How is it with your soul today?
For you are my hiding place; you protect me from trouble. You surround me with songs of victory.
Psalm 32:7 NLT
If you do this, you will experience God's peace, which is far more wonderful than the human mind can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:7 NLT
Peace like a river
H.G. Spafford was a businessman in Chicago. He was a dedicated Christian. He had some serious financial reversals, and during the time of readjustment, he lost his home. He realized his family needed to get away for a vacation. Spafford decided to take the entire family to England.
He sent his wife and four daughters ahead on the SS Ville du Havre. In midocean the French steamer carrying his loves ones collided with another and sank within twelve minutes; 230 people lost their lives. The four daughters drowned, but Mrs. Spafford was rescued. She wrote her husband, "Saved alone."
Mr. Spafford was almost overcome with grief. He had lost his property, his four precious daughters were buried beneath the deep waves of the sea, and his wife was prostrate with grief on the other side of the world. But he put all his trust in God and wrote a song that has comforted thousands since that time:
When peace like a river attendeth my way,
When sorrows like sea billows roll;
Whatever my lot, Thou has taught me to say,
"It is well, it is well with my soul."
from 1001 Great Stories and Quotes by R. Kent Hughes (Tyndale) p 304
Wednesday, December 28, 2005
The Price of the Pearl
Crowds gathered at a lake to hear Jesus teach. He sat in a boat pulled up to the shore so that they could hear him without pressing in on him. He said to them, "The kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it" (Matthew 13:45).
Let this story spring to life in your imagination. The pearl merchant has spent years, perhaps a lifetime, buying pearls. When he finds the pearl of great price, he knows that the only way he can own it is to sell all that he has. This does not mean simply his house or his animals or his clothes. This includes the precious stones that he has acquired through careful collection. He loves these pearls, but he must choose between them or the one perfect pearl. This pearl is so worthy that he is willing to sacrifice everything else that he prizes to possess it.
We are a society that values quantity, in which more is better. Few are willing to sacrifice quantity for the sake of quality. This desire to have it all extends beyond our lust for possessions and our endemic over-commitment into the realm of ideas. People acquire beliefs as if they are accessorizing, paying little mind to whether or not the beliefs they are accumulating can coexist. More is better, even when it comes to adopting multiple conflicting worldviews! The marketplace of ideas has become the arena of the "impulse buy."
But Jesus presents a different way; he suggests that there could be something so lovely, so worthy, so true, and so good that it would make you willing to sacrifice everything else to gain it. This pearl of great price is his kingdom. If we enter the kingdom, we get all the fullness that is found in Christ himself. But the kingdom is costly, and we cannot enter it if we are clutching pearls of lesser price.
Augustine famously wrote, "He loves Thee too little who loves anything together with Thee which He loves not for Thy sake." There are many pearls in this world of compelling beauty. Whether it is the beauty of ideas, or relationships, or of creation, God created it all for us to enjoy. But it should always point us to that which is most beautiful, the costly Lamb of God. To possess his kingdom, we must be willing to forsake anything that rivals him who is all in all.
12/27/05The Price of the PearlBetsy Childs
Let this story spring to life in your imagination. The pearl merchant has spent years, perhaps a lifetime, buying pearls. When he finds the pearl of great price, he knows that the only way he can own it is to sell all that he has. This does not mean simply his house or his animals or his clothes. This includes the precious stones that he has acquired through careful collection. He loves these pearls, but he must choose between them or the one perfect pearl. This pearl is so worthy that he is willing to sacrifice everything else that he prizes to possess it.
We are a society that values quantity, in which more is better. Few are willing to sacrifice quantity for the sake of quality. This desire to have it all extends beyond our lust for possessions and our endemic over-commitment into the realm of ideas. People acquire beliefs as if they are accessorizing, paying little mind to whether or not the beliefs they are accumulating can coexist. More is better, even when it comes to adopting multiple conflicting worldviews! The marketplace of ideas has become the arena of the "impulse buy."
But Jesus presents a different way; he suggests that there could be something so lovely, so worthy, so true, and so good that it would make you willing to sacrifice everything else to gain it. This pearl of great price is his kingdom. If we enter the kingdom, we get all the fullness that is found in Christ himself. But the kingdom is costly, and we cannot enter it if we are clutching pearls of lesser price.
Augustine famously wrote, "He loves Thee too little who loves anything together with Thee which He loves not for Thy sake." There are many pearls in this world of compelling beauty. Whether it is the beauty of ideas, or relationships, or of creation, God created it all for us to enjoy. But it should always point us to that which is most beautiful, the costly Lamb of God. To possess his kingdom, we must be willing to forsake anything that rivals him who is all in all.
12/27/05The Price of the PearlBetsy Childs
Tuesday, December 27, 2005
Keep the Flame (for Ladies)
In Matthew 25, Jesus shares parables on how to prepare for the coming of the Kingdom of God. One parable concerns ten maidens who are waiting for the arrival of a bridegroom:
At that time the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish and five were wise. The foolish ones took their lamps but did not take any oil with them. The wise, however, took oil in jars along with their lamps. The bridegroom was a long time in coming, and they all became drowsy and fell asleep. At midnight the cry rang out: "Here's the bridegroom! Come out to meet him!" Then all the virgins woke up and trimmed their lamps. The foolish ones said to the wise, "Give us some of your oil; our lamps are going out." "No," they replied, "there may not be enough for both us and you. Instead, go to those who sell oil and buy some for yourselves." But while they were on their way to buy the oil, the bridegroom arrived. The virgins who were ready went in with him to the wedding banquet. And the door was shut. Later the others also came. "Sir! Sir!" they said. "Open the door for us!" But he replied, "I tell you the truth, I don't know you." Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour (Matthew 25:1-13).
This parable is clearly about the need for every person to be wise in preparation because we don't know when Christ will return. Jesus uses a culturally familiar scene of ten maidens (the Greek word used here is parthenos, meaning "mature young women") who are performing the traditional duty of lighting the way of the bridegroom. Their "lamps" were probably torches on long poles with wicks that needed to be soaked in a flammable oil to remain lit.
If you were a "parthenos" listening to Jesus tell this parable, you might find yourself quite concerned about the choices made by the five foolish single women. Their lack of readiness cost them dearly. No doubt the first thing you would do when you got home that night would be to check your own oil supply!
For the Christian single woman, today's messages about the requirements of femininity pose dizzying contradictions. Take a look at any magazine stand. What is the most important thing a woman needs? Independence? The right man? Equality in the workplace? Great nails? Proponents of the sexual revolution claim that women have always lacked independent identity, that they have been defined primarily in relation to men.
Feminist leader Patricia Ireland writes, "The essence of feminism for me is the freedom to live our lives as we please, and to reinvent the world as we do so." Helen Gurley Brown, for 31 years editor of Cosmopolitan, is radically different in view and constituency from Patricia Ireland, yet in a recent interview she comments regarding why she wanted to run Cosmo: "I really knew from the very first hour what I wanted to say and who I wanted to write for—that 23-year-old with her nose pressed to the glass, not having everything, and wanting more, and willing to try hard for it…[The Cosmo Girl] wants to do it better, she wants to have it all."
The Militant Feminist and the sassy Cosmo girl are both adamant about what they want, it's just that they want quite different things. One defines her wants in terms of an independent identity, the other in terms of the culture of beauty. The modern woman is constantly pulled between these two mutually incompatible goals. For every Ms. Magazine there is a Mademoiselle. For every book on how to compete with a man there's one on how to keep him. Both views, however, define womanhood unbiblically, because they define it in external terms. They falsely claim that the truly modern woman can only find meaning in how she looks or what she controls.
The biblical picture is quite different. The Bible portrays true femininity not as external assertiveness or attractiveness, but as something that is fundamentally internal. Biblical femininity is a conquest of the heart and a beauty of the soul. Scripture's instruction to women emphasizes qualities such as reverence (admiration & worship), self-control, purity (cleanliness & integrity), and kindness. Peter instructs women that, "Your beauty should not come from outward adornment…Instead it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God's sight" (1 Peter 3:3-4).
Is Peter saying the godly woman is to be seen and not heard? Or that women can only be godly when devoid of all adornment? No! Peter is encouraging women that the audience that really matters is an audience of One. The Bible provides women with wisdom that is timeless and fully relevant for today. In a world that would limit your vision to the superficial and external, the woman of God fulfills her call from the inside out. The great examples of women in the Scriptures—Deborah, Ruth, Hannah, Esther, Mary, and others—all exhibit this character, regardless of the task to which they were called. These women were not foolish, rebellious, or vain. They demonstrated true loveliness by being prepared in heart for the time and task of God's choosing.
The fight for power and position that consumes the feminist woman, and the lust for fashion that enslaves the worldly woman, are both enticements to the Christian woman. Who wouldn't be tempted to seek to "do it better, and have it all"? But at what cost?
The church is made up of women and men working in complementary relationship. In its ideal state this relationship, through a balance of outer impact and inner fire, produces a church strong in mission and deep in passion for God. But where lust for power or obsession with beauty is present among its women, the church is hindered in its passion for the Lord.
In the Scriptures the idea of a flame is often used to signify God's presence. The flame of God's presence led the children of Israel through the wilderness. The Spirit of God came up on the Christians at Pentecost as the flame. A flame represents power, purity, and light. A flame also requires tending and care. The five wise maidens in the parable made sure their torches were ready, and that the flame stayed lit. How can you as a Christian single woman follow the example of the wise maidens, and care for the lamp of God's presence in your life and sphere of influence?
Tend the flame. Have you ever walked with a candle through a dark and drafty house? You learn quickly to protect the flame from the elements, or risk having it go out on you (typically, right after you hear a creepy noise in the next room). The tending of a flame is not done with bold gestures or impulsive activity, for as strong as fire can rage, it can also flicker and fade. Tending a flame requires patience, attention to detail, and a wisdom to know that the stronger the flame, the farther the light will push back the darkness.
How can you, like a wise maiden, tend the flame? First of all, don't let the howling winds of cultural change blow out your fire. Be a woman of the Word, and let the Bible define you, not the feminist movement or the fashion world. Study what Scripture says about you, and value its wisdom for your life. Recognize that stirring dying coals and fanning promising sparks in the church demands character. Discontent, double-mindedness, worldliness, and the like produce impatience with God and his plan for your life. In the end, your eternal reward will not be for the ministries you ran or the spiritual gifts you used, but for the lives you touched. A woman who perseveres in her distinctive calling in God will fan the flame of faith in the hearts of many, and will be of great value to the work of God in her generation.
In Acts 16 Paul travels to Philippi. There he meets Lydia, a successful business woman who happens to be single. Whether she was ever married, we don't know. We do know that she is "a worshipper of God" (v. 14) and that she received the gospel becoming the first Christian in that part of the world! Her home became the meeting place for the church in Philippi, and her gift of hospitality became one of the great marks of this church that Paul loved so dearly. Lydia's faith fanned the flame of a church that Paul considered his "partners in the gospel" (Php 1:5). Lydia was a single woman of influence, grace, and passion for God.
Fan the flame. Don't be content just to keep the fire burning—fan the flame! Disciplines like prayer, evangelism, worship, and servant hood will both increase your zeal and inspire others to greater passion in God. For example, Debbie is a single sister in our church, and a highly successful manager in a national company. Is she known in the church for her business leadership? No, and she doesn't seek to be. She is known for prayer. She is an intercessor who regularly gathers folks at her home for times of prayer. Sylvia is a single woman in another church. She is a banker who doesn't let that often dry profession rob her radiant joy. She loves the lost with her life, and attracts them with her spirit.
These women contribute in many other ways, but their primary vision is that the church maintain a burden for the lost and a heart for God. I don't know where we'd be without them and the many others like them. Deb and Sylvia are doing more than tending the fire, they're fanning the flame in themselves, and warming us all in the glow.
Pass the torch. Hannah More was a woman of extraordinary talents. An accomplished playwright, she traveled in the best circles of London society in the late 1700s. Her faith was sincere, but carefully adapted to her secular lifestyle. The deaths of some of her closest friends shook her and sent her on a quest to understand the faith of her childhood. In time she found her friends changing, and her heart as well. She met people who were serious about applying their faith to real-life dilemmas, and they lovingly challenged her to do the same. Encouraged by her new pastor, John Newton (who wrote the hymn "Amazing Grace"), she caught a vision. God had given her intelligence, gifting, position, and wealth, and she wanted to spend it all for him.
Initially her "consecrated pen" became her ministry, and she produced many widely read tracts, dramas, and essays addressing the problems of the day from a Christian perspective. Her writings helped stem the tide in England of a revolutionary anarchy that had already devastated France. With her longtime friend William Wilberforce she helped overthrow slavery in England. She became one of the most important benefactors to the ministries of John and Charles Wesley.
In time she and her sisters developed a burden for the poor and, venturing out of their comfortable upper-class surroundings, created an education and evangelism program in one of London's poorest areas. Yet Hannah More also was deeply committed to the discipling of young women in the faith, serving them with her pen and her life. She became the most influential woman in England, even though she never held a position in any power structure.
What made Hannah More special? She had vision for a life beyond personal accomplishment. She worked within the biblical limits of her gifting and calling. She had a commitment to her local Christian community that nourished her faith. She was obedient to the promotions of God. She expressed her trust in God through the giving of her resources and life. She took Paul's admonition to "Train younger women" (Titus 2:3-4) seriously. In short, not only did she fan the flame in her life and her church, she gave her life to passing it on beyond her generation and social group.
Every Christian single woman has the opportunity to be a Lydia or a Hannah More. The temptations to give in to the culture are real, and the choices you make are crucial. Which world will you live in, which Kingdom will have your allegiance?
Keep the Flame by Andrew Farmer
At that time the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish and five were wise. The foolish ones took their lamps but did not take any oil with them. The wise, however, took oil in jars along with their lamps. The bridegroom was a long time in coming, and they all became drowsy and fell asleep. At midnight the cry rang out: "Here's the bridegroom! Come out to meet him!" Then all the virgins woke up and trimmed their lamps. The foolish ones said to the wise, "Give us some of your oil; our lamps are going out." "No," they replied, "there may not be enough for both us and you. Instead, go to those who sell oil and buy some for yourselves." But while they were on their way to buy the oil, the bridegroom arrived. The virgins who were ready went in with him to the wedding banquet. And the door was shut. Later the others also came. "Sir! Sir!" they said. "Open the door for us!" But he replied, "I tell you the truth, I don't know you." Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour (Matthew 25:1-13).
This parable is clearly about the need for every person to be wise in preparation because we don't know when Christ will return. Jesus uses a culturally familiar scene of ten maidens (the Greek word used here is parthenos, meaning "mature young women") who are performing the traditional duty of lighting the way of the bridegroom. Their "lamps" were probably torches on long poles with wicks that needed to be soaked in a flammable oil to remain lit.
If you were a "parthenos" listening to Jesus tell this parable, you might find yourself quite concerned about the choices made by the five foolish single women. Their lack of readiness cost them dearly. No doubt the first thing you would do when you got home that night would be to check your own oil supply!
For the Christian single woman, today's messages about the requirements of femininity pose dizzying contradictions. Take a look at any magazine stand. What is the most important thing a woman needs? Independence? The right man? Equality in the workplace? Great nails? Proponents of the sexual revolution claim that women have always lacked independent identity, that they have been defined primarily in relation to men.
Feminist leader Patricia Ireland writes, "The essence of feminism for me is the freedom to live our lives as we please, and to reinvent the world as we do so." Helen Gurley Brown, for 31 years editor of Cosmopolitan, is radically different in view and constituency from Patricia Ireland, yet in a recent interview she comments regarding why she wanted to run Cosmo: "I really knew from the very first hour what I wanted to say and who I wanted to write for—that 23-year-old with her nose pressed to the glass, not having everything, and wanting more, and willing to try hard for it…[The Cosmo Girl] wants to do it better, she wants to have it all."
The Militant Feminist and the sassy Cosmo girl are both adamant about what they want, it's just that they want quite different things. One defines her wants in terms of an independent identity, the other in terms of the culture of beauty. The modern woman is constantly pulled between these two mutually incompatible goals. For every Ms. Magazine there is a Mademoiselle. For every book on how to compete with a man there's one on how to keep him. Both views, however, define womanhood unbiblically, because they define it in external terms. They falsely claim that the truly modern woman can only find meaning in how she looks or what she controls.
The biblical picture is quite different. The Bible portrays true femininity not as external assertiveness or attractiveness, but as something that is fundamentally internal. Biblical femininity is a conquest of the heart and a beauty of the soul. Scripture's instruction to women emphasizes qualities such as reverence (admiration & worship), self-control, purity (cleanliness & integrity), and kindness. Peter instructs women that, "Your beauty should not come from outward adornment…Instead it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God's sight" (1 Peter 3:3-4).
Is Peter saying the godly woman is to be seen and not heard? Or that women can only be godly when devoid of all adornment? No! Peter is encouraging women that the audience that really matters is an audience of One. The Bible provides women with wisdom that is timeless and fully relevant for today. In a world that would limit your vision to the superficial and external, the woman of God fulfills her call from the inside out. The great examples of women in the Scriptures—Deborah, Ruth, Hannah, Esther, Mary, and others—all exhibit this character, regardless of the task to which they were called. These women were not foolish, rebellious, or vain. They demonstrated true loveliness by being prepared in heart for the time and task of God's choosing.
The fight for power and position that consumes the feminist woman, and the lust for fashion that enslaves the worldly woman, are both enticements to the Christian woman. Who wouldn't be tempted to seek to "do it better, and have it all"? But at what cost?
The church is made up of women and men working in complementary relationship. In its ideal state this relationship, through a balance of outer impact and inner fire, produces a church strong in mission and deep in passion for God. But where lust for power or obsession with beauty is present among its women, the church is hindered in its passion for the Lord.
In the Scriptures the idea of a flame is often used to signify God's presence. The flame of God's presence led the children of Israel through the wilderness. The Spirit of God came up on the Christians at Pentecost as the flame. A flame represents power, purity, and light. A flame also requires tending and care. The five wise maidens in the parable made sure their torches were ready, and that the flame stayed lit. How can you as a Christian single woman follow the example of the wise maidens, and care for the lamp of God's presence in your life and sphere of influence?
Tend the flame. Have you ever walked with a candle through a dark and drafty house? You learn quickly to protect the flame from the elements, or risk having it go out on you (typically, right after you hear a creepy noise in the next room). The tending of a flame is not done with bold gestures or impulsive activity, for as strong as fire can rage, it can also flicker and fade. Tending a flame requires patience, attention to detail, and a wisdom to know that the stronger the flame, the farther the light will push back the darkness.
How can you, like a wise maiden, tend the flame? First of all, don't let the howling winds of cultural change blow out your fire. Be a woman of the Word, and let the Bible define you, not the feminist movement or the fashion world. Study what Scripture says about you, and value its wisdom for your life. Recognize that stirring dying coals and fanning promising sparks in the church demands character. Discontent, double-mindedness, worldliness, and the like produce impatience with God and his plan for your life. In the end, your eternal reward will not be for the ministries you ran or the spiritual gifts you used, but for the lives you touched. A woman who perseveres in her distinctive calling in God will fan the flame of faith in the hearts of many, and will be of great value to the work of God in her generation.
In Acts 16 Paul travels to Philippi. There he meets Lydia, a successful business woman who happens to be single. Whether she was ever married, we don't know. We do know that she is "a worshipper of God" (v. 14) and that she received the gospel becoming the first Christian in that part of the world! Her home became the meeting place for the church in Philippi, and her gift of hospitality became one of the great marks of this church that Paul loved so dearly. Lydia's faith fanned the flame of a church that Paul considered his "partners in the gospel" (Php 1:5). Lydia was a single woman of influence, grace, and passion for God.
Fan the flame. Don't be content just to keep the fire burning—fan the flame! Disciplines like prayer, evangelism, worship, and servant hood will both increase your zeal and inspire others to greater passion in God. For example, Debbie is a single sister in our church, and a highly successful manager in a national company. Is she known in the church for her business leadership? No, and she doesn't seek to be. She is known for prayer. She is an intercessor who regularly gathers folks at her home for times of prayer. Sylvia is a single woman in another church. She is a banker who doesn't let that often dry profession rob her radiant joy. She loves the lost with her life, and attracts them with her spirit.
These women contribute in many other ways, but their primary vision is that the church maintain a burden for the lost and a heart for God. I don't know where we'd be without them and the many others like them. Deb and Sylvia are doing more than tending the fire, they're fanning the flame in themselves, and warming us all in the glow.
Pass the torch. Hannah More was a woman of extraordinary talents. An accomplished playwright, she traveled in the best circles of London society in the late 1700s. Her faith was sincere, but carefully adapted to her secular lifestyle. The deaths of some of her closest friends shook her and sent her on a quest to understand the faith of her childhood. In time she found her friends changing, and her heart as well. She met people who were serious about applying their faith to real-life dilemmas, and they lovingly challenged her to do the same. Encouraged by her new pastor, John Newton (who wrote the hymn "Amazing Grace"), she caught a vision. God had given her intelligence, gifting, position, and wealth, and she wanted to spend it all for him.
Initially her "consecrated pen" became her ministry, and she produced many widely read tracts, dramas, and essays addressing the problems of the day from a Christian perspective. Her writings helped stem the tide in England of a revolutionary anarchy that had already devastated France. With her longtime friend William Wilberforce she helped overthrow slavery in England. She became one of the most important benefactors to the ministries of John and Charles Wesley.
In time she and her sisters developed a burden for the poor and, venturing out of their comfortable upper-class surroundings, created an education and evangelism program in one of London's poorest areas. Yet Hannah More also was deeply committed to the discipling of young women in the faith, serving them with her pen and her life. She became the most influential woman in England, even though she never held a position in any power structure.
What made Hannah More special? She had vision for a life beyond personal accomplishment. She worked within the biblical limits of her gifting and calling. She had a commitment to her local Christian community that nourished her faith. She was obedient to the promotions of God. She expressed her trust in God through the giving of her resources and life. She took Paul's admonition to "Train younger women" (Titus 2:3-4) seriously. In short, not only did she fan the flame in her life and her church, she gave her life to passing it on beyond her generation and social group.
Every Christian single woman has the opportunity to be a Lydia or a Hannah More. The temptations to give in to the culture are real, and the choices you make are crucial. Which world will you live in, which Kingdom will have your allegiance?
Keep the Flame by Andrew Farmer
Jim Checking In
A minister passing through his church in the middle of the day, decided to pause by the altar and see who had come to pray. Just then the back door opened, a man came down the aisle. The minister frowned as he saw the man hadn't shaved in a while. His shirt was kinda shabby and his coat was worn and frayed, the man knelt, he bowed his head, then rose and walked away. In the days that followed, each noon time came this chap, each time he knelt just for a moment, a lunch pail in his lap. Well, the minister's suspicions grew, with robbery a main fear, he decided to stop the man and ask him, "What are you doing here?" The old man said, he worked down the road. Lunch was half an hour. Lunchtime was his prayer time, for finding strength and power. "I stay only moments, see, because the factory is so far away; as I kneel here talking to the Lord, This is kinda what I say: "I JUST CAME AGAIN TO TELL YOU, LORD, HOW HAPPY I'VE BEEN, SINCE WE FOUND EACH OTHER'S FRIENDSHIP AND YOU TOOK AWAY MY SIN. DON'T KNOW MUCH OF HOW TO PRAY, BUT I THINK ABOUT YOU EVERYDAY. SO, JESUS, THIS IS JIM CHECKING IN TODAY." The minister feeling foolish, told Jim, that was fine. He told the man he was welcome to come and pray just anytime. Time to go, Jim smiled, said "Thanks." He hurried to the door. The minister knelt at the altar, he'd never done it before. His cold heart melted, warmed with love, and met with Jesus there. As the tears flowed, in his heart, he repeated old Jim's prayer: "I JUST CAME AGAIN TO TELL YOU, LORD, HOW HAPPY I'VE BEEN, SINCE WE FOUND EACH OTHER'S FRIENDSHIP AND YOU TOOK AWAY MY SIN. I DON'T KNOW MUCH OF HOW TO PRAY, BUT I THINK ABOUT YOU EVERYDAY. SO, JESUS, THIS IS ME CHECKING IN TODAY."
Past noon one day, the minister noticed that old Jim hadn't come. As more days passed without Jim, he began to worry some. At the factory, he asked about him, learning he was ill. The hospital staff was worried, but he'd given them a thrill. The week that Jim was with them, brought changes in the ward. His smiles, a joy contagious. Changed people, were his reward. The head nurse couldn't understand why Jim was so glad, when no flowers, calls or cards came, not a visitor he had. The minister stayed by his bed, he voiced the nurse's concern: No friends came to show they cared. He had nowhere to turn. Looking surprised, old Jim spoke up and with a winsome smile; "the nurse is wrong, she couldn't know, that in here all the while everyday at noon He's here, a dear friend of mine, you see, He sits right down, takes my hand, leans over and says to me: "I JUST CAME AGAIN TO TELL YOU, JIM, HOW HAPPY I HAVE BEEN, SINCE WE FOUND THIS FRIENDSHIP, AND I TOOK AWAY YOUR SIN. ALWAYS LOVE TO HEAR YOU PRAY, I THINK ABOUT YOU EACH DAY, AND SO JIM, THIS IS JESUS CHECKING IN TODAY."
“But for those of us who are already His, He not only holds us in the palm of His hand, but has engraved our names there, and we are continually in His sight.” (Isaiah 49:16)
Past noon one day, the minister noticed that old Jim hadn't come. As more days passed without Jim, he began to worry some. At the factory, he asked about him, learning he was ill. The hospital staff was worried, but he'd given them a thrill. The week that Jim was with them, brought changes in the ward. His smiles, a joy contagious. Changed people, were his reward. The head nurse couldn't understand why Jim was so glad, when no flowers, calls or cards came, not a visitor he had. The minister stayed by his bed, he voiced the nurse's concern: No friends came to show they cared. He had nowhere to turn. Looking surprised, old Jim spoke up and with a winsome smile; "the nurse is wrong, she couldn't know, that in here all the while everyday at noon He's here, a dear friend of mine, you see, He sits right down, takes my hand, leans over and says to me: "I JUST CAME AGAIN TO TELL YOU, JIM, HOW HAPPY I HAVE BEEN, SINCE WE FOUND THIS FRIENDSHIP, AND I TOOK AWAY YOUR SIN. ALWAYS LOVE TO HEAR YOU PRAY, I THINK ABOUT YOU EACH DAY, AND SO JIM, THIS IS JESUS CHECKING IN TODAY."
“But for those of us who are already His, He not only holds us in the palm of His hand, but has engraved our names there, and we are continually in His sight.” (Isaiah 49:16)
In God We Trust
Samuel Thompson wrote:
I don't believe in Santa Claus, but I'm not going to sue somebody for singing a Ho-Ho-Ho song in December.
I don't agree with Darwin, but I didn't go out and hire a lawyer when my high school teacher taught his theory of evolution.
Life, liberty or your pursuit of happiness will not be endangered because someone says a 30-second prayer before a football game. So what's the big deal? It's not like somebody is up there reading the entire book of Acts. They're just talking to a God they believe in and asking him to grant safety to the players on the field and the fans going home from the game.
"But it's a Christian prayer," some will argue. Yes, and this is the United States of America, a country founded on Christian principles. And we are in the Bible belt. According to our very own phone book, Christian churches outnumber all others better than 200-to-1. So what would you expect-somebody chanting Hare Krishna?
If I went to a football game in Jerusalem, I would expect to hear a Jewish prayer.
If I went to a soccer game in Baghdad, I would expect to hear a Muslim prayer.
If I went to a ping pong match in China, I would expect to hear someone pray to Buddha.
And I wouldn't be offended. It wouldn't bother me one bit. When in Rome...
"But what about the atheists?" is another argument. What about them? Nobody is asking them to be baptized. We're not going to pass the collection plate. Just humor us for 30 seconds. If that's asking too much, bring a Walkman or a pair of ear plugs. Go to the bathroom. Visit the concession stand. Call your lawyer. Unfortunately, one or two will make that call. One or two will tell thousands what they can and cannot do. I don't think a short prayer at a football game is going to shake the world's foundations.
Christians are just sick and tired of turning the other cheek while our courts strip us of all our rights. Our parents and grandparents taught us to pray before eating, to pray before we go to sleep. Our Bible tells us just to pray without ceasing. Now a handful of people and their lawyers are telling us to cease praying. God, help us. And if that last sentence offends you, well..........just sue me.
The silent majority has been silent too long... it's time we let that one or two who scream loud enough to be heard, that the vast majority don't care what they want... it is time the majority rules!
It's time we tell them, you don't have to pray... You don't have to say the pledge of allegiance, you don't have to believe in God or attend services that honor Him. That is your right, and we will honor your right... But by golly you are no longer going to take our rights away ... we are fighting back... And we WILL WIN! After the entire God you have the right to denounce is on our side!
God bless us one and all, especially those who denounce Him...
God bless America, despite all her faults... Still the greatest nation of all.....
God bless our service men that are fighting to protect our right to pray and worship God...
May 2006 be the year the silent majority is heard and we put God back as the foundation of our families and institutions.
Keep looking up......
In God WE Trust
I don't believe in Santa Claus, but I'm not going to sue somebody for singing a Ho-Ho-Ho song in December.
I don't agree with Darwin, but I didn't go out and hire a lawyer when my high school teacher taught his theory of evolution.
Life, liberty or your pursuit of happiness will not be endangered because someone says a 30-second prayer before a football game. So what's the big deal? It's not like somebody is up there reading the entire book of Acts. They're just talking to a God they believe in and asking him to grant safety to the players on the field and the fans going home from the game.
"But it's a Christian prayer," some will argue. Yes, and this is the United States of America, a country founded on Christian principles. And we are in the Bible belt. According to our very own phone book, Christian churches outnumber all others better than 200-to-1. So what would you expect-somebody chanting Hare Krishna?
If I went to a football game in Jerusalem, I would expect to hear a Jewish prayer.
If I went to a soccer game in Baghdad, I would expect to hear a Muslim prayer.
If I went to a ping pong match in China, I would expect to hear someone pray to Buddha.
And I wouldn't be offended. It wouldn't bother me one bit. When in Rome...
"But what about the atheists?" is another argument. What about them? Nobody is asking them to be baptized. We're not going to pass the collection plate. Just humor us for 30 seconds. If that's asking too much, bring a Walkman or a pair of ear plugs. Go to the bathroom. Visit the concession stand. Call your lawyer. Unfortunately, one or two will make that call. One or two will tell thousands what they can and cannot do. I don't think a short prayer at a football game is going to shake the world's foundations.
Christians are just sick and tired of turning the other cheek while our courts strip us of all our rights. Our parents and grandparents taught us to pray before eating, to pray before we go to sleep. Our Bible tells us just to pray without ceasing. Now a handful of people and their lawyers are telling us to cease praying. God, help us. And if that last sentence offends you, well..........just sue me.
The silent majority has been silent too long... it's time we let that one or two who scream loud enough to be heard, that the vast majority don't care what they want... it is time the majority rules!
It's time we tell them, you don't have to pray... You don't have to say the pledge of allegiance, you don't have to believe in God or attend services that honor Him. That is your right, and we will honor your right... But by golly you are no longer going to take our rights away ... we are fighting back... And we WILL WIN! After the entire God you have the right to denounce is on our side!
God bless us one and all, especially those who denounce Him...
God bless America, despite all her faults... Still the greatest nation of all.....
God bless our service men that are fighting to protect our right to pray and worship God...
May 2006 be the year the silent majority is heard and we put God back as the foundation of our families and institutions.
Keep looking up......
In God WE Trust
How to Succeed the Biblical Way
Are you successful?
Take a moment and reflect on the question. What is your answer?
Now, answer the question from several different angles:
Would your spouse (if applicable) say you are successful? Would your children (if applicable) say you are successful? What would your closest friends say? Your associates at work? Your body? Your conscience? What would God say?
Your perspective can dramatically change your answer, can't it?
Maybe you're wondering whether or not you should be interested in success. After all, Christians ought not pursue success, ought they? We need to focus on being faithful, not successful. Right?
Well, yes and no. We definitely are to be faithful to all that God asks. But, success is God's idea. He wants you to be fruitful, productive, effective, blessed, and successful.
Look at Joshua 1:8 (NASB): " 'This book of the law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it; for then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have success.' " (italics added)
Psalm 1 (NASB) says:
"...in His law he meditates day and night.
He will be like a tree firmly planted by streams of water,
Which yields its fruit in its season...
And in whatever he does, he prospers." (italics added)
And, the Beatitudes in Matthew 5 each begin with "blessed," the most universal concept for success throughout the entire Bible. God wants you to be blessed and successful.
But, He wants you to succeed His way.
Now, let's review what success isn't, and then let's look at what it is.
What Success is NOT...
How does the culture define success? I ask my audiences to answer that question in the seminars I do in the Christian and general marketplace arenas, and I always get the same answers. I call them the five p's: power, position, prestige, pleasure, and prosperity.
The culture (anti-God world system) pushes these. Advertisers tantalize us with the possibility of their attainment. The media glamorizes the results of having them.
Now, don't get me wrong. These aren't bad things. I'd rather you have money (normally) than not have it. But, they are not the ultimate or even major measurements of success according to God's standards. And, they won't make you happy. They won't.
Listen to the pathos in the comments of these famous millionaires:
Glenn Bland, in his book Success (published fifteen years ago), gives the best example I've ever seen of the importance of priorities. It shows vividly that success and money alone can't buy happiness and peace of mind.
Bland tells of a meeting in 1923 of the world's most successful financiers held at Chicago's Edgewater Beach Hotel. In terms of money, these financial giants almost literally ruled the world. Look at their names and positions:
Charles Schwab, president of the largest steel company in America; Samuel Insull, president of the largest utility company; Howard Hopson, president of the largest gas company; Arthur Cutten, the great wheat speculator; Richard Whitney, president of the New York Stock Exchange; Albert Fall, Secretary of the Interior in President Harding's cabinet; Jesse Livermore, the great "bear" on Wall Street; Ivan Krueger, head of the world's greatest monopoly; and Leon Fraser, president of the Bank of International Settlements.
These men were "movers and shakers," the kind many people envy and wish to be like. Yet something went terribly wrong with these men's lives. Twenty-five years later:
The January 28, 1960, issue of The Washington Post records a letter from John Steinbeck to Adlai Stevenson. In the letter he says, "A strange species we are. We can stand anything God and nature throw at us save only plenty. If I wanted to destroy a nation, I would give it too much and I would have it on its knees: miserable, greedy, and sick."
What Success Is...
In my research of hundreds of top leaders around the world, I have asked the question: At the end of your life, how will you know you've succeeded? These men and women answered:
"It's important how my kids turned out."
"Did I live a personally rich and fulfilling life?"
"Did I positively change lives?"
"Did I build meaningful and deep relationships?"
"Did I really love my spouse?"
"Did I make a difference?"
What about you? What is your concept of success? Have you deliberately developed it or has it simply evolved through the influence of the culture around you? And, is it the right concept of success?
If you are now not so sure, I want to suggest to you a new way of looking at success. Move away from thinking of success as power, prosperity, position, pleasure, or prestige and begin building a definition of success around real values. What are the things that really count the most in your life? Think about it. How do you want people to remember you when you die? What will really count?
Biblical success, I believe, is the progressive realization and internalization of all that God wants me to be and do.
Let's look at each component of this definition of success. First, note that success from God's perspective is progressive. It is not static and it does not deal just with the results. Success deals with the process ... the journey.
God makes it clear that He wants you and me to focus on the roots in our lives, not just the fruit. Let God take care of the results while you focus on doing the right things. You work on what you can control-like your attitude, your obedience, your thoughts, your words-and let God produce what He will.
If you don't do this, you will have a tendency to "fake it." You'll put your focus on how you appear outwardly versus cultivating who you are internally. Remember, God hates a pretext to perfection. He deeply desires your progression into His likeness.
There's a difference between progressing and pretending to progress. In Authentic Christianity, Ray Stedman notes how easy it is to make others believe you are spiritually mature. "It is possible [for the Christian] to avoid the pain and humiliation of repentance and renewal by maintaining an outward facade of spiritual commitment, moral impeccability, and orthodox behavior. In doing so, he can preserve a reputation for spiritual growth and maturity that is satisfying to the ego and seems to gain much in the way of opportunity for service and the commendation of the Christian community."
Next, success requires a realization of God's desires for me. We gain this understanding through God's Word. We must not only hear it but study it and meditate upon it. Are you in the Word daily? Are you letting to God's Holy Spirit teach you through the Bible, circumstances, prayer, and others in your life? This is the beginning place to growth. What you imbibe and focus on mentally will determine the outcome of your life. Remember this maxim:
"Sow a thought and reap an act.
Sow an act and reap a habit.
Sow a habit and reap a character.
Sow a character and reap a destiny."
Next, we must internalize truth and apply it to our lives. A successful person not only hears the Word of God, but also acts upon it. You may have laudable intentions, but the key issue is your behavior.
We must progressively apply all of God's revealed truth to our lives. In a real sense Jesus is Lord of all known areas of your life or not Lord at all. He will not make you a success if you try to hold back areas from His control.
Biblical success involves all that God wants me to be and do. We must be progressing in our godly character and conduct. If you are godly in the truest sense of the word, what you do will glorify God, for it will be a natural product of your character. God has placed all Christians here to share their faith, lead the lost to Christ, help other Christians mature in their faith, and to influence society as light and salt.
Finally, success involves knowing God. When we are with God in heaven, perhaps we will see clearly how fundamental knowing Him is. In Philippians 3, Paul recalls what he had once perceived as success: his heritage, his advancement, his reputation. But, then in verse 8, he distinguishes true success. Paul says, "...I count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them but rubbish so that I may gain Christ" (NASB).
This article is taken from Dr. Ron Jenson's recent book entitled Make a Life, Not Just a Living (c) 1998 by Ron Jenson (Nashville, Tenn.: Broadman & Holman Publishers). Used with permission.
Take a moment and reflect on the question. What is your answer?
Now, answer the question from several different angles:
Would your spouse (if applicable) say you are successful? Would your children (if applicable) say you are successful? What would your closest friends say? Your associates at work? Your body? Your conscience? What would God say?
Your perspective can dramatically change your answer, can't it?
Maybe you're wondering whether or not you should be interested in success. After all, Christians ought not pursue success, ought they? We need to focus on being faithful, not successful. Right?
Well, yes and no. We definitely are to be faithful to all that God asks. But, success is God's idea. He wants you to be fruitful, productive, effective, blessed, and successful.
Look at Joshua 1:8 (NASB): " 'This book of the law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it; for then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have success.' " (italics added)
Psalm 1 (NASB) says:
"...in His law he meditates day and night.
He will be like a tree firmly planted by streams of water,
Which yields its fruit in its season...
And in whatever he does, he prospers." (italics added)
And, the Beatitudes in Matthew 5 each begin with "blessed," the most universal concept for success throughout the entire Bible. God wants you to be blessed and successful.
But, He wants you to succeed His way.
Now, let's review what success isn't, and then let's look at what it is.
What Success is NOT...
How does the culture define success? I ask my audiences to answer that question in the seminars I do in the Christian and general marketplace arenas, and I always get the same answers. I call them the five p's: power, position, prestige, pleasure, and prosperity.
The culture (anti-God world system) pushes these. Advertisers tantalize us with the possibility of their attainment. The media glamorizes the results of having them.
Now, don't get me wrong. These aren't bad things. I'd rather you have money (normally) than not have it. But, they are not the ultimate or even major measurements of success according to God's standards. And, they won't make you happy. They won't.
Listen to the pathos in the comments of these famous millionaires:
- John D. Rockefeller: "I have made many millions but they have brought me no happiness."
- William Henry Vanderbilt: "The care of two hundred million is enough to kill anyone. There's no pleasure in it."
- John Jacob Astor: "I am the most miserable man on the earth."
- Henry Ford: "I was happier when doing a mechanic's job."
- Andrew Carnegie: "Millionaires seldom smile."
Glenn Bland, in his book Success (published fifteen years ago), gives the best example I've ever seen of the importance of priorities. It shows vividly that success and money alone can't buy happiness and peace of mind.
Bland tells of a meeting in 1923 of the world's most successful financiers held at Chicago's Edgewater Beach Hotel. In terms of money, these financial giants almost literally ruled the world. Look at their names and positions:
Charles Schwab, president of the largest steel company in America; Samuel Insull, president of the largest utility company; Howard Hopson, president of the largest gas company; Arthur Cutten, the great wheat speculator; Richard Whitney, president of the New York Stock Exchange; Albert Fall, Secretary of the Interior in President Harding's cabinet; Jesse Livermore, the great "bear" on Wall Street; Ivan Krueger, head of the world's greatest monopoly; and Leon Fraser, president of the Bank of International Settlements.
These men were "movers and shakers," the kind many people envy and wish to be like. Yet something went terribly wrong with these men's lives. Twenty-five years later:
- Charles Schwab went bankrupt.
- Samuel Insull died in a foreign land, penniless and a fugitive from justice.
- Howard Hopson was insane.
- Arthur Cutten was insolvent and died abroad.
- Richard Whitney had just been released from Sing Sing prison.
- Albert Fall had just been pardoned from prison and died at home, broke.
- Jesse Livermore committed suicide.
- Ivan Krueger committed suicide.
- Leon Fraser committed suicide."
The January 28, 1960, issue of The Washington Post records a letter from John Steinbeck to Adlai Stevenson. In the letter he says, "A strange species we are. We can stand anything God and nature throw at us save only plenty. If I wanted to destroy a nation, I would give it too much and I would have it on its knees: miserable, greedy, and sick."
What Success Is...
In my research of hundreds of top leaders around the world, I have asked the question: At the end of your life, how will you know you've succeeded? These men and women answered:
"It's important how my kids turned out."
"Did I live a personally rich and fulfilling life?"
"Did I positively change lives?"
"Did I build meaningful and deep relationships?"
"Did I really love my spouse?"
"Did I make a difference?"
What about you? What is your concept of success? Have you deliberately developed it or has it simply evolved through the influence of the culture around you? And, is it the right concept of success?
If you are now not so sure, I want to suggest to you a new way of looking at success. Move away from thinking of success as power, prosperity, position, pleasure, or prestige and begin building a definition of success around real values. What are the things that really count the most in your life? Think about it. How do you want people to remember you when you die? What will really count?
Biblical success, I believe, is the progressive realization and internalization of all that God wants me to be and do.
Let's look at each component of this definition of success. First, note that success from God's perspective is progressive. It is not static and it does not deal just with the results. Success deals with the process ... the journey.
God makes it clear that He wants you and me to focus on the roots in our lives, not just the fruit. Let God take care of the results while you focus on doing the right things. You work on what you can control-like your attitude, your obedience, your thoughts, your words-and let God produce what He will.
If you don't do this, you will have a tendency to "fake it." You'll put your focus on how you appear outwardly versus cultivating who you are internally. Remember, God hates a pretext to perfection. He deeply desires your progression into His likeness.
There's a difference between progressing and pretending to progress. In Authentic Christianity, Ray Stedman notes how easy it is to make others believe you are spiritually mature. "It is possible [for the Christian] to avoid the pain and humiliation of repentance and renewal by maintaining an outward facade of spiritual commitment, moral impeccability, and orthodox behavior. In doing so, he can preserve a reputation for spiritual growth and maturity that is satisfying to the ego and seems to gain much in the way of opportunity for service and the commendation of the Christian community."
Next, success requires a realization of God's desires for me. We gain this understanding through God's Word. We must not only hear it but study it and meditate upon it. Are you in the Word daily? Are you letting to God's Holy Spirit teach you through the Bible, circumstances, prayer, and others in your life? This is the beginning place to growth. What you imbibe and focus on mentally will determine the outcome of your life. Remember this maxim:
"Sow a thought and reap an act.
Sow an act and reap a habit.
Sow a habit and reap a character.
Sow a character and reap a destiny."
Next, we must internalize truth and apply it to our lives. A successful person not only hears the Word of God, but also acts upon it. You may have laudable intentions, but the key issue is your behavior.
We must progressively apply all of God's revealed truth to our lives. In a real sense Jesus is Lord of all known areas of your life or not Lord at all. He will not make you a success if you try to hold back areas from His control.
Biblical success involves all that God wants me to be and do. We must be progressing in our godly character and conduct. If you are godly in the truest sense of the word, what you do will glorify God, for it will be a natural product of your character. God has placed all Christians here to share their faith, lead the lost to Christ, help other Christians mature in their faith, and to influence society as light and salt.
Finally, success involves knowing God. When we are with God in heaven, perhaps we will see clearly how fundamental knowing Him is. In Philippians 3, Paul recalls what he had once perceived as success: his heritage, his advancement, his reputation. But, then in verse 8, he distinguishes true success. Paul says, "...I count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them but rubbish so that I may gain Christ" (NASB).
This article is taken from Dr. Ron Jenson's recent book entitled Make a Life, Not Just a Living (c) 1998 by Ron Jenson (Nashville, Tenn.: Broadman & Holman Publishers). Used with permission.
Holy Humor
There was a church that had problems
With outsiders parking in its parking lots,
So they put up a sign:
CHURCH CAR PARK - FOR MEMBERS ONLY
Trespassers will be baptized!
"No God - No Peace.
Know God - Know Peace."
"Free Trip to heaven:
Details Inside!"
"Try our Sundays.
They are better than Baskin Robbins."
"Searching for a new look?
Have your faith lifted here!"
An ad for one Church has a picture of
Two hands holding stone tablets on which
The Ten Commandments are inscribed,
And a headline that reads,
"For fast, fast, fast relief, take two tablets."
When the restaurant next to another Church put out
A big sign with red letters that said, "Open Sundays,"
The church reciprocated
With its own message:
"We are open on Sundays, too."
"People are like tea bags --
You have to put them in hot water
Before you know how strong they are."
"Fight truth decay--
Study the Bible daily."
"How will you spend eternity--
Smoking or Nonsmoking?"
"Dusty Bibles
Lead to Dirty Lives"
"Come work for the Lord:
The work is hard,
The hours are long
And the pay is low.
But the retirement benefits
Are out of this world."
"It is unlikely there'll be a reduction
In the wages of sin."
"Do not wait for the hearse
To take you to church."
"If you're headed in the wrong direction,
God allows U-turns."
"If you don't like the way you were born,
Try being born again"
"Looking at the way some people live,
They ought to obtain
Eternal fire insurance soon."
"This is a ch_ _ ch.
What is missing?"
(U R)
"In the dark?
Follow the Son"
"Running low on faith?
Step in for a fill-up."
"If you can't sleep, don't count sheep.
Talk to the Shepherd."
With outsiders parking in its parking lots,
So they put up a sign:
CHURCH CAR PARK - FOR MEMBERS ONLY
Trespassers will be baptized!
"No God - No Peace.
Know God - Know Peace."
"Free Trip to heaven:
Details Inside!"
"Try our Sundays.
They are better than Baskin Robbins."
"Searching for a new look?
Have your faith lifted here!"
An ad for one Church has a picture of
Two hands holding stone tablets on which
The Ten Commandments are inscribed,
And a headline that reads,
"For fast, fast, fast relief, take two tablets."
When the restaurant next to another Church put out
A big sign with red letters that said, "Open Sundays,"
The church reciprocated
With its own message:
"We are open on Sundays, too."
"People are like tea bags --
You have to put them in hot water
Before you know how strong they are."
"Fight truth decay--
Study the Bible daily."
"How will you spend eternity--
Smoking or Nonsmoking?"
"Dusty Bibles
Lead to Dirty Lives"
"Come work for the Lord:
The work is hard,
The hours are long
And the pay is low.
But the retirement benefits
Are out of this world."
"It is unlikely there'll be a reduction
In the wages of sin."
"Do not wait for the hearse
To take you to church."
"If you're headed in the wrong direction,
God allows U-turns."
"If you don't like the way you were born,
Try being born again"
"Looking at the way some people live,
They ought to obtain
Eternal fire insurance soon."
"This is a ch_ _ ch.
What is missing?"
(U R)
"In the dark?
Follow the Son"
"Running low on faith?
Step in for a fill-up."
"If you can't sleep, don't count sheep.
Talk to the Shepherd."
He Is
He is the First and Last, the Beginning and the End!
He is the keeper of Creation and the Creator of all!
He is the Architect of the universe and
The Manager of all times.
He always was, He always is, and He always will be...
Unmoved, Unchanged, Undefeated, and never Undone!
He was bruised and brought healing!
He was pierced and eased pain!
He was persecuted and brought freedom!
He was dead and brought life!
He is risen and brings power!
He reigns and brings Peace!
The world can't understand him,
The armies can't defeat Him,
The schools can't explain Him, and
The leaders can't ignore Him.
Herod couldn't kill Him,
The Pharisees couldn't confuse Him, and
The people couldn't hold Him!
Nero couldn't crush Him,
Hitler couldn't silence Him,
The New Age can't replace Him, and
Donahue can't explain Him away!
He is light, love, longevity, and Lord.
He is goodness, Kindness, Gentleness, and God.
He is Holy, Righteous, mighty, powerful, and pure.
His ways are right,
His word is eternal,
His will is unchanging, and
His mind is on me.
He is my Redeemer,
He is my Savior,
He is my guide, and
He is my peace!
He is my Joy,
He is my comfort,
He is my Lord, and
He rules my life!
I serve Him because His bond is love,
His burden is light, and
His goal for me is abundant life.
I follow Him because He is the wisdom of the wise,
The power of the powerful,
The ancient of days, the ruler of rulers,
The leader of leaders, the overseer of the over comers, and
The sovereign Lord of all that was and is and is to come.
And if that seems impressive to you, try this for size.
His goal is a relationship with ME!
He will never leave me,
Never forsake me,
Never mislead me,
Never forget me,
Never overlook me, and
Never cancel my appointment in His appointment book!
When I fall, He lifts me up!
When I fail, He forgives!
When I am weak, He is strong!
When I am lost, He is the way!
When I am afraid, He is my courage!
When I stumble, He steadies me!
When I am hurt, He heals me!
When I am broken, He mends me!
When I am blind, He leads me!
When I am hungry, He feeds me!
When I face trials, He is with me!
When I face persecution, He shields me!
When I face problems, He comforts me!
When I face loss, He provides for me!
When I face Death, He carries me Home!
He is everything for everybody, everywhere,
Every time, and every way.
He is God, He is faithful.
I am His, and He is mine!
My Father in heaven can whip the father of this world.
So, if you're wondering why I feel so secure, understand this...
He said it and that settles it.
God is in control, I am on His side, and
That means all is well with my soul.
Everyday is a blessing for GOD Is!
He is the keeper of Creation and the Creator of all!
He is the Architect of the universe and
The Manager of all times.
He always was, He always is, and He always will be...
Unmoved, Unchanged, Undefeated, and never Undone!
He was bruised and brought healing!
He was pierced and eased pain!
He was persecuted and brought freedom!
He was dead and brought life!
He is risen and brings power!
He reigns and brings Peace!
The world can't understand him,
The armies can't defeat Him,
The schools can't explain Him, and
The leaders can't ignore Him.
Herod couldn't kill Him,
The Pharisees couldn't confuse Him, and
The people couldn't hold Him!
Nero couldn't crush Him,
Hitler couldn't silence Him,
The New Age can't replace Him, and
Donahue can't explain Him away!
He is light, love, longevity, and Lord.
He is goodness, Kindness, Gentleness, and God.
He is Holy, Righteous, mighty, powerful, and pure.
His ways are right,
His word is eternal,
His will is unchanging, and
His mind is on me.
He is my Redeemer,
He is my Savior,
He is my guide, and
He is my peace!
He is my Joy,
He is my comfort,
He is my Lord, and
He rules my life!
I serve Him because His bond is love,
His burden is light, and
His goal for me is abundant life.
I follow Him because He is the wisdom of the wise,
The power of the powerful,
The ancient of days, the ruler of rulers,
The leader of leaders, the overseer of the over comers, and
The sovereign Lord of all that was and is and is to come.
And if that seems impressive to you, try this for size.
His goal is a relationship with ME!
He will never leave me,
Never forsake me,
Never mislead me,
Never forget me,
Never overlook me, and
Never cancel my appointment in His appointment book!
When I fall, He lifts me up!
When I fail, He forgives!
When I am weak, He is strong!
When I am lost, He is the way!
When I am afraid, He is my courage!
When I stumble, He steadies me!
When I am hurt, He heals me!
When I am broken, He mends me!
When I am blind, He leads me!
When I am hungry, He feeds me!
When I face trials, He is with me!
When I face persecution, He shields me!
When I face problems, He comforts me!
When I face loss, He provides for me!
When I face Death, He carries me Home!
He is everything for everybody, everywhere,
Every time, and every way.
He is God, He is faithful.
I am His, and He is mine!
My Father in heaven can whip the father of this world.
So, if you're wondering why I feel so secure, understand this...
He said it and that settles it.
God is in control, I am on His side, and
That means all is well with my soul.
Everyday is a blessing for GOD Is!
God's Voice Mail
Most of us have now learned to live with voice mail as a necessary part of our lives. Have you ever wondered what it would be like if God decided to install voice mail? Imagine praying and hearing the following:
Thank you for calling heaven.
For English press 1
For Spanish press 2
For all other languages, press 3
Please select one of the following options:
Press 1 for request
Press 2 for thanksgiving
Press 3 for complaints
Press 4 for all others
I am sorry, all our Angels and Saints are busy helping other sinners right now. However, your prayer is important to us and we will answer it in the order it was received. Please stay on the line. If you would like to speak to:
God, press 1
Jesus, press 2
Holy Spirit, press 3
To find a loved one that has been assigned to heaven press 5, then enter his social security # followed by the pound sign. (If you receive a negative response, please hang up and dial area code 666.)
For reservations to heaven, please enter JOHN followed by the numbers, 3 & 16.
For answers to nagging questions about dinosaurs, life and other planets, please wait until you arrive in heaven for the specifics.
Our computers show that you have already been prayed for today, please hang up and call again tomorrow.
The office is now closed for the weekend to observe a religious holiday.
If you are calling after hours and need emergency assistance, please contact your local pastor. Thank you and have a heavenly day.
Thank you for calling heaven.
For English press 1
For Spanish press 2
For all other languages, press 3
Please select one of the following options:
Press 1 for request
Press 2 for thanksgiving
Press 3 for complaints
Press 4 for all others
I am sorry, all our Angels and Saints are busy helping other sinners right now. However, your prayer is important to us and we will answer it in the order it was received. Please stay on the line. If you would like to speak to:
God, press 1
Jesus, press 2
Holy Spirit, press 3
To find a loved one that has been assigned to heaven press 5, then enter his social security # followed by the pound sign. (If you receive a negative response, please hang up and dial area code 666.)
For reservations to heaven, please enter JOHN followed by the numbers, 3 & 16.
For answers to nagging questions about dinosaurs, life and other planets, please wait until you arrive in heaven for the specifics.
Our computers show that you have already been prayed for today, please hang up and call again tomorrow.
The office is now closed for the weekend to observe a religious holiday.
If you are calling after hours and need emergency assistance, please contact your local pastor. Thank you and have a heavenly day.
God's Boxes
I have in my hands two boxes
Which God gave me to hold.
He said, "Put all your sorrows in the black box
And all your joys in the gold."
I heeded His words, and in the two boxes
Both my joys and sorrows I stored.
But though the gold became heavier each day
The black was as light as before.
With curiosity, I opened the black,
I wanted to find out why,
And I saw, in the base of the box, a hole
Which my sorrows had fallen out by.
I showed the hole to God, and mused,
"I wonder where my sorrows could be."
He smiled a gentle smile and said,
"My child, they're all here with me."
I asked God, why He gave me the boxes,
Why the gold and the black with the hole?
"My child, the gold is for you to count your blessings.
The black is for you to let go."
Which God gave me to hold.
He said, "Put all your sorrows in the black box
And all your joys in the gold."
I heeded His words, and in the two boxes
Both my joys and sorrows I stored.
But though the gold became heavier each day
The black was as light as before.
With curiosity, I opened the black,
I wanted to find out why,
And I saw, in the base of the box, a hole
Which my sorrows had fallen out by.
I showed the hole to God, and mused,
"I wonder where my sorrows could be."
He smiled a gentle smile and said,
"My child, they're all here with me."
I asked God, why He gave me the boxes,
Why the gold and the black with the hole?
"My child, the gold is for you to count your blessings.
The black is for you to let go."
God's Alphabet
Although things are not perfect
Because of trial or pain
Continue in thanksgiving
Do not begin to blame
Even when the times are hard
Fierce winds are bound to blow
God is forever able
Hold on to what you know
Imagine life without His love
Joy would cease to be
Keep thanking Him for all the things
Love imparts to thee
Move out of "Camp Complaining"
No weapon that is known
On earth can yield the power
Praise can do alone
Quit looking at the future
Redeem the time at hand
Start every day with worship
To "thank" is a command
Until we see Him coming
Victorious in the sky
We'll run the race with gratitude
X-alting God most high
Yes, there'll be good times and yes some will be bad, but...
Zion waits in glory...where none are ever sad!
Because of trial or pain
Continue in thanksgiving
Do not begin to blame
Even when the times are hard
Fierce winds are bound to blow
God is forever able
Hold on to what you know
Imagine life without His love
Joy would cease to be
Keep thanking Him for all the things
Love imparts to thee
Move out of "Camp Complaining"
No weapon that is known
On earth can yield the power
Praise can do alone
Quit looking at the future
Redeem the time at hand
Start every day with worship
To "thank" is a command
Until we see Him coming
Victorious in the sky
We'll run the race with gratitude
X-alting God most high
Yes, there'll be good times and yes some will be bad, but...
Zion waits in glory...where none are ever sad!
God Won't Ask
- God won't ask what kind of car you drove, but He'll ask how many people you drove who didn't have transportation.
- God won't ask the square footage of your house, but He'll ask how many people you welcomed into your home.
- God won't ask about the clothes you had in your closet, but He'll ask how many you helped to clothe.
- God won't ask about your social status; He will ask what kind of class you displayed.
- God won't ask how many material possession you had, but He'll ask if they dictated your life.
- God won't ask what your highest salary was, but He'll ask if you compromised your character to obtain it.
- God won't ask how much overtime you worked, but He'll ask if your overtime work was for yourself or for your family.
- God won't ask how many promotions you received, but He'll ask how you promoted others.
- God won't ask what your job title was, but He'll ask if you performed your job to the best of your ability.
- God won't ask what you did to help yourself, but He'll ask what you did to help others.
- God won't ask how many friends you had, but He'll ask how many people to whom you were a friend.
- God won't ask what you did to protect your rights, but He'll ask what you did to protect the rights of others.
- God won't ask in what neighborhood you lived, but He'll ask how you treated your neighbors.
- God won't ask about the color of your skin, but He'll ask about the content of your character.
- God won't ask how many times your deeds matched your words, but He'll ask how many times they didn't.
- God won't ask how many people you forwarded this too, but He'll ask to how many people you didn't because you were too ashamed.
- "Friends are angels who lift us to our feet when our wings have trouble remembering how to fly."
God was Busy; He Sent Me
An atheist professor was teaching a college class and he told the class that he was going to prove that there was not a God.
He said, "God if you are real, then I want you to knock me off this platform. I'll give you 15 minutes!"
Ten minutes went by. He kept taunting God, saying, "Here I am God, I'm still waiting!"
He got down to the last couple of minutes and a BIG 240 pound football player happened to walk by the door and heard what the professor said. The football player walked in the class room and in the last minute, he walked up, hit the professor full force, and sent him flying off the platform. The professor got up, obviously shaken and said, "Where did you come from, and why did you do that?"
The football player replied, "God was busy; He sent me."
He said, "God if you are real, then I want you to knock me off this platform. I'll give you 15 minutes!"
Ten minutes went by. He kept taunting God, saying, "Here I am God, I'm still waiting!"
He got down to the last couple of minutes and a BIG 240 pound football player happened to walk by the door and heard what the professor said. The football player walked in the class room and in the last minute, he walked up, hit the professor full force, and sent him flying off the platform. The professor got up, obviously shaken and said, "Where did you come from, and why did you do that?"
The football player replied, "God was busy; He sent me."
FOOTPRINTS...A New Version
Imagine you and the Lord Jesus are walking down the road together. For much of the way, the Lord's footprints go along steadily, consistently, rarely varying the pace. But your footprints are a disorganized stream of zigzags, starts, stops, turnarounds, circles, departures, and returns. For much of the way, it seems to go like this, but gradually your footprints come more in line with the Lord's, soon paralleling His consistently. You and Jesus are walking as true friends! This seems perfect, but then an interesting thing happens: Your footprints that once etched the sand next to Jesus' are now walking precisely in His steps. Inside His larger footprints are your smaller ones, you and Jesus are becoming one. This goes on for many miles, but gradually you notice another change. The footprints inside the large footprints seem to grow larger. Eventually they disappear altogether. There is only one set of footprints they have become one.This goes on for a long time, but suddenly the second set of footprints is back. This time it seems even worse! Zigzags all over the place. Stops. Starts. Gashes in the sand. A variable mess of prints. You are amazed and shocked.Your dream ends. Now you pray:"Lord, I understand the first scene, with zigzags and fits. I was a new Christian; I was just learning. But You walked on through the storm and helped me learn to walk with You.""That is correct." "And when the smaller footprints were inside of Yours, I was actually learning to walk in Your steps, following You very closely." "Very good.. You have understood everything so far." When the smaller footprints grew and filled in Yours, I suppose that I was becoming like You in every way." "Precisely." "So, Lord, was there a regression or something? The footprints separated, and this time it was worse than at first." There is a pause as the Lord answers, with a smile in His voice. "You didn't know? It was then that we danced!" To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven: A time to weep, a time to laugh, A time to mourn, and a time to dance. Ecclesiastes 3:1,4.
Explain God
This was written by an 8-year-old, Danny Dutton of Chula Vista, CA, for his third-grade homework assignment. The assignment was to explain God. I wonder if any of us could do as well.
One of God's main jobs is making people. He makes them to replace the ones that die, so there will be enough people to take care of things on earth. He doesn't make grown-ups, just babies. I think because they are smaller and easier to make. That way He doesn't have to take up His valuable time teaching them to talk and walk. He can just leave that to mothers and fathers.
God's second most important job is listening to prayers. An awful lot of this goes on, since some people, like preachers and things, pray at times beside bedtime. God doesn't have time to listen to the radio or TV because of this. God sees everything and hears everything and is everywhere which keeps Him pretty busy. So you shouldn't go wasting His time by going over your Mom and Dad's head asking for something they said you couldn't have.
Atheists are people who don't believe in God. I don't think there are any in Chula Vista. At least there aren't any who come to our church.
Jesus is God’s Son. He used to do all the hard work like walking on water and performing miracles and people finally got tired of Him preaching to them and they crucified Him. But He was good and kind, like His Father and He told His Father that they didn't know what they were doing and to forgive them and God said "O.K."
His Dad (God) appreciated everything that He had done and all His hard work on earth so He told Him He didn't have to go out on the road anymore. He could stay in heaven. So He did. And now He helps His Dad out by listening to prayers and seeing things which are important for God to take care of and which ones He can take care of Himself without having to bother God. Like a secretary, only more important. You can pray anytime you want and they are sure to help you because they got it worked out so one of them is on duty all the time.
You should always go to church on Sunday because it makes God happy, and if there's anybody you want to make happy, it's God. Don't skip church to do something you think will be more fun, like going to the beach. This is wrong. And besides, the sun doesn't come out at the beach until noon anyway.
If you don't believe in God, besides being an atheist, you will be very lonely, because your parents can't go everywhere with you, like to camp, but God can. It is good to know He's around you when you're scared in the dark or when you can't swim and you get thrown into real deep water by big kids.
But...you shouldn't just always think of what God can do for you. I figure God put me here to help him, and He can take me back anytime He pleases. And...that's why I believe in God.
--Danny Dutton
One of God's main jobs is making people. He makes them to replace the ones that die, so there will be enough people to take care of things on earth. He doesn't make grown-ups, just babies. I think because they are smaller and easier to make. That way He doesn't have to take up His valuable time teaching them to talk and walk. He can just leave that to mothers and fathers.
God's second most important job is listening to prayers. An awful lot of this goes on, since some people, like preachers and things, pray at times beside bedtime. God doesn't have time to listen to the radio or TV because of this. God sees everything and hears everything and is everywhere which keeps Him pretty busy. So you shouldn't go wasting His time by going over your Mom and Dad's head asking for something they said you couldn't have.
Atheists are people who don't believe in God. I don't think there are any in Chula Vista. At least there aren't any who come to our church.
Jesus is God’s Son. He used to do all the hard work like walking on water and performing miracles and people finally got tired of Him preaching to them and they crucified Him. But He was good and kind, like His Father and He told His Father that they didn't know what they were doing and to forgive them and God said "O.K."
His Dad (God) appreciated everything that He had done and all His hard work on earth so He told Him He didn't have to go out on the road anymore. He could stay in heaven. So He did. And now He helps His Dad out by listening to prayers and seeing things which are important for God to take care of and which ones He can take care of Himself without having to bother God. Like a secretary, only more important. You can pray anytime you want and they are sure to help you because they got it worked out so one of them is on duty all the time.
You should always go to church on Sunday because it makes God happy, and if there's anybody you want to make happy, it's God. Don't skip church to do something you think will be more fun, like going to the beach. This is wrong. And besides, the sun doesn't come out at the beach until noon anyway.
If you don't believe in God, besides being an atheist, you will be very lonely, because your parents can't go everywhere with you, like to camp, but God can. It is good to know He's around you when you're scared in the dark or when you can't swim and you get thrown into real deep water by big kids.
But...you shouldn't just always think of what God can do for you. I figure God put me here to help him, and He can take me back anytime He pleases. And...that's why I believe in God.
--Danny Dutton
Discouraged at Work?
The pressures, the deadlines, the boredom, the difficult people, and the impossible boss: sometimes all of this swirls around us all at once. It’s a common story. I hear it on a regular basis. One or all of these or something else entirely can join forces and suck the life out of us at work. Let’s take a look at how we might be able to avoid the work place discouragement malady that all of us confront on a fairly regular basis.
At the core, when we really think about discouragement and discover what really happens, we find that discouragement really is an “interpretation” problem. Yes, there are some circumstances and events that can trigger discouragement. But often the situation doesn’t change or at least doesn’t change significantly and yet our discouragement factor can rise or fall without much provocation. In fighting discouragement, our primary weapon is the truthful interpretation of our situation.
You see, when we face painful events, hurtful people, setbacks, or anything negative, we are tempted to process those in a way that will lead us into discouragement and despair. Always, but especially in those circumstances that have the potential to plummet us into discouragement it is critical that we keep our focus on the truth. The truth is that if we are Christ followers, there is some One (Jesus Christ) who defines us, not our circumstances. It is not our circumstances but who we are in Christ that is the defining reality of our lives! Let’s seek to always hold foremost in our mind that there is a Kingdom among us and the Kingdom is what gives meaning to our lives. Our place in this Kingdom, the one that God rules is the ultimate and permanent reality. Our place in this Kingdom as beloved children of God himself is what defines us!
The guy who wrote Psalm 121 got this. In the midst of all his trouble, he kept focused on the over-riding reality of his status as one who will be “kept” by God. Psalm 121:7-8 states “The LORD will keep you from all harm—He will watch over your life; the LORD will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.”
This week read the entire Psalm 121 in a couple of different versions. Let it do a tune up on your “life interpretation."
Take this to work this week!
Tuesday, July 27, 2004. This week’s WorkLife Toolbox written by Ed Noble, Teaching Pastor – Journey Community Church, San Diego CA, JourneyatWork.org
At the core, when we really think about discouragement and discover what really happens, we find that discouragement really is an “interpretation” problem. Yes, there are some circumstances and events that can trigger discouragement. But often the situation doesn’t change or at least doesn’t change significantly and yet our discouragement factor can rise or fall without much provocation. In fighting discouragement, our primary weapon is the truthful interpretation of our situation.
You see, when we face painful events, hurtful people, setbacks, or anything negative, we are tempted to process those in a way that will lead us into discouragement and despair. Always, but especially in those circumstances that have the potential to plummet us into discouragement it is critical that we keep our focus on the truth. The truth is that if we are Christ followers, there is some One (Jesus Christ) who defines us, not our circumstances. It is not our circumstances but who we are in Christ that is the defining reality of our lives! Let’s seek to always hold foremost in our mind that there is a Kingdom among us and the Kingdom is what gives meaning to our lives. Our place in this Kingdom, the one that God rules is the ultimate and permanent reality. Our place in this Kingdom as beloved children of God himself is what defines us!
The guy who wrote Psalm 121 got this. In the midst of all his trouble, he kept focused on the over-riding reality of his status as one who will be “kept” by God. Psalm 121:7-8 states “The LORD will keep you from all harm—He will watch over your life; the LORD will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.”
This week read the entire Psalm 121 in a couple of different versions. Let it do a tune up on your “life interpretation."
Take this to work this week!
Tuesday, July 27, 2004. This week’s WorkLife Toolbox written by Ed Noble, Teaching Pastor – Journey Community Church, San Diego CA, JourneyatWork.org
One Day
One day Satan and Jesus were having a conversation. Satan had just come from the Garden of Eden, and he was gloating and boasting.
"Yes, sir, I just caught the world full of people down there. Set me a trap and used bait. I knew they couldn't resist. Got 'em all!"
"What are you going to do with them?" Jesus asked.
Satan replied, "Oh, I'm gonna have fun! I'm gonna teach them how to marry and divorce each other, how to hate and abuse each other, how to drink and smoke and curse. I'm gonna teach them how to invent guns and bombs and kill each other. I'm really gonna have fun!"
"And what will you do when you get done with them?" Jesus asked.
"Oh, I'll kill 'em," Satan glared proudly.
"How much do you want for them?" Jesus asked.
"Oh, you don't want those people. They ain't any good. Why, you'll take them and they'll just hate you. They'll spit on you, curse you and kill you!! You don't want those people!!"
"How much?" He asked again.
Satan looked at Jesus and sneered, "All your tears and all your blood."
Jesus said, "DONE!" Then He paid the price.
Isn't it funny how simple it is for people to trash God and then wonder why the world's going to hell.
Isn't it funny how we believe what the newspapers say, but question what the Bible says.
Isn't it funny how everyone wants to go to heaven provided they do not have to believe, think, say, or do anything the Bible says? Or is it scary?
Isn't it funny how someone can say "I believe in God" but still follow Satan (who, by the way, also "believes" in God).
Isn't it funny how you can send a thousand jokes through e-mail and! They spread like wildfire, but when you start sending messages regarding the Lord, people think twice about sharing.
Isn't it funny how the lewd, crude, vulgar and obscene pass freely through cyberspace, but the public discussion of Jesus is suppressed in the school and workplace?
Isn't it funny how someone can be so fired up for Christ on Sunday, but be an invisible Christian the rest of the week?
Are you laughing?
"Yes, sir, I just caught the world full of people down there. Set me a trap and used bait. I knew they couldn't resist. Got 'em all!"
"What are you going to do with them?" Jesus asked.
Satan replied, "Oh, I'm gonna have fun! I'm gonna teach them how to marry and divorce each other, how to hate and abuse each other, how to drink and smoke and curse. I'm gonna teach them how to invent guns and bombs and kill each other. I'm really gonna have fun!"
"And what will you do when you get done with them?" Jesus asked.
"Oh, I'll kill 'em," Satan glared proudly.
"How much do you want for them?" Jesus asked.
"Oh, you don't want those people. They ain't any good. Why, you'll take them and they'll just hate you. They'll spit on you, curse you and kill you!! You don't want those people!!"
"How much?" He asked again.
Satan looked at Jesus and sneered, "All your tears and all your blood."
Jesus said, "DONE!" Then He paid the price.
Isn't it funny how simple it is for people to trash God and then wonder why the world's going to hell.
Isn't it funny how we believe what the newspapers say, but question what the Bible says.
Isn't it funny how everyone wants to go to heaven provided they do not have to believe, think, say, or do anything the Bible says? Or is it scary?
Isn't it funny how someone can say "I believe in God" but still follow Satan (who, by the way, also "believes" in God).
Isn't it funny how you can send a thousand jokes through e-mail and! They spread like wildfire, but when you start sending messages regarding the Lord, people think twice about sharing.
Isn't it funny how the lewd, crude, vulgar and obscene pass freely through cyberspace, but the public discussion of Jesus is suppressed in the school and workplace?
Isn't it funny how someone can be so fired up for Christ on Sunday, but be an invisible Christian the rest of the week?
Are you laughing?
Dart Test
A young lady named Sally, relates an experience she had in a seminary class, given by her teacher, Dr. Smith. She says that Dr. Smith was known for his elaborate object lessons.
One particular day, Sally walked into the seminary and knew they were in for a fun day.
On the wall was a big target and on a nearby table were many darts. Dr. Smith told the students to draw a picture of someone that they disliked or someone who had made them angry, and he would allow them to throw darts at the person's picture.
Sally's friend drew a picture of who had stolen her boyfriend. Another friend drew a picture of his little brother. Sally drew a picture of a former friend, putting a great deal of detail into her drawing, even drawing pimples on the face. Sally was pleased with the overall effect she had achieved.
The class lined up and began throwing darts. Some of the students threw their darts with such force that their targets were ripping apart. Sally looked forward to her turn, and was filled with disappointment when Dr. Smith, because of time limits, asked the students to return to their seats. As Sally sat thinking about how angry she was because she didn't have a chance to throw any darts at her target. Dr. Smith began removing the target from the wall.
Underneath the target was a picture of Jesus. A hush fell over the room as each student viewed the mangled picture of Jesus; holes and jagged marks covered His face and His eyes were pierced.
Dr. Smith said only these words... "In as much as ye have done it unto the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto Me."
Matthew 25:40.
No other words were necessary; the tears filled eyes of the students focused only on the picture of Christ.
One particular day, Sally walked into the seminary and knew they were in for a fun day.
On the wall was a big target and on a nearby table were many darts. Dr. Smith told the students to draw a picture of someone that they disliked or someone who had made them angry, and he would allow them to throw darts at the person's picture.
Sally's friend drew a picture of who had stolen her boyfriend. Another friend drew a picture of his little brother. Sally drew a picture of a former friend, putting a great deal of detail into her drawing, even drawing pimples on the face. Sally was pleased with the overall effect she had achieved.
The class lined up and began throwing darts. Some of the students threw their darts with such force that their targets were ripping apart. Sally looked forward to her turn, and was filled with disappointment when Dr. Smith, because of time limits, asked the students to return to their seats. As Sally sat thinking about how angry she was because she didn't have a chance to throw any darts at her target. Dr. Smith began removing the target from the wall.
Underneath the target was a picture of Jesus. A hush fell over the room as each student viewed the mangled picture of Jesus; holes and jagged marks covered His face and His eyes were pierced.
Dr. Smith said only these words... "In as much as ye have done it unto the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto Me."
Matthew 25:40.
No other words were necessary; the tears filled eyes of the students focused only on the picture of Christ.
Cowboy in Church
One Sunday morning an old cowboy entered a church just before services were to begin. Although the old man and his clothes were spotlessly clean, he wore jeans, a denim shirt and boots that were very worn and ragged. In his hand he carried a worn out old hat and an equally worn out bible. The church he entered was in a very upscale and exclusive part of the city. It was the largest and most beautiful church the old cowboy had ever seen. The people of the congregation were all dressed with expensive clothes and accessories. As the cowboy took a seat, the others moved away from him. No one greeted, spoke to, or welcomed him. They were all appalled at his appearance and did not attempt to hide it.
The preacher gave a long sermon about Hellfire and brimstone and a stern lecture on how much money the church needed to do God's work. As the old cowboy was leaving the church, the preacher approached him and asked the cowboy to do him a favor. "Before you come back in here again, have a talk with God and ask him what He thinks would be appropriate attire for worship."
The old cowboy assured the preacher he would.
The next Sunday, he showed back up for the services wearing the same ragged jeans, shirt, boots, and hat. Once again he was completely shunned and ignored.
The preacher approached the man and said, "I thought I asked you to speak to God before you came back to our church."
"I did," replied the old cowboy.
"If you spoke to God, what did he tell you the proper attire should be for worshiping in here?" asked the preacher.
"Well, sir, God told me that He didn't have a clue what I should wear. He says He's never been here before."
The preacher gave a long sermon about Hellfire and brimstone and a stern lecture on how much money the church needed to do God's work. As the old cowboy was leaving the church, the preacher approached him and asked the cowboy to do him a favor. "Before you come back in here again, have a talk with God and ask him what He thinks would be appropriate attire for worship."
The old cowboy assured the preacher he would.
The next Sunday, he showed back up for the services wearing the same ragged jeans, shirt, boots, and hat. Once again he was completely shunned and ignored.
The preacher approached the man and said, "I thought I asked you to speak to God before you came back to our church."
"I did," replied the old cowboy.
"If you spoke to God, what did he tell you the proper attire should be for worshiping in here?" asked the preacher.
"Well, sir, God told me that He didn't have a clue what I should wear. He says He's never been here before."
Be Still and Know
If a crowd of people were asked to comment on the words of Psalm 46, "Be still and know that I am God," countless images of God would be reported. Some would see sovereignty, others tyranny. Some would find his words comforting, others challenging, still others harrowing.
Yet God is God, we seem to be reminded in Psalm 46, no matter how we think or speak of Him. We do not affect his sovereignty. This can seem quite tyrannical—if not terrifying—if God is not a God of love. And sadly, this is the oppressive view many hold before them. But on the other side of the argument, that God is God, that He is who He is, is the holiest of all comforts if God's goodness is thoroughly known, as it was by the psalmist. And as G.K. Chesterton noted long after him: we don't want a religion that is right where we are right, but a religion that is right where we are wrong. Sovereignty is comforting when the throne is trustworthy.
In this, Scripture is clear. Great men and rich men and wise men cannot hinder Him from being sovereign or faithful, from being who He is: slow to anger and abounding in love, our refuge, our strength, the breathe and bread of life. To be still and know that this is who is He is a stirring command. The one we meet in stillness is our hopeful sanctuary, the one who "will be exalted among the nations… exalted above the earth" (Ps. 46:10b).
Yet, I believe there is more to take in from such a commanding image. For the one struggling with issues of control, the one grappling with the philosophies of individualism resounding on every corner, in every commercial, in every heart, for the one overwhelmed by fog and self, the psalm seems to yield yet another striking message, "Be still, and allow me to be God."
Interestingly, the original Hebrew expresses a physical element to the instruction of stillness. The word can also be taken as a command to let the body go limp, or to release the grip of a hand. It is instruction to cease striving entirely, to be thoroughly still in the presence of who and what God is. For those of us living within cultures on the move, stillness is complicated if not extinct. As T.S. Eliot inquired, "Where shall the world be found, where will the word resound? Not here, there is not enough silence." Our lack of stillness is all encompassing, upsetting vision, mind, and spirit. In the words A.W. Tozer, "Man has accepted the monstrous heresy that noise, size, activity, and bluster make a man dear to God."
The command of Psalm 46 reminds us of what we have perhaps purposefully forgotten: stillness is necessary. Even Christ himself escaped the crowds to pray in silence to the Father. In stillness we can grasp what is unfathomable—the person and character of God. Through his Word, the Father instructs, "Stop striving, and know that I am who I am.”
The great depths of Psalm 46:10 are a small glimpse of how Scripture is living and active, judging the thoughts and hearts of all. You can glean much about your understanding of God by your reaction to the command to be still and know Him. As with all of Scripture, there is much to be seen, and ultimately, it is Christ who is revealed: "My family" he said, "are those who hear God's word and put it into practice."
His stirring words continue to cry out for obedience: "Be still and know that I am God." That is, cease striving, desist in all of your distractions; exist in stillness before Him. Dynamically search, actively remember, and continually hold before you the reality of who God is, the certainty of his sovereignty, his goodness, his faithfulness, and his love.
Be still and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations. I will be exalted in the earth. Psalm 46:10
Don't Lose Sight of the Goal“I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 3:14
Numerous sources have told the story of Florence Chadwick, who on one foggy morning in July of 1952 waded into the waters off Catalina Island, intent on swimming across the channel to the Southern California mainland. This challenge was not too difficult for Chadwick as she had been the first woman ever to swim the English Channel in both directions.
However, on this day, having lost sight of the land because of the fog, Chadwick decided to give up. As it turned out, she had only been one-half mile from reaching her goal. She was not exhausted or cold. Rather the fog, having obscured her vision from the goal, was the reason she quit. Still, some two months later, on a clear day, Florence Chadwick attempted the same challenge – and this time succeeded, setting a new speed record, because she was able to keep her eye upon the goal.
As Christians, we have a goal: to follow Jesus, to become like Him, to love and serve Him with all of our heart, soul, mind and strength. But, we often encounter the world’s fog, which can obscure our vision and keep us from seeing the goal clearly. I’m afraid too many of us have chosen to give up pursuing the goal because we become distracted by fog – the fog of busyness, of career, of material pursuits, of self-interest. We will all experience foggy days, spiritually speaking. Don’t quit. Persevere. Do your best to keep your eyes focused on Jesus who awaits with reward in hand, at the finish line.
I love the words of that old hymn written by H.H. Lemmel,
Turn your eyes upon Jesus,Look full in His wonderful face;And the things of earth will grow strangely dimIn the light of His glory and grace.
Today, let the fresh breeze of the Holy Spirit’s presence in your life blow away the world’s fog. Fix your eyes upon Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith.
GOING DEEPER:
1. What “fog” exists in your life that obscures your vision and hinders you from following Christ?
2. What actions can you take to regain your clear vision in order to pursue the goal of following Christ? Will you commit those actions to the Lord today?
FURTHER READING:Hebrews 12:2; 2 Timothy 4:7-8; Hebrews 10:36; James 1:12
[“Be Still and Know” by Jill Carattini]
Yet God is God, we seem to be reminded in Psalm 46, no matter how we think or speak of Him. We do not affect his sovereignty. This can seem quite tyrannical—if not terrifying—if God is not a God of love. And sadly, this is the oppressive view many hold before them. But on the other side of the argument, that God is God, that He is who He is, is the holiest of all comforts if God's goodness is thoroughly known, as it was by the psalmist. And as G.K. Chesterton noted long after him: we don't want a religion that is right where we are right, but a religion that is right where we are wrong. Sovereignty is comforting when the throne is trustworthy.
In this, Scripture is clear. Great men and rich men and wise men cannot hinder Him from being sovereign or faithful, from being who He is: slow to anger and abounding in love, our refuge, our strength, the breathe and bread of life. To be still and know that this is who is He is a stirring command. The one we meet in stillness is our hopeful sanctuary, the one who "will be exalted among the nations… exalted above the earth" (Ps. 46:10b).
Yet, I believe there is more to take in from such a commanding image. For the one struggling with issues of control, the one grappling with the philosophies of individualism resounding on every corner, in every commercial, in every heart, for the one overwhelmed by fog and self, the psalm seems to yield yet another striking message, "Be still, and allow me to be God."
Interestingly, the original Hebrew expresses a physical element to the instruction of stillness. The word can also be taken as a command to let the body go limp, or to release the grip of a hand. It is instruction to cease striving entirely, to be thoroughly still in the presence of who and what God is. For those of us living within cultures on the move, stillness is complicated if not extinct. As T.S. Eliot inquired, "Where shall the world be found, where will the word resound? Not here, there is not enough silence." Our lack of stillness is all encompassing, upsetting vision, mind, and spirit. In the words A.W. Tozer, "Man has accepted the monstrous heresy that noise, size, activity, and bluster make a man dear to God."
The command of Psalm 46 reminds us of what we have perhaps purposefully forgotten: stillness is necessary. Even Christ himself escaped the crowds to pray in silence to the Father. In stillness we can grasp what is unfathomable—the person and character of God. Through his Word, the Father instructs, "Stop striving, and know that I am who I am.”
The great depths of Psalm 46:10 are a small glimpse of how Scripture is living and active, judging the thoughts and hearts of all. You can glean much about your understanding of God by your reaction to the command to be still and know Him. As with all of Scripture, there is much to be seen, and ultimately, it is Christ who is revealed: "My family" he said, "are those who hear God's word and put it into practice."
His stirring words continue to cry out for obedience: "Be still and know that I am God." That is, cease striving, desist in all of your distractions; exist in stillness before Him. Dynamically search, actively remember, and continually hold before you the reality of who God is, the certainty of his sovereignty, his goodness, his faithfulness, and his love.
Be still and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations. I will be exalted in the earth. Psalm 46:10
Don't Lose Sight of the Goal“I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 3:14
Numerous sources have told the story of Florence Chadwick, who on one foggy morning in July of 1952 waded into the waters off Catalina Island, intent on swimming across the channel to the Southern California mainland. This challenge was not too difficult for Chadwick as she had been the first woman ever to swim the English Channel in both directions.
However, on this day, having lost sight of the land because of the fog, Chadwick decided to give up. As it turned out, she had only been one-half mile from reaching her goal. She was not exhausted or cold. Rather the fog, having obscured her vision from the goal, was the reason she quit. Still, some two months later, on a clear day, Florence Chadwick attempted the same challenge – and this time succeeded, setting a new speed record, because she was able to keep her eye upon the goal.
As Christians, we have a goal: to follow Jesus, to become like Him, to love and serve Him with all of our heart, soul, mind and strength. But, we often encounter the world’s fog, which can obscure our vision and keep us from seeing the goal clearly. I’m afraid too many of us have chosen to give up pursuing the goal because we become distracted by fog – the fog of busyness, of career, of material pursuits, of self-interest. We will all experience foggy days, spiritually speaking. Don’t quit. Persevere. Do your best to keep your eyes focused on Jesus who awaits with reward in hand, at the finish line.
I love the words of that old hymn written by H.H. Lemmel,
Turn your eyes upon Jesus,Look full in His wonderful face;And the things of earth will grow strangely dimIn the light of His glory and grace.
Today, let the fresh breeze of the Holy Spirit’s presence in your life blow away the world’s fog. Fix your eyes upon Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith.
GOING DEEPER:
1. What “fog” exists in your life that obscures your vision and hinders you from following Christ?
2. What actions can you take to regain your clear vision in order to pursue the goal of following Christ? Will you commit those actions to the Lord today?
FURTHER READING:Hebrews 12:2; 2 Timothy 4:7-8; Hebrews 10:36; James 1:12
[“Be Still and Know” by Jill Carattini]
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