What's The Holiday After Halloween?

We are a bombarded daily by selfish indulgent behavior. Children grow up in a culture of entitlement and handouts. The old proverb that says beggars can't be choosy has never met a trick or treater on Halloween. 

It is a challenge to teach your children to be grateful when they watch their parents complain because they didn't get what they paid for and the service was lousy. Americans have become so comfortable with their US lifestyle those who have grown up in other culture can be heard to say "ah, first world problems." I mean it is tuff when my internet isn't as fast as I want it or I can't get cell coverage in every nook and cranny of the country. Even the guy in the commercial can talk to google in the Grand Canyon. 

Gratitude is a lost characteristic. We revel in Halloween and can't wait for Christmas. In between Thanksgiving is just a long weekend of overeating. Why is gratitude such a hard characteristic to cultivate? 

First, pain blinds us to the kindness of God. Pain reveals the emptiness of our soul. When everything is going well the emptiness is filled with people, things, and activity. But when we experience pain the curtain is pulled back and the emptiness can be seen. If the pain is small we get agitated and complain. If the pain is insurmountable we experience doubt and hopelessness.  

Secondly, we fight the human tendency of  expectations. Why should I say thank you for something you are suppose to do? Why should I should I say thank you for something I didn't ask you to do? Why should I say thank you for your kindness and rob you of your eternal reward? 

Thirdly, gratitude acknowledges community  dependency. Gratitude is always given in the context of others doing a kindness for someone else. If you a loner you don't like expressing gratitude because you would rather people just leave you alone. Being grateful means you have to put up with other people.

The Apostle Paul tells the Ephesians to be thankful always and in everything. The context is living in unity with one another. They were to overlook the cult of self satisfaction and be grateful in every situation. They were to find where God was working and acknowledge his hand in the details. They were to express the positive in others and their contributions to the community. They were to thank God for even the most irritating individual they knew. 

Having a heart of gratitude is a barometer of our spiritual condition. The more grateful we are the closer we are to Christ. If someone tells me they have a good relationship with God and yet are ungrateful for their blessings they are deceived. Cultivating a heart of gratitude causes us to continually seek God, because life throws circumstances at us that are difficult to be thankful for. During those times we submit to Christ, seek godly wisdom, and express gratitude for the blessings we do have, big and small. When we do that our hearts are more at peace, we cultivate unity in the body, and each day is worth experiencing.

Don't let your circumstance blind you to the kindness of God. Shake off the troubles of this world for just a moment and allow God's grace to consume you. That is something to be thankful for. I'm just saying.   

Ephesians 5:20, "giving thanks always and for everything in the of the name of the Lord Jesus Christ." 

Remembering Holloween

It is right around the corner, literally. Rebecca and I were on our evening walk and we observed all of the houses that were decorated for Holloween. There are witches and ghosts, ghouls and goblins, spider webs and grave sights. At one house a couple was outside trying to figure a way to drop a ghost out of a tree an comand. The neighborhood is getting into the holiday spirit. 

On all hollows eve children will be canvassing the neighborhood in search of treats, begging strangers for candy, in celebration of, and that's the question. What are we celebrating. If decorations are indicators then we are celebrating death, the occult, and fear. If the gifts are an indicator then we are celebrating over indulgence of empty calories. If the cotumes are an indicator then we are totally confused from the cute and adorable to the strange and bizzar. 

I could go into the history of Holloween but for most that has nothing to with the day and they couldn't tell you if you asked. For Christians, it is important that we remember Holloween, not celebrate it, but acknowledge the reality it brings to the forefront. The Psalmist identifies the feelings that Holloween promotes.

Psalm 55:4,5 "My heart is in anguish within me; the terrors of death have fallen upon me. Fear and trembling come upon me, and horror overwhelms me."

Anguish, terror, fear, trembling, and horror are feelings that our culture glorifies on the day of Holloween. They are the result of evil and dread. They are feelings that sin plants into our soul and the evil one waters and nurtures. 

"For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear" the Apostle said in Romans. Sin breeds fear of judgment, but the fear of the Lord receives grace and mercy. Sin produces destruction, God's love produces salvation. Sin separates and isolates, God's mercy draws us close and provides community. Holloween is the out growth of sin because it's roots are in fear and death. That is why we must remember Holloween.

Holloween reminds of us of the devastation of sin and how the world glories in it. The evil one has us laugh at the cute goblins asking for candy, but in the dark and quiet of their homes the evil lurking in the darkness is not funny.

EIGHT WEEKS! That's right, in eight weeks another celebration occurs that comes as a result of all that Holloween stands for, 

John 1, "The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it...And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth."

Christmas is the celebration of the light piercing the darkness. If it were not for Halloween Christmas wouldn't have been necessary. The dark decorations transform into the bright and joyous light of the saviors birth. As abhorrent as evil is the love of God breaks through and rescues us from it consequences. 

So, this Hallowen I will be looking ahead, through the darkness, to the glorious light that has broken through. It makes the celebration all the more joyous. I'm just saying. 

Music Is Powerful

Music is powerful. It is used to set the mood for movies, express happiness, and commiserate with us when we are depressed. It can repulse us and excite us in just a matter of seconds. One psychologist puts it this way,

"Losing yourself in the right music is an immediate, unconscious and effortless way to reframe your situation. You can swiftly defeat the black and white thinking that’s leading you to catastrophize the magnitude of this break-up or other trauma (Mark Sichel, http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/the-therapist-is-in/200807/music-soothes-the-soul)."

In the church music is used in the same way, it sets the mood for what is coming, it is played during prayers, it used to bring us in and to send us on our way. Music has also been the cause of dissension. Some have seen drums and guitars as instruments of the devil, rock and roll was an evil to be cast out, and who would have ever thought that rap would be considered music, let alone performed in a church. People have fought and divided churches over these things. Music is powerful.

At our church we have three services, all defined by the music. The announcements are the same, the message is the same, and the environment is the same, but we segregate the congregation by their musical taste. The first service is traditional where the music is rooted in the old hymns of the faith. The second service is aimed at the baby boomers and has a 90's feel. The third service is called the contemporary service. It is always in flux because contemporary is relative, but generally the songs and style are new and often changing.

Why does the church care so much abut music? Isn't the message the most important? Music touches our soul in ways that the written and spoken word can't. Even the most stoic person in church can be seen tapping his toe with the right song. Music expresses our emotions where preaching touches our intellect. Add words to a moving melody and our hearts can be lifted to the gates of heaven. 

Singing was also a teaching method to convey theological content in a way that was memorable. Singing to one another was a way to identify one's belief and confess it together. Singing, when done thoughtfully, unites people by reminding them of their common relationship in Christ. When we are confessing through song our common faith and devotion it is difficult to be scheming against one another. When we hold hands and sing "these are the ties that bind" it is hard to hold animosity in our hearts.

For some singing is the part of the service they endure before the preaching, for others it is part of the service that makes the preaching worthwhile. Which ever it is we are commanded to address or speak to each other in psalms, hymns, spiritual songs, singing, and making melody. I find it interesting that Paul says the audience of our music is one another, though the content is about our Lord. When we address one another we are confessing our unity in Christ, and we do it with the most emotional means possible. Music is powerful.

This week when you go to church and the music begins, think about the words and what your voice is telling the person next to you. Do you really believe what you are confessing? Is the room full of people united at that moment around greatness of our God? Music is powerful, I'm just saying...

Ephesians 5:19 "addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart,"

Drunk For Jesus

When I began following Jesus in 1975 I had a clear understanding of what God wanted for my life; to teach others the answers to the questions that challenged my faith as a new believer. It wasn't a bolt of lightening or a dream, but rather a realization of what was necessary. In church parlance I was called to the ministry. 

Evil has a way of distorting, discouraging, and derailing what once seemed clear. Backbiting, resentment, jealousy, judgement, self righteousness, and pride eat away at the unity of the church and at the resolve of the pastor. It takes a great amount of faith to weather the evil and persevere through the storm. For this reason Paul admonished the Ephesian believers to make the best use of their time. They were to set aside foolishness and peer through the vail to understand the will of the Lord.

Yet, understanding God's will isn't difficult, though we like to make it mysterious. What God has given us to know has been made clear through the written and living word of God. We have been given commands that are non negotiable and principles that give us guidelines. "Thou shalt not" is clear, and "whatever you determine in your heart" is freeing. For nonconformists "thou shalt nots" are restricting and for rule followers principles are infuriating. God does have a sense of humor.

What neither law nor principle does is tell me the details of my life, who to marry, what college to go to, what career should I follow, or what church to attend. It's not that those decisions aren't important but the bible would be too big if God's specific will for each person was written. So, he gives us law and principle. The who I should marry is up to me as long as she fits into the law and principle. She should be a believer, pure, honest, charitable, and loving. She should not be idle or gossip, and she should be concerned for others. The same applies to seeking husbands. With these categories established I am free to chose between all available and willingly interested parties. That is freeing.

I don't have to fret over which college to attend or job to take if they fall within the parameters of God's revealed will. I have told my children that success in life is determined by only two things: do I love the Lord with all my heart, soul, and mind; and do I provide for my family. If I do these two things I am successfully within the will of God.

The Apostle Paul addresses these in the following chapters but gives a summary in contrast in today's passage.

Understand the will of God:

     Don't get drunk.             Be filled with the Spirit

                                                 Worship together through song 

                                                 Give thanks to God in Christ for everything.

                                                 Submit to one another out of reverence for Jesus.

Evil is constantly trying to derail the high call of unity in the church and in the home. It is only when we understand that his will for our lives is simple and easily discerned that we are able to break through the darkness and walk in the light. Don't allow the world to consume you, but be consumed by the Spirit of God, and it will be reflected in your worship, your gratitude, and your love for one another. 

God's call on my life hasn't changed, only the venue. I strive to understand and pass it on, if only to one other person. I know that God has called us together as a body of believers despite our deficiencies. I have a dysfunctional love affair with the church because she is the bride of Christ and it is God's will for her to live out the high call of unity. The days are evil, be consumed by the Spirit. I'm just saying...

Ephesians 5:17-21 "Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit, addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart, giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ."

Just Another Day Of Evil

Every morning my body has to adjust to a new day. The older I get the more I am reminded of how short life really is. When you are young the world is full of promise and the idealism of youth is energetic and hopeful. Aging has a way of tempering optimism. My wife visited her mother this past week and at 94 she seldom remembers Rebecca's name let alone how to read the bible that lays in her lap. Her youth is spent and she waits for the Lord to call her home.

It reminds me of a proverb I saw on a doctor's wall, "aging is God's way of weaning us from this life."  Age has a way of forging wisdom if we will let it. Life experiences, added one by one, help us to see the world the way it really is, and gives us a perspective from which to make the most of it. 

The days are evil, the Apostle Paul said. It was true then and it is true now, evil runs rampant and if we are not careful we will be swept away in its wake. But evil doesn't dictate who we are or how we are to live. Evil doesn't choose our state of mind or the attitude by which we meet each day. Evil is the enemy that would rob us of joy, shackle us to bitterness, and enslave us to its desires. Evil would have us seek retribution instead of reconciliation, mayhem instead of mercy, petulance instead of peace, fanaticism instead of forgiveness, and glory instead of grace. Evil lures us as an angle of light and devours as a prowling lion. It justifies itself as good and destroys the fabric of God's good will for our lives. The days are evil.

It is easy to focus on the big evils of our day and miss the little ones that have led up to them. Wars, persecutions, plagues, and rampant immortality mark the headlines, but they are the end result of anger, bitterness, lust, and greed. The days are evil, not out there, but in our neighborhoods, in our homes, and in our hearts. If we are not careful with the little ones the big ones will ultimately consume us. The days are evil.

If the days are evil then it is prudent to measure each day and use the time we have with care and wisdom. This isn't a call to conform every minute of our day to religious stuff. I am not saying you need to be involved in three bible studies, two service projects, and running around passing out tracts. Doing more stuff, no matter how good, isn't what Paul is talking about when he says we need to make the best use of our time. We are to use our time in wise ways, prudent ways, and godly ways. It is about loving God with our whole heart and loving others. It is about ordering our lives so that we reflect God's priorities. It is about seeing through the foolishness of this life and capturing the moment for God.

Nature abhors a vacuum and if we do not fill our time with godly things then evil is ready to fill it. With modern technology we are more connected and less intimate then ever before. Every emotional and spiritual craving can be titillated on the Internet but never satisfied. Texting, tweeting, and messaging allows us to communicate, but stifles conversation. Unplugging isn't the answer either. Evil always finds a way to distract us from what is important. Wisdom is needed.

Aging isn't such a bad thing. I don't like the new aches and pains, but I like the perspective it gives me. I no longer run frantically trying to force the will of God on others, but rather, with patience, allow his will to flow through me. It isn't easy navigating the course of this life and sometimes I would rather Jesus come back, but there is still more to be done in my life, in my little corner of the world. I will endeavor to use wisdom, making the best use of my time because the days are evil. I'm just saying...

Ephesians 5:15,16  "Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil."

Monsters Under The Bed

"There are monsters under the bed, dad." He couldn't fall asleep. In the darkness every sound, every shadow, ever bump filled his imagination with the horrors his little mind could conjure. "There are monsters under the bed."

I assured him that he was only imagining them and that there were no monsters, but he wasn't convinced. I prayed with him and we asked God to fill his mind with good thoughts and to calm his heart. I tucked him tightly beneath his covers, kissed him on the head and told him he would be fine. As I started to get up he said, "daddy, there are monsters under the bed."

"There are no monsters and I will prove it. I turned on the light and got him out of bed. We shine a flashlight under the bed and in the closet. we looked behind the door and the dresser. "See," I said. "There are no monsters." He seemed to calm down and again I tucked him in hoping he would be able to fall asleep. "There, do you feel better?" I asked.

He nodded, gave me a hug and said, "can I keep the flashlight. Monsters don't like the light." 

We once lived in darkness, sold into sin, deserving of God's wrath, and lost without hope. But someone shared the gospel and the light of God's truth shined in our lives and we were convinced and transformed. The light revealed the monsters within and chased the darkness away.

If we are to submit to the high call of unity we have to live as children of the light and allow the light to peer into the crevices of our darkness and redeem it for the glory of God. Wherever the light touches the darkness disappears. Wherever the truth is spoken falsehood is made clear. Where hatred and discontent has marred relationships the love God reconciles.

The world is watching us to see if our lives are different. They are not looking to see if we obey rules, or conform to religious expectations. They want to know if we truly love one another and if that love spills out towards them. They will be uncomfortable when truth is spoken, but will their angst be tempered with love. Darkness fears wrath, but the light of God's love in Christ not only exposes the darkness, but convinces those in darkness of the joy of redemption. 

When the light exposes and convinces those in darkness of their sin, their need of a savior is made visible, and what is visible is light. 

Each of us has monsters that keep us awake at night. Expose them to the light and allow God's grace to free you from the bondage of fear. Awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you. I'm just saying.

Ephesians 5:13, 14 But when anything is exposed by the light, it becomes visible, for anything that becomes visible is light. Therefore it says, "Awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you." 

Celebrating Halloween

The ghouls and ghosts, the witches and monsters, are beginning parade through our neighborhood. While walking the dog I see people decorating their houses in celebration of the darkest day of the year, Halloween. 

Over the years I have been conflicted during this season, innocent fun or glorifying evil. As parents we have both dressed our children up and avoided it altogether. Mostly we have chosen other activities during the trick or treat time. Though many Christians participate in the festivities it seems inconsistent to the Christian message.

But Halloween is a clever distraction from the real darkness Paul is talking about in Ephesians. While we rail against the trappings of the occult we have allowed to seep into our lives those things that bring about the wrath of God. 

Impurity, immorality, selfishness, covetousness, idolatry, adultery, greed, hatred, jealousy, drunkenness, course joking, gluttony, injustice, backbiting, divisiveness, contention, and pride. These, and more, have brought about the wrath of God and exhibit the depth in which man has strayed into the darkness.

We are to walk in light and bear its fruit. Our lives are to reflect the image of God's mercy and grace not the debauchery of the flesh. We are to stand against the darkness and expose it. There is a cost because the world recoils at the righteousness of God. Yet, we are to stand against and expose it most adamantly within the church. Wherever darkness overshadows the work of God we are to bring it to light.

When Paul says it is shameful to even speak of these things he isn't referring to reasonable discourse. He is talking about the hush tones where the ideas of darkness fester and propagate its lies. They are conversations that lead to agreement in word and deed.

There is passive and active involvement. Active involvement is easy to spot, and most of the time easy to avoid. Passive involvement says nothing and does nothing. It hopes it won't affect them and seeks to minimize conflict, and in doing so gives tacit approval of darkness.

This Halloween we will refrain from the celebration of fear and darkness, leave our house during trick or treat, and avoid the onslaught of ghouls and goblins. It will be a good time to reflect on the darkness that I have allowed in my life and ask God to expose it for what it is, and then leave its shame at the cross and walk in the light. I'm just saying...

Ephesians 5:11-13 "Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them. For it is shameful even to speak of the things that they do in secret. For it is shameful even to speak of the things that they do in secret."

Islamic Peace and Christian Hate?

Two political commentators were speaking about the Middle East crisis of ISIS. They were making the distinction between Islam and Christianity and that the former was a religion of peace and the latter responsible for all kinds of atrocities: homophobia, slavery, white supremacy, abortion  clinic bombings, and the suppression of women's rights. They obviously haven't been exposed to Islamic cultures.

A young Muslim friend of mine posted yesterday on Facebook "Islam is perfect, People aren't." It is an attempt to distance what is happening with ISIS from her faith. She is a sweet young college student from the Filipines and it is understandable for her to ignore all the violence from conservative Muslims in her own country and around the world. It is difficult to see the horror that is done in the name of your god when you couldn't imagine doing it yourself.

As Christians we are constantly apologizing for such acts throughout history that have been done in the name of Christ. We know that violence isn't the method by which we have been called to spread the Kingdom of God. We realize that those who perpetrate hate, bigotry, and discrimination have forgotten our duty to love all people as children of God. We understand that the world is constantly looking for reasons to hate us and we at time overcompensate so they won't. It is also true that the church has done far more to alleviate the suffering of the world then it has to harm it.

The world doesn't need any other reason to hate us than the gospel, and when we live the gospel we will be hated all the more. Our responsibility isn't to apologize or placate the world. Our responsibility is to walk as children of the light. The church isn't called to force people to submission to outward morality, but rather to bear fruit keeping with righteousness. Jesus said they (the world) will know us by our fruit as we love one another.

As we walk in light we will exhibit what is good, right, and true. It won't be popular. We will look old fashion. The church will be chided as being irrelevant and unprogressive. We will be ostracized, sued, laughed at, and scorned, just because we choose to live lives consistent with the light. As we choose to walk the path set out before us in Christ we will be able to discern what is pleasing to the Lord.

My neighbor, Redneck Rick, has a very skewed understanding of the bible. He is an ardent believer in the book of Revelation, though I am not sure he has ever read it. The Middle East and Ebola are examples of the end times, and if we don't believe it we are going to be really "F*** up". He doesn't go to church and doesn't believe you have to to be a 

Christian. In fact, he said, you can be a Christian and use the F word.

It is tempting to see his slightly inebriated state, his foul language, and his skewed view of moral living as the problem. If I can just clean him up then he would be pleasing to God. But that is the difference between Islam and Christianity. Islam forces people to be good in order for God to accept them. Christianity knows that the heart needs to change and that it can only happen through the working of the gospel. The first looks good, everyone running around doing the right things, but unless the heart is changed outward conformity will eventually degenerate into immorality.

We are to walk as children of light not to become children of light. We are to live out the inward reality of the Holy Spirit's work, and as children of light, constantly look for ways to please the Lord, and what pleases Him?  

Duet. 10:18, "For the LORD your God is God of gods and Lord of lords, the great, the mighty, and the awesome God, who is not partial and takes no bribe. He executes justice for the fatherless and the widow, and loves the sojourner, giving him food and clothing."

We know that we are pleasing to God when we find ways to love others, do good to those who persecute us, and offer hope to those who hate us. How are you walking today? I'm just saying...

Ephesians 5:8b-10  "Walk as children of light (for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true), and try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord."

He Saved Me From Drowning

From the time I was little until now they have been an integral part of my life. They have kept me from drowning, they have danced with me, sang with me, and even yelled at me. I have chosen them or have been chosen by them, they have kept me on the right path and at times led me astray. I have been enriched by knowing them and saddened at where they ended. I am talking about partners.

From swimming partners at camp to my marriage partner I have experienced the joys and frustrations that come with trying to work together with another person. Sometimes partnerships are with one person other times they are with groups, but whatever the number they have common characteristics.

One writer describes a healthy relational partnership as being mature, honest, respectful, empathetic, affectionate, and humorous. The bottom line about any partnership are three things: 1. You agree on the goal, 2. You have common beliefs, and 3. You have each other's back. It is important that we pick our partners carefully. Often we enter a partnership with different goals or beliefs and the outcome is always disastrous.

I had a simple partnership one day. Our common goal was to change the theatre stage light bulbs. Our common belief was that the best way to achieve it was to use an extended "A" frame ladder, and of course, the trust of the climber that the holder would not let go. I was the one who climbed the twenty five feet in the air to reach and change the light bulbs. All was well until a young lady strolled across the stage and engaged my partner in a conversation distracting him from our partnership. He no longer had my back, and when the ladder began rolling toward the edge of the stage I was quick to remind him of his obligation. All turned out well, but my trust in this partner was shaken.

Partners in marriage, partners in money, and partners in life are important to chose wisely. The Apostle Paul had just talked about the children of disobedience. Their behavior was bringing about the wrath of God. He wanted the Ephesians to chose carefully and warned them not to partner with them. It is easy to succumb to the belief that you can work with someone with differing goals and beliefs and remain unstained by their corrupt behavior. The bible says that a little leaven leavens the whole batch, and it doesn't take much dirt to ruin clean water. 

We are told not be unequally yoked and the passage isn't referring to only marriage. What does light have to do with darkness, want does sin have to do with righteousness, and what does God have to do with demons? The answer is nothing. Then why do we partner with them? 

This doesn't mean we shouldn't have non believing friends. If we didn't who would share the gospel with them, but it does mean that our close relationships should be with people who are of like mind and faith.

The Apostle was extolling the Ephesians to maintain the high call of unity, but it doesn't happen in an environment of conflicting beliefs and goals. With our foundation built solidly on the gospel of Christ, the teachings of the Apostles and prophets, and the filling of the Holy Spirit we can partner together to, not only maintain unity, but build the kingdom of God. 

Who have you partnered with today? I'm just saying...

Ephesians 5:7,8 "Therefore do not become partners with them; for at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord."

Timeshares Are the Best Deal Ever

I have always been interested in what makes a good salesman. Especially those who can talk you into to buying what you don't want. My first foray into the sales market was in college, I took the job to but put food on our table. My supervisor said it was easy because everyone needed one. I sold cemetery plots. The first time I went out with him we sat down with a young family of five. By the end of the night they had purchased several plots, even though they really couldn't afford them. My supervisor had preyed on their emotions. He had buried their children several times in the conversation until they couldn't help but secure their eternal resting place. I never could bring myself to do that and never sold a single lot.

Have you ever sat across the table from a timeshare salesman? I have on numerous occasions. I was always sucked in with the promise of free gifts and I dragged Rebecca with me. Every single one of them lied and bullied to get us to sign on the dotted line. "How could we not want what they sold, how dare I waste their time, I could use it as a tax write off, it will be worth more when you want to sell it, it is the best thing since sliced bread and I have five of them." Expose yourself long enough and they will wear you down. Yes, I have one.

There are plenty of honest and truthful salesmen, but the profession's reputation has been sullied by the words and actions of the unscrupulous. They have this way of talking fast, throwing nice and fancy words at you until you start to believe their tale. Everything inside of you says run, but the incentive is only good right now and it sounds so good.

The Apostle Paul told the Ephesians not to be deceived by empty words, futile words, foolish words, vain words, and meaningless words. But how do we know when the words spoken fall into those categories? Surely science can be trusted, experience can't be denied, or feelings rejected. 

We are surrounded by deceptive words that try to turn us away from God and His righteousness. They are words that seem compassionate and reasonable. They tell us that happiness is the ultimate goal and that a loving God wouldn't want us to be unhappy. They reject the ancient ways of God as irrelevant and outdated. They paint a picture of life without him that would free us of hate, war, and restraint, and it seems reasonable. Everything inside of me tells me to run but it sounds so good. The question remains, how do I know the truth?

Jeremiah 6:16 says "Thus says the LORD: "Stand by the roads, and look, and ask for the ancient paths, where the good way is; and walk in it, and find rest for your souls."

The ancient paths lead us through the halls of God's word, which lights the way and leads us to truth. We fight deception through standing on the truth of God's words. When we don't we find ourselves spiraling into darkness. It reminds me of Romans 1:8ff where Paul describes what happens when we forget the truth of God.

1. They knew God, but didn't honor Him or give Him thanks 

2. They became futile in their thinking with foolish and darkened hearts.

3. They claimed to be wise but became fools.

4. They exchanged the glory of God for man made images.

                       

Therefore God gave them over 

1. To the lusts of their hearts to impurity

2. To the dishonoring of their bodies among themselves

God gave them over

1. To dishonorable passions

2. Women were consumed with passion for one another.

3. Men committing shameless acts with one another.

God gave them up

1. To a debase mind

2. They were filled with all manner of unrighteousness, evil, covetousness, and malice.

3. They are full of envy, murder, deceit, maliciousness.

4. They are gossips, slanderers, haters of God, insolent, haughty, boastful, inventors of evil, disobedient to parents, foolish, faithless, heartless, and ruthless.

Though they knew God's righteous commands they approved and participated in sin.

I think covers just about everything and the outcome of not acknowledging God is abandonment and wrath.

How have you neglected the word of God and listened to the empty words of the most deceptive salesman of all? Satan, in the garden, spun a tale that promised something that Adam and Eve thought they wanted. It sounded good, noble, and desirable. And didn't God want the very best for them? As a result they bought the lie and plunged the world into sin, and brought on us all the wrath of God, and the cycle continues today. Heed the warning, let no one deceive you with empty words. Don't believe me, check it out for yourselves. I'm just saying...

Ephesians 5:6 "Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience."

I Cant Believe He Said It, and you will be surprised what it was about

It is everywhere we turn. Every prime time show is peppered with it. Modern humorists exploit it. The music industry wallows in it. It is in our books, magazines, commercials, billboards, and school curriculum. We can't get away from it. If we speak out against its exploitation we are prudish, intolerant, or Elizabethan. That's right I am talking about sex.

Yet, as blatant as our culture is in regard to it they demean it and make it dirty. So much so that even Christians only speak of it in hushed tones and never in polite society. Christians are often accused of repressing its expression, yet, it is the world's licentiousness that creates the pornography and sex slave industries. We are living in a sexually charged world that has perverted the good things of God.

When Paul told the Ephesians that they were to imitate God, he said it was an expression of self-sacrifice and service to God and toward others.  But the gods of the Ephesian culture were hyper sexual creatures, employing temple prostitutes and encouraging immoral expressions. Paul wanted to make clear the distinction between imitating the gods of their culture and the one true God in Christ.

Therefore, he said, all sexual immorality and impurity and covetousness should not be named among you. DON'T imitate this!

Sexual immorality. The Greek word is pornea. It is where we get the word pornography. It can be translated concubine, incest, adultery, whore, and immoral behavior. It takes the good act of sex and turns into a behavior that is marked with conquest.

Impurity. The Greek word is akatharsia. It means lewd and crude behavior. It break downs the barriers of moral propriety to display sexuality publicly and to entice and arouse. 

Covetousness is an advantage that one holds over another, a desire for excessive wealth. In the context it relates to sexual exploitation for the purpose of monetary gain using the power one has over an individual for insidious purposes. In Paul's day it would have been women who were poor, destitute, and had no other way of making a living. Not much different then our day when girls are lured into the sex trades with the promise of wealth and power, or stolen off the streets where they had run in hope of a better future. In the end they are used by others and the streets are littered with ruined lives.

Why would Paul even need to tell the Ephesian Christians that they should not be involved in this kind of enterprise? Because society was telling them there was nothing wrong with it. A friend of mine once told an off color joke. He said lighten up, we are free in Christ, there is nothing wrong with a little humor. 

But Paul continued and said that filthy talk didn't even have a place among believers. What's the big deal? Jesus said out of the heart springs the fruit of the soul. What we say and do is a reflection of what we think and believe. Course jokes demean the pure nature of God's gift of sex and doesn't lead to a grateful heart. We need to let words of encouragement pass through our lips, so that we become thankful for the pleasure that God gives us and not for the lie the devil tempts us with.

Paul is so serious about this that he said that those who exhibit and participate in such behavior have no inheritance in the kingdom of God. That should give us pause. Instead of excusing our behavior we need to allow God to transform it into the image of his son.

When we teach our sons about their sexuality they need to understand that real men don't exploit women, that real men treat women with respect, honor, and purity. They are not objects to be used, but sisters created in the image of God.  

When we teach our daughters about their sexuality they need to understand that true beauty comes from within and that outward adornment doesn't last forever. Their bodies are to be taken care of but are not objects to be flaunted. They need to be taught that modesty is an expression of worth not a hiding place of worldly treasure. 

We need to teach our sons and daughters that sexual expression is good and God given within the context of God's law and plan. This is best taught through the example we set before them, in how I treat my wife and other women. Imitate God's example of love and sacrifice, not the world's illusion. What do we have to lose? When we have a right mind we can relax and enjoy the good expression of God's gift in the framework of his law. In the end everyone has reason the be grateful. I'm just saying...

Ephesians 5:3-5, "But sexual immorality and all impurity or covetousness must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints. Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving. For you may be sure of this, that everyone who is sexually immoral or impure, or who is covetous (that is, an idolater), has no inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God."