment, beatings... but they went anyway.

Why? Because they believed it was the right thing to do. 

We say we believe in God, but we also feel the need to apologize to others because telling the truth may hurt their feelings. Well... feelings are temporary. Get over it.

1 Cor 15:17-20
The Message
...if Christ weren't raised, then all you're doing is wandering about in the dark, as lost as ever. It's even worse for those who died hoping in Christ and resurrection, because they're already in their graves. If all we get out of Christ is a little inspiration for a few short years, we're a pretty sorry lot. But the truth is that Christ has been raised up, the first in a long legacy... 

Christianity is more than a little bit of inspiration and excitement on a Sunday with some liner notes to help us get through Monday. We need to believe, belong, and become. We need to believe in the complete work of Jesus Christ. We need to understand that where we belong as Christians and what our role is in a world that is lost in sin. And finally, we need to become what we're called to be so we can live out our lives in a way that matters.