Disney's Aladdin and God's Grace

Who thought one might be able to see theological truth in an animated Disney movie? Being a big kid at heart, I enjoy animated movies. Aladdin is one of my favorite Disney animated movies and while recently watching it, I saw what I think is a great illustration of the freedom we have in Christ.

The Genie (voiced by one of my favorite actors Robin Williams) is an all powerful genie with "fantastic cosmic powers!" with an "itty bitty living space." He is a slave to the owner of the lamp. The one who rubs the lamp is granted three wishes. He must grant them whatever they wish albeit with some exceptions. In the same way humans are born as slaves to sin. Romans 6 is the correlating passage from scripture. It calls us slaves to sin, and before we know Christ we are indeed slaves to its power. However, Paul goes on to tell us in verse 22 that we have been made free from sin and have become slaves of God!

Does that sound like a good trade? One form of slavery for another? I think most would say no thank you. But in the movie, which obviously it was not pointed out in this way, I see this truth played out in an animated movie. For his third wish, Aladdin wishes for the Genie's freedom. You see the Genie celebrate and be as ecstatic as he can be. But as he is making plans to see the world, he looks at Aladdin and a moment of solemn truth comes over his face and that's when it struck me. He may be free from the lamp, but he is still a slave to Aladdin and the loving kindness that Aladdin showed him by wishing for his freedom. It is not a slavery that binds one to duty and pain, but a slavery of love and kindness.

In the same way, we who once were slaves to sin are now slaves to the one who freed us. Not to pain and duty but to love and kindness and a freedom that we never knew before. Before, sin had power and sway over us so that we would not do that which is right, but in Christ we receive the power and freedom to do those things which are pleasing to God. In this way we are still slaves, but not to a cruel taskmaster who wishes to harm us. We are now slaves to love and the one who loved us so much that He gave His life for my sin and yours and Jesus offers this gift of slavery to any who would repent and turn to Him for salvation.

God's blessings to all who read.

Bitterness in the Church

"Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you." Ephesians 4:32

When was the last time you saw this in church?

My experience may be different than yours, but it seems to me that we seem to put on this facade, or fake exterior, while at church. Nothing ever really seems to be wrong. We talk about the sick and those grieving the loss of a loved one, but do we ever really grieve openly in church over the sin which so easily besets us? In my life, that has been a rare occurrence. Why?

In my opinion, which is worth as much as yours (maybe), it is because we are not a forgiving people in the Church. I have seen more bitterness and back-biting than understanding and forgiveness in church. Whether the disagreement is over the stumbling of a minister or the ever more so important padded vs hard pew debate, we rarely see kindness displayed toward one another in church. We smile and be polite and then leave and spew bitter words towards the person who disagreed with us. I would rather our disagreements be open, whether they be venomous or light. I would rather harsh words be spoken in the open rather than in secret. In secret we hide the anger and bitterness and that poison gives our flesh and the Devil a foothold to cause real division in the Church. If we were kind, tender-hearted, and forgiving, then we could disagree even vehemently and still love one another. Because after the words are spoken, and the emotion diffused, then the Spirit of Christ can bring healing. I have seen it in my own life. It is displayed in the Bible between Peter and Paul in Galatians 2. If we display kindness and forgiveness, it gives others the freedom to speak openly and honestly about what is on their mind knowing that no matter what, you will love them. This is why it is so important.

Our loving and forgiving spirit frees others to be open. In Matthew 6:25-34, we see how God handles our anxieties about life's provision. He mentions the birds of the air how God provides for them. We read about how the flowers "clothe" the grass of the field. Our anxiety over providing the necessities of life can be a big hindrance to fully serving God. But in this text, Jesus tells us to, "seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you." He is freeing the follower to focus on Christ. In the same way, when we express a loving, kind, and forgiving spirit it frees others to be open. The hard question is how can we be that kind and forgiving person? The answer is in the text, "Just as God in Christ has already forgiven you." His forgiveness frees us to forgive others.

Blessings to all who read.

What an Honor

Ephesians 3:1-2 , "For this reason I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for the sake of you Gentiles— if indeed you have heard of the stewardship of God’s grace which was given to me for you..."

When I think of stewardship I think of money, possessions, time, money, talents, abilities, and money. Did I say money? However, one thing that does not come to mind is ministry. In my last post, I wrote a word to ministers about having doubts. I want to address my ministerial friends again and ask how is your stewardship going?

If you look at your ministry as something that God, in His infinite wisdom, has entrusted you with, it can be burdensome. It can cause fear and doubts. But I wish to look at it from a different perspective. I want my friends in ministry to see it not as a burden but as a vote of confidence from God Himself. He thought you worthy of placing you in that position. He thought putting you in that spot was a good idea for His kingdom. I have heard some people say when talking with atheists, "You may not believe in God, but He believes in you." I am not one who would use that saying, but it addresses my topic today. God does "believe" in those He has placed in leadership roles in the Church. At the beginning of the very next chapter, Paul says to walk worthy of your calling. I believe, in a sense, that my minister friends have already done so. They have walked in such a way that God has given them the honor of caring for others spiritual needs. Yes it is an awesome responsibility, but think of the honor that Almighty God has bestowed upon you. Personally, I think it would be pretty cool to be "Knighted," but that would be like a candle to sunlight in comparison to the honor God has given you.

I want this word today to be a blessing to my ministry friends. If you are struggling with the call, the work, or the frustration of dealing with other humans (ugh), that is also a blessing my friends. God is using this to make you more like Him. In all things, that is His goal. So take heart and know that God has confidence in you even if the deacons don't.

Many blessings to all who read this.

A Word to Ministers

I was reading through Galatians recently and as I came across chapter 2 something unusual struck me. In verse 2 Paul says, "It was because of a revelation that I went up; and I submitted to them the gospel which I preach among the Gentiles, but I did so in private to those who were of reputation, for fear that I might be running, or had run, in vain." Even the great Apostle Paul had doubts. Even he could be influenced by false teaching.

So, for all of my friends in ministry who may struggle with doubts about where your ministry is headed or if you are "doing it right," take courage in the fact that one who wrote almost half of the New Testament also struggled with doubt. It is the struggles you face that turn you to God for strength, guidance, and assurance. The struggles are what keep you humble and seeking God. Later in Galatians 6:1 Paul points to this fact in a roundabout way. "Brethren, even if anyone is caught in any trespass, you who are spiritual, restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness looking to yourself, so that you too will not be tempted." Gentleness, or meekness in another translation, reminds us that if we swell with pride we are already on the path to falling. No man is too great to fall.

So, my beloved ministers of the faith, take heart that Christ knows your struggles. He loves you as much as He loved the great Apostle to the Gentiles. It is ok to struggle with doubt. It is not ok to struggle alone. If you struggle, seek counsel and wisdom from others. Proverbs 15:22, "Without consultation, plans are frustrated, but with many counselors they succeed" or are established. God gave us each other and put friends in your path to help you in this life. It is in them that often times we find the wisdom of God to get us through difficult times.

May God bless and keep those who are on the front lines of this spiritual fight in which believers are engaged.

Surreal

I have been in PA now for almost a year, and what a difference a year makes. This week I went to my first Leadership meeting for GBC, and I must say it was a different experience for me. I sat in a room with 5 other adults and discussed plans for the upcoming events and growth of GBC. I was given respect and treated like a competent adult. These are new experiences for me. I am generally on the outside looking in desiring and hoping to be of help. Any advice I have given has been dismissed or smiled at with a gratuitous thank you. In short, I have never been taken seriously.

I am being given an opportunity here and I do not wish to fail. I want to succeed because that means people are growing in their walk with Christ and lives are being changed. This is my field of study. This is why the Lord lead me to study Christian education (or discipleship, if you prefer). This is my desire in serving the Lord.

It is difficult to describe the inner change that happens when you go from struggling to make ends meet (even when you have no ends), being an after thought in the majority of people's lives, and feeling like your life has no direction or purpose to making a livable wage, being sought after to help a church, and having people believe in you. It is like going from dark to light, death to life, empty to overflowing, despair to hope. It is remarkable the change that happens when you believe that someone else also believes in you. When someone else believes that you have worth and have something of value to share, it is easier to believe it yourself. A minister and coworker at a church I once was employed at asked me why I wasn't on staff there (he meant on the ministerial staff), and I told him it was because I didn't have "IT." I explained that I meant whatever "IT" is that people or churches are looking for, they haven't seen it in me. He emphatically stated that I did have "IT." I agreed, but not verbally. I believe I have something of value inside me to offer to the Lord in service to His Church, but no one else, who had the ability to give me an opportunity, has ever agreed with me. The Lord has now seen fit to open those doors of opportunity in His way and in His time, and I must say, it is surreal.

Living with Success

For a long while, I have hoped God would choose to use me in a big way in a ministry. However, in the various churches I have been a member of and ministries I have been involved in, there has always been something that always kept me on the side. Opportunities closed or no opportunities at all.

Now at GBC, the Lord seems to have opened the door for me to do what I have been trained for and what I have longed to do. Now I have to learn something new: how to live with an open door. I'm not used to having someone believe in me or be excited that I am part of their organization. I have met with the pastor and assistant pastor for the last two weeks and we are planning the startup for GBC's new discipleship/small group program. It's a new feeling, but I am learning to deal with it. As far as success goes, we will wait and see how the program goes to see if I am a success at following the Lord's leadership.

Does Your Life Make an Impact?

If you were to ask most people why they do not go to church, my bet is they would say it is because of someone they know. They would say this person is a hypocrite because of how they live. They are supposed to be a Christian, but they do _______ (fill in the blank). Some, if not most, of this criticism is justified. There are many times in my life I have lost the ability to be an effective witness because of some attitude or action I have taken. Some of it is also the ignorance of the accuser. They think a Christian should be this or that. Christians don't talk about certain topics, or listen to certain music, or watch certain movies or TV programs. Either way it is mostly because of a failure of most Christians to engage the people and the culture around them that many have this view of the hypocrisy of Believers.

Recently, I have come to find an irony to this situation. If you were to ask most people why they DO go to church their answer would probably be the same. No, not because of hypocrites, but because they know someone there. A friend or relative goes to church so they do as well. Some people go because they like the pastor. He may be friendly or a good speaker. Some may go for the music ministry. While others may go because of the programs offered for the children. But there will always be someone there to influence them into coming to church.

This is both good and bad news.

It tells me that if we, as Christians, create and maintain relationships with those around us, there is a good chance they might come to church (or be driven away). The best news is that we have influence. We have the ability to affect someone's life. This principle holds true for life in general. If you care for people and treat them well, you can do great things in this life. The question remains: How will your life affect those around you?

My One Guiding Principle

I just had an epiphany, revelation, realization, a moment of enlightenment; call it what you will, but God has given me new sight into my life.

I have lived the vast majority of my life with one guiding principle: follow Christ. I have failed at times, but my greatest desire is to be in God's will doing the work He has planned for me (Eph 2:10).

There have been some great, grievous, embarrassing sins in my life. It seems that God has protected me from the worst case scenarios of consequences. Where I deserved judgment and punishment, He gave Grace. But the times in my life where I abandoned my one guiding principle, He has brought the hammer down hard and plain for me to see. He has been clear and concise in his discipline of my rebellion, for Hebrews 12 says that whom God loves, He chastens, and if you do not receive discipline, you are not His child.

The point is this. Jesus called His followers to do just that: follow. He did not say come and be sinless, He simply says follow. Christians often get bogged down in the guilt of their past or present sins. But Christ has called us to follow Him, and allow Him to deal with the imperfections in our life. I fret about so many things, but only one is truly needful: follow Christ. It doesn't make life easy or the road less hard, but it makes it understandable. It gives my vast wanderings in life purpose. It lets me know that in my wandering to Pennsylvania and the things I worry about are nothing if I follow Christ. I believe He has brought me here, and He has provided for me. I have begun to look at my paltry possessions and realize, they are mine. Bought with my money. The heat I enjoy is paid for by me. I rely on no one else to pay my bills and they are paid. He has brought me here and given me my independence and allowed me to become a man. The man He wishes me to be. And it is all because of my one guiding principle: follow Christ.

I Love You Lord

What a Discussion

⁵¹ I am the living bread that came down from heaven. Whoever eats of this bread will live forever; and the bread that I will give for the life of the world is my flesh.” ⁵² The Jews then disputed among themselves, saying, “How can this man give us his flesh to eat?”

John 6:51-52 got me thinking. What kind of discussion could have taken place here?

First, they DISPUTED what he said. They actually argued and quarreled! Did they dispute the method? Fried? Boiled? Baked? Raw? I wonder if they prefer mild or spicy? Would it be kosher? Exactly what is there to dispute? Did some want to actually eat him? Were they arguing that Jesus was speaking literally or figuratively?

Second, they not only argued, but they argued with EACH OTHER and not Jesus. I have said a lot of controversial things in my life, but I have never said anything that started an argument among other people. Especially while I was still talking and standing there. They just started arguing amongst themselves over eating his flesh. I really don't know what to say but to laugh at the absurdity of it all.

Is there anything significant we can learn from this? Not sure. It does, however, point to the fact that the Jews would argue over anything. They were so concerned over control and power that they would fight about the Law and its nuances. They were so focused on arguing that they missed the way to Heaven standing in front of and talking to them.

First Things First

John 5:10-12 in the Contemporary English Version reads, "When the Jewish leaders saw the man carrying his mat, they said to him, "This is the Sabbath! No one is allowed to carry a mat on the Sabbath." But he replied, "The man who healed me told me to pick up my mat and walk." They asked him, "Who is this man that told you to pick up your mat and walk?"

Here we have a man who had been lame for 38 years, and all the Jewish leaders care about is him breaking a trivial Jewish statute. The Law Moses gave was to keep the Sabbath day holy. The Jews went back and added many things that a person could or could not do during the Sabbath. I believe there are about 39 subcategories of regulations for Sabbath observance now, but I am not sure if these 39 were in place at the time of Jesus. Minutia, minutia, minutia was the focus of these Jewish leaders in the text. Why are you carrying your mat? Who told you to carry your mat? The whole time they believe they are defending God's Law, but they are missing God's work! Here was a man lame for 38 years and is now walking! Did they rejoice? No! Did they give praise to God? No!

Now the healed man did not know who it was that had healed him. Verse 14 says, "Later, Jesus met the man in the temple and told him, 'You are now well. But don't sin anymore or something worse might happen to you.'" Note where Jesus met the man: in the Temple. I infer from this that the man was giving thanks to God for healing. This lame man now healed was giving praise and thanks to the One who was worthy rather than worrying about the nuances of the Law. Once he knew who it was that had healed him, he told the Jewish leaders that it was Jesus who had healed him. Their response was to begin persecuting Jesus for doing God's work on the Sabbath.

Are we like the Jews in this passage? Do we worry so much about minor things in life or religion that we actually miss where God is working? Matthew 22:37-40 reads, "Jesus said to him, You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it, You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.'" Our focus should be on the people that Christ died for: everyone. People are more important than the Law. They are the focus and the fulfilling of the Law. Serving others and putting their needs first is the fulfillment of the Law. This should be the focus of a Christian's life; serving God and serving others. In this way we fulfill the Law, love people, and keep first things first.

Strange Days

I can't sleep. Monday was a strange day. I was filled with an unsettled feeling in the evening. I felt like there was a void inside me that food, entertainment, or fellowship could not fill. I was searching for something. I do not know exactly why I felt this way, but there may be a couple of reasons.

A couple of weeks ago I discovered this beautiful love song by Ed Sheeran (never heard of him, had to look up how to spell his last name just now) called "Thinking Out Loud." It's a simple folksy song that I just really enjoy, especially since I am a romantic kind of sap. Maybe that got me to thinking about various relationships over the last couple of years that have ended one way or another and left me feeling a little melancholy.

I think the true culprit is my bed. I have been in PA since April 1st, so it has been a full 8 months. Monday marked the day my bed was delivered. I slept on an air mattress the first few months. It died, so I bought another one. The second one just wasn't as good and once I moved into my second apartment in August, I have been sleeping on my couch. It has recliners on both ends, so between each section, there are boards which can dig into my side, or hips, or knees. I also bought a cheap bookshelf last week to match the other cheap bookshelf I have from Wal Mart which allowed me to get the box of books that was lying on the floor at one end of the couch out of the floor and into the shelf.

I guess the truth is, I have been living as somewhat of a vagabond in PA. I have been living as though this experiment may collapse at any moment and I would be back home in NC. The bed and the shelf bring permanence into my life. No more temporary arrangements. I have settled in. Truth is, it has been several years since I have slept on a bed that was big enough with a solid foundation. The bed I had back home was a twin (don't ask why), which coincidentally is the same size as me. The bed frame gave up a leg so it has been on the floor for a while. On top of these things, I am becoming deeply involved at my church. I am assisting in the 3rd-5th grade boys class. This Sunday I begin taking pictures for the church directory. I have been working on the list of names for a week or two now. I was asked to volunteer to run sound on a regular basis. Maybe the fear has passed and I am finally "at home." This is me. This is my life. This is where the Lord wants me. Maybe the truth is that I have found what I have been looking for: a corner. Not the type of corner you put a child in when they misbehave, but a corner that signifies a change of direction. It finally feels like the life filled with pain, anger, and frustration I have had for almost seven years is fading behind me into a new life.

What Do You Lack?

Often in my life I have thought about the things I might do if I didn't lack something. Whether it was money, time, or even talent, I have thought if I just had (fill in the blank) I could do this or that. I am sure that many of us have felt a similar feeling. This attitude can creep into the spiritual realm as well.

What if I told you that you and I have everything we need to live a life that pleases God? 2 Peter 1:3-4 says, "His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence, by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire"(ESV). We make so many excuses that we forget that God is with us and has given ALL that we need to please Him.

Maybe we have the wrong perspective. Maybe your perspective is that you must be sinless to be used of God? Name someone from the Bible who you think was a great person of faith and I will almost guarantee you that they are guilty of sins "greater" than any you may have committed. David was an adulterer. Moses was a murderer. Abraham lied and claimed his wife was his sister. Paul put Christians to death. Peter denied Christ at least three times. You may say that the Bible says, "Therefore be perfect, even as your Father in Heaven is perfect." The word for perfect here means to be complete or mature, not a sinless perfection. We let Satan hinder us from serving because he tells us we aren't good enough. God has not called us unto sinless perfection, but He has given us that through Christ. He sees us as perfectly holy. We are called to follow Christ's leading in our life and He will never lead us somewhere He has not been or to do something He cannot do through us. So if you are called to do something you don't think you can do, just remember what you are lacking: nothing.

Who Do You Love?

Familiarity breeds contempt is an old saying. It means that we take for granted those things, places, or people we know the best. We take for granted that, during our life time, they will be there. Our favorite restaurant, our favorite chair, that hidden fishing spot, or our parents are just some things we may assume will be there when we need them. So, in assuming they will be there, we often do not give them the love and attention they need.

Maybe another example would be when a married couple "grow apart." It seems that some men tend to lose the desire to pursue their spouses after they are married. No more dates, flowers, or cards since they have captured the love of their life! It's all about paying bills and raising kids!

I have noticed something similar in the Church. Often we focus on those outside of the church walls, and rightfully so, since we have a mandate to win those who are lost from Jesus Himself. But I have seen that focus get to the point where we no longer care for those inside the church walls. They have been "captured" so we seem to worry less about them. We do not give them the attention and care they need and deserve. We assume they will continue to come to church and be active and volunteer and so on. While we are reaching out to those who do not know Christ, we cannot neglect the needs of fellowship, discipleship, and love to those who have come to know Christ already. The title to this blog post is really a misnomer. It isn't 'Who Do You Love?' as though you can't do both, it is a call to do both and allow the Lord to use you wherever He needs. Whether it be more for those inside the Church or outside, you will never know unless you love first and let Him decide where to work through you.

Being the Church Marketing

While I was visiting family during the Christmas week, I saw a vinyl banner hanging from a chain link fence surrounding a church yard which read, "Coming Soon THE BARN Christian Fellowship." I couldn't help but try to think of what kind of person would go to a church called "THE BARN"? That is kind of the point to naming a church THE BARN. It is a marketing ploy. From what I know of the church, it is close to folding. I am assuming they think that re-branding their church with a name that is more seeker friendly will help it grow.

I think this is an unfortunate turn for the modern American church. Most are marketing heavy churches dependent upon American consumers. Churches come up with slick marketing themes for various church ministries, catchy logos, church mission statements, entertainment driven worship, and many various other marketing ploys to fill the seats. All of this is designed to reach Americans dedicated to making sure their needs are met when going to a business. This is understandable. If I spend my money somewhere, I want to get the best value for my dollar. Is this something that churches need to appeal to? Do churches want people to come in and feel comfortable, secure, cared for, and loved? Yes. Do churches need people who will join and begin serving as volunteers in their church to meet these stated ministry goals? Yes. My question then becomes, do churches, when appealing to the consumer side of individuals, make reaching their goals more difficult?

Think of it in this way; churches put great money, time, and effort in making their ministries look appealing and better than a competing church. Those drawn to these churches come in looking mainly to have their spiritual needs met. They are not looking for a place to serve. How then will churches get a group of people to serve to meet the needs of others by appealing to their consumer side to draw them in?

While driving down the road, I heard the speaker on the radio mention the angels in the Christmas story. I laughed out loud when he said the angels "weren't seeker friendly." He pointed to the fact that the angels weren't there to help the shepherds through a rough patch in life, they were there to share the good news. They came glorifying God and the Son that was just born. In my mind, I can't help but contrast the two approaches.

As the Church, Christians are called to care for and meet the needs of others. They are called to help each other walk through this life in such a way that those outside the church walls see it and desire it. The Church has failed at doing this. Maybe this is why church logos, marketing schemes, and promotions are needed to get people to come. For clarity sake, let me say that I believe that organization, leadership, and outreach communication is necessary for churches to touch the community and bring people in. I think, unfortunately, that those inside the walls of the church believe more in the marketing power of videos, slogans, modern technology, and slick promotional schemes than the power of Christ working in us to reach the lost, help the hurting, and grow the Church.

Clay

Just some prose on God's never changing intention to make a person (me) useful in His service. This was written before the Ashamed at Not Being Content post.


My life was broken and scattered.
Shattered into a myriad of pieces
Without rhyme or reason.
Fragments borne by the winds of time
Into an ever unsolvable puzzle.
An empty shell that could never be made whole
Then ever so slowly,
The Potter began to gather the broken scraps,
One by One
Doused with Water from the Jar of the Potter,
The hardened clay of Life became soft again.
Then ever so softly,
With Hands of Mercy,
The Potter began to knead away.
His never changing intention
Is to make THIS clay
Into a useful Invention.

Ashamed at Not Being Content

I have learned, or rather admitted to myself lately that my mood and perspective on life has to do with my bank account. I have lived much of my adult life around the poverty level of income. The most I have ever made (gross) in a single year is $24K. I moved to PA to try to make a living, become independent, and to help my father pay his bills when his health declines. I am not close to doing that. Although I have made ends meet, and even bought some wants, this job is not reaching the potential I was told it could. There have been some extenuating circumstances. My partner's wife divorcing him and him taking about 2 months off from doing any substantial work to get his personal life in order has hindered income severely. The income from this job is very sporadic regardless. Last week, I paid myself $40. I had food and my bills are mostly paid for the month because they all are near the first half of the month, but listening to what my partner say his financial needs are (and they change depending on his mood), and knowing what I need, I am not sure of this job's potential to sustain that. I have been stressed heavily since I have been in PA because of the uncertainty, and have had to incur debt to make ends meet at times. However, I have no assets to pay my debts if the business fails. Everything I own I can almost fit on my $65 couch. The stress has even affected my health. There are days of extreme fatigue all from stress. My job is by no means physically taxing.

So, what's the point? I am ashamed that my faith in Christ cannot overcome my stress about my income. Paul said in Philippians 4:11-12, "Not that I speak according to need, for I have learned to be content in whatever state I am. I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound. In everything and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need" (emphasis added). I am not there. You also have to understand that my income before I moved to PA was about $6k/year while working part time at the Y while in school. This is not a new phenomenon. Now I am on my own and want to stay that way, whereas before I was living with my dad. This has been a stress for years. I have been fighting to get back to a "normal" life ever since my wife left me in disarray. In my mind, only then will I be past that whole episode with my mother dying, wife leaving, and needing to move in with dad. It's a quest for wholeness, independence, and the ability to affect the lives of others for Christ. Can I do that while being so stressed about money that I can't do anything? And by 'anything' I mean being able to give to others or attend (gotta be able to afford the gas to get there) social events at church or elsewhere so as to interact with others and reach out to people. Can I be useful in THIS society while being impoverished? I don't know. All I know right now is that I am not content with only Christ and for that I feel a certain amount of shame.

Where I Am Today

Lately my reading and focus has been on the cross. More specifically, Christ's sayings on the cross. It's a humbling thing to read about what He went through and then read what He said about those who were punishing Him. His concern was not for Himself, but for those nearby, whether it was His mother, the Roman guards, or John the beloved disciple. In the near future I will be writing about a few of those sayings and what they mean to me but today I just wish to share that the cross is where I am at. You may think it odd that, at Christmas time, I am focused on the cross. But didn't the babe in the manger grow up to be the man on the cross? Was this not the ultimate purpose of His birth? The irony that, in His death, He birthed a new family made of Jews and Gentiles into one new body. It is His body designed to fulfill His will on this Earth. We talk of being His hands and feet, but how often do we fulfill that? How often do we let His words reign in our hearts and minds so that our hearts are filled with them and they pour out due to an overflow of abundance? May today find us speaking His truth in love to those who need it most.

An Abundance of Experience

You should know better than to say, "Today or tomorrow we will go to the city. We will do business there for a year and make a lot of money!" What do you know about tomorrow? How can you be so sure about your life? It is nothing more than mist that appears for only a little while before it disappears. You should say, "If the Lord lets us live, we will do these things." Yet you are stupid enough to brag, and it is wrong to be so proud. (James 4:13-16 CEV)

 Things we take for granted in this life are shown very clearly in these verses. We pretend we are in control of our lives. The people in these verses just assumed that they could go do whatever they wanted and make money and get rich. There are people in this world who can do that. They get a plan and put it into action and reap the rewards of it. It allows them to think that they are golden and that nothing touches them. As in these verses, it leads to pride. They do not acknowledge the goodness of God, nor give Him thanks for making their path so easy.

My life has not been like this. Throughout my life, good times, as most people think of them, have been scarce. Whether it has been in the area of relationships, finances, health, friends, or family, things seem to fall apart in my life. Because of this, it has made me very grateful when opportunities to succeed in these areas come my way.

When I meet people who have had success in life, it seems very difficult to explain to them what it means to be stripped of good things in life. They suggest that I try various things for entertainment that are free,  but then I have to explain that I cannot even do what they suggest. For example, when I used to speak of not being to do things because of lack of money they suggest things such as go to a park. I then explain to them that going to a park that is any distance away takes gas and I can't afford to use gas for that reason. Those things are not even taken into consideration for them, it is just an assumption that gas magically appears in their tank. What I see as reciting the facts of my life is seen as self-pity or being negative.

So, what is the point of this post? Am I saying that those who have good things in life are proud and arrogant and do not deserve them? Absolutely not. I am trying to express the difficulty I have in describing truly difficult times to many; especially in America. We have become so used to having an abundance that basic necessities such as gas for the car to go to work are never a concern. It is an assumption and taken for granted. I am blessed to live in a country where, in my darkest times, I have had it much better than the vast majority of those in other countries. Many times I do not feel this way, but when my emotions are stripped away and I can see my life in the reality of the cross, I can say I am grateful for my many difficult times because it has allowed me to see God's hand at work in rescuing me from difficulties. I may not have an abundance of things, but I have an abundance of experience with God's hand at work in my life to fall back on.

Guard Your Heart... Or Not?

Keep thy heart with all diligence; For out of it are the issues of life. (Proverbs 4:23)

As you can read, scripture tells us to guard our heart because it is very precious and vital to all of the "issues of life." But what does this mean? I think one of the obvious answers is to protect it from evil influences. The things we see and hear affect what we do, think, and feel. We need to be diligent to protect our heart from external things which may harm us spiritually. Jesus said that out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks (Luke 6:45). So, obviously, we need to protect what goes into our heart.


But I see nowhere in scripture that it tells us NOT to give it away. You may argue that you are protecting it by not letting your feelings get hurt by being rejected or mocked by being open about what is in your heart. But I believe that our greatest opportunities and successes come when we open our heart to people. When we say sincere words that are kind and encouraging, we may get rejected, but what an impact they can have. Proverbs 25:11 says, "A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver." A kind deed that meets another persons need without being asked (or even after being asked) to help is bearing one another's burdens (Gal 6:2).

I could go on, but the truth is that we need to give our hearts away. If Christ, who is in our heart, is given away to others in words and deeds, how many people would come to know Christ?

I urge you to guard your heart from evil influences, but don't guard it from the pain that comes from giving it away, Christ didn't.

In a Short Moment

I am thankful for God's grace. He has watched over me today in such a great way. He has brought healing to my heart and mind. He has also brought hope to a beleaguered soul. After a long weekend of searching for His guidance, in a moment, He speaks and changes everything. In just a few simple words, He can bring clarity, relief, hope, joy, wisdom, and guidance and change everything. He is Wonderful, unsearchable, and His ways are beyond knowing.

"I hear a voice, and He calls me Redeemed, when others say I'll never be enough!" What great words from MercyMe's song Greater.