As I was reading this morning at about dawn, I heard a bird chirping. Could it be? I opened the drapes to look... Surely not yet? But it was! A robin has arrived back from the south!
I don't think we should be encouraged about Spring arriving soon. We should just pity the robin who must have a broken clock. It is pretty cold for a robin - and how long can he last without worms?
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Go Ahead And Cry
I sigh a big sigh...
I know that big boys don't cry.
But I don't know why!
Our lives are full of stress, fear, anxiety, pain, and uncertainty. We can't sleep. We can't concentrate. We can't accomplish even a fraction of the things we should. The pressure builds up until we feel like our hearts or heads are going to explode!
We keep on plugging away - but the more we plug - the less well we do. Life becomes a monotonous routine of shocks to our system as we bounce from crisis to crisis in every direction. At work, at home, in the community and even in church the tension builds up and our spirits are crushed within us.
We wonder how we will make it through another day... even one more problem...
I say we should go ahead and cry.
Crying is natural. Crying is therapeutic. Crying brings a release that cannot be had in any other way. "Big boys don't cry," but maybe we need to become little children every now and then.
I am not recommending that you just burst into tears at every challenge. I do not mean that you should resort to tears during business meetings or even in any public setting.
What I mean is that we should not be afraid to unload all of our burdens to God. We should regularly admit our complete childlike dependence on God. We should be unashamed of tears in His presence.
Pour out your heart to your Heavenly Father! Cry out to Him and tell Him your fears, your uncertainties, your anxieties, your failures! You are weak - but He is strong! Cry out to Him to rescue you. Hold your arms out to Him and He will embrace you. Cry on Him as you contemplate your problems.
He is our Father. He doesn't want us to be self controlled and businesslike in our prayers. He doesn't want us to be reserved. He wants us to show childlike faith and to completely abandon ourselves to His care. This is faith.
David cried...
David knew God cared about his tears...
David knew that tears were not the end, but the beginning...
When Jesus was facing the cross He cried out in anguish of heart and He sweated blood! Why do we think we need to show a reserve before our loving Heavenly Father when we are facing difficulties? Go ahead and cry!!!
Could it be that we are too proud to cry before God?
I know that big boys don't cry.
But I don't know why!
Our lives are full of stress, fear, anxiety, pain, and uncertainty. We can't sleep. We can't concentrate. We can't accomplish even a fraction of the things we should. The pressure builds up until we feel like our hearts or heads are going to explode!
We keep on plugging away - but the more we plug - the less well we do. Life becomes a monotonous routine of shocks to our system as we bounce from crisis to crisis in every direction. At work, at home, in the community and even in church the tension builds up and our spirits are crushed within us.
We wonder how we will make it through another day... even one more problem...
I say we should go ahead and cry.
Crying is natural. Crying is therapeutic. Crying brings a release that cannot be had in any other way. "Big boys don't cry," but maybe we need to become little children every now and then.
I am not recommending that you just burst into tears at every challenge. I do not mean that you should resort to tears during business meetings or even in any public setting.
What I mean is that we should not be afraid to unload all of our burdens to God. We should regularly admit our complete childlike dependence on God. We should be unashamed of tears in His presence.
Pour out your heart to your Heavenly Father! Cry out to Him and tell Him your fears, your uncertainties, your anxieties, your failures! You are weak - but He is strong! Cry out to Him to rescue you. Hold your arms out to Him and He will embrace you. Cry on Him as you contemplate your problems.
He is our Father. He doesn't want us to be self controlled and businesslike in our prayers. He doesn't want us to be reserved. He wants us to show childlike faith and to completely abandon ourselves to His care. This is faith.
David cried...
(Psalms 6:6) I am weary with my groaning; All night I make my bed swim; I drench my couch with my tears.
(Psalms 39:12) “Hear my prayer, O LORD, And give ear to my cry; Do not be silent at my tears; For I am a stranger with You, A sojourner, as all my fathers were.
(Psalms 42:3) My tears have been my food day and night, While they continually say to me, “Where is your God?”
David knew God cared about his tears...
(Psalms 56:8) You number my wanderings; Put my tears into Your bottle; Are they not in Your book?
(Psalms 116:8) For You have delivered my soul from death, My eyes from tears, And my feet from falling.
David knew that tears were not the end, but the beginning...
(Psalms 126:5) Those who sow in tears Shall reap in joy.
When Jesus was facing the cross He cried out in anguish of heart and He sweated blood! Why do we think we need to show a reserve before our loving Heavenly Father when we are facing difficulties? Go ahead and cry!!!
Could it be that we are too proud to cry before God?
Monday, February 23, 2009
Fundraisers At Church
I just got off the phone with the third fundraising coordinator to call today. There must be a Spring rush for fundraising. I don't know how that works. This one was with Honey Baked Hams. It made me hungry, just thinking about it. It sounds delicious.
But we don't do fundraisers at the church. When I tell these fundraising coordinators this, I get the impression that this is unusual. Evidently many churches, and especially church youth groups, get their money through fundraisers. I gather that they use this money for some particular project, like camp or a missions trip.
We don't do fundraisers at the church. We believe that the church members should support the various ministries of the church through freewill offerings. If we need money for some particular project we make the need known and ask people to give toward covering the cost. If we want to help send kids to camp we put a scholarship program into the budget and we are open to special designated gifts toward the program.
So, we don't do fundraisers at the church. We feel that God's own people should give as they feel led. We don't believe we should appeal for funds from people outside the church - people we are trying to reach with the Gospel of Grace. How would we make our appeal? "Would you like to help us with funds? We want the money so that we can reach sinners like you with the message that you are under the wrath of God - that you must repent and call on Jesus for salvation!"
No, we don't do fundraisers at the church. We expect members to tithe 10% of their gross income to the support of our ministry - and many give that and more. Our people are generous. They give a tithe and they give freely beyond their tithe. It seems silly to ask them to give $20 for a ham so that $10 will go to missions. Why not just ask them for $20 for missions?
I praise God for my generous and gracious people. We don't do fundraisers and I am happy to say that we don't need to beg people for money. We let them know where we stand on the budget, week by week, and week by week, people put their offerings into the receptacles at the back of the auditorium. We don't even pass an offering plate. People give. Bills are paid. Needs are met.
Praise the Lord!
But we don't do fundraisers at the church. When I tell these fundraising coordinators this, I get the impression that this is unusual. Evidently many churches, and especially church youth groups, get their money through fundraisers. I gather that they use this money for some particular project, like camp or a missions trip.
We don't do fundraisers at the church. We believe that the church members should support the various ministries of the church through freewill offerings. If we need money for some particular project we make the need known and ask people to give toward covering the cost. If we want to help send kids to camp we put a scholarship program into the budget and we are open to special designated gifts toward the program.
So, we don't do fundraisers at the church. We feel that God's own people should give as they feel led. We don't believe we should appeal for funds from people outside the church - people we are trying to reach with the Gospel of Grace. How would we make our appeal? "Would you like to help us with funds? We want the money so that we can reach sinners like you with the message that you are under the wrath of God - that you must repent and call on Jesus for salvation!"
No, we don't do fundraisers at the church. We expect members to tithe 10% of their gross income to the support of our ministry - and many give that and more. Our people are generous. They give a tithe and they give freely beyond their tithe. It seems silly to ask them to give $20 for a ham so that $10 will go to missions. Why not just ask them for $20 for missions?
I praise God for my generous and gracious people. We don't do fundraisers and I am happy to say that we don't need to beg people for money. We let them know where we stand on the budget, week by week, and week by week, people put their offerings into the receptacles at the back of the auditorium. We don't even pass an offering plate. People give. Bills are paid. Needs are met.
Praise the Lord!
Friday, February 20, 2009
Fearfully & Wonderfully
I have not really enjoyed my cold. It has been pestering me for about two weeks now. But as I go through my ups and downs, I am amazed at the wonderful complexity of the human being.
What has man invented that has an immune system? What can man build that can fight off a microscopic attack and heal itself? I think of the many simple or mechanical or electronic devices I have had. When they broke they remained broken until and unless someone fixed them. No such thing as healing. (Sometimes if you whacked something just right it would work again for a while - but even that whack was an outside intervention.)
So, we have this amazing immune system! And, ironically, some people point to the flexibility of the immune system as an evidence that the system came to exist by chance. "See how it adapts through mutation? This proves evolution as the source of life!" For them, the complexity is wonderful - but they worship the creature itself rather than the Divine Creator.
No! Don't be so blind and foolish! See what is right before your eyes!
What has man invented that has an immune system? What can man build that can fight off a microscopic attack and heal itself? I think of the many simple or mechanical or electronic devices I have had. When they broke they remained broken until and unless someone fixed them. No such thing as healing. (Sometimes if you whacked something just right it would work again for a while - but even that whack was an outside intervention.)
So, we have this amazing immune system! And, ironically, some people point to the flexibility of the immune system as an evidence that the system came to exist by chance. "See how it adapts through mutation? This proves evolution as the source of life!" For them, the complexity is wonderful - but they worship the creature itself rather than the Divine Creator.
No! Don't be so blind and foolish! See what is right before your eyes!
(Psalms 139:14) I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Marvelous are Your works, And that my soul knows very well.
Thursday, February 19, 2009
The Answer Is Jesus
Whatever the question, the answer is ultimately Jesus.
Why should I endure difficulties and unpleasantness with patience? For Jesus' sake.
How can I have hope in the face of catastrophe and death? Because of Jesus' resurrection.
Why should the church take care to operate according to Bible? For the glory of Jesus!
How should husbands love their wives? Like Jesus loved the Church and gave Himself for her.
How should wives treat their husbands? With the respect that the redeemed have for Jesus.
Why should I live a good, kind, thoughtful, and helpful life? For Jesus' sake and glory.
Why should I hate my sin and leave it behind? Because Jesus died to save me from sin.
How can I live a life of faith? By following Jesus' example of faith in going to the cross.
What will make everything worth the trouble? Seeing Jesus and hearing Him say, "Well done."
Love Jesus. Live for Jesus. Follow Jesus. Keep your eyes on Jesus. It is all about Jesus.
Why should I endure difficulties and unpleasantness with patience? For Jesus' sake.
How can I have hope in the face of catastrophe and death? Because of Jesus' resurrection.
Why should the church take care to operate according to Bible? For the glory of Jesus!
How should husbands love their wives? Like Jesus loved the Church and gave Himself for her.
How should wives treat their husbands? With the respect that the redeemed have for Jesus.
Why should I live a good, kind, thoughtful, and helpful life? For Jesus' sake and glory.
Why should I hate my sin and leave it behind? Because Jesus died to save me from sin.
How can I live a life of faith? By following Jesus' example of faith in going to the cross.
What will make everything worth the trouble? Seeing Jesus and hearing Him say, "Well done."
Love Jesus. Live for Jesus. Follow Jesus. Keep your eyes on Jesus. It is all about Jesus.
Thursday, February 12, 2009
The Joys Of Illness
We had a lot of people sick with colds and such on Sunday. Sure enough, on Monday my throat began to bother me. Each day it has progressed a little bit farther. Today, I really feel sick - sore throat - insatiable urge to drink V-8 juice - draggy feeling.
But, Praise The Lord!
But, Praise The Lord!
- I don't have much of a cough.
- I can still talk.
- I don't seem to have a fever.
- It is a good excuse for taking a nap.
- It reminds me to appreciate my health when I have it.
- It is a minor unpleasantness rather than incapacitating problem.
- It will hopefully be gone before too long.
- I still got my Thursday deadline duties done!
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Whatever...
(Philippians 4:8) ¶ Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.The Christian life is journey toward being like Christ - conformed to His image in what we think, say and do.
"All things work together for good..." because God is using them to conform us to the image of Christ. (Romans 8:28-29)
We should count our trials as joy (James 1:2-4) and rejoice in tribulation (Romans 5:3-4) because God is using these things in our lives to make us more like Jesus.
We are not to be conformed to the world around us, but to be transformed by the renewing our our minds for conformity to God's will and work in His service. (Romans 12:2)
There must be a battle raging within us or we are not growing in Christ. To the extent that we are complacent or proud, to that extent we are ungodly. When we are bitter and selfish we are ungodly. When we are unteachable and stubborn we are ungodly. When we are whiny and full of self pity, we are ungodly.
Godliness is on display in patient endurance, gentleness, kindness, and a quiet confidence in God. A godly person shows self control.
To the extent that we are mainly worried about what we feel and what we think and how things affect us and whether we are getting enough praise and recognition... to that extent we are ungodly - carnal - spiritual babies in poopy diapers - in sorry need of greater maturity.
(Philippians 4:8) ¶ Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.
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