There is an old Indian legend that tells about Indian boys who would go away in solitude to prepare for manhood. One such youth hiked into a beautiful valley, green with trees, bright with flowers. There he fasted. But on the third day, as he looked up at the surrounding mountains, he noticed one tall rugged peak, capped with dazzling snow. I will test myself against that mountain, he thought. He put on his buffalo-hide shirt, threw his blanket over his shoulders and set off to climb the peak. When he reached the top he stood on the rim of the world. He could see forever, and his heart swelled with pride.
Then he heard a rustle at his feet, and looking down, he saw a snake. Before he could move, the snake spoke. "I am about to die," said the snake. "It is too cold for me up here and I am freezing. There is no food and I am starving. Put me under your shirt and take me down to the valley." "No," said the youth. "I am forewarned. I know your kind. You are a rattlesnake. If I pick you up, you will bite, and your bite will kill me." "Not so," said the snake. "I will treat you differently. If you do this for me, you will be special. I will not harm you." The youth resisted awhile, but this was a very persuasive snake with beautiful markings. At last the youth tucked it under his shirt and carried it down to the valley. There he laid it gently on the grass, when suddenly the snake coiled, rattled, and leapt, biting him on the leg. "But you promised..." cried the youth. "You knew what I was when you picked me up." said the snake as it slithered away."
It’s true isn’t it…we’ve all been bitten by that snake before? James 1:14 says, “We are tempted by our own desires that drag us off and trap us.” So how can we sharpen our skills at resisting temptation?
Here’s a winning example Jesus’ provides (Mt. 4:1-11 [check it out]) for beating temptation.
[1] Whenever Jesus was tempted, He always used particular scriptures to combat it. Consistent Scripture memory is absolutely necessary. See 1 John 2:14 right now for proof.
[2] Our free time must be guarded. Determine to love God enough to turn and go the other way…and don’t leave a forwarding address.
[3] Select your friends like your mama would. Keep in mind the warning from Scripture that says, “Bad company corrupts good morals.”
Do you have ideas or things you have done that have worked for you? Share them as a comment.
www.realitychurch.com
Monday, September 14, 2009
Friday, September 11, 2009
Where was God on 9/11
On 9/11, America and nearly the entire civilized world was shocked and in disbelief as we witnessed the calamity of the WTC in NY City. Shocked that the most powerful nation on the planet was attacked and dreadfully vulnerable and how it could be that such evil could take place right in our own “back yard.”
Evils working pervade every culture, every society, and every socio-economic stratum. Sin and evil know no bounds. It’s part of every race and nationality. It’s in every country, city, town and neighborhood. Wars, famine, crime, murder, torture, abortion, infanticide, etc.
Could God have stopped all of these evils and kept the terrorists from attacking and ruining the lives of thousands of husbands, wives, children, parents and grandparents? Yes, if He removed their ability to choose their own will instead of His. But to be totally fair, God would have to strip all of us of our freedom to choose as well. Though we are not terrorists (although I know a few kids who are), we sometimes hurt and crush and harm and ruin other people with our own sinful, evil choices.
Somebody said that this was God’s will. No. It was man’s will usurping God’s will. Man made his choice and it brought destruction. Don’t blame it on God! God told us to choose to do things His way, which always brings life and blessing.
Deut. 11:26-28 – (God) “Today I am giving you the choice between a blessing and a curse - a blessing, if you obey the commands of the Lord your God that I am giving you today; but a curse, if you disobey these commands…"
www.realitychurch.com
Evils working pervade every culture, every society, and every socio-economic stratum. Sin and evil know no bounds. It’s part of every race and nationality. It’s in every country, city, town and neighborhood. Wars, famine, crime, murder, torture, abortion, infanticide, etc.
Could God have stopped all of these evils and kept the terrorists from attacking and ruining the lives of thousands of husbands, wives, children, parents and grandparents? Yes, if He removed their ability to choose their own will instead of His. But to be totally fair, God would have to strip all of us of our freedom to choose as well. Though we are not terrorists (although I know a few kids who are), we sometimes hurt and crush and harm and ruin other people with our own sinful, evil choices.
Somebody said that this was God’s will. No. It was man’s will usurping God’s will. Man made his choice and it brought destruction. Don’t blame it on God! God told us to choose to do things His way, which always brings life and blessing.
Deut. 11:26-28 – (God) “Today I am giving you the choice between a blessing and a curse - a blessing, if you obey the commands of the Lord your God that I am giving you today; but a curse, if you disobey these commands…"
www.realitychurch.com
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
You Can Be Successful
Success is something that everyone wants—you, me…everyone. But how is it that success comes? I mean, how do you get whatever this thing we call success is?
There’s a very cool passage of Scripture that says “As long as King Uzziah dedicated his life to serving the Lord, the Lord gave him success.” 2 Chronicles 26:5
The Bible is replete with promises about God bringing success and prospering those who follow Him closely. For example:
2 Chronicles 31:21—States that “Hezekiah sought his God wholeheartedly. As a result, he was very successful.” And Joshua 1:8—“Study this Book of Instruction (the Bible) continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do.”
Still not convinced that it’s God’s will to prosper you and make you successful? Even Jesus reinforced this biblical promise by stating in Matthew 6:33—“And He will give you all you need from day to day if you live for Him and make the Kingdom of God your primary concern.”
Let’s put it all together. As you read over these passages, what’s the common thread? I like to call it “loving obedience.” And the way we get to the place of obeying God out of love is by [1] learning the bible [2] thinking about its application to our lives and [3] putting it into practice.
Yes, you can be a success!
Share your thoughts back with me. The world wants to know what you’re thinking.
www.realitychurch.com
There’s a very cool passage of Scripture that says “As long as King Uzziah dedicated his life to serving the Lord, the Lord gave him success.” 2 Chronicles 26:5
The Bible is replete with promises about God bringing success and prospering those who follow Him closely. For example:
2 Chronicles 31:21—States that “Hezekiah sought his God wholeheartedly. As a result, he was very successful.” And Joshua 1:8—“Study this Book of Instruction (the Bible) continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do.”
Still not convinced that it’s God’s will to prosper you and make you successful? Even Jesus reinforced this biblical promise by stating in Matthew 6:33—“And He will give you all you need from day to day if you live for Him and make the Kingdom of God your primary concern.”
Let’s put it all together. As you read over these passages, what’s the common thread? I like to call it “loving obedience.” And the way we get to the place of obeying God out of love is by [1] learning the bible [2] thinking about its application to our lives and [3] putting it into practice.
Yes, you can be a success!
Share your thoughts back with me. The world wants to know what you’re thinking.
www.realitychurch.com
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
In The Courtroom
Ever been part of a courtroom procedure like Jury Duty, testifying under oath, or being a character witness for someone? The waiting and the possibility you could be called on is suspenseful.
Recently, I was asked to be a character witness for a friend in a court of law. I thought it might be possible that the Judge would call on me to stand before [her] in this case and testify. So what did I do? Before I arrived, I made sure that I put on my best stuff just in case. Shaven? Check! Right shirt & tie? Check! Cologne on? Check! Shoes shined? Check!
Went thru a whole routine to “look good” in front of a human judge. Funny thing was I never came near. The female Judge never saw my nicely trimmed goatee, my shiny shoes and probably didn’t care about my tie or the small of my cologne; yet I did it to “make a statement” if needed.
I began to think about all that I put into this small proceeding and realized that one day I’m going to stand before the Judge of the universe and I had better have “look my best.” But what is the best way for us to “look our best” before God? What is He looking for when we’re standing before His throne?
The answer lies in a story (parable) Jesus told and recorded for us in Matthew 25:21—“His master replied, ‘Good job! You're a good and faithful servant! You proved that you could be trusted with a small amount. I will put you in charge of a large amount. Come and share your master's happiness.'
The two things I notice here are: [1] the master (God) said that the servant was “good and faithful” and [2] because he/she was faithful, God would give this person more responsibility (I will put you in charge of a large amount) and more privilege (Come and share your master's happiness).
When that day comes to stand before The Ultimate Judge, we can be assured that He won’t be looking at how well we’re dressed or how good we look on the outside. He judges everyone properly when He judges us from the inside…the heart. He will judge us on how faithful or trustworthy we have been with the responsibilities He has given to us in this life.
What are those? Well, for starters, how ‘bout being faithful to Him with everything he has entrusted to us! Like what, Steve? Like our talents or giftedness. These are divine abilities God has enabled you with to serve other people. Another aspect of loving faithfulness to God is our time or our calendar. What am I giving to Him out of the 1,440 minutes I have each day? The final facet of our faithfulness to God and possibly the most revealing too is our giving back to God or our treasure.
These days, I’m thinking more and more about that one special day that I stand before the Righteous Judge and either hear Him say, “Good job! You're a good and faithful servant! You proved that you could be trusted with a small amount. I will put you in charge of a large amount. Come and share your master's happiness” or I will hear no praise at all.
I want the former said of me and the privilege that goes with it. How about you? Feel free to respond with your thoughts.
www.realitychurch.com
Recently, I was asked to be a character witness for a friend in a court of law. I thought it might be possible that the Judge would call on me to stand before [her] in this case and testify. So what did I do? Before I arrived, I made sure that I put on my best stuff just in case. Shaven? Check! Right shirt & tie? Check! Cologne on? Check! Shoes shined? Check!
Went thru a whole routine to “look good” in front of a human judge. Funny thing was I never came near. The female Judge never saw my nicely trimmed goatee, my shiny shoes and probably didn’t care about my tie or the small of my cologne; yet I did it to “make a statement” if needed.
I began to think about all that I put into this small proceeding and realized that one day I’m going to stand before the Judge of the universe and I had better have “look my best.” But what is the best way for us to “look our best” before God? What is He looking for when we’re standing before His throne?
The answer lies in a story (parable) Jesus told and recorded for us in Matthew 25:21—“His master replied, ‘Good job! You're a good and faithful servant! You proved that you could be trusted with a small amount. I will put you in charge of a large amount. Come and share your master's happiness.'
The two things I notice here are: [1] the master (God) said that the servant was “good and faithful” and [2] because he/she was faithful, God would give this person more responsibility (I will put you in charge of a large amount) and more privilege (Come and share your master's happiness).
When that day comes to stand before The Ultimate Judge, we can be assured that He won’t be looking at how well we’re dressed or how good we look on the outside. He judges everyone properly when He judges us from the inside…the heart. He will judge us on how faithful or trustworthy we have been with the responsibilities He has given to us in this life.
What are those? Well, for starters, how ‘bout being faithful to Him with everything he has entrusted to us! Like what, Steve? Like our talents or giftedness. These are divine abilities God has enabled you with to serve other people. Another aspect of loving faithfulness to God is our time or our calendar. What am I giving to Him out of the 1,440 minutes I have each day? The final facet of our faithfulness to God and possibly the most revealing too is our giving back to God or our treasure.
These days, I’m thinking more and more about that one special day that I stand before the Righteous Judge and either hear Him say, “Good job! You're a good and faithful servant! You proved that you could be trusted with a small amount. I will put you in charge of a large amount. Come and share your master's happiness” or I will hear no praise at all.
I want the former said of me and the privilege that goes with it. How about you? Feel free to respond with your thoughts.
www.realitychurch.com
Sunday, August 9, 2009
Vacillating, Oscillating, and Other Unhealthy Practices
It’s hard to see people hurting in life. I’d rather give them some sort of magic pill that could help them in their life journey, but that’s not the way it works.
Recently, I’ve had conversations with others I care about and I see the struggle they face. Some of the struggles are self-induced, but some are caused by circumstances and power beyond us. But what pains me the most is the fact that there is an answer to many of our heartaches. An answer? Yes, an answer.
Now, to some, I may be naïve, old-fashioned, or just plain “out of touch” with the real world. Could be, but don’t think so. Many years ago, I’ve found to be true the one thing that will overcome all of my stupid decisions and harmful choices that would otherwise pound me into the pavement. That one stabilizing factor is none other than the life altering, mind renewing, Word of God. Sound like a crock? Check these passages of Scripture and see if you agree that God has already given us all we need from His word to be champions over life’s circumstances
Romans 12:2 — “Stop being conformed to the standards of this world, but let God transform you inwardly by a complete renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to know the will of God…”
We must choose to get our noses into God’s Word so that we can see the total transformation of our lives. This happen by renewing our minds with His Word. This is a must, if we’re going to think the way God wants us to.
Ephesians 4:23 — “Let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes.”
Psalm 19:7-11 — The instructions of the Lord are perfect, reviving the soul. The decrees of the Lord are trustworthy, making wise the simple. The commandments of the Lord are right, bringing joy to the heart. The commands of the Lord are clear, giving insight for living. Reverence for the Lord is pure, lasting forever. The laws of the Lord are true; each one is fair. They are more desirable than gold, even the finest gold. They are sweeter than honey, even honey dripping from the comb. They are a warning to your servant, a great reward for those who obey them.
This tells us what God’s Word can and will do for us when we know it: According to Scripture, it makes me wise, brings joy to my life, gives me insight for living, and so much more.
Decide today…maybe right now as you read this Post—that you are going to stop vacillating, oscillating, or wavering and instead start marinating your mind with God’s Word. It’ll give you the greatest peace of mind you’ll ever know…in every circumstance.
Write me back and tell me about how God’s Word has made a difference in your life.
www.realitychurch.com
Recently, I’ve had conversations with others I care about and I see the struggle they face. Some of the struggles are self-induced, but some are caused by circumstances and power beyond us. But what pains me the most is the fact that there is an answer to many of our heartaches. An answer? Yes, an answer.
Now, to some, I may be naïve, old-fashioned, or just plain “out of touch” with the real world. Could be, but don’t think so. Many years ago, I’ve found to be true the one thing that will overcome all of my stupid decisions and harmful choices that would otherwise pound me into the pavement. That one stabilizing factor is none other than the life altering, mind renewing, Word of God. Sound like a crock? Check these passages of Scripture and see if you agree that God has already given us all we need from His word to be champions over life’s circumstances
Romans 12:2 — “Stop being conformed to the standards of this world, but let God transform you inwardly by a complete renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to know the will of God…”
We must choose to get our noses into God’s Word so that we can see the total transformation of our lives. This happen by renewing our minds with His Word. This is a must, if we’re going to think the way God wants us to.
Ephesians 4:23 — “Let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes.”
Psalm 19:7-11 — The instructions of the Lord are perfect, reviving the soul. The decrees of the Lord are trustworthy, making wise the simple. The commandments of the Lord are right, bringing joy to the heart. The commands of the Lord are clear, giving insight for living. Reverence for the Lord is pure, lasting forever. The laws of the Lord are true; each one is fair. They are more desirable than gold, even the finest gold. They are sweeter than honey, even honey dripping from the comb. They are a warning to your servant, a great reward for those who obey them.
This tells us what God’s Word can and will do for us when we know it: According to Scripture, it makes me wise, brings joy to my life, gives me insight for living, and so much more.
Decide today…maybe right now as you read this Post—that you are going to stop vacillating, oscillating, or wavering and instead start marinating your mind with God’s Word. It’ll give you the greatest peace of mind you’ll ever know…in every circumstance.
Write me back and tell me about how God’s Word has made a difference in your life.
www.realitychurch.com
Sunday, August 2, 2009
Why Do You?
It’s not elementary…in fact, it’s downright advanced stuff…at least to most people. It’s a legitimate question that weaves its way through the heads of the multitudes. Preachers even get it wrong; but it should be so easy.Believe it or not, I heard a TV preacher say something in an interview that shocked me. He said something that many of us actually feel but would rather not say; so he said it for you. And it has huge implications. He said, “I serve God because I fear Him; I don’t want to go to hell, and that’s why I serve Him faithfully.”
Wow! Really? I serve God because I fear Him…His wrath, His repercussions? Is that sort of talk foreign to you or not? When was the last time you asked yourself the question, “Why Do I Serve Jesus Christ?”
There are plenty of feelings about the pros and cons of this concept; so allow me to simply offer up something that the Bible says that can put this sort of thing to rest for all concerned.
We see this in 2 Corinthians 5:14: “For I am controlled by the love of Christ.” Noticed it didn’t say, “The fear of Christ” or “The wrath of Christ,” but rather, “The love of Christ.” His love for and toward me and my love back to Him is what controls me. The original language, Koine Greek, spells it out even clearer. It actually means that His love drives me, motivates me, and compels me…but it further means that His love steers me, maneuvers me, directs me, and decides for me.
It’s clear then that God’s will is that we serve Him and follow Him out of a sense of reciprocating love, not fear. Finally, to nail this idea of “I serve God because I fear Him; I don’t want to go to hell, and that’s why I serve Him faithfully” shut forever in your life, we can turn to scripture again when it says, “Where God's love is, there is no fear, because God's perfect love drives out fear. It is punishment that makes a person fear, so love is not made perfect in the person who fears.” 1 John 4:18 (NCV) Hey, there are few things more freeing this.
As followers of an amazing God, we must choose to believe this just like we believe Genesis 1:1 or John 3:16. And when we do; when we learn to serve Jesus out of a response to His deep love for us, our whole outlook on the character of God will change for the better and bring us true freedom.
Agree? Disagree? Mad? Glad? I’d love to read your thoughts!!
www.realitychurch.com
Wow! Really? I serve God because I fear Him…His wrath, His repercussions? Is that sort of talk foreign to you or not? When was the last time you asked yourself the question, “Why Do I Serve Jesus Christ?”
There are plenty of feelings about the pros and cons of this concept; so allow me to simply offer up something that the Bible says that can put this sort of thing to rest for all concerned.
We see this in 2 Corinthians 5:14: “For I am controlled by the love of Christ.” Noticed it didn’t say, “The fear of Christ” or “The wrath of Christ,” but rather, “The love of Christ.” His love for and toward me and my love back to Him is what controls me. The original language, Koine Greek, spells it out even clearer. It actually means that His love drives me, motivates me, and compels me…but it further means that His love steers me, maneuvers me, directs me, and decides for me.
It’s clear then that God’s will is that we serve Him and follow Him out of a sense of reciprocating love, not fear. Finally, to nail this idea of “I serve God because I fear Him; I don’t want to go to hell, and that’s why I serve Him faithfully” shut forever in your life, we can turn to scripture again when it says, “Where God's love is, there is no fear, because God's perfect love drives out fear. It is punishment that makes a person fear, so love is not made perfect in the person who fears.” 1 John 4:18 (NCV) Hey, there are few things more freeing this.
As followers of an amazing God, we must choose to believe this just like we believe Genesis 1:1 or John 3:16. And when we do; when we learn to serve Jesus out of a response to His deep love for us, our whole outlook on the character of God will change for the better and bring us true freedom.
Agree? Disagree? Mad? Glad? I’d love to read your thoughts!!
www.realitychurch.com
Sunday, July 26, 2009
It Matters
What’s on your mind lately? Politics, money, food, ballgames, church, cars, God…what is it?
I guess blogging is all about weighing in and then shouting out your two-cents. So here’s my shout for the day.
For far too long now in our culture—Christianity as a whole has been looked upon with great suspicion as being illegitimate because of a lot of talk mixed with little walk. For the last three decades many Americans have had enough of “Sunday Christians, plastic Christians, closet Christians, and preachers who pointed their fingers and yelled about hell, fire, and brimstone, but failed to live up to their own words.
The word hypocrisy became commonplace in the vocabulary of many and was used to denounce Christians and the Christian faith. Society basically turned away from community churches because, although we talked a good game, we talked way too much smack but didn’t do jack and therefore lost enormous credibility.
But in the midst of all that, God was still at work, changing lives. He's been grabbing hold of common, everyday kinds of people and pastors and church leaders who really cared about walking the walk. And today, at the end of the first decade of the new millennium, I think we are on the verge of reclaiming—at least some of what was previously lost because of the hypocritical nature of God’s church.
My two-cents is just this: I question if we, Christ followers, really understand that the way we live our daily lives; the journey we tell others we are on with God has more impact on culture than we might ever believe.
So, I wonder about the “get it’ factor, because sometimes I think we’re oblivious or indifferent to the influence we really exert. In the estimation of Jesus Christ, it’s particularly crucial that we choose to represent God well to the world, if we ever have the hope of reaching them with the message of true life. Representing Him well is about taking the new life God put inside of you…and turning it inside-out so others can have the best seats in the house to see what He is all about.
Understanding that it matters to God what those at work think of you is on the money. It matters to God what your family thinks of you. It matters to God what your neighbors or your waitress, or your boss, or employees, or that new Christian thinks of you! Ultimately, it should matter to you what God thinks of you.
And this is exactly the reason why God placed His Spirit inside of you…so you and I can represent Him extremely well on this blue planet we call earth.
Isn't it time for all of us to step up and become in character, the person God has enabled you to be.
www.realitychurch.com
I guess blogging is all about weighing in and then shouting out your two-cents. So here’s my shout for the day.
For far too long now in our culture—Christianity as a whole has been looked upon with great suspicion as being illegitimate because of a lot of talk mixed with little walk. For the last three decades many Americans have had enough of “Sunday Christians, plastic Christians, closet Christians, and preachers who pointed their fingers and yelled about hell, fire, and brimstone, but failed to live up to their own words.
The word hypocrisy became commonplace in the vocabulary of many and was used to denounce Christians and the Christian faith. Society basically turned away from community churches because, although we talked a good game, we talked way too much smack but didn’t do jack and therefore lost enormous credibility.
But in the midst of all that, God was still at work, changing lives. He's been grabbing hold of common, everyday kinds of people and pastors and church leaders who really cared about walking the walk. And today, at the end of the first decade of the new millennium, I think we are on the verge of reclaiming—at least some of what was previously lost because of the hypocritical nature of God’s church.
My two-cents is just this: I question if we, Christ followers, really understand that the way we live our daily lives; the journey we tell others we are on with God has more impact on culture than we might ever believe.
So, I wonder about the “get it’ factor, because sometimes I think we’re oblivious or indifferent to the influence we really exert. In the estimation of Jesus Christ, it’s particularly crucial that we choose to represent God well to the world, if we ever have the hope of reaching them with the message of true life. Representing Him well is about taking the new life God put inside of you…and turning it inside-out so others can have the best seats in the house to see what He is all about.
Understanding that it matters to God what those at work think of you is on the money. It matters to God what your family thinks of you. It matters to God what your neighbors or your waitress, or your boss, or employees, or that new Christian thinks of you! Ultimately, it should matter to you what God thinks of you.
And this is exactly the reason why God placed His Spirit inside of you…so you and I can represent Him extremely well on this blue planet we call earth.
Isn't it time for all of us to step up and become in character, the person God has enabled you to be.
www.realitychurch.com
Friday, July 24, 2009
Seven Wonders (Part 3)
Incredible, isn’t it; the way God made the Seven Wonders of the Natural World so spectacular? In case you’ve forgotten what they are, I’ve listed them for you:
[1] Mount Everest in Nepal [2] Victoria Falls in Zambia/Zimbabwe [3] Grand Canyon in Arizona, USA [4] Great Barrier Reef in Australia [5] Northern Lights [6] Paricutin volcano in Mexico [7] Harbor of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Google these and what you’ll see is…gorgeous, breathtaking & stunning.
Still more stunning and even awe-inspiring is the Seven Wonders of the Spiritual World. We’ve covered the first four; now let me put a wrap on the last three. [5] God Guides Me [6] God Uses Me, and [7] God Satisfies Me.
God Guides…me, you, us! How cool is that? It’s His desire and delight, and no, He doesn’t play games with our lives—choosing to give us His guidance sometimes and at other times, not. His guidance is always available…we just have to position our lives in such a way so that we can perceive what He is saying. God will speak frequently to us through His Word (the Bible); by the leadership of the Holy Spirit; and sometimes even by circumstances.
The Lord also Uses those willing to follow Him. This is not only the 6th wonder, it’s still a wonder to me to this day! Why would a perfect, holy, all-powerful God choose to use little ole me? I guess the point God wants me to understand is that I don’t have to understand. All I have to do is say, ‘Yes!’ So, how ‘bout it? Let’s just say ‘Yes!’ to God’s desire to use us. Deal?
Finally, the seventh Wonder of the Spiritual World is all about Satisfaction. Many people never seem satisfied, & almost everybody wants more. A little child wants more toys & more television time. A teenager wants more freedom & more popularity. Most of us adults want more possessions & more leisure time. Certainly as we age, we want more health, more friends, & more loyalty from our children.
God is the ultimate satisfier. He satisfies us with His provision, protection, and peace.
When you think deeply, really deeply about the Seven Wonders of the Spiritual World, no doubt you will want to fall to your knees and fall in love with God all over again. How could it be any other way!?!?
www.realitychurch.com
[1] Mount Everest in Nepal [2] Victoria Falls in Zambia/Zimbabwe [3] Grand Canyon in Arizona, USA [4] Great Barrier Reef in Australia [5] Northern Lights [6] Paricutin volcano in Mexico [7] Harbor of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Google these and what you’ll see is…gorgeous, breathtaking & stunning.
Still more stunning and even awe-inspiring is the Seven Wonders of the Spiritual World. We’ve covered the first four; now let me put a wrap on the last three. [5] God Guides Me [6] God Uses Me, and [7] God Satisfies Me.
God Guides…me, you, us! How cool is that? It’s His desire and delight, and no, He doesn’t play games with our lives—choosing to give us His guidance sometimes and at other times, not. His guidance is always available…we just have to position our lives in such a way so that we can perceive what He is saying. God will speak frequently to us through His Word (the Bible); by the leadership of the Holy Spirit; and sometimes even by circumstances.
The Lord also Uses those willing to follow Him. This is not only the 6th wonder, it’s still a wonder to me to this day! Why would a perfect, holy, all-powerful God choose to use little ole me? I guess the point God wants me to understand is that I don’t have to understand. All I have to do is say, ‘Yes!’ So, how ‘bout it? Let’s just say ‘Yes!’ to God’s desire to use us. Deal?
Finally, the seventh Wonder of the Spiritual World is all about Satisfaction. Many people never seem satisfied, & almost everybody wants more. A little child wants more toys & more television time. A teenager wants more freedom & more popularity. Most of us adults want more possessions & more leisure time. Certainly as we age, we want more health, more friends, & more loyalty from our children.
God is the ultimate satisfier. He satisfies us with His provision, protection, and peace.
When you think deeply, really deeply about the Seven Wonders of the Spiritual World, no doubt you will want to fall to your knees and fall in love with God all over again. How could it be any other way!?!?
www.realitychurch.com
Thursday, July 16, 2009
Seven Wonders (Part 2)
Here’s a “pop-quiz” with seven multiple choices and a chance to respond below:
Question: What is authentic spiritual transformation (the 4th of seven spiritual wonders) all about?
A. Trying to be a good person
B. Giving up stuff
C. Committing myself to something better
D. Following through on my word
E. Quitting my bad habits
F. All of the above
G. None of the above
If you answered a, b, c, d, e, or f – you think like most people. But most people are wrong when it comes to the 4th spiritual wonder… how “God Transforms Me.”
Notice the common denominator in all of these… self-effort! But true biblical transformation is never about self-effort.
Instead, biblical transformation is: “A radical, noticeable change that takes place within the human heart, not because of personal effort, but because of an authentic encounter with Jesus Christ.”
We can try to change from the inside on our own – so we will be changed on the outside, but we will ultimately fail. REMINDS ME OF POPEYE THE SAILOR MAN: “I YAM WHAT I YAM, AND THAT’S ALL THAT I YAM!”
• NO HOPE OF CHANGING—“I YAM WHAT I YAM”
• NO DESIRE TO CHANGE—“I YAM WHAT I YAM”
• CAN’T CHANGE—"I YAM WHAT I YAM, AND THAT’S ALL THAT I YAM!"
Transformation always begins from within. It’s “an inside job” that can and should happen in small and sometimes big ways, regularly.
Remember this: Real transformation is always about our yieldedness to what God wants to do in us!
Agree or disagree? Why or why not? Talk back and be heard!
www.realitychurch.com
Question: What is authentic spiritual transformation (the 4th of seven spiritual wonders) all about?
A. Trying to be a good person
B. Giving up stuff
C. Committing myself to something better
D. Following through on my word
E. Quitting my bad habits
F. All of the above
G. None of the above
If you answered a, b, c, d, e, or f – you think like most people. But most people are wrong when it comes to the 4th spiritual wonder… how “God Transforms Me.”
Notice the common denominator in all of these… self-effort! But true biblical transformation is never about self-effort.
Instead, biblical transformation is: “A radical, noticeable change that takes place within the human heart, not because of personal effort, but because of an authentic encounter with Jesus Christ.”
We can try to change from the inside on our own – so we will be changed on the outside, but we will ultimately fail. REMINDS ME OF POPEYE THE SAILOR MAN: “I YAM WHAT I YAM, AND THAT’S ALL THAT I YAM!”
• NO HOPE OF CHANGING—“I YAM WHAT I YAM”
• NO DESIRE TO CHANGE—“I YAM WHAT I YAM”
• CAN’T CHANGE—"I YAM WHAT I YAM, AND THAT’S ALL THAT I YAM!"
Transformation always begins from within. It’s “an inside job” that can and should happen in small and sometimes big ways, regularly.
Remember this: Real transformation is always about our yieldedness to what God wants to do in us!
Agree or disagree? Why or why not? Talk back and be heard!
www.realitychurch.com
Monday, July 13, 2009
Seven Wonders
Some time ago, a guy named Bill Hybels wrote a book called, “Seven Wonders of the Spiritual World.” I loved that book and thought that, if you haven’t heard of it, you would let me share with you, as best as I can remember, what those seven wonders actually are.
The list goes like this: [1] You Matter to God [2] God Can be Trusted [3] God Forgives Me [4] God Transforms Me [5] God Guides Me [6] God Uses Me, and [7] God Satisfies Me.
This fantastic list is just that…almost too fantastic to believe, or better yet, it’s “out of this world.” Well, it actually is.
Go ahead; take a look at that short list again. Did you drop your chin like I did when you first read that catalog of what God is really like toward us? I mean, did you read it carefully, thoughtfully?
You Matter To God: Many people doubt God’s love for them for various reasons. No one told us God loves us…Things go wrong…We think we’re too bad of a person… But the Scripture tells us something just the opposite. It says, “I pray… you be able to feel and understand how long, how wide, how deep, and how high His love really is; and to experience this love for yourselves.” Ephesians 3:17-19
God Can Be Trusted: Whoever told us that God is a million miles away or didn’t care about “our little, petty problems” should read the Bible more. Jesus told us that God cares (about all things that concern us) and that he is near to us rather than far. The bible says in 1 Peter 5:7 for us to “cast on God’s shoulders all our cares and worries because He cares for us.” That’s good news!
God Forgives Me: Really? Me and all my baggage? Yes! Actually, He forgave you about 2000 years ago when he died on a cross for your sin and mine. Here’s how God himself put it: “Oh, what joy for those whose rebellion is forgiven, whose sin is put out of sight! Yes, what joy for those whose record the Lord has cleared of sin…” Psalm 32:1-2
When you look at the first three of the seven listed, you can see that God is totally “on point” when it comes to how awesome He is toward us.
Next posting, I will wrap us the last four of the “Seven Wonders of the Spiritual World” with Part 2.
Hey, I’d like to hear what you think. Go ahead and post any thoughts, feelings, or experiences you’d like to share. i'm sure you'll be an encouragement to others!
www.realitychurch.com
The list goes like this: [1] You Matter to God [2] God Can be Trusted [3] God Forgives Me [4] God Transforms Me [5] God Guides Me [6] God Uses Me, and [7] God Satisfies Me.
This fantastic list is just that…almost too fantastic to believe, or better yet, it’s “out of this world.” Well, it actually is.
Go ahead; take a look at that short list again. Did you drop your chin like I did when you first read that catalog of what God is really like toward us? I mean, did you read it carefully, thoughtfully?
You Matter To God: Many people doubt God’s love for them for various reasons. No one told us God loves us…Things go wrong…We think we’re too bad of a person… But the Scripture tells us something just the opposite. It says, “I pray… you be able to feel and understand how long, how wide, how deep, and how high His love really is; and to experience this love for yourselves.” Ephesians 3:17-19
God Can Be Trusted: Whoever told us that God is a million miles away or didn’t care about “our little, petty problems” should read the Bible more. Jesus told us that God cares (about all things that concern us) and that he is near to us rather than far. The bible says in 1 Peter 5:7 for us to “cast on God’s shoulders all our cares and worries because He cares for us.” That’s good news!
God Forgives Me: Really? Me and all my baggage? Yes! Actually, He forgave you about 2000 years ago when he died on a cross for your sin and mine. Here’s how God himself put it: “Oh, what joy for those whose rebellion is forgiven, whose sin is put out of sight! Yes, what joy for those whose record the Lord has cleared of sin…” Psalm 32:1-2
When you look at the first three of the seven listed, you can see that God is totally “on point” when it comes to how awesome He is toward us.
Next posting, I will wrap us the last four of the “Seven Wonders of the Spiritual World” with Part 2.
Hey, I’d like to hear what you think. Go ahead and post any thoughts, feelings, or experiences you’d like to share. i'm sure you'll be an encouragement to others!
www.realitychurch.com
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
A God Blog
What do you do when you are going through hardship? When there are no easy answers in sight? Where do you go when things are beyond your control and you just don’t know what to do anymore? What do you think that God would want you to know?
I’ve been thinking about these very questions because lately I have seen a number of my friends and family going through some very difficult things: Awful family problems, severe health issues, financial turmoil, and even personal demons they are wrestling with.
So I thought that if God had a blog today, He might want just remind us all of what He’s already said in the Bible. So, if you’re personally going through some tough stuff or know of a friend who is, then take a good long look at these passages of Scripture and just let soak in your mind. I’m confident that the Spirit of God will speak to your heart as you give Him the chance. Enjoy!
God is:
- FOR ME
“Since God is for us, who can stand against us?” Romans 8:31
- WITH ME
"When you go through deep waters and great trouble, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown! When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you." Isaiah 43:2 - BESIDE ME
"The Lord himself watches over you! The Lord stands beside you as your protective shade." Psalm 121:5 - BENEATH ME
"The eternal God is your refuge, and his everlasting arms are under you." Deuteronomy 33:27 - AROUND ME
"Just as the mountains surround and protect Jerusalem, so the Lord surrounds and protects his people, both now and forever." Psalm 125:2 - BEHIND ME
"Your God will walk before you, and the glory of the Lord will protect you from behind." Isaiah 58:8 - WITHIN ME
"The Spirit of God, who raised Jesus from the dead, lives in you." Romans 8:11
I'd love to hear what you think and about how this may speak to you. Leave a comment; it might resonate with others!
www.realitychurch.com
Friday, June 26, 2009
The King of Pop, Dies
Could it be any clearer what God says about death?
Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his faithful ones. Psalms 116:15
As surely as I live, says the Sovereign Lord, I take no pleasure in the death of wicked people. I only want them to turn from their wicked ways so they can live… Ezekiel 33:11
Whichever camp the king of pop (Michael Jackson) was in, we don’t know. It was only he who could ultimately know whether or not he had a personal relationship with the forgiver of sin, Jesus Christ. What we can know is two things: [1] God takes no pleasure when a person to dies without Christ’s forgiveness because of sin’s penalty – what God calls “eternal death” (eternity without Him) and [2] God tells us it is precious in His sight when one of His children leaves this life (they will be forever with Him).
To be sure, Jesus doesn’t see everyone as children of God (John 6:66), nor does everyone possess everlasting life (1John 5:11-13). There will be many who think their way is right, but it only ends in death for them (Proverbs 16:25). Jesus claimed (and ultimately proved it by resurrecting from the dead), that he was the only way to heaven (Matthew 7:13-14; John 14:6).
Michael Jackson’s premature death at age 50 proves how vulnerable and frail our physical lives really are. It also shows us that, in the grand scheme of things, life is fast & furious, evaporating before us like the morning mist.My hope is that those of us who know Jesus personally and love people would take any death, but especially MJ’s death, and be stirred more than ever to share the awesome news that God wants to make us His friends through what the J-man (that’s Jesus!) did for all of us on a wooden cross some two millennia ago.
In just 100 short years, nearly all the 6.8 billion people on this rock we call Earth will die. So, why do we as Christ-followers shrink back from sharing the Good News? Is it because we don’t think it’s newsworthy to share or perhaps it's because we are fearful of slight rejection? Or possibly it has to do with the fact that we don’t really believe that people want to hear about Jesus – even though in a recent national poll, the one person in all of history that most people in America would like to meet is none other than Jesus Christ.
Whatever the case, people’s eternities lay in the balance…and you and I get to be used by God to possibly be the “tipping point” that alters their decision to choose Christ as their personal savior.
www.realitychurch.com
Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his faithful ones. Psalms 116:15
As surely as I live, says the Sovereign Lord, I take no pleasure in the death of wicked people. I only want them to turn from their wicked ways so they can live… Ezekiel 33:11
Whichever camp the king of pop (Michael Jackson) was in, we don’t know. It was only he who could ultimately know whether or not he had a personal relationship with the forgiver of sin, Jesus Christ. What we can know is two things: [1] God takes no pleasure when a person to dies without Christ’s forgiveness because of sin’s penalty – what God calls “eternal death” (eternity without Him) and [2] God tells us it is precious in His sight when one of His children leaves this life (they will be forever with Him).
To be sure, Jesus doesn’t see everyone as children of God (John 6:66), nor does everyone possess everlasting life (1John 5:11-13). There will be many who think their way is right, but it only ends in death for them (Proverbs 16:25). Jesus claimed (and ultimately proved it by resurrecting from the dead), that he was the only way to heaven (Matthew 7:13-14; John 14:6).
Michael Jackson’s premature death at age 50 proves how vulnerable and frail our physical lives really are. It also shows us that, in the grand scheme of things, life is fast & furious, evaporating before us like the morning mist.My hope is that those of us who know Jesus personally and love people would take any death, but especially MJ’s death, and be stirred more than ever to share the awesome news that God wants to make us His friends through what the J-man (that’s Jesus!) did for all of us on a wooden cross some two millennia ago.
In just 100 short years, nearly all the 6.8 billion people on this rock we call Earth will die. So, why do we as Christ-followers shrink back from sharing the Good News? Is it because we don’t think it’s newsworthy to share or perhaps it's because we are fearful of slight rejection? Or possibly it has to do with the fact that we don’t really believe that people want to hear about Jesus – even though in a recent national poll, the one person in all of history that most people in America would like to meet is none other than Jesus Christ.
Whatever the case, people’s eternities lay in the balance…and you and I get to be used by God to possibly be the “tipping point” that alters their decision to choose Christ as their personal savior.
www.realitychurch.com
Friday, June 19, 2009
Titles and Bosses
In case you might forget, Barbara Boxer is a senator.
The feisty California lawmaker felt the need to remind an Army brigadier general of that fact recently during a hearing before her Senate Committee where the military officer testifying had the apparent gall to call Boxer "ma'am."
Brig. Gen. Michael Walsh, with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, was testifying and began to answer one of Boxer's questions with "ma'am" when Boxer immediately cut him off.
"You know, do me a favor," an irritated Boxer said. "Could say 'senator' instead of 'ma'am?'"
"Yes, ma'am," Walsh interjected.
"It's just a thing, I worked so hard to get that title, so I'd appreciate it, yes, thank you," she said.
"Yes, senator," he responded.
Sad, isn’t it, when someone has to prop themselves up in front of others. You’d think someone of the mature age of 68 would not be so needy.
Too often and in a similar way, many pastors and ministry leaders enjoy the feeling of power and control that comes from an “I’m in charge … I call the shots … I’m the boss around here,” mentality.
There is a scene that took place in Luke 22 which speaks to this subject. In this account, there was a power struggle going on among Jesus’ disciples. They were discussing who the “greatest” was going to be when Jesus came to power. Knowing this was going on, the Lord began to share some Kingdom lessons about what being great was really all about…and it wasn’t about titles.
Here’s the dialog:
“Within minutes they were bickering over who of them would end up the greatest. But Jesus intervened: ‘Kings like to throw their weight around and people in authority like to give themselves fancy titles. It’s not going to be that way with you. Let the senior among you become like the junior; let the leader act the part of the servant. Who would you rather be: the one who eats the dinner or the one who serves the dinner? You’d rather eat and be served, right? But I’ve taken my place among you as the one who serves.'” Luke 22:24-27 (THE MESSAGE)
Some may not recognize the difference in values between the worldly “boss” mentality and the biblical “leader” mentality. If someone were to ask me what each typically connotes, I might spell it out like this:
A boss creates fear
A leader creates trust (1 Thessalonians 2:10-11)
A boss serves himself
A leader serves others (1 Corinthians 9:19)
A boss aims to make himself successful
A leader aims to make others successful (1 Timothy 4:6)
A boss says, "I"
A leader says, "we" (1 Corinthians 3:5-9)
A boss fixes blame
A leader fixes mistakes (Philemon v.18-19)
A boss knows how
A leader shows how (Exodus 18:17)
A boss makes work a grind
A leader makes work worthwhile (Nehemiah)
A boss drives
A leader leads (John 10:11-15)
A boss wields authority
A leader empowers people (2 Timothy 2:2)
A boss relies on the power of authority
A leader relies on the power of servanthood (Matthew 20:25-28)
If we’re needy of titles or props, we’ll always fall short of greatness in God’s eyes. As Martin Luther King, Jr. said, “Everyone can become great because everyone can serve.” If I could add an postscript to that, it would be “…everyone can serve without the need for titles.”
www.realitychurch.com
The feisty California lawmaker felt the need to remind an Army brigadier general of that fact recently during a hearing before her Senate Committee where the military officer testifying had the apparent gall to call Boxer "ma'am."
Brig. Gen. Michael Walsh, with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, was testifying and began to answer one of Boxer's questions with "ma'am" when Boxer immediately cut him off.
"You know, do me a favor," an irritated Boxer said. "Could say 'senator' instead of 'ma'am?'"
"Yes, ma'am," Walsh interjected.
"It's just a thing, I worked so hard to get that title, so I'd appreciate it, yes, thank you," she said.
"Yes, senator," he responded.
Sad, isn’t it, when someone has to prop themselves up in front of others. You’d think someone of the mature age of 68 would not be so needy.
Too often and in a similar way, many pastors and ministry leaders enjoy the feeling of power and control that comes from an “I’m in charge … I call the shots … I’m the boss around here,” mentality.
There is a scene that took place in Luke 22 which speaks to this subject. In this account, there was a power struggle going on among Jesus’ disciples. They were discussing who the “greatest” was going to be when Jesus came to power. Knowing this was going on, the Lord began to share some Kingdom lessons about what being great was really all about…and it wasn’t about titles.
Here’s the dialog:
“Within minutes they were bickering over who of them would end up the greatest. But Jesus intervened: ‘Kings like to throw their weight around and people in authority like to give themselves fancy titles. It’s not going to be that way with you. Let the senior among you become like the junior; let the leader act the part of the servant. Who would you rather be: the one who eats the dinner or the one who serves the dinner? You’d rather eat and be served, right? But I’ve taken my place among you as the one who serves.'” Luke 22:24-27 (THE MESSAGE)
Some may not recognize the difference in values between the worldly “boss” mentality and the biblical “leader” mentality. If someone were to ask me what each typically connotes, I might spell it out like this:
A boss creates fear
A leader creates trust (1 Thessalonians 2:10-11)
A boss serves himself
A leader serves others (1 Corinthians 9:19)
A boss aims to make himself successful
A leader aims to make others successful (1 Timothy 4:6)
A boss says, "I"
A leader says, "we" (1 Corinthians 3:5-9)
A boss fixes blame
A leader fixes mistakes (Philemon v.18-19)
A boss knows how
A leader shows how (Exodus 18:17)
A boss makes work a grind
A leader makes work worthwhile (Nehemiah)
A boss drives
A leader leads (John 10:11-15)
A boss wields authority
A leader empowers people (2 Timothy 2:2)
A boss relies on the power of authority
A leader relies on the power of servanthood (Matthew 20:25-28)
If we’re needy of titles or props, we’ll always fall short of greatness in God’s eyes. As Martin Luther King, Jr. said, “Everyone can become great because everyone can serve.” If I could add an postscript to that, it would be “…everyone can serve without the need for titles.”
www.realitychurch.com
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Hornet Attack
No joke. I ran as fast as I could to get inside the house like a little kid running from a neighborhood bully. Today (Tuesday) was my day off and I’m outside in the back of the yard, power-washing our screened Gazebo. As I’m doing this, I realized that I’m hitting some hornet nests that are tucked away in the corners of the structure.
I should have looked first to see if there was anything hidden in these corners, but after stuff started dropping I thought I would take a look. Stink! There was way too many of them around all sides of the Gazebo for me to safely spray them away, so I took the hose inside the Gazebo and began my assault from there. Problem was, the door had about a one-inch gap the hose made where angry hornets could get in and retaliate.
As I began spraying a huge chunk of their hive came tumbling down and boy were they ticked. In a matter of a few second they were on the screen wanting a piece of me and my power-washer. Long story short, I made a mad dash out of the Gazebo, turned off the machine and the hose as fast as I could and ran to get inside the house as quickly as I could. My adrenaline was cranking.
When I got inside, I was actually shaking. But I’d rather take on the top two neighborhood bullies than mess with angry hornets.
What captures my attention most about this episode is it parallels so well with what Ephesians Chapter 6:10-17 is all about. It says we are constantly assailed and assaulted by the devil and his gang of evil spirits trying to bring ruin and destruction in our lives. What’s protecting us is the spiritual armor that God gives to us. And it’s this armor and this armor only that can’t be penetrated by Satan. When we learn how to apply God’s armor to our daily lives, we are safe from harm. In order to put on His armor, three major life applications must be practiced:
[1] Live life with integrity. [2] Practice right-living. [3] Learn to know God’s Word.
When you start messing with territory that the devil thinks is his, you can be sure that he’s coming after you; but again…he can’t win...he actually loses—as long as you’ve got the armor on that God provided.
www.realitychurch.com
I should have looked first to see if there was anything hidden in these corners, but after stuff started dropping I thought I would take a look. Stink! There was way too many of them around all sides of the Gazebo for me to safely spray them away, so I took the hose inside the Gazebo and began my assault from there. Problem was, the door had about a one-inch gap the hose made where angry hornets could get in and retaliate.
As I began spraying a huge chunk of their hive came tumbling down and boy were they ticked. In a matter of a few second they were on the screen wanting a piece of me and my power-washer. Long story short, I made a mad dash out of the Gazebo, turned off the machine and the hose as fast as I could and ran to get inside the house as quickly as I could. My adrenaline was cranking.
When I got inside, I was actually shaking. But I’d rather take on the top two neighborhood bullies than mess with angry hornets.
What captures my attention most about this episode is it parallels so well with what Ephesians Chapter 6:10-17 is all about. It says we are constantly assailed and assaulted by the devil and his gang of evil spirits trying to bring ruin and destruction in our lives. What’s protecting us is the spiritual armor that God gives to us. And it’s this armor and this armor only that can’t be penetrated by Satan. When we learn how to apply God’s armor to our daily lives, we are safe from harm. In order to put on His armor, three major life applications must be practiced:
[1] Live life with integrity. [2] Practice right-living. [3] Learn to know God’s Word.
When you start messing with territory that the devil thinks is his, you can be sure that he’s coming after you; but again…he can’t win...he actually loses—as long as you’ve got the armor on that God provided.
www.realitychurch.com
Monday, June 15, 2009
Offended
I had someone walk out on me this past Sunday at Reality Church as I spoke on a very touchy subject (part 5 in the Life Swap Series). This person was ‘hot’ to say the least…offended at what I had said and from the front, stormed out of the building briskly walking down the middle aisle uttering, “I’m not listening to this.”
But should we actually be surprised if this happens if we’re proclaiming God’s Word? And, still a bigger question is, “what if the person offended is another believer…should we be stunned then?” I don’t think so.
You see, we need to remember that we’re all on different levels of maturity in our journey with God. So it should come as no surprise that a person—even a believer in Jesus—will be offended at different stages and occasions in their Christian walk. It even happened to Jesus, recorded for us in [John 6:60-66] when his followers were offended at what he said. Many of them left him and never followed him again.
One of the things we must be careful of, though, is how we’re presenting the message of God to others. It’s possible and even easy to offend someone in about 10 second just by the way we say things.
Why am I writing about this? Because you will undoubtedly have an opportunity to share God’s truth with both those who believe and even those who don’t. And, sometimes, people get offended—even if they love God. What’s important is that we don’t add any unnecessary offense to the message of Christ. It’s imperative that we learn to “speak the truth in love” to our friends, family, and co-workers, but we make sure we are not compromising what God says for the sake of keeping everybody happy.
We’re not in a popularity contest, so keep speaking the truth in love to everyone every opportunity God gives you and don’t be surprised if some are offended or worse. Sometimes the truth hurts!
http://www.realitychurch.com/
But should we actually be surprised if this happens if we’re proclaiming God’s Word? And, still a bigger question is, “what if the person offended is another believer…should we be stunned then?” I don’t think so.
You see, we need to remember that we’re all on different levels of maturity in our journey with God. So it should come as no surprise that a person—even a believer in Jesus—will be offended at different stages and occasions in their Christian walk. It even happened to Jesus, recorded for us in [John 6:60-66] when his followers were offended at what he said. Many of them left him and never followed him again.
One of the things we must be careful of, though, is how we’re presenting the message of God to others. It’s possible and even easy to offend someone in about 10 second just by the way we say things.
Why am I writing about this? Because you will undoubtedly have an opportunity to share God’s truth with both those who believe and even those who don’t. And, sometimes, people get offended—even if they love God. What’s important is that we don’t add any unnecessary offense to the message of Christ. It’s imperative that we learn to “speak the truth in love” to our friends, family, and co-workers, but we make sure we are not compromising what God says for the sake of keeping everybody happy.
We’re not in a popularity contest, so keep speaking the truth in love to everyone every opportunity God gives you and don’t be surprised if some are offended or worse. Sometimes the truth hurts!
http://www.realitychurch.com/
Thursday, June 11, 2009
A No-Hitter
On this date (June 11, 2009), exactly 19 years ago, one of baseball’s greatest pitchers, Nolan Ryan, pitched his sixth “no-hitter” in his career as he and the Texas Rangers beat the Oakland A’s 5-0.
As a former “pitcher” with a semi-pro team, I know just a little about how difficult it is to throw that all-elusive no hit game. Ryan got the best of his opponents for a number of outstanding reasons…one of which is the fact that he worked at being the most effective pitcher in the Major Leagues. He went on to retire with 5,714 strikeouts and 52 additional major league records in his twenty-six years in the big leagues.
One thing I know; whenever you work exceedingly hard at something or for something, usually, that hard work…that diligence, pays big dividends. It’s like the person who asked an amazing concert violinist in New York’s Carnegie Hall how she became so skilled. She said that it was by “planned neglect.” She planned to neglect everything that was not related to her goal.
Maybe for you, there are some less important things in your life that could stand some planned neglect so that you can give yourself to the purposes and plans of the God who holds your future in His hands.
So, what will it be; business as usual for you, or is there something for which you know you were created and that you must pursue?
I think Nolan Ryan would say, “Go for it!” I think that accomplished violinist would say, “Go ahead and neglect the myriad of things that don’t propel you to your goal.” But most important of all is what God would say to you. And what do you think that would be?
www.realitychurch.com
As a former “pitcher” with a semi-pro team, I know just a little about how difficult it is to throw that all-elusive no hit game. Ryan got the best of his opponents for a number of outstanding reasons…one of which is the fact that he worked at being the most effective pitcher in the Major Leagues. He went on to retire with 5,714 strikeouts and 52 additional major league records in his twenty-six years in the big leagues.
One thing I know; whenever you work exceedingly hard at something or for something, usually, that hard work…that diligence, pays big dividends. It’s like the person who asked an amazing concert violinist in New York’s Carnegie Hall how she became so skilled. She said that it was by “planned neglect.” She planned to neglect everything that was not related to her goal.
Maybe for you, there are some less important things in your life that could stand some planned neglect so that you can give yourself to the purposes and plans of the God who holds your future in His hands.
So, what will it be; business as usual for you, or is there something for which you know you were created and that you must pursue?
I think Nolan Ryan would say, “Go for it!” I think that accomplished violinist would say, “Go ahead and neglect the myriad of things that don’t propel you to your goal.” But most important of all is what God would say to you. And what do you think that would be?
www.realitychurch.com
Kids at Every Stage
What are you learning these days? That terrorism is real and close to home, or that government intrusion in our lives is happening more and more, or perhaps you’re witnessing the truth God tells us in the Bible…that we must not trust in the uncertainly of riches…especially in these harsh economic times. We dare not hide and say it’s not true…it is, but it’s also hard to swallow.
There is another thing that’s hard for me to swallow, maybe you too; and that’s the training of our kids. To do it well and to do it consistently is hard work. But it’s more complicated even than that. These days, I’m learning that wisdom from God is at a premium. Sometimes, I’m at a loss as to know how to do it. Thank God for my wife. Without her insight, input and practical wisdom, I’d have ruined most everything by now.
As my kids are getting older, I find that I have to deal with them in new and unchartered ways; ways that I’m unfamiliar with. And I’m having to rely on insight from God’s Word more than ever.
My point is that parenting is certainly rewarding, but it’s also difficult to do well, especially without divine guidance. Maybe that’s why God made it so complex. Maybe it’s because He wanted us to finally call on Him and draw from His vast resource of wisdom, and do it often.
So, go ahead, if you have kids, no matter their age – admit the difficulty of it and then just call out to God for help. If you’re serious, He’ll probably surprise you with helpful truths from the Bible (just make sure you’re reading it!), as well as from other more experienced people.
www.realitychurch.com
There is another thing that’s hard for me to swallow, maybe you too; and that’s the training of our kids. To do it well and to do it consistently is hard work. But it’s more complicated even than that. These days, I’m learning that wisdom from God is at a premium. Sometimes, I’m at a loss as to know how to do it. Thank God for my wife. Without her insight, input and practical wisdom, I’d have ruined most everything by now.
As my kids are getting older, I find that I have to deal with them in new and unchartered ways; ways that I’m unfamiliar with. And I’m having to rely on insight from God’s Word more than ever.
My point is that parenting is certainly rewarding, but it’s also difficult to do well, especially without divine guidance. Maybe that’s why God made it so complex. Maybe it’s because He wanted us to finally call on Him and draw from His vast resource of wisdom, and do it often.
So, go ahead, if you have kids, no matter their age – admit the difficulty of it and then just call out to God for help. If you’re serious, He’ll probably surprise you with helpful truths from the Bible (just make sure you’re reading it!), as well as from other more experienced people.
www.realitychurch.com
Monday, June 8, 2009
Your Gig
Let me set the stage. Every Monday happens to be the day when we as a staff spend a few hours on the creative programming aspect of an upcoming series. Our next major series is one we’re calling “Joosey Froot.” We pray, and then jump in; sharing our thoughts from a media perspective on the big idea I want to communicate on a particular Sunday. No idea is sacred. Every idea is potentially viable.
But this particular Monday was to be different; maybe just for me to see the power of God at work. Here’s what happened. Our Media Director, Dave, hooked four of us up on TokBox , a video chat tool that connects people online no matter where they are located. Anyway, what normally would take us many hours to determine the kind of video to shoot and how to pull it off, took us only about an hour… and that’s for a nine week summer series! It’s going to be hot stuff too. And here’s the reason: The primary giftedness that God gave these “creative types” were being used. It’s the main gig God has for them. And they were making the most of it.
Can I ask the question, “What about you?” Do you know your primary giftedness that God has blessed you with? If you do, please utilize it for His purposes. Don’t wait to be asked personally, just do it. God tells us this in the Bible: “In his grace, God has given us different gifts for doing certain things well. So if God has given you the ability to prophesy, speak out with as much faith as God has given you. If your gift is serving others, serve them well. If you are a teacher, teach well. If your gift is to encourage others, be encouraging. If it is giving, give generously. If God has given you leadership ability, take the responsibility seriously. And if you have a gift for showing kindness to others, do it gladly.” –Romans 12:6-8 (NLT)
If you aren’t sure or don’t know what it is that God has wired you for, begin by [1] asking God to show you, [2] ask others who walk closely with God what they see in you, and [3] roll up your sleeves and get involved with something good and you will start to see what you like and dislike. Eventually, you will narrow the choices down to doing something you love and are made by God to do. Kind of like those creative types I began writing about in this blog.
You were created for so much more than you know or realize. Do the three things I mentioned and your result will be intense joy and a purposeful life.
www.realitychurch.com
But this particular Monday was to be different; maybe just for me to see the power of God at work. Here’s what happened. Our Media Director, Dave, hooked four of us up on TokBox , a video chat tool that connects people online no matter where they are located. Anyway, what normally would take us many hours to determine the kind of video to shoot and how to pull it off, took us only about an hour… and that’s for a nine week summer series! It’s going to be hot stuff too. And here’s the reason: The primary giftedness that God gave these “creative types” were being used. It’s the main gig God has for them. And they were making the most of it.
Can I ask the question, “What about you?” Do you know your primary giftedness that God has blessed you with? If you do, please utilize it for His purposes. Don’t wait to be asked personally, just do it. God tells us this in the Bible: “In his grace, God has given us different gifts for doing certain things well. So if God has given you the ability to prophesy, speak out with as much faith as God has given you. If your gift is serving others, serve them well. If you are a teacher, teach well. If your gift is to encourage others, be encouraging. If it is giving, give generously. If God has given you leadership ability, take the responsibility seriously. And if you have a gift for showing kindness to others, do it gladly.” –Romans 12:6-8 (NLT)
If you aren’t sure or don’t know what it is that God has wired you for, begin by [1] asking God to show you, [2] ask others who walk closely with God what they see in you, and [3] roll up your sleeves and get involved with something good and you will start to see what you like and dislike. Eventually, you will narrow the choices down to doing something you love and are made by God to do. Kind of like those creative types I began writing about in this blog.
You were created for so much more than you know or realize. Do the three things I mentioned and your result will be intense joy and a purposeful life.
www.realitychurch.com
Sunday, June 7, 2009
A Powerful Drug
God’s Word seems to always prove itself right. Time and again it’s on the cutting edge of what modern man is finally figuring out. What I’m talking about is the medicinal effects laughter has on the human body and psyche as a whole. Solomon, the wisest and probably the wealthiest king in the history of the world wrote about laughter. Here’s what he said: “A cheerful disposition is good for your health…” (Proverbs 17:22)
Today, after getting home from an awesome church service, each of our three kids invited a friend over the house. After lunch, Joy, my youngest, was upstairs in her room with her friend and all the while they are playing, they are giggling…basically non-stop. I got such a kick out of it. It was awesome to listen to them have so much fun.
But what happened to us adults? Why don’t we laugh like we did years ago? Care to guess what percentage adults laugh as compared to younger kids? Half? One quarter? How ‘bout 4.5%. Kids laugh on average per day about 400 times. The average adult, a meager 17 times per day.What I’m getting at is that we should laugh more—far more than we do. Whatever keeps you from letting loose with laughter (busyness of life, tiredness, taking yourself too serious), has to go.
Check out what laughter can do for you:
Laughter strengthens the body’s ability to fight disease; it’s a natural stress-buster; it can lower your blood pressure, increase energy levels, help us bond better with other people and is even a way to exercise. Laughing 100 times roughly equals 15 minutes on an exercise bike? Vigorous laughter increases the heart rate deepens the breathing rate, and uses muscles in the face, stomach, and diaphragm.
Think about it. If laughter does all these things and it’s free, why not choose to laugh more and laugh at yourself more. Choosing to laugh instead of acting all dignified or stuffy will really help the quality of your life improve.
Ha!
http://www.realitychurch.com
Today, after getting home from an awesome church service, each of our three kids invited a friend over the house. After lunch, Joy, my youngest, was upstairs in her room with her friend and all the while they are playing, they are giggling…basically non-stop. I got such a kick out of it. It was awesome to listen to them have so much fun.
But what happened to us adults? Why don’t we laugh like we did years ago? Care to guess what percentage adults laugh as compared to younger kids? Half? One quarter? How ‘bout 4.5%. Kids laugh on average per day about 400 times. The average adult, a meager 17 times per day.What I’m getting at is that we should laugh more—far more than we do. Whatever keeps you from letting loose with laughter (busyness of life, tiredness, taking yourself too serious), has to go.
Check out what laughter can do for you:
Laughter strengthens the body’s ability to fight disease; it’s a natural stress-buster; it can lower your blood pressure, increase energy levels, help us bond better with other people and is even a way to exercise. Laughing 100 times roughly equals 15 minutes on an exercise bike? Vigorous laughter increases the heart rate deepens the breathing rate, and uses muscles in the face, stomach, and diaphragm.
Think about it. If laughter does all these things and it’s free, why not choose to laugh more and laugh at yourself more. Choosing to laugh instead of acting all dignified or stuffy will really help the quality of your life improve.
Ha!
http://www.realitychurch.com
Friday, May 29, 2009
Consumer Christianity
It’s the easiest kind of powerless, feeble living to fall into. It has no nerve, no spirit, no backbone…no adventure. It’s called, consumer Christianity…always taking but rarely giving.
CC takes the guts out of meaningful living because the true meaning of life, according to Jesus, is to totally and fully give ourselves to His will while we’re still sucking air. We were meant to give our very lives away for the sake of pointing others to Him. Ugh. I don’t think I’m doing so well.
So, today, I began asking myself a different kind of question. “What Does God Expect Of Me?” Is my Christianity just about going to church on Sunday, praying for others, reading the Bible, and steering clear of the biggest kinds of sins—or does God have a bigger, better, more grandiose plan?
Isn’t it true what Jesus really intended for us is to have a mindset, a philosophy of life, which routinely practices making godly differences in the lives of others [near-and-far] with the investment of our resources—our time, our talk, our money, and our abilities?
Sometimes, maybe too much of the time, I get caught up in the busyness of my own life and forget the more significant things I should be practicing. Yes, I love God and yes, I’m serving Him; but I wonder if I could be serving Him better by thinking more about what He expects from me right now! Today and tomorrow too.
Maybe the time is ripe for you to consider the way you’re spending your time, money, and abilities as well. Maybe, when you go to bed tonight, God will have you think and stare at the ceiling wondering what you’re really missing by living the powerless consumer Christian lifestyle.
If you’ve been noticing an empty feeling or a void in your soul; do what I’m doing. Ask Him what He wants you to do and then press toward it. That’s when the adventurous life really begins.
http://www.realitychurch.com/
CC takes the guts out of meaningful living because the true meaning of life, according to Jesus, is to totally and fully give ourselves to His will while we’re still sucking air. We were meant to give our very lives away for the sake of pointing others to Him. Ugh. I don’t think I’m doing so well.
So, today, I began asking myself a different kind of question. “What Does God Expect Of Me?” Is my Christianity just about going to church on Sunday, praying for others, reading the Bible, and steering clear of the biggest kinds of sins—or does God have a bigger, better, more grandiose plan?
Isn’t it true what Jesus really intended for us is to have a mindset, a philosophy of life, which routinely practices making godly differences in the lives of others [near-and-far] with the investment of our resources—our time, our talk, our money, and our abilities?
Sometimes, maybe too much of the time, I get caught up in the busyness of my own life and forget the more significant things I should be practicing. Yes, I love God and yes, I’m serving Him; but I wonder if I could be serving Him better by thinking more about what He expects from me right now! Today and tomorrow too.
Maybe the time is ripe for you to consider the way you’re spending your time, money, and abilities as well. Maybe, when you go to bed tonight, God will have you think and stare at the ceiling wondering what you’re really missing by living the powerless consumer Christian lifestyle.
If you’ve been noticing an empty feeling or a void in your soul; do what I’m doing. Ask Him what He wants you to do and then press toward it. That’s when the adventurous life really begins.
http://www.realitychurch.com/
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