A frightening thought for me is that the same thing that makes me up is the same thing that makes up people who can go into a Baptist Church on Sunday with a rifle and randomly kill 26 people and wound 20+ others, or shoot and kill people while hiding in the trunk of a car, or shoot and kill people from a hotel window, or blast a bomb and kill people at a Marathon. The same stuff that cause some people to have no respect for life and kills innocent people from babies to elders without any reason at all. It's the same stuff that disregards morals, disobeys God's rules, and totally lives for oneself and dismisses the feelings and beliefs of others. It's the "I Can Do Whatever I Want" Syndrome and it is spreading like wildfire these days and everyone is at risk of catching it because the seed is within all human beings.
The only difference in me is that I made an intentional decision to have a "Yes I Can/No I Can't switch
installed in me that is plugged into the Conscience Button that God originally installed in me. When those feelings that I can do whatever I want come, and they do come, I switch from Yes I can to No I can't, because God said so. The commands are His, but the choice is always mine.
Most of the time being a follower of Jesus and one who walks with God is a most wonderful thing for me. Surrounded by His Presence and enjoying all of the fruit of the Spirit...there is nothing sweeter or more delightful. But there are times when it is the most difficult thing to do. Those times are when I can't do the bad things I want to do, things that go against what God would have me do and has told me not to.
The ICDWIWTD Syndrome is a conflict of wills and it is always mine that must be surrendered. That isn't easy to do. Knowing that I have control of the "Yes I Can/No I Can't switch makes it even harder. The choice is mine and so are the consequences.
This week it wasn't the normal wanting to do 'bad things', like steal something. It was harboring a vicious, revengeful feeling against someone who senselessly killed people and got away with it by killing himself. People who cause that much havoc and suffering in the lives of innocent people deserve The Smite Button, in my opinion, and I want to push that Smite Button and do unto him as he did unto others, in spite of what I know to be true about God and the teachings of Jesus. I just wanted to turn in my "Christian Card" for awhile and imagine all the ways I could make this guy suffer and feel the pain he inflicted in others. That is what was going through my head for awhile until I came to my senses.
All that imagination really showed me is that this senseless killer and I are made up of the same stuff. The only difference is that I eventually pushed the "No you can't" on the switch inside me and then settled down and tightened the Yoke that I freely and willingly wear as I walk along side of Jesus.
I realized that this is the area I most need His help in and He is there to give it, because He grieves right along side of me.
All killing affects me deeply but the killing of innocent people affects me most of all. Abortion and terrorist acts are so common today, and it all pains me deeply. The thing that helps the most is that God, very clearly one day, told me He truly understands the pain of violence forced on innocent people. He watched His innocent Son suffer a senseless death at the hands of human beings, so He gets it.
I eventually find my way back to where I should be and want to be, in my heart and in my head. Back to that place of compassion and knowing God is ultimately in control of how things work out in the end. My soul finds that place of silence and trust in the situation. But it is never easy. The temporal present clouds over the everlasting eternal where all things are consummated, and made right.
I believe God created us with a conscience. But a conscience can be influenced by outside forces. The Yes/No switch is totally in my control. God told Cain, "If you do what is right, will you not be accepted?" It is my my choice, and I choose to do well, using the Yes I can/No I can't button responsibly and pleasingly to God.
Wednesday, November 8, 2017
Sunday, November 5, 2017
YOU WERE SERIOUS ABOUT THAT?
When I was the Director of Transportation at Camp I handed out the Routes to the Bus Drivers on Saturday and told them they had to be worked on and handed back to me ASAP, the following Friday at the latest, since Camp started that Monday. Everyday I received routes and kept reminding the ones not handing them in of the dead line. On that Friday I went to the one driver who had not turned in his route and asked him for it. He looked me in the eyes and said, "Oh, you were serious about that?" I
responded with three words...."Yes. You're Fired" and walked away. Any other response would have been wrong and would have created consequences for me and the Camp in the future.
A lot of the preaching in many churches these days is that God is Love, and a God who is Love cannot be angry, will not punish people, and is not who the Old Testament says He is. It's all about Jesus and so the Law of the Old Testament can be reinterpreted and put aside. To me this sounds like distorted truth. I agree people should not be scared into a relationship with God by the threat of going to hell. But I don't agree that we should neuter God and soft soap His message or His warnings in order to "get people" into the church either.
It's all too easy to "sell Jesus" to people because nothing is expected of people; there is no way of accountability to trusting and obeying Jesus. He is just "cool" to hang out with cause He loves people. I believe Jesus is "cool to hang out with", but I also am very aware that He is God...Yes, a God of steadfast love, but also a God to be feared , revered, and obeyed. There will be a time of judgement. We are all held accountable for our relationship with Him as well as our words and deeds.
Much of the teaching and preaching today shows the ease of the Christian Life. It is all about good times and peace. Surely life with God is one big come as you are party...But is it? When I read Jeremiah and Malachi I know they are talking to the Israelites in the past, but it sure sounds similar to todays world.
"Everyone is given to covetousness, to greed for unjust gain; from the prophet to the priest every one deals falsely. They have healed also a wound of the daughter of My people lightly and neglectfully, saying Peace, peace, when there is no peace. They are not ashamed of the abominations they committed." Jeremiah 6:13-19
'The Lord is wearied by our actions, by when it is said 'Everyone who does evil is good in the sight of the Lord, and He delights in them." Malachi 2:17
God is clear. "I am the Lord, I do not change." Malachi 3:6
It has been said by many of the church's leaders today that everything must change...God must be relevant to Today, and so they are busy changing what God has said and done recorded in the Bible. The things written and spoken of by the Holy Spirit are meant to change US, not the other way around so people can live how they want to live.
Very early in His ministry Jesus made one thing very clear. "Do not think that I have come to do away or undo the Law and the prophets; I have come not to do away with or undo, but to complete and fulfil them."(Matthew 5:17,1). At the end of His ministry He spent time with with His disciples. "Beginning with Moses and throughout the prophets, He went on explaining and interpreting to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning and referring to Himself." Luke 24:27,45
God is Love; in Jesus we have reconciliation and forgiveness, if we receive it and believe it. Following Jesus is enriching and exciting; He is truly a "cool" friend to be yoked to. But to walk with Him is not easy because it means dying to self, to my way and taking up my cross and living His Way. The Old Testament shows the consequences of not living His Way and they are there to warn us, not simply explained away. Final Judgement will come in the end. If our response is, "Oh, You were serious about that?" His answer will be "Yes".
In the end the Preacher of old speaks Truth. "Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion to the matter: Fear God and keep His commandments, for this is the whole duty of man. For God will bring every deed into judgement, including every hidden thing, whether good or evil." Ecclesiastes 12:13.
responded with three words...."Yes. You're Fired" and walked away. Any other response would have been wrong and would have created consequences for me and the Camp in the future.
A lot of the preaching in many churches these days is that God is Love, and a God who is Love cannot be angry, will not punish people, and is not who the Old Testament says He is. It's all about Jesus and so the Law of the Old Testament can be reinterpreted and put aside. To me this sounds like distorted truth. I agree people should not be scared into a relationship with God by the threat of going to hell. But I don't agree that we should neuter God and soft soap His message or His warnings in order to "get people" into the church either.
It's all too easy to "sell Jesus" to people because nothing is expected of people; there is no way of accountability to trusting and obeying Jesus. He is just "cool" to hang out with cause He loves people. I believe Jesus is "cool to hang out with", but I also am very aware that He is God...Yes, a God of steadfast love, but also a God to be feared , revered, and obeyed. There will be a time of judgement. We are all held accountable for our relationship with Him as well as our words and deeds.
Much of the teaching and preaching today shows the ease of the Christian Life. It is all about good times and peace. Surely life with God is one big come as you are party...But is it? When I read Jeremiah and Malachi I know they are talking to the Israelites in the past, but it sure sounds similar to todays world.
"Everyone is given to covetousness, to greed for unjust gain; from the prophet to the priest every one deals falsely. They have healed also a wound of the daughter of My people lightly and neglectfully, saying Peace, peace, when there is no peace. They are not ashamed of the abominations they committed." Jeremiah 6:13-19
'The Lord is wearied by our actions, by when it is said 'Everyone who does evil is good in the sight of the Lord, and He delights in them." Malachi 2:17
God is clear. "I am the Lord, I do not change." Malachi 3:6
It has been said by many of the church's leaders today that everything must change...God must be relevant to Today, and so they are busy changing what God has said and done recorded in the Bible. The things written and spoken of by the Holy Spirit are meant to change US, not the other way around so people can live how they want to live.
Very early in His ministry Jesus made one thing very clear. "Do not think that I have come to do away or undo the Law and the prophets; I have come not to do away with or undo, but to complete and fulfil them."(Matthew 5:17,1). At the end of His ministry He spent time with with His disciples. "Beginning with Moses and throughout the prophets, He went on explaining and interpreting to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning and referring to Himself." Luke 24:27,45
God is Love; in Jesus we have reconciliation and forgiveness, if we receive it and believe it. Following Jesus is enriching and exciting; He is truly a "cool" friend to be yoked to. But to walk with Him is not easy because it means dying to self, to my way and taking up my cross and living His Way. The Old Testament shows the consequences of not living His Way and they are there to warn us, not simply explained away. Final Judgement will come in the end. If our response is, "Oh, You were serious about that?" His answer will be "Yes".
In the end the Preacher of old speaks Truth. "Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion to the matter: Fear God and keep His commandments, for this is the whole duty of man. For God will bring every deed into judgement, including every hidden thing, whether good or evil." Ecclesiastes 12:13.
Thursday, October 26, 2017
FOUNDATION OF FAITH
Labels help to identify things but they can also restrict things. The label of Christian identifies one with Christianity, and somehow that becomes labeled Church. Christians are taught that Church began at Pentecost in the first century, or with Constintine in the forth century. That is similar to the teaching that this nation (America) began when Columbus landed and the pilgrims arrived on the new found shores. This continient (nation) was not new. The Indians were well settled and living here when the colonists came and took control.
One of the last things Jesus did before He returned to the heavens was to throughly open the minds of His disciples to understand the Scriptures and His place in them, all the way back to the Law of Moses and the prophets. These Scriptures are what we know as the Old Testament. Jesus did not come to start something new. He came to fulfill all that was done by God since the beginning, when man's relationship was broken with God by Adam and Eve.
The Bible as one book reveals God's Way from beginning to end. The Bible reveals the consequence of human beings doing things our way from the beginning of time to the end. Knowing the Story of God from beginning to end provides the Fountain of Faith required for God's people in order to live well, do well, and be accepted. It also reveals how to master sin that so readily surrounds us and keeps us from living well. (Genesis 4:7)
As a whole the Bible is truly good news, "profitable for instruction, for reproof, and conviction of sin, for correction of error, for discipline in obedience, and for training in righteousness." It causes God's people to be proficient, well equipped for every good work God would give us to do.
The Bible yokes me to Jesus so that I may be in conformity to God's will, in thought, purpose, and action. Jesus ALONE is my Foundation of Faith.
One of the last things Jesus did before He returned to the heavens was to throughly open the minds of His disciples to understand the Scriptures and His place in them, all the way back to the Law of Moses and the prophets. These Scriptures are what we know as the Old Testament. Jesus did not come to start something new. He came to fulfill all that was done by God since the beginning, when man's relationship was broken with God by Adam and Eve.
The Bible as one book reveals God's Way from beginning to end. The Bible reveals the consequence of human beings doing things our way from the beginning of time to the end. Knowing the Story of God from beginning to end provides the Fountain of Faith required for God's people in order to live well, do well, and be accepted. It also reveals how to master sin that so readily surrounds us and keeps us from living well. (Genesis 4:7)
As a whole the Bible is truly good news, "profitable for instruction, for reproof, and conviction of sin, for correction of error, for discipline in obedience, and for training in righteousness." It causes God's people to be proficient, well equipped for every good work God would give us to do.
The Bible yokes me to Jesus so that I may be in conformity to God's will, in thought, purpose, and action. Jesus ALONE is my Foundation of Faith.
Monday, October 23, 2017
GOD SEEKERS
I have always sought after God Seekers, those Godly men and women who diligently seek after God, inquire of and for God, who require God as their greatest need, and sought after His Presence as their home, their dwelling place. There used to be many I could look to for guidance and companionship, but now it feels like there are fewer and fewer of them. There are many good people who do many good things for others; many good church people who are faithful to their congregations. But I find a decline in the number of people who live their whole life as God seekers. I come across them in books that find their way into my hands, but it's been awhile since I was face to face with one.
I find these folks to be very simple in their faith and in their way of life. They are truly and clearly focused on God. That is difficult to do these days with so many things to do and so much information readily available at the touch of a button. Seeking takes time and commitment and a desire that just can't be met with second hand knowledge and experience. Seeking requires working at things for oneself not just being given everything. It takes creating the questions and then exploring and finding the answer. Then it takes time to work the answers out in one's life.
The world today comes pre-packaged, prepared, instant, and quick. There is a laziness in all that constant convenience. Starting from scratch and working it all through gives more than just the answer; it gives one a sense of quest, participation, investment, and a satisfaction that pushing a button can't give. It's more than reaching the destination, it's getting life and enjoyment in the journey itself.
Convenience and instant gratification brings with it a sense of emptiness, meaninglessness, and boredom. There is ease and more time available but no purpose or sense of fulfillment. A quest for seeking God brings joy, fulfillment, and meaning to life, at least it has and still has to mine.
I find these folks to be very simple in their faith and in their way of life. They are truly and clearly focused on God. That is difficult to do these days with so many things to do and so much information readily available at the touch of a button. Seeking takes time and commitment and a desire that just can't be met with second hand knowledge and experience. Seeking requires working at things for oneself not just being given everything. It takes creating the questions and then exploring and finding the answer. Then it takes time to work the answers out in one's life.
The world today comes pre-packaged, prepared, instant, and quick. There is a laziness in all that constant convenience. Starting from scratch and working it all through gives more than just the answer; it gives one a sense of quest, participation, investment, and a satisfaction that pushing a button can't give. It's more than reaching the destination, it's getting life and enjoyment in the journey itself.
Convenience and instant gratification brings with it a sense of emptiness, meaninglessness, and boredom. There is ease and more time available but no purpose or sense of fulfillment. A quest for seeking God brings joy, fulfillment, and meaning to life, at least it has and still has to mine.
Sunday, October 22, 2017
WILL WE EVER LEARN TO HEED WARNINGS?
This world is in crisis. The sad truth is that we are reaping what we have sown, so the blame lies on our shoulders. Each individual natural crisis that has hit very hard this year is the result of not heeding warnings given years ago.
When people are hurt it is not proper to say 'I told you so'. But when can that conversation be had?
In Huston and Santa Rosa the destruction was horrific to communities of people, by water and by fire. But those communities would not have been built if warnings had been heeded years before they were built. The greedy developers who disregarded the warnings suffered no loss or punishment for their greed and prospered financially. Their innocent victims lost everything. WILL WE EVER LEARN?
The same is true in the Global Warming/Climate Change argument. I remember hearing the warning for what is now happening back in the 1970's. Very little was done to change the practices that would bring this crisis on. A lot of talk and a lot of arguing back and forth. WILL WE EVER LEARN?
I believe that God created this world and built in laws and principles to maintain and sustain all the He created. Human beings need to take heed that we cannot go against God's laws and principles in nature. Nature will always win! WILL WE EVER LEARN?
Saturday, October 21, 2017
THE LAW OF THE LORD
"The law of the Lord is perfect"
Psalm 19
Law is the order of God, how He works, and how all His creation works. I can know that order by observing nature, its rhythms, its seasons, its giving of life. I can know it by reading the Bible and observing how God has related with people throughout history. I can know it by observing Jesus and His interaction with individuals.
God put His law within His people, imprinted on their minds and engraved on their hearts. He did this for one purpose; that His people would KNOW Him. That they would recognize, understand, and be acquainted with Him as their God.
God is a God of perfect order and perfect harmony. Everything and everyone, from least to greatest, has a purpose in the grand scheme of things. When I am aligned with that scheme I will do well.
My whole person will be restored, I will be wise in my simplicity, my heart will rejoice, my eyes will be enlightened, I will be clean, righteous, and true to who I am and who God made me to be.
Friday, September 22, 2017
PRIVILEGE-ENTITLED-SELFISH
When one does not know sacrifice; when one does not know the seriousness of sin; then one does not know God...who He is or what He does. What is not known or understood is challenged and too often changed to meet the changer's need. What is needed is to trust and obey.
My thoughts are not your thoughts,
My ways are not your ways.
The heavens are high above the earth,
As My ways are above your ways
My thoughts above your thoughts,
Isaiah 55:8,9
God's words and ways cannot be deconstructed and reconstructed by humans.
Only God can do that...Hebrews 8:13.
Only Jesus can do that..."But I say to you..." Matthew 5
The Bible must stand as is, because the change of one thing will affect others and cause damage to all. Eventually the Bible will fade away and not be necessary, just as the temple, sun, and moon will. But until then it must remain in tact and continue it's duty. Humans must not play God in any manner, with the Bible, with nature, or with one another. God is above and we are below and we do not have the whole picture in view.
"To sum up the whole matter:
Fear God, and keep His commandments,
Since this is the whole duty of man.
For God will call all hidden deeds,
Good or bad to judgement.
Eccl 12:13,14
Humans cannot know enough to judge matters that could have eternal consequences.
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