The Sons Of Dissobedience

One thing is for sure, Satan is not inactive. His goal is to keep people from following God through Christ, and to hypocrisy, immorality, division, and apathy among Christians.

The persecution of Christians around the world is horrific. We need to pray daily for their safety and perseverance. Dare I say, however, the greater victory of Satan is not their death, but our complacency. They suffer for the cause, we revel in prosperity. They endure for Christ, and we complain of inconvenience. This to say that Satan is at work.

Keeping us ineffective is to keep others from Christ. Keeping others from Christ perpetuates his kingdom, and he is at work among those who do not believe.

American culture is a prime example of his work. We are increasingly a society that embraces all forms of evil in the name of tolerance, acceptance, and love.

If we speak out we are labeled bigot, hater, intolerant, prudish, and old fashion. If we share the gospel we are intrusive and closed minded. If we shrink away we are labeled cowardly, immature, and barren.

There are no easy and simple answers to the questions raised by the evil one, accept to lay our failures and weaknesses at the cross and endeavor to be obedient. We need to learn that what Jesus said is true: "in this world you will have troubles (the evil one is at work), but do not be afraid, I have overcome the world." 

Yes, the prince of the power of the air is at work in the sons of disobedience, BUT the Spirit of the living Christ is at work in the sons of God!   I'm just saying...

"following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience" Epesians 2:2

In Your Face Satan

Satan masquerades as an angel of light. He doesn't present himself to us in the horror and gore of Hollywood. He often works behind the scenes enticing us, luring us with delectables that promise to fill our appetites.

 Yet, he is a lion prowling to devour, to find that unsuspecting and vulnerable person who he can prey on. He is the thief who who comes to steal, the wolf in sheep's clothes, and the anti-truth convincingly telling us that God is wrong.

He is the ruler of this world, the prince and power of the air, stirring up nations in a frenzy of war. He is the priest of the false religions, the cult of the damned, and works tirelessly to deceive.

In the darkness of our sin we followed him and walked his path. But Jesus said, "Get behind me; be gone; it is written; I will not worship you; hell is reserved for you and your angels; it is finished!"

Through the power of Christ our eyes are opened, our bonds are broken,and we are delivered. We follow a new master and a more perfect way! In your face Satan! I'm just saying...

At First Glance

"Seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come." Ephesians 1:21

At first glance I am reminded of the song "From A Distance". Where God looks down on all he has created and sees a beautiful round ball, blue oceans, lush green forests and even the desert looks in order. The reality that everything has fallen apart and is going to hell in a hand basket, has missed God's notice. He is distant, removed, and unconcerned.

Isn't this how we feel at times? We pray and wonder if God hears our voice, whether he cares about our needs? The Scripture says that the Father feeds and houses the sparrows, that all good gifts come from above, that everything works together for good, all these things will be added, that our pain is momentary and light, the Father answers the persistent prayers of the righteous, and the Spirit speaks to our spirit. Yet, in the moment, we often don't feel these things to be true, and God sees us from the distance.

But when Paul says that Jesus is seated far above it isn't a matter of distance, but of position. There is no dominion or power, no name or person, no religious figure inside or outside the church that comes close to his authority, his majesty, his holiness.

Jesus is a friend to sinners, but we are not his equal. We are not his buddies. We are his friends in that he has brought us into his confidence concerning God's plan of salvation, but we should not become too familiar in our casual response to his person or position. 

The promises, in whatever way God choses to answer them, are based on Jesus' position and authority. If he has the power to rise from the dead, forgive sins, and be seated at God's right hand, then he has the power to fulfill all the promises he has made. That's a tall order since has made some very specific and wonderful promises. 

But we must see him for the righteous king that he is. When we start to treat Jesus as just one of the guys we risk treating his words with the same weight as our own, and that never ends well, it puts distance between us. I'm just saying...

It's Not What You Think

"having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints,What are the riches of this glorious inheritance?" Ephesians 1:18

Its not wealth. There is too much disparity and poverty in this life among true believers to regard wealth within this statement. If God is promising wealth then he is truly a capricious God, dolling out money to his favorites.

It's not possessions. If it were what we have would only be matched by our greed for more. We have more in our culture, not because it is a promise of God but because we pursue it as an end, and that is why only a few have all the toys and many are in debt.

It's not position. I hear from so many that they work in jobs by necessity rather then passion. Its easy to say "find something your passionate about a go for it" when you have bills to pay, or your too old, too ugly, too etc.

Its not power. Most of the time I feel powerless. Powerless to change the political landscape, powerless over my circumstances, powerless over my finances, powerless to even change me (the same things I have wrestled with for ever seem to rear their ugly heads all the time).

It's not health. As much as I want to believe sickness away there are too many who get sick and die to accept that health is the promise of this glorious inheritance.

We can pray for all these things, and we might stumble upon them, but that doesn't make them a part of this glorious inheritance.

The world (Christian world) might offer these things as a reward for faithfulness but too many who have been faithful lived their whole lives without them.

We work, we pray, we wish for these things at one time or another only to find the sand slipping through our fingers. All the while Paul prays for the Ephesians that the eyes of their hearts might be enlighten to understand the riches of this glorious inheritance. 

If the inheritance is any of the above, why must my heart be enlightened? Would I not know it if I had it? Or is it because this glorious inheritance is something different altogether, something not of this world, something that I inherit but doesn't make me rich in the eyes of the world.

At the end of this audaciously long sentence, plus one, is chapter 2 verse 1, "and you were dead in your trespasses and sins, as you once walked."

Wealth may come or it may not. Power may arise or remain trampled. Health will last only for so long. Position is fleeting.

The riches of my inheritance is what Christ bought on the cross, that I might not walk in my trespasses and sin any longer. That is the glorious nature of my inheritance.

Whether God promises or answers prayers for all or any of the above is up for debate. But the bedrock of our inheritance is Christ. 

If for nothing else, but for this glorious inheritance will I be thankful today.  I'm just saying...

I Don't Have To Be Nice Anymore

It dawned on me today that I don't have to me nice anymore. Having retired from vocational ministry I don't have to worry about people's spiritual well being. I don't have to care whether they go to church, read their bible, or pray.  I don't have to be concerned about what peopel think of me anymore. I can go where I want, say what I want, and drink what I want. YAAAAAAAAAAAY....Yeah.

Then there is Rick. He is my next door neighbor. A down to earth, blue collar, welder with a terrier named Rambo (the dog was his wife's who passed away two years ago). I was watering my front yard with a hand spray and he was doing the same next door. I asked him if he had anything planned for the weekend and he said no because he didn't have a place for his dog, and he wasn't going to kennel him. He laughed and said his wife would probably do something to him. At one point he said the F word and quickly tried to pull it back (I don't know why). Rick told me the people who use to live in our house were Christians, but not very good ones (that came out of the blue). Not sure what that meant. He seems lonely and cares for his yard with the tenderness I am sure his wife displayed. There is the lady across the street whose husband is in prison and is struggling to raise two girls. The neibghbors on the other side are active with lots of different people who are nice, but not too talkative. 

You see, I don't have to be nice, but I am compelled to. The love of Christ constrains me and I would be remiss if I did not care. As a believer it is built into my DNA. I am to love like Jesus loved me. I am to reach out as God reached out to me. I am be an example of a "good" Christian, whatever that means. 

It is much more difficult on this side of the cloth, but that's ok. My vocation may not be pastor, but my calling is to bear witness to Christ. It's the same for all of us. I'm just saying....

Frustrated Waiter

I am not a waiter, at least not the kind who works for tips. I am a waiter in lines, traffic, for appointments, on my wife, and a sundry other long and arduous situations. The key to a good waiter is patience, of which I have little. I am a last minute want it now kind of guy. I like fast food and fast cars. I can tell when my patience is running thin. My concentration wanes, I have a hard time focusing, my legs get antsy, and a feeling of angst ripples through my body. In fact, I have that feeling right now, because, well, I am waiting.

One of the fruits of the Spirit is patience, and though it is an attractive fruit it often tastes bitter when something or someone has kept me waiting. Patience is difficult. We are to be patient in suffering, parptient for the Lord's return, patient with sinners, patient with children, and patient with one another. Ahhhhh, all this patience. 

Yet, there is reward for those who wait patiently. God's patient kindness leads me to repentance. Eternal life comes to those who are patient in doing good and seek God's glory and immortality. Our future inheritance comes through patient hope. God endured patiently on me, withholding His wrath, bringing about my salvation. I am a perfect example of God's enduring patience.

Therefore, I must learn patience, which only comes through being exposed to situations where my patience is tried. In seeking patience I learn to trust in God's goodness, providence, and sovereignty. In finding patience I will learn contentment and peace.

I have to go, the guy behind me is honking his horn. Sheesh! Be patient!   I'm just saying.....

Thoughts Of A New Author

Writing and speaking are fraught with peril. As the scripture says, "Many words mark the speech of a fool," and "The one who has knowledge uses words with restraint." (Ecc. 5:3 and Prov. 17:27). Not encouraging when one puts pen to paper, but apt is its warning. 

I have been asked by a few if I would start blogging again. My hesitation is obvious, but my inclination is to express what God lays in my heart. So, with trepidation I venture again into the eddies of thought and peer into the recess of my own mind to share with you what I find. Sometimes it may be interesting other times a little frightening, and in lucid moments, perhaps a inspiring. 

Today I venture to reflect on the question, " Why do I write at all?" In each of us there is a story, a tale of redemption that must be shared. We pass them on to our children and grandchildren in hope they too will be inspired by God's work and retell their own story. They are stories of love and loss, anger and forgiveness, of pain and sorrow and the bud of hope that opens to drink in the son. 

Some stories are thrillers keeping us on the edge of our seats. There are stories that are funny and sad; tragic comedies that cause our emotions to rise and fall, leaving us exhausted at the telling. Some tales are full of drama, stories rich with detail and color. They are stories of the every day man and strive for a happy ending. These are the stories of our lives.

Writing fiction is an avenue to wrestle with issues in an creatively and helps me to struggle with uncomfortable topics in a real way. My hope is that my characters won't be trite or stereotypical. I strive to give them depth from an unusual perspective. I want their dialogue to be real, their questions to be meaningful and the conclusions unpredictable. Not an easy task and not always achieved. 

The art of story telling is fun and challenging. To begin with a blank piece of paper and fill it with words that move, motivate, and surprise. Though there is an outline it sometimes changes as unexpected characters appear and change the course of the story. The challenge is not to follow a minor character into their own story. 

God has written and is writing his story in our hearts, and I find the creative process and expression of His heart. I hope that all my stories are redemptive in some fashion, and if not overtly at least lead in the right direction. 

So I will blog of everyday events, reflections of the scripture, and at time some insight into on of my books. And to the two people who will read these many words --- enjoy.