The Proliferation Of Resurrection Myths

What do Tammuz, Osirus, Dionysus, Adonis, Attis, and Ba’al have in common? They all are used as examples that Jesus’ death and resurrection was merely another myth created and perpetuate by men. The argument goes as follows:

“All these gods came from regions that were close enough to the crossroads of Israel (Mesopotamia, Egypt, Greece, and Asia Minor) for the ideas to have plausibly made it there, were worshipped well before the time of Jesus, and were of the dying-and-rising sort. This is strong evidence either that the gospel writers knew of (and could have been influenced by) resurrecting god stories from other cultures or that these stories influenced the Jesus story when it was told from person to person.” Bob Seidensticker

In other words, “Jesus’ story can’t be true”. I won’t rehearse here the evidence for the resurrection of Jesus, but, If, however, Jesus was resurrected from the dead then how, and why do these other stories exist? C.S. Lewis, who said, “The story of Christ is simply a true myth; a myth working on us in the same way as the others, but with this tremendous difference, that it really happened, and one must be content to accept it in the same way, remembering that it is God’s Myth where the others are men’s myths.” By using the term myth, C.S. Lewis has laid himself open for criticism.

“So you admit that the Jesus story indeed has many characteristics of mythology but demand that I just trust you that it’s true? Sorry, I need more evidence than that.” Bob Seidensticker 

Forget about the abundant historical evidence for the resurrection of Jesus, C.S. Lewis uses the term myth in a technical way:

Marian Webster Dictionary, Definition of myth

1a : a usually traditional story of ostensibly historical events that serves to unfold part of the world view of a people or explain a practice, belief, or natural phenomenon.

This definition explains Lewis’ use in regard to different religions. Stories of a resurrection have existed from the beginning of time because the scripture says that God had prepared a remedy for sin since before the foundations of creation. Like the idea of God, or of sin, the resurrection story has been warped by people groups through time and sin. When in the course of time Jesus came to become the propitiation of our sin and to be resurrected from the dead, the true nature of resurrection was revealed for all to see. The power of God was on display.

People will use all kinds of reasons to dismiss the resurrection. That was true in Jesus day. “23 The same day Sadducees came to him, who say that there is no resurrection, and they asked him a question, 24 saying, “Teacher, Moses said, If a man dies having no children, his brother must marry the widow and raise up offspring for his brother.’ 25 Now there were seven brothers among us. The first married and died, and having no offspring left his wife to his brother. 26 So too the second and third, down to the seventh. 27 After them all, the woman died. 28 In the resurrection, therefore, of the seven, whose wife will she be? For they all had her.” 29 But Jesus answered them, “You are wrong, because you know neither the Scriptures nor the power of God.” Matthew 21. 

The gospel is the power of God for salvation, the resurrection is the power of God over sin and death. Doubt and disbelief will persist. For us who believe it is life, for those who disbelieve it is death. I’m just saying…

At The Cross At The Cross Where I First Saw The Light

At The Cross At The Cross 

Where I First Saw The Light, 

and the burdens of my life rolled away. 

It was their, by faith, that I received my sight, 

and now I’m at peace every day.

Why the cross? The cross stands as a reminder that sin is rebellion against God. The cross stands as a reminder that sin corrupts and corrupts completely. The cross stands as a reminder that the promises of the world are empty and worthless. The cross stands as a reminder that the only way to irraticate sin is by sacrifice. The cross stands as a reminder that believers are to take it up daily and walk the road Jesus walked. The cross stands as a reminder that God offers forgiveness to those who believe. The cross stands as a reminder that sin is real, terrible, confrontational, and separates man from God.

The world would never have picked the cross as a remedy for sin. It would have clung to works of the law and imperfect sacrifices. The world would substitute the horror of the cross and its devastation for an easy path; a gentler way.   But the way of the cross is putting self last, forgiving your enemies, doing good to those who persecute you, and living a life of peace, while reaching lost for Christ. 

So, have you given your life over to Jesus? If you have I would love to read your story (email me at pperkins@sjm.church). If you haven’t, then this is a great opportunity for you, a defining moment where you can go from the old way of life to the new (I would love to hear your story as well, pperkins@sjm.church). The greatest joy is t see God’s people grow in their love for one another and for their Heavenly Father. I’m just saying...

Hell’s Not For Me

Jesus said to the sheep, “enter into the inheritance prepared for you from the foundations of the world.” To the goats he said, “Go away, you who are dedicated to destruction, to the place prepared for the devil and his angels, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”

I am intrigued by this passage because it gives us a glimpse of God’s original intent. I lean toward Calvinism (God choses those who will believe), and it is passages like this one that keep me from leaning all the way. If God had chosen them for destruction, would he not have also prepared a place for them? Unless he felt that the place prepared for the devil and his angels was sufficient, and there was no need for another place of horrific, eternal torment. I guess I answered my own question. But if that’s the case wouldn’t heaven, where the angels dwell with God, be sufficient for believers? Why create a whole new creation for believers, unless that was God’s intent all along, for all of his creation to inherit the coming kingdom. 

That begs the question, “didn’t God know about all of this ahead of time?” Thus the age old question elect or free will? It’s enough to blow your mind. So, the only thing to do is to hold tightly to what we know and loosely to what we don’t know. What do we know?

1. Humans live under God’s Judgement 

2. Jesus went to prepare a place for us.

3. That place was under construction since the foundation of the World.

4. Those who believe in Jesus’ sacrifice for their sins will inherit this new place.

5. Those who do not believe will be separated from God.

6. The place of separation is called the lake of fire, and has been prepared fo the devil and his angels.

It is a blessing to know that God thought enough of us to prepare a place where the sufferings of this life will dissipate into the new creation and sufering. Thank you Jesus, hell’s not for me.

              I’M MUST SAYING 

America and Apple Pie, I love them Both

I love apple pie. Especially, when it is slightly tart, and the crust is ever so flaky. But do you know when I don’t like apple pie? When the apples are mealy, or the crust is burnt or soggy. Just because I like Apple Pie doesn’t mean I like it all the time. There are good pies and bad pies, and pies where people will even disagree on whether it is good or not. Yet, when I come home and Rebecca is baking an apple pie, I don’t look back on all the pies gone bad. Instead I focus in the hope that is soon to come out of the oven.

The United States is a lot like apple pie. There are times when it is the the next thing to heaven, and times when hell lashes out in a chaotic storm. There are things I don’t like about the United States and things that I love. I love the sweet taste of freedom. The freedom of speech, the freedom of assembly, the freedom of religion, and the freedom to be who I want to be without repercussion. There are, however, things I don’t like, that come along with freedom. I don’t like the bickering of politics, or the intolerance of tolerance. I don’t like the atrocities of our past, or the blaming of everything on them. I don’t like prejudice or hatred, and I surely don’t like the entitlement system it has become. Yet, each morning I don’t look at the things that are tasteless, spoiled, or burnt, instead I focus on the hope of what the day will bring.  And here comes the tricky part. I love the United States like I love Apple Pie, but I don’t love the United States like I love my family.

Jesus said, “(ESV) “No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.” Matthew 6:24. In the context it’s a contrast between money and God, but the principle is the same. We cannot hold God in our heart and hold anything else at the same time, and since the family of God, in Christ, is an extension of Jesus and is described as his body, then to love the people of God is the same as loving God Himself. There is but one kingdom that we, as believers, can pledge our total and absolute loyalty, and that is the kingdom of God. Can, or should, Christians in The United States be patriotic?  My answer is yes and no. 

I was flipping through Facebook and saw several memes that extolled the virtue of the military against the back drop of many self induced tragedies. Memes aren’t meant to explore the depth of a topic, but highlight actual or perceived inequalities. I teared up as I thought of the men and women who have sacrificed life and limb to keep the U.S. safe and free. I am proud to have been born and raised here, a father who was in the military, and friends who have served faithfully. I believe, with all her faults, the U.S is still the greatest nation and place to live in the world (and I have traveled to many other places). Yes, we can list our faults, we can wail about what we can’t change, but as slow as it moves the U.S. is still the first choice of immigrants; legal and illegal.

However, but, on the other hand, when push comes to shove I am beholden to no country or king, but our Lord Jesus. My brothers and sisters in Christ come before borders, nationalism, and patriotism. That goes for the ones who are persecuted around the world, and the ones who might try to come across our borders illegally. There is great tension when we mix politics and faith, and I have good friends who are right in the middle. Knowing these men it’s there right and their calling. They too must wrestle with the conflict. I don’t believe the church is a place for political wrangling, because the Kingdom of God welcomes all political, economic, ethnic, cultural, and national peoples. When we reject people for any reason, we have ceased being the Kingdom of God and have placed something or someone else as our King. 

So, I went to the fireworks and celebrated our country’s beginning. I thank my friends who have served in the military, but To my brothers and sisters around the world, I stand with you in the cause of  Christ, so that we can bring about the kingdom of God on earth. Then and only then, will we know what true freedom is all about. I’m just saying.,,,

No Cockroaches In Heaven

I hate cockroaches. In Houston they grow as big as a bus, or at least they seem that big. Some friends from Wisconsin visited us, they had never seen cockroaches so big. We went for a walk right about dusk, and stopped at a manhole cover. Sure enough, little antini started poking out through the holes. I stomped my foot and predictably most of them retreated, but there were a few that ran straight for us. Made my friend squeal. No one likes cockroaches, unless you’re a researcher.

An article this morning highlighted research into robo roaches. Scientists have figured out how to attach electronics to the back of roaches and control their behavior. Their hope is that by attaching cameras, the robo roaches can get beneath rubble and help in search and rescue. Though, if I were laying under said rubble, and a cockroach approached my face and spoke to me, I would pass out if not have a heart attack. 

The other part of the story was the increased resistance of roaches to insecticides. They have become immune to most of the poison cocktails that professionals use to kill them, and they pass on that immunity to their offspring. With a typical female producing 2 to 300 new roaches in their short lifetime, the planet will be overrun by these silent monsters in no time. Good lesson in multiplication. The myth is that even a nuclear holacost would not kill them. Myth busters destroyed that myth saying, “Roaches can last longer in the radiation, but would eventually succumb to its deadly affects. And even if the were resistance to the radiation, the initial heat blast would incenerate them.”

So what kind of spiritual application is there for roaches? Here it is, “(ESV) 10 But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will pass away with a roar, and the heavenly bodies will be burned up and dissolved, and the earth and the works that are done on it will be exposed” 2nd Peter 3:10. So there you have it. Our hope is the little critters will burn up with the rest of Creation, and we won’t have to endure them in heaven. Unless one or two of them slips into a suitcase at the rapture. I’m just saying...

Hell No!

Yesterday I preached on the common language different cultures use to describe the wicked’s fate in the afterlife. All had a place for the worse among us to spend an eternity in torment. Why is this? Simply it’s about fairness and justice. People are bent toward these attributes. Fairness is impartial and just treatment or behavior without favoritism or discrimination. Justice is the administration of the law or authority in maintaining order. People want to be treated fairly and want others to be treated with justice. Fairness is the application of justice to everyone without prejudice.

I am going to speak on the topic this coming Sunday, but I want to address the idea of fairness. Sin separates us from God. Not the individual sins we commit everyday, but the sin nature that resides in us all. We are by nature sinful people. In a sense it is inherited from our first parents, Adam and Eve. As a result we are separated from God, and therefore all are subject to the punishment of our sin nature. Fairness states that we all are to be sperated from God, judged for our sin nature, and cast into the lake of fire.

God laid his justice on Jesus, and his sacrifice is sufficient to cover the debt owed by all humanity. The application of Jesus’ sacrifice is through our faith. Fairness isn’t the application of Jesus’ sacrifice on all people no matter what, but that God requires the application through faith to be given to people who believe, regardless of race, economic status, or previous religious affiliation. Unfair would be for God to say that salvation is by faith, and then at the last minute say, “just kidding everyone, no matter what they did in this life, can come into heaven.”

God is fair, and the rules apply to everyone. That’s good news to those who are being saved, but to those who refuse to acknowledge Jesus as Lord, it is bad news, because they experience, not the fairness of God’s goodness, but the fairness of His wrath. I’m just saying...

The End Is Here - So Take Cover

“A war involving Gog and Magog would basically trigger the apocalypse. Because the Bible was not precise in its predictions, Magog could be anyone or anything: Satan, Muslims, even (for Chirac, French President during th such Administration) a poorly executed soufflé.

Bush, however, had a much more precise interpretation in mind: Saddam Hussein was Gog, and the call had gone out to rally the forces of good for a grand showdown. Chirac, who confirmed the story in 2009, was taken aback at Bush’s religious fanaticism.

A number of U.S. officials around Bush, including diplomat Kurt Volker, have strenuously denied the story. But even if Bush himself didn’t indulge in such millenarian fantasies, there were plenty of evangelicals in his circles who did have an impact on U.S. foreign policy. Over the years, Washington has identified plenty of Magogs and set out to topple nearly as many Gogs, always with the certainty of having “God on our side.”

The tension with Iran and the potential for war breaking out in the gulf, the rumors of war have stirred discussions about the coming Armageddon. Interestingly enough, the new TV series “Good Omen” is about a demon and an angel who have been on earth for so long that they like it. Armageddon is about to take place and they set out to do whatever it takes to keep it from happening. Are these signs of the coming apocalypse? Jesus did say, “(ESV) 31 So also, when you see these things taking place, you know that the kingdom of God is near” Luke 21:31. 

Of course, he also said, “(ESV) But concerning that day or that hour, no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. 33 Be on guard, keep awake. For you do not know when the time will come” Mark 13:32,33.  So how do you make sense of these events, and Jesus’ two statements? This fall I m going to preach through Daniel/Revelation and will attempt to answer a lot of questions.

The point of this passage is not the future, but the present. We know something is coming, therefore make sure that your life is in line with God’s will. It’s not scare tactics, but a reality that Christians often ignore. It’s too hard to keep it all straight. Not to worry, there are people who have studied these things, and whether now or in the future the end will come. For now, what are you doing to build the Kingdom. I’m just saying....

Beautiful Feet and Stubbed Toes

Parable of the sower: rocky soil, thorny soil, soil on the path, and good soil. When sharing the good news of Jesus, we are casting the seeds of God’s Word on one of these types of soil. Of course, we all wish the soil we are working with is good, but most of the time that is not the case. In my hard, I’ve been trying to plant grass seed where a trench was dug. When it was first shoveled and the the ground was wet it look good, and the prospect of heathy grass seed growing was high. Then the sun came up, days without rain and the once soft soil grew hard. There was more clay in the ground than good, rich topsoil. So far no grass has grown. Yet, the thorns and weeds seem to pop up without effort. Thank you Adam.

The equivalent of working with clay, is your beautiful feet in pain with stubbed toes. Appendages, black and blue from bumping up against rocky soil. If this happens too often it’s easy to find reasons to keep your feet out of harms way. Stubbed toes hurt, and so does rejection, even if that rejection is against the gospel. So what is the remedy to bruised and sore feet.

“(ESV) I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands, for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.” 2 Timothy 2:6,7

“(ESV) As for you, always be sober-minded, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.” 2 Tim. 4:5.

“(ESV) And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.” Gal.6. 9-10

In my case it is about cultivating the ground of my brothers heart. The first thing Rebecca asked after I told her about the trip, “what is you plan?” Plan, wasn’t going down to Florida enough? How much do I care? So, my plan is to call my brothers once a month, and once a quarter email or message them the gospel, in different and creative ways. 

I spent a week stubbing my toes, but being refreshed among my family is far better than a pedicure. Thanks, all of you. I’m just saying...

Home

The smell of cinnamon rolls in the oven, a familiar song playing in the background, children laughing as they run through the house, the dog looking longingly for a small table scrap, and a long embrace after a tiring trip. These are the moments of home. The sweet taste of love that draws you back when you tire of the world’s adventures. Home, not a house, not a place, but people who fill your days with joy.

Not everyone is blessed with such a place, but for those of us who are, we have experienced a slice of heaven on earth. We also have a responsibility to extend an invitation to those without such a place, to join a larger family, where they can find rest, and experience family the way God intended. It is no accident that the church is referred to as the family of God. It’s not just about structure and headship but loyalty and love. Family fight with each and for each other. They are ready to lend a hand and have your back. The family of God isn’t perfect, but it is deep and meaningful, reaching out to give a hug when despair seeks to overwhelm the strongest and weakest among us. 

Home is the resting place after a long journey, an embrace that says welcome back you were missed, a kiss that lingers longer than usual, and a place of safety in the midst of a cruel world. Today I am going home, and there is not other place I would rather be. I’m just saying.

The Necessity Of Tearing Down Walls

“There are four kinds of people in the world: those who build walls, those who protect walls, those who breach walls, and those who tear down walls.” Anonymous.

Christians should be in the demolition business. But tearing down a wall is difficult, depending on what materials were used to build the wall. Walls can be built with anger, depression, obsession, grief, jealousy, emptiness, self-righteousness, lies, and the list goes on. But why should we attempt the destruction of walls? Don’t walls keep those who have been hurt safe? Yes, but safety isn’t the goal, healing is. In Christ we are to demolish strongholds that keep people from experiencing the life transformation of the gospel. God demolished the wall between Jews and Gentiles, between man and himself. The wall of sin that separated us from God is the worse wall of them all, but God demolished that wall himself, through the blood of his son, Jesus (Ephesians 2:14-16). The opportunity for all of humanity lies behind the rubble

But the secondary walls still stand and each generation has to deal with their own issue, their own mortar. The types of walls that people build are easily identifiable as you engage them. If it is anger it spills out over everything, because angry people are angry about everything. This is the wall I’ve faced this week. It has been expressed, not at me or my message specifically, but in politics, with spouses, with children and grandchildren. When opportunities present themselves to speak truth, the anger spews and shuts down everything in its path.

Our weapons are of a spiritual nature; of divine power. With it we cast down the lofty walls of speculations and opinions, specifically ones against Christ (2 Corinthians 10:4-6). Speaking the truth in love is our aim, the problem is that the target keeps moving and raging.  My hope is not in my ability to convince, but in the power of God to enlighten minds and open hearts. I’m just saying.

When Dirty Feet Become Beautiful

One of the things I love about our family at St. John is the multiplicity of gifting and talents. None of us is alike and that adds to the colorful tapestry of SJM. In 1 Corinthians 12:19, the Apostle says, “(ESV) 19 If all were a single member, where would the body be? 20 As it is, there are many parts, yet one body.” So, it is presumptive to think that everyone should do the same things, or at least do them to the same ability.  Not everyone has the first of giving, but everyone should give. Not everyone has the gift of hospitality, but we should all be hospitable. Not everyone has the gift of evangelism, but we should share our story with someone. That’s what it means to have beautiful feet.

Beautiful feet isn’t about having the right words, the most interesting story, or exciting conversion experience. It’s being ready in season and out of season to give a reason for the hope within you. Can you express that hope? Do you have that hope? During life’s struggles and hardships do you hold on to the hope of Christ in you? It’s not about having everything together or knowing everything. It’s about the inexplicable confidence of knowing that you have eternal life, and that the truth of the gospel is transformative.

I was recently told that I have a certainty about what I believe. The person didn’t mean it as a compliment. They saw it as narrow minded and exclusive. They see my life as “perfect”, but that I hide underneath a façade of religiosity, instead of being “real”.  Yet, when I shared with them a struggle, they didn’t want to hear about it. On the one hand they reveled in the stability that my faith brings, but on the other hand wanted to feel the comfort of fellow humans who struggle in pain, pain like theirs. In a real sense, as believers, we can’t win. As followers of Jesus we are to exude unrelenting love and moral consistency, and at the same time to be open and honest about our struggles and accepting of all things. It’s enough to drive you to the hills and live as a monk, or at least to my man cave.

Beautiful feet are dirty and bruised, battered and scuffed. Their beauty isn’t outward, rather the rugged attraction of the cross, dying daily to self in order to carry good news to people who don’t want it, reject it, despise it, but desperately need it. Our freedom is that the responsibility to open hearts and minds belongs to God, we are to be available to explain the good news of Jesus when the opportunity arises. That means we need to be available, faithful, and willing.

I’m trying to have beautiful feet, but the world keeps wanting to step on my feet. Lord give us strength. I’m just saying.

When Defense Is Not The Best Offense

Watching an interview, the football coach went on to say that “the best offense is a good defense.” I reflected on that and wondered if that was just an excuse for a poor offense. If your quarter back can’t get you touchdowns, then you  better have a great defense who can keep the other team at bay. It works. I’ve seen teams with great defenses do more than move the momentum, they make touchdowns and win games. 

But that is different than being defensive. Defensiveness is often a reaction to offensiveness, especially when it comes to having an impact on other people’s lives. If you are sitting with your friend, and they say something to you that is offensive, or you feel is a personal attack, the natural reaction is to be defensive, to protect your pride or self image, and you either withdraw or retaliate. Personally, I am not a retreat kind of guy, and one not to surfer fools gladly. 

A young (23) family member asked a penetrating question, and didn’t like my answer. She accused me of being religiously intolerant, unsympathetic, narrow minded, and hypocritical. All at the same time telling me she loved me, would never judge me, and that she is totally misunderstood. The multiple drinks probably didn’t help (her not me). Sad to say that I became defensive and in the end pointed out her inconsistencies, to which she spoke some select explicatives. Her step mother, who listened to the exchange, scolded her for the choice phrases. I backed off and apologized for getting defensive, and she got up and went to bed. 

Defensiveness is not the best strategy for offensiveness. I’m not sure that anything I would have said could have penetrated her inebriation or satisfy her question, but love is always the right motivation, even when speaking the truth. 

“15 Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ...” Ephesians 4:15

“In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” John 1:4,5

This morning is a new day, and I pray that God will help me to be patient, speak wisely, love deeply, and proclaim him boldly. May the only offense be the cross of Christ and the hope he hold out for all of us. I’m just saying...

Getting Old Stinks, So I’ve Made A Decision

I woke up this morning, put my feet on the floor and sharp pain shot through them. It happens most mornings, until I walk a little and they get used to my weight again. This morning my fingers decided to sympathize with my feet and every knuckle hurt. I proceeded to crack them and gain some relief. Add on top of that the residual effect of my back surger (though much better) still nags me on occasion. Then it happened and I had an epiphany, I looked in the mirror and there was the answer, I have grown old. 

Overall I feel pretty good, but there are those moments when reality sets in, I can’t run as fast or lift as much. I have to accept the reality and face my limitations. That doesn’t mean I should give up on becoming healthier, it just means gravity has taken its toll and the curse is having its effect.

GETTING OLD STINKS, SO I’VE MADE A DECISION. I’m not going to do it again. That’s right, once is enough, and when this mortal puts on immortality, I’m not looking back. In the meantime I am going cling to Proverbs,

31 Gray hair is a crown of glory;

it is gained in a righteous life.” Proverbs 16:31

29 The glory of young men is their strength,

but the splendor of old men is their gray hair.” Proverbs 20:29

Gray hair and old age brings about wisdom and blessing for those who follow Christ. My prayer is that what I have learned I can pass on to a younger generation, not out of pride, but so that they can by-pass some of the pitfalls I have experienced. I will not obsess over youth lost, but glory in God’s gift of new life, a recreation, a new body, and eternal glory. All this is gained by passing through the portal of age. Like one sign said. “Old age is God’s way of weaning us from this life.” Enjoy it while you have it, youth vanishes, and old age comes to us all. I’m not going to do it again, but I will enjoy it while I’m passing through. I’m just saying. 

This Is My Story and I’m Sticking to It!

It’s the 39th anniversary of our wedding. Stop it, I’m not soliciting congratulations. It’s just a time to reflect on God’s goodness through the years. What are we doing, sitting at the the Marathon theatre getting ready to watch “Hitchhiking across America.” No idea what a cabaret is, but I am going to find out. It’s stories, and that is what attracted us. Thinking of our own story, and we have lots of them, some good and some challenging.

Good stories aren’t perfect, they are full of twists and turns, ups and downs, joy and tragedy. Ours isn’t any different, and that’s what makes it so good. Especially since God has sweetened it with His presence. I would hate to think what our story would be like without Jesus.  Growing old isn’t fun, and I don’t plan on doing it again, but if I had to, I wouldn’t want to do it with anyone else but Rebecca. 39 years and our story isn’t over. In fact the best is yet to come. I’ just saying... 

Ignite the Fire, forge ahead to a better life

Over the past two days I have been helping out the Ignite Day camp St. John puts on for 3rd -6th graders each year. Our children’s Directors are very creative and keep the kids moving all day. This year I was asked to forge something with the boys. The project isn’t that difficult, or so I thought going into it. A small cube of metal, a wooden handle, some sanding and filing, wallah, Thor’s Hammer. Now before you start judging, it’s a culturally relevant comic and movie character. Plus it was the simplest project I could come up with, or so I thought. 

Drilling holes into metal isn’t easy, and I have burned out two sets of cobalt drills bits so far. Add to that not having enough supplies (more boys than I thought), I’ve spent an enormous amount of time running back and forth to the store. On top of all of that, I didn’t take into account age ability, tool experience, and hard work ethic. (I work in my sermon in the evenings).

Most could do less then I expected. It was necessary to adjust my game plan a couple of times, all and all the boys seem to enjoy it. One last group tomorrow. I have to run to the store tomorrow and get another dowel, and then drill more holes.

How appropriate, then, my devotional. I shared that forging is about shaping metal, and the harder the metal, the hotter the fire has to be to make it pliable. You see where I’m going with this? God uses all sorts of circumstances to heat up our lives so that he can shape us into the imagine of His son. The harder the heart, the hotter the circumstances. Our loving Heavenly Father will use a pretty hot fire if it means getting someone’s attention. James 1 says, “consider it all joy, my brothers, when facing various kinds of trials, because God is turning up the heat in order to shape your life and build in you godly character,” (my paraphrase). Don’t complain when difficulties come your way. Ask how God is using it to shape you into the person he wants you to be. I’m just saying…

The Immeasurable Greatness Of God

"what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe," Eph.1.19.ESV

What is the immeasurable greatness of God's power toward us? It is his power that delivers, brings riches of heaven, administers justice, crushes his enemies, heals, and helps. The gospel is the power of God unto salvation and his power raised Jesus from the dead. 

The power of God toward us is all these and more. The power of God takes what is crumpled and old, torn and discarded, and makes it new. It shapes history so that the end will be glorious and this moments pain temporary.

The greatest thing about God's power is that he has chosen to use it for our good! For those who believe his power is a refuge and a safe harbor. The great God of the universe surrounds us with his power and we are safe.

"Yours, O Lord, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the victory and the majesty, for all that is in the heavens and in the earth is yours. Yours is the kingdom, O Lord, and you are exalted as head above all." I’m just saying...

Some People Love Jesus Too Much

Now that you have read the title, I am sure you have formulated an opinion. Can you love Jesus too much? It depends on what you mean by too much. We can never love others in the name of Jesus too much, care for elderly or sick too much, stand up for the oppressed too much, or reach out to the lost too much. We can’t pursue Christ too much, pray too much, seek Jesus in his word too much, or serve in His name too much. So how can we love Jesus too much?

”Why do you call me Lord, Lord, and not do what I tell you?” Like 6:46

(ESV) ”Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.”Matthew 7:21

There are a lot of people who use the name of the Lord, but it is for selfish gain. My son showed me a tweeter he follows called, ”Preachers and Sneakers”. Pictures of preachers wearing outrageously expensive shoes and other clothing while preaching the gospel. They are examples of prosperity theology and the use of God for personal gain. But you don’t have to buy expensive shoes to fall into this trap. American evangelicals spend a lot of money on clothing, vacations, sports, and hobbies. And though there is nothing wrong with these endeavors, to do them to the exclusion of investing in God’s work is to walk hand in hand with the prosperity theologian.

You can’t love the Lord Jesus too much, but it is possible to love yourself too much. I’m just saying…

What I Should Have Said

Jesus is the Answer and Mental Health 

“Simple Answers Are The Most Profound, Not Easy.” There is nothing easy about simple answers. Let me give an example. “(ESV) The Lord is at hand; 6 do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6,7. 

Often we find ourselves in situations that cause us to be anxious. Paul said that we are to cast those worries at the feet of Jesus, and by doing so he will give us peace and guard our hearts. That is a simple and profound answer to anxiety, but it is not easy on two levels. First, we love to worry. We will always find something to worry about, whether it is an illness, children, work, relationships or church we can complain about everything under the sun, which creates anxiety. It’s not easy to give up something we love. Paul continues, after verse 7,  to think on honorable things, beautiful things. Peace comes when we stop complaining and stop focusing on the negative. Instead, we need to focus on our identity in Christ, what he has given us, the blessings that are ours in Him, and our hope of eternity in Christ. 

The second level has to do with chronic anxiety, chemical imbalance, or behavior disorders. Though the above answer to anxiety holds true for these situations as well, the added component of mental health complicates the issue. Anxiety as a mental health issue helps us understand the complexity of our mental state. For people who suffer from a chemical imbalance, medication helps them to see and think clearly. But there are underlying triggers that if not dealt with will fight against recovery. Triggers such as a poor identity in Christ, a loss of hope, or deep meaningless in life, if not corrected will increase anxiety.  But with proper medication and a disciplined mind focusing on Truth, our minds can be transformed. 

So, for our brothers and sisters who wrestle with chronic anxiety, depression, or any other mental disorder, let’s remind them they are loved, even at their worst. Don’t assume everything is alright when they say it is, often their facial expression or body language says differently. Also, share scripture. There is nothing more powerful than to hear God’s word.

Simple? Yes. Easy? No. I’m just saying.

The Saga Continues (Shed Raising)

I know I said the last blog was the end to the shed story but is it ever really. I woke this morning to dark clouds on the horizon, and all I could think of was the incomplete roof. What could a little rain do to such a sturdy structure? I went outside and the air was thick and warm. I put a few things in the shed for safe keeping a headed for my car (a morning meeting). No sooner then I put my foot in the car a raindrop fell, then another, and another until it was torrential. The wind blew, 50 mph and a shingle flapped against the shed roof. 

Fortunately, I couldn’t see out the back window, for all the rain. The sight of what the wind was doing to my poor shed was too much to bear. I turned out of the driveway and to my right I could see something through the wall of water, a black specter flapping after me. Whatever has blown off the roof would have to wait, and I didn’t want to think about it.

Storms test the quality of our work. I think of that in relation to God. “(ESV) For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.” Ephesians 2:10. We are the product of God’s work. Those who believe are filled with His Spirit, given the blessings of heaven, and the strength to live for Christ. If He is truly in you (Christ in you the hope of glory), then you will weather the storms of life. Anything that blows off or falls down are the parts of our lives we don’t let the Spirit recreate. What we do in the flesh will be like building on shifting ground, it won’t stand.

The master craftsman is always concerned with the details. He takes care to fasten the little things because he knows that is where the wind or rain will make its way in. In our lives the little things are important. What’s the old children’s song, “careful little eyes what you see, careful little hands what you do, careful little feet where you go, for the father up above is looking down in love, careful little one what you do.” Live according to the plan of our Heavenly Father, and in the storms of life, you can find shelter and peace. I’m just saying.

After breakfast, I will go home and see the damage is. 

(I went home before after breakfast and only some tar paper blew off)

Barn (shed) Raising the Conclusion

Uhhhhh! If I had a nickel for every nail I had to take out I would be rich. Don’t misunderstand me, I’m not complaining (yeah, right, I am too complaining), but as hard as I tried I just couldn’t get it right. In fact, I watched YouTube videos to make sure I was doing it the right way. “It’s easy, even you can do it, and in the next 10 minutes you will be able to install your shed’s roof like a pro.” Don’t believe them, they are Satan in disguise.

Rake first or drip plate? Is it a drip-plate or drip cap? Does the tar paper (or is it felt) go on top of the drip plate or under it? The answers were as different as the number of videos I watched. My friend showed up as I proudly laid some tar/felt paper. Did I see him sigh? We did some “adjustments” and then he started a row of shingles and left me to follow his example. What does he think he is doing, leaving me alone? My heart sank as he drove out of the driveway. I felt like a little kid whose dad left him and didn’t say when he would be back. I got up on the roof followed his pattern. I’m not saying it looks good or not, because it’s not quite finished. Tomorrow is another day.

I wonder if Jesus ever got frustrated with his disciples? “(ESV) 8 But Jesus, aware of this, said, “O you of little faith, why are you discussing among yourselves the fact that you have no bread? 9 Do you not yet perceive?” Matthew 16:8,9. “(ESV) 26 And he said to them, “Why are you afraid, O you of little faith?” Then he rose and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm.” Matthew 8:26. “(ESV) 19 Then the disciples came to Jesus privately and said, “Why could we not cast it out?” 20 He said to them, “Because of your little faith.” Matthew 17:19,20.

They didn’t get it either, and though Jesus chastised them for their little faith, he never sent them away or rejected them. I am sure he might have rolled his eyes. But this is discipleship. Teaching others how to do what you can do, correcting where they go wrong, then letting them do it again and again. Discipleship is God’s call on every believer, and it is never easy. Life is messy and it takes time to train up people to be more like Christ. They try and then try again. Sometimes you have to take out a lot of nails, but the next time you will do it a little bit better.

I’ve learned a lot about building a shed, and about discipleship. I’m just saying...

What I Should Have Said —This Is the Testimony

This is the testimony, God sent his Son, to be the propitiation for our sin, so that we who believe might have eternal life. 

Why does God even care? Why doesn’t he just hand us over to our eternal punishment? Why not destroy everything by fire and start over again? Why send his Son at all? We are a rebellious people. We constantly violate God’s holiness. Striving against one another with gossip, backbiting, hate, and murder until we are consumed with self interest, impurity and corruption. We put on a good show, by giving money to charities, smiling and shaking one another”s hands, and loving our own, but deep down sin is eating away at the foundation of our souls.

So, why does God care? “(ESV) 35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword?... (ESV) 38 For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, 39 nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8:35-39.

God’s love is so deep, so wide, so encompassing that he is compelled by his character to love his children. I can’t imagine anything that my boys (or grandchildren) could do that would cause me to love them less, I might get angry, impatient, disappointed, but I would always love them and want to do good toward them. To do less would be to deny  my fatherhood, and to deny myself. If this is true of me, how much more is it true of God?

(ESV) 13 “if we are faithless, he remains faithful—for he cannot deny himself.” 2 Timothy 2:13. God can not deny himself, and he is love. He is justice. He is holiness. He is mercy. Since he “is”, then he “must.” God’s justice demand propitiation, and His love demands the giving of His Son. For those of us who believe, it means eternal life. For those who reject His gift, eternal death. That’s God’s testimony, a testimony I will attest to as long as I have breath. I’m just saying

Barn (Shed) Raising Continued

I want to be that guy. Measure (forget about it), eyeball it and hope for the best.  Now, back in my Youth Ministry days, I decided to redo the Youth Room. I recruited a carpenter and an electrical engineer to organize the project. The room was full of teens and adults reshaping the Annex basement. 

I noticed that a wire was hanging from the ceiling, and knowing that it was not going to lead to a fixture I decided that it need to be cut short. “POP”, sparks  and I was this to the ground, and the subsequent darkness all pointed to a bad idea. Cutting a live wire could have killed me. My electrical engineer friend helped me up and pointed me toward the carpenter.

I was tasked with building a false beam, about eight feet long. The carpenter explained what needed to be done and left me to my safe assignment. Thirty minutes later he came by to see how I was doing, and I proudly stepped back and displayed my handiwork. He was kind and showed me why measuring and cutting were important. What he really did was take the whole thing apart and in five minutes had built a completely different looking false beam. He then asked if I would sort through the nails.

I want to be that guy. The walls to my shed are up, and a sample rafter was left for me to copy. No cutting necessary, I just had to nail them together. My friend also set up a jig to make it idiot-proof, and it didn’t take me long to finish 10 rafters. Now to put them up. Surely I could do this. I figured out a process and in no time they were all up. I stepped back and looked at my handiwork and thought it didn’t look that bad. Until my two friends showed. One of my rafters was completely wonky, and several others had to be moved in order to fit the sheets of plywood. Out of kindness one of my friends told me that it wasn’t unusual to adjust rafters. It’s good to have friends.

I want to be that guy, but my patience is too short, my concentration on the little things is overlooked, and my experience is not enough to know if the job is down well or not. What I’ve learned, is that takes a community. Nehemiah wrote, “(ESV) 6 So we built the wall (shed). And all the wall was joined together to half its height, for the people (my friends) had a mind to work.” 

The reality is that I am not that guy when it comes to construction. I’m a great gofer, and I can sort through nails, and I can nail things if it is made idiot proof. I am so blessed to have friends willing to take the time to help me with my shed. They do it because they are that kind of guys, servants and selfless. I’m just saying…

Mennonite Barn Raising

A good ole Mennonite Barn Raising, or in my case a shed raising. I purchased a DIY  shed kit. Everything you need came with it – Even the nails. The instructions said, ”minimum carpentry skills required.” There you have it. Everything pre-cut, all the hardware is the provided, so all I needed was some hardy men to help. We even threw in cinnamon rolls for breakfast (we started at 7 am), and sloppy joes for lunch.

With hammer in hand the first nail was struck. ”Was that an explicative?” several wacks latter,  and if these men swore the air would be blue. So, as good Mennonites, any swear words were tucked away in their minds; between them and God.  

The problem was the nails. They were soft and kept bending. So soft that you could bend them with your hand. It was going to be a long day. I would not be beaten by nails. Off to the local lumber store, and I returned with a nail gun. (don’t judge me, I was looking after my men). It was nice and much faster. 

Wait, the pre-cut was pre-cut to fit perfectly. Fortunately, we had a carpenter and math whiz who made the calculations, adjusted the corners and pulled out his circular saw. Then came the anchors. The drill bits were too short and the drill not powerful enough to drive the anchor. Off to the store again. They had only one, really long bit, which was not the right size. I bought it, along with a new box of anchors. It was now going great!

It was the hottest day of the year (so far), and it took its toll on all three of us. I felt like my Dewalt drill when the battery is draining. I probably sounded like it too. The walls are up, and the sun is going down. We have to finish it another day.

I like the concept of a barn raising. A community of people gathering to help one of its own. That’s the way it should be. We also are being built up. Not with human hands or earthly materials. The Apostle Paul said, ” In him, you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit.” Eph. 2:22.

We are “being” — it is a process that God works in each of us so that together we will be a dwelling place for God. Think about it, Christ in you, in us, the Spirit of God working on us, to join us together for a common purpose; to be his dwelling place. That makes us special in Christ. That’s why I like corperate worship. It’s a taste of what’s to come. See you tomorrow, I’m just saying.

Propitiation — What I Should Have Said

Propitiation— offering a sacrifice to appease the wrath of a god. The scripture says, “But the Lord is the true God; he is the living God and the everlasting King. At his wrath, the earthquakes, and the nations cannot endure his indignation.” Jeremiah 10:10. And again, “My heart recoils within me; my compassion grows warm and tender. 9 I will not execute my burning anger; I will not again destroy Ephraim; for I am God and not a man, the Holy One in your midst, and I will not come in wrath.” Hosea 11:8b,9.

God’s holiness sets a standard (that we cannot achieve), His justice demands recompense (which we cannot endure), and his love makes a way (that we cannot provide). God does not want to display his wrath, because it consumes all that sin and fall short of his glory. God is not like us. His standard is based on his character, and his character doesn’t change, therefore, neither does his standard. Every generation has a cause that believes God is too harsh on a group of loving and caring people, no matter what they have done. Fairness is their battle cry! Inclusion their goal.

However, righteousness is better than fairness. We all stand condemned. That is fair. Love provides a way to escape God’s wrath through faith in the propitiation of His Son, Jesus.  That’s grace and mercy. In today’s culture grace, mercy is trumped by fairness. People want God to bend his standard so that they can escape judgment, but they aren’t willing to submit to God’s mercy and grace and allow God to change them from the inside out. They want their cake and it too. They want their sin and God’s love, and God doesn’t work that way.

Example:

• God’s standard: all life is precious and valuable.
• Man’s sin: abortion
• God’s Justice: “15 Everyone who hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him.” 1 John 3:15
• God provides a way: “16 By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us,” 1 John 3:16
• Man’s responsibility: “and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers.” 1 John 3:16

Example: 

• God’s Standard: Sexuality between one man and one woman who are married.
• Man’s sin: Homosexuality.
• God’s justice: “Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality,” 1 Corinthians 6:9
• God provides a way: “And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.” 1 Corinthians 6:11
• Man’s responsibility: “The body is not meant for sexual immorality, but for the Lord, and the Lord for the body. And God raised the Lord and will also raise us up by his power. Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ? Shall I then take the members of Christ and make them members of a prostitute? Never!” 1 Corinthians 6:13-15.

Praise the Lord, that in the midst of our sin he offers salvation. Praise the Lord, that He is not like us, but is constant and sure! Praise the Lord that He is inclusive because everyone is welcome into the Church through faith in Christ! Praise the Lord that you a part of His family! I know I do, I’m just saying. 

What’s On My Face?

“Look in my face; my name is Might-have-been; 

I am also call'd No-more, Too-late, Farewell” 

― Dante Gabriel Rossetti, The House of

When you look into my face, what do you see? Do you see opportunity? Do you see disappointment? Do you see what could be or regret? What do you see? There are two kinds of people in the world, those who see moments as opportunities to reach out to others, and those who see moments in relationship to their own self-interest.

Russell approached me one day, this is when we lived in Houston the first time. He had been trying to talk to me after church for some time, but was just now getting up the confidence.“Pastor,” he began. “I was wondering if you would like to come over and watch basketball?”

My shoulders must have dropped visibly, or maybe it was the look on my face, but he shot back, “if you don’t want to that’s alright.”

Russell was a nice guy, but spending an evening watching basketball was not my idea of having fun. Nothing interested me about ten guys running back and forth making shots with little to no effort. It wasn’t my thing. I looked at Russell, and then it hit me. He wasn’t asking me to watch basketball, Russell wanted to spend time with me. Basketball was just the excuse.

Too often we miss opportunities to develop deep and meaningful relationships because we get caught up in the medium and not the person. How many times have you turned down an opportunity because it “wasn’t your thing”? You don’t have to accept every invitation, but let’s no miss out on opportunities, because we miss the real reason we are being asked. “So then, as we have the opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith” Galatians 6:10.  I’m just saying…

PPPPOWER WASHING

Power washing in the rain seems oxymoronic. But it had to be done, and a friend graciously let me borrow his washer. The problem with borrowing someone’s tools is when they don’t work. I couldn’t get it to sustain a steady spray. The water tickled and then it burst out for just a second and there a trickle. Of course, my phone went out and I couldn’t call my friend for help; emailed instead. Oh, the snail’s pace email. By the time he saw his email and responded I was able to get it going, or rather it was a miracle because it just started working — and did it work. I didn’t realize how filthy my sidewalks were.  Is the glimmer in the moonlight. 

Something about any tool that has the words “power” in front of it — power hammer, power, drill, power washer. Makes you want to grunt. It’s a good thing I have my own well because I could have afforded the amount of water that went through the washer, and the power part, well. Let’s just say that the only thing that fought the 2500 psi stream was the spiderweb. We all know about Spidey strength. Dirt, grime, and algae were washed away in its stream.

 

It reminded me of Pentecost. Imagine praying for God to send you something. You’re not really sure what it is, but Jesus said it would be a helper, the Holy Spirit. You in a circle reading Old Testament passages where the Spirit came in prophets with power, and your heart beats a little faster, and then it happened,

“2 And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. 3 And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested on each one of them. 4 And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance.” Acts 2.

Like a power washer going off in your head, mighty wind of the Spirit, and the people around them were amazed as they heard the Galileans speaking their own languages. God was getting the attention of these devout men. They knew something was happening and they didn’t want to miss out. Of course, there were mockers, there always are, but the multitudes who would respond to the gospel’s call was unprecedented. 

Are we waiting and looking for something greater, or are we self-absorbed with small expectations of what God can do? There is a time for power washing your patio, and then there is the rushing of a mighty wind I know which one I would rather experience. I’m just saying… 

Relaxed and without a care in the world

Porthos has it made, though he may not think so. Every time I pass through the house he is grabbing my hand wanting me to go out and play. With all this rain I would rather not get all wet just so he could go out and chase the frisbee a couple of times. But he is insistent and eventually I will give in, tromp through the wet grass, throw his frisbee and watch him chase it down with enthusiasm. That is until he no longer wants to, then he grabs my arm and wants to wrestle, which I never do. Now it is 1 am and he has kicked back for the evening and has doned his “I have no care in the world” posture. 

Jesus tells a parable of a certain woman who intreated a certain judge for justice. The judge feared neither God nor man, and would not hear her case. She wouldn’t have any of it and continually came back to the judge to see justice done. The judge had enough and said, “though I neither fear God nor respect man, yet because this woman keeps bothering me, I will give her justice, so that she will not beat me down by her continual coming.” Jesus said, “will not God give justice to his elect, those who he has called.”

Throughout the world, Christians are suffering from persecution and injustice. They cry, day and night, to God for deliverance and He seems to be silent, but he’s not. Their persistence has not gone unnoticed, their cries unheard. Jesus said this, “Will he delay long over them? I tell you, he will give justice to them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?” When Jesus returns he will bring justice down in those who have persecuted his bride. He will not let evil go unpunished.

Do not think your prayers are unheard. In His sovereign time, God will bring you justice, he will bring you healing, he will bring you home. That’s when I will kickback for eternity and take on the posture of, “I have no care in the world.” I’m just saying.

Why Hockey Is A Christian Sport

Watching the Columbus Blue Jackets and I have to say they aren’t too bad. I’m not much for Hockey, but the company is food and the wings were delicious. You might be wondering why I entitled the post as I did. Hockey, you say, is anything but Christian. It’s brutal, the players are pushy, and everyone is watching for a fight to break out. 

32 Now some cried out one thing, some another, for the assembly was in confusion, and most of them did not know why they had come together. (Acts 19:32)

Some have called this a description of a congressional meeting. A place where people come together watching for a fight to break out. There is nothing more than the evil one wants then to create division in church. As a community, the body of Christ, we reflect God’s love in the context of community, and when our community is broken, God does not receive glory, and the churches testimony is tarnished. That is why the church is called to, ”bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace” Ephesians 4:3. 

It is good to dwell in the house of the Lord in unity, and that can be said of St. John. We are entering into a time of unity in mind and purpose. As a result, I believe, we will see God work in our midst. As we learn together how to love better we will find St. John to be increasingly friendly, welcoming, and inviting. The gospel of Christ transforms lives, and as we work together for the common purpose of the Kingdom, we will see depth and breadth of our ministry grow. 

By the way, a couple of fights have broken out during the game. Nothing like our local community of believers. I’m just saying…

Greater is He who is In you

One of the most significant realities as a follower of Jesus is, I have the Holy Spirit abiding in me! Greater is He who is in me than he who is in the World.

This past Sunday I told a story about people who wanted to do a prayer walk around my house to ward off evil spirits. I said that it wasn’t necessary because Greater is He who is in me than he who is in the world. I was then asked whether I thought prayer was important. The answer? Of course, I do, but not for warding off unknown evil spirits. 

Satans greatest tactic is fear, but the Apostle John reminds us, “perfect love casts out fear.” The Father’s perfect love expressed the sacrificial death and resurrection of Jesus, destroys the work of the enemy and satisfies the justice of God. Satan has no hold on me or any Christian for that matter. Some believers worry about evil spirits and react in ways that are unnecessary. Don’t get me wrong, there is a spiritual battle wagging in the heavenlies, and Satan prowls, and we are to flee, but we are never to be afraid.   Not if we trust the power of God, which mightily works in us who believe.

How, then, am I supposed to respond to people who are compelled to speak against evil spirits? I am to remind you that the battle is not theirs to win, for the enemy has already lost. Yet, he still tries to cause fear, to trick us into conforming to the word. What we need is some good armor, wait, we have some.

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. 16 In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints” Ephesians 6:10-18

GREATER IS HE WHO IS IN THAN HE WHO IS IN THE WORLD....I’m just saying.

Look At Those Puppy Eyes

I keep promising Porthos that I will take him for a walk. I'm telling you that the dog knows what I saying. As soon as I come home, he is waiting at the door with those happy, expectant eyes. If I don't take him for a walk, he will go slump between the coffee table and the couch. It is truly a sad moment. It nearly makes me feel guilty enough to take him. I can think of every excuse under the sun; it's going to rain, its too cold, its too hot, I have other things to get done, and I don't want to get sweaty. Exercise has never been one of my strong points. I have a lot of ”want to”, but very little ”will to”. One of my favorite versus is: 

7 Train yourself for godliness; 8 for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come. 1 Timothy 4:7,8.

There you have it; exercise has temporal value while my practice of godliness has eternal value. I have learned that at 60 it takes a lot more discipline to out exercise my bad habits (which is not Rebecca's fault. She cooks healthy meals. It's the in-between stuff and a slower metabolism). The reality is that I should step up in the physical exercise without compromising the practice of godliness.

However, we live in a culture that spends an enormous amount of money and time on exercise, health and well-being, and very little time on godly character and behavior. Of course, if I had to choose between the two, I would choose the practice of godliness over physical exercise. The reward is much greater. 

If it's not raining, I think I will take Porthos for a walk. I'm just saying.

National Sibling Day, YAY!

Yesterday, April 10, was national siblings day. The holiday is appropriate for my ”What I should have said” blog this week since we discussed Cain and Able on Sunday. And since most of us have siblings, it would be good to talk a walk down memory lane.

My youngest memory was kindergarten and my brothers, and I entered into a paper hat contest. I was going to win the largest hat. I wore it over my body like a tent. Walking to the park the wind, picked up and eventually ripped my hat to shreds. I was devastated, and my brothers took advantage of the situation and took my place and winning my ribbon.

In the third grade, my brother was going to a friend’s house, and I was tagging along. He kept walking faster, but I hurried to keep pace. Be finally gifted, turned around and said, ”leave me alone and find your own friends.”  It was all I could do to keep the tears back.

In 7th and 8th grade they liked chasing me down and hitting me in the arm. I called the game, ”ultimate tag.” in the 9th grade they finally left me alone, though my oldest brother rode my horse to death.

Sibling relationships can be complicated. Cain and Able, Joseph and his brothers, Jacob and Esau, Isaac and Ishmael all argued over who was better than the other. I get their angst. Of course, my memories are colored, the stories embellished, and the good times hidden beneath the rubble. Yet, it was my sibling relationships that revealed the spiritual hole in my heart. 

When I came into contact with the gospel, I couldn’t help but accept such a wonderful gift. My new brothers and sisters were beyond my comprehension. They loved me for no other reason except for the Love of Jesus. So, for national siblings day (a day late), here is a shout out to all my all brothers and sisters in Christ. I love you all and thank you for loving me. I’m just saying…

Perkins Laws

When I was driving for Wingtip Couriers (Seminary Days), I observed several immutable laws. The first one was (and is) “the speed of an elevator is directionally proportional to the size of the building. The taller the building, the faster the elevator, the smaller the building, the slower the elevator. A ride to the third floor of either building has a differential of 3. The taller building takes three min., while the smaller building takes 30 (or at least it always seemed). Of course, the reason has nothing to do with the size of the building, but the type of elevator, whether lift or pully. Take the elevator at St John. If you need a lift to get to service, you might want to add 15 minutes to your arrival time.

The second law is similar, “the speed of traffic is directly proportionate to what lane you are in. Whatever lane I am in is always slower than the one I’m not, and if I change lanes, the other automatically speeds up allowing all the cars to pass me.” This law applies to any line, vehicular or pedestrian. It is also the most frustrating. Rebecca and I were deciding which drive-through line would be the fastest. We laughed and chose poorly. Who would have known that the one person line had an order the size of a football team, *sigh*.

Third law. This one I’m throwing in for free. It’s the law of customer service. “No matter where, the customer service representative of a retail store who greets you with a smile is always (or almost always) in training and will take twice as long.” Inevitably I always choose the smile. And yes you have to have patience with the trainees. Rebecca and I were at Lowe’s, and sure enough, the lady with the smile was just trying her best to help us. It took forever, and we still had to wait for the supervisor. “Bless her heart.”

There is an adage, “The longer you wait, the quicker patience comes.” Ok, I just made that up, but it’s true. If you want to learn patience you have to practice it; you have to put yourself in places where you have to sit back, take a deep breath, and realize that waiting is an opportunity to practice patience. The book of James says that endurance builds character. Waiting allows you a chance to pray, read your Bible, share the gospel, or even write a blog (I’m waiting while Rebecca shops for produce and the guy next to me in the cafe is blaring his radio...*sigh*...practice patience. I’m just saying...

What I Should Have Said

I have seen my share of the devil’s work among churches. He likes to nudge us into conflict, arguments, and division. What better way to sideline us from the work of the gospel. Our hope is expressed by John in his epistle, “For this reason Jesus appeared, to destroy the works of the devil.” We have a choice, to practice righteousness or to practice unrighteousness. I think it is good for each of us to stop and reflect on our church involvement. Has it been a passionate desire to proclaim the gospel and see people’s lives transformed, or have we settled for a “This is good enough for me” Christianity. The second leads to disgruntled family members when things do t go their way. The first rises above the fray and sets aside personal ambition for the cause of Christ. 

Honestly, I have found myself sliding by on occasion. It’s easy to get into ruts and coast on the good intentions of others. But I want to be more than that. I want my life to count. If the devil’s work has been destroyed, then I can step boldly into the unknown, trusting that what Jesus has in store for us is more than we can imagine. Instead of self-indulgent bickering, we look for common ground and press in to take hold that which is ours in Christ.

It has been good to be in a family (SJM) that has not fallen prey to these works of the devil. We have come a long way and have a long way to go before we are complete, but I believe our Father is pleased with our little family. As long as we trust in the Lord, our way will be made plain, and our path straight. Don’t be deceived; the devil isn’t complacent. We must be watchful and alert so that we will not fall prey to his schemes. I am just thankful that you have my back. I’m just saying.

I have the MAN Flu

It’s official; I have man flu. I woke up this morning with a101.4 temperature. Influenza causes temperatures to fluctuate between 102 and 106 at its extreme. The man flu is much worse because a slight rise in temperature can cause a man to tailspin. So, 101.4, I might as well be on my deathbed. Ache, hot and cold, coughing, and only an appetite for...the another day it was donuts. Just think how rough today is going to be.

Fortunately for me, I have a loving wife, unfortunately for me, she hasn’t felt well either. I tested the level of care I would receive by asking where the thermometer was, and when she told me where to find it, I knew I was on my own. That’s not true; she has been very attentive. To understand the man flu is to understand my dilemma.

Men like to come across as strong, but it doesn’t take much for him to give in to difficulty and depend on women. Look at Adam and Eve in the garden, or Abraham and Sarah. Samson and Delilah is a prime example as well as Debrah and the Men of Israel. Solomon was led astray by women, and Jezebel, well, she was her own kind of evil. This isn’t to say Thant women are evil, but that men can be weak at the worst, and indifferent at best. Indifference is when they don’t care about their responsibilities and give them over to woman willingly, and they complain when it doesn’t turn out the way they intended.

I like this passage out 1 Corinthians 16:13, “13 Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong. 14 Let all that you do be done in love.” The Apostle is telling the men to stop being wimps, but taking responsibility. So, act like men and be strong. But their strength doesn’t lead to domination, but to love. True manly strength takes his responsibility seriously and cares for those under his charge, not for his own gain, but the welfare of others.

Yes, I may have the man flu, but I need to man up and take care of Rebecca as well. I’m just saying.

A Little Faithful Matters

“21 His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.’” Matthew 25:21

I have been thinking about this lately, partly because it is a principle that has taken me a while to learn. Little things matter. It goes along with the verse in James 5:12, “let your yes be yes and your no, no”. In other words, if you say you are going to do something, then take responsibility and finish what you start. I know, “ circumstances change”, and “more important things take priority.” I used to say the same things. If I didn’t want to finish and obligation I justified it with one of these phrases. Who can argue with you, right? And because of my past justification, I have given people the benefit of the doubt. Then I came to realize that those excuses exposed me as a fraud.

That’s right, a fraud. If I commit myself to something then I need to count the cost first. There is no shame in turning down an opportunity, but there is shame in ignoring a commitment made. Finish what you started, and if you don’t want to continue you sit down and talk it through with the person you made the commitment with. If I make a small promise and don’t fulfill it, then why would anyone allow me more responsibility.

In my experience, I have found this true among the people of the church. Think about it, few people skip work because they stayed up too late, miss basketball practice for the same reason. In the churches I have been at the attitude is that church is extra, volunteers, or optional. I don’t show up to nursery duty, no big deal. I commit to the choir, there are plenty of people. But shouldn’t our commitment to the church be as important as our commitment to the things of the world?

Don’t get me wrong, things happen, circumstances change, I get it. But if the cost is too big, let’s be honest and faithful. Look at Ananias and Sapphira (Acts 5:1-11) when they did not fulfill their obligations. I’m just saying

Hey! It’s Family

Being a child of God and belonging to his family is the most satisfying and infuriating relationships I have ever encountered. In the book, the storm-tossed family the author writes that children are both humbling and humiliating, in other words in one moment their humbling because of the privilege God gives parents to raise such precious creatures. They are humiliating because at any moment, in public, they can reduce you to tears.

In my book my dysfunctional love affair with the church I talk about how the local church has hurt me, and yet, I am inexplicably drawn to her because she is the bride of Christ. I hear on occasion that someone has been hurt by the church and they are thinking of leaving. I get it, relationships are hard, family can be cruel, and it is easier to leave than to reconcile. We can treat one another with such kindness and then turn around tear into one another, humble and humiliation. No, it shouldn’t be this way, but to ignore it and run from it changes nothing. What if we chose a different path?

”1 See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are…The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the works of the devil…10 By this it is evident who are the children of God, and who are the children of the devil…whoever does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor is the one who does not love his brother.” 1 John 3:1,8b, 10.

The greatest damage Satan can cause is to tear apart the family of God. But in Christ, the devil is defeated, and in victory, we have the power to love one another. Have you hurt a brother/sister in the church? Intentional or not, go and reconcile. Have you been hurt? Sure, you shouldn’t have to be the one to take the first step, but do it anyway. Swallow your own pride and reconcile with your brother/sister or leadership. 

Our love for one another is evidence that we are practicing righteousness. Don’t be deceived, you cannot be mature or grow in Christ if you do not have love for one another. I know, I’ve been there, and I am telling you, there is nothing sweeter than a relationship mended. I’m just saying.

The Golden Years

I was sitting with her in the hospital. It hadn’t been too long before, that her husband had died of cancer, a long lingering episode. Now her health was failing. Bits and pieces at first. Aches here and pain there, until they jumbled together in a constant rhythm. ”So, much for the golden years, ” she said.

The Golden years ”The Third Age is now considered by many to be the “golden years” of adulthood. It is generally defined as the span of time between retirement and the beginning of age-imposed physical, emotional, and cognitive limitations, and today would roughly fall between the ages of 65 and 80+.”

It is a concept sold to us by an affluent society that believed it could forestall aging and cheat death. In first world countries, our lifespan has increased, but the golden years are hit and miss. For other countries, forget about it, the struggle for daily life is all-consuming. The fact is, you don’t even have to be in your senior year’s to have the golden years snatched out from under you.

• An expectation not met/disappointment – I believed God would heal my father, but he didn’t.

• A relationship gone bad/promise not kept – My spouse cheated on me, left me, is a workaholic.

• A lifestyle not accomplished/sense of insignificance – didn’t get the career I longed for and my job is meaningless.

• A future not realized/overwhelming hopelessness – I am all alone and each night I feel that no-one cares.

• A pain too great to bear/a God who doesn’t care, or maybe the God I’ve been told about. I can’t have children so how can a loving God give them to undeserving people and not me.

In his book, ”The Problem Of Pain, ” CS Lewis acutely makes the point of mains dilemma with the golden years, 

the creatures cause pain by being born and live by inflicting pain, and in pain, they mostly die. in the most complex of all the creatures, man, yet another quality appears, which we call reason, whereby he is enabled to foresee his own pain which henceforth is preceded with acute mental suffering and to foresee his own death while keenly desiring permanence. it also enables men by a hundred ingenious contrivances to inflict a great deal more pain than they otherwise could have done on one another and on the irrational creatures. this power they have exploited to the full. their history is largely a record of crime, war, disease, and terror, with just sufficient happiness interposed to give them, while it lasts, an agonized apprehension of losing it, and, when it is lost, the poignant misery of remembering. every now and then they improve their condition a little and what we call a civilization appears. but all civilizations pass away and, even while they remain, inflict peculiar sufferings of their own probably sufficient to outweigh what alleviations they may have brought to the normal pains of man.

 God, however, didn’t promise us golden years, he promised abundant life. For some, that sounds the same, but there is a vast difference. Golden years are rooted in the things of the world. Abundant life rests in the sufficiency of Jesus. In Christ, I see the world for how it is, sinful and decaying. In Christ I see compassion, and in grace help out those who are forgotten. In Christ grace is abundant, not overlooking sin, but to see it paid for and forgiven. In Christ, the Father’s Holiness condemns sin, but in Christ, we are more than conquers. In Christ, I endure the pain, the disappointment, the loss, and the unknown because my patience means salvation for others. Is it easy? Heaven’s, no, but the end of the story is magnificent. Move over golden years, give way for His glory years. I’m just saying…

From Trial to Opportuniy

Grief is one of the strongest emotions that we can experience. It’s not just grief in the loss of someone we love. It can be the grief of a lifestyle lost, when the economy buckles and you lose everything, it can be the loss of an ideal marriage when a spouse cheats (wether it is with another woman/man, pornography, drugs, or alcoholism), trust is still lost. It could be the loss of what could be if your child is diagnosed with an incurable disease or born with a handicap. Maybe it is the loss of identity when you come down with cancer and that’s all people see you as. There is so much to grieve in life, because sin steals so much away from us. 

With each loss we move through the stages of grief, denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance. The length of the grieving process depends on a lot of factors, and the kind of loss experienced. When our youngest son was diagnosed with diabetes at five it was life changing, but the process was different than, when in 2008 we lost everything when the economy collapsed. The stages were the same, but how we responded, the length of time it took to move through each stage was different. Yet, the denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance were real, deep, and painful.  But, the experiences weren’t devoid of hope.

“11 In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will, 12 so that we who were the first to hope in Christ might be to the praise of his glory” Ephesians 1:11,12.

“2 Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, 3 for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. 4 And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing” James 1:2-4.

Every trial is an opportunity to trust God, love others, forgive sinners, offer mercy, be gracious, and experience hope. We learn to love and forgive because we have been loved and forgiven. We often think that our loss is worse than anyone else’s and our pain is deserved, our regret understandable, our anger justified, and therefore we withhold grace because the recipient is undeserving. However, if we saw ourselves the way God sees us and yet He loves and forgives us, maybe we would look at life a little differently and deal with our loss with a little less anger.

Your loss is real, but if you don’t make it past the first four stages you will end up bitter, and bitterness changes nothing. It eats out the very soul you are trying to preserve. If you have been dealt a bad hand, reshuffle the deck. If  you have been cheated on, if the partner has confessed, then forgive. If your ideal for life has changed forever, embrace your new life, God's grace is greater than you can ever imagine.

There is nothing easy about it, but, SPE NEMO RUET, With Hope, No One Shall Fail! I’m just saying.