Last March our family made the trip to DisneyWorld outside Orlando, Florida. The trip was phenomenal. We stayed in a Disney property overlooking a savannah created specifically for certain African animals. Our baggage magically appeared in our rooms upon arrival. At breakfast we were greeted with incredible choices for food. The buses for the parks made sure we never had to worry about transportation. Food was always available with the swipe of our Disney Passport card (room key/meal ticket/park tickets).
Every staffer greeted us with a smile and in the appropriate culture represented by their area (save a rambunctious waitress who demanded I try my dessert before signing my lunch bill). The park is kept immaculately clean and everyone, even the guests, act like they are the nicest people in the world. Our entire trip was simply amazing.
Our arrival at the airport for the return trip jolted us back to reality. People were as rude as ever. The sunburned faces of fellow tourists scowled at us from under their Goofy hats and Mickey/Minnie ears. My phone rang with work encroaching on the last precious moments of my vacation. I realized immediately life isn't DisneyWorld.
Life does not magically all work out. Life is not your friend. Life magically loses your bags on the way to your crummy hotel with bad food, dirty sheets, rude desk clerks and obnoxious neighbors. Life punches you in the gut, pokes you in the eye, kicks you in the knee and laughs in your face on the ground. Life is dirty. Life is hard. Life is far from fair.
So it's hard for us, who know just what life is, to take Jesus seriously when He says, "I came to bring you life, and life more abundant." Really, Jesus, I've found myself thinking. More of the same? Or better yet, an overflowing abundance of the same mess?
Jesus wants us to experience life unlike the life of earth. Heaven will be worth the wait. The streets will be translucent gold. The people friendly and filled with awe and joy. The food will be exquisite. And they won't lose your luggage because you can't take any with you.
Some are tempted to say DisneyWorld is like heaven. It may well be...just without the cartoon characters.
Thursday, February 9, 2012
Monday, February 6, 2012
Sound Advice
Too many people think their own advice is the best advice. I've fallen into the same trap before. We like to think we know what's best and everyone else should think, act or believe like we do. Actually the best advice I could give you is develop a broad network of sound advisors. They should challenge you to think of different approaches, angles and perspectives. They should lead you closer to God and Scripture, not away from it. You should disagree at times with true advisors. (Healthy disagreement is important to development.) Your advisors should not just tell you your the greatest and your idea is always the best. They need to be given rein to honestly address your questions and weaknesses.
"A wise man will hear and increase learning, and a man of understanding will attain wise counsel, to understand a proverb and an enigma, the words of the wise and their riddles. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction." (Proverbs 1:5-7)
The more perspective you gain from others the better your decisions will be.
"A wise man will hear and increase learning, and a man of understanding will attain wise counsel, to understand a proverb and an enigma, the words of the wise and their riddles. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction." (Proverbs 1:5-7)
The more perspective you gain from others the better your decisions will be.
Saturday, February 4, 2012
Beatitudinal Adjustment: The Merciful
"Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy." -Matthew 5:7
Every theologian and writer begins their analysis of the fifth Beatitude by drawing from Psalm 41:1. The psalmist writes, "Happy is he who helps the poor, for the LORD will deliver him when he is in trouble." (Clear Word) Jesus speaks directly to those of means on the mount and tells them they would be blessed, be happy, if they look after the needy. Jesus doesn't only mean financially poor, though.
There are people who are morally bankrupt which need direction and encouragement to be deposited. There are people whose health fails them and they require patient care and love from those around them. There are people who are uneducated which need the careful instruction in the way of life. And certainly there are folks who cannot provide for themselves who need a hand providing the simplest of things for their existence.
At times we become callous and skeptical of those who continually ask for help. We have given and not received in return. We have been taken advantage of and it left a foul taste in our mouths. Our oath has been made to not be used again. But God has other ideas regarding the poor.
"Give to everyone who asks of you. And from him who takes away your goods do not ask them back." (Luke 6:30) Jesus doesn't limit our generosity to those we love or even to those we know. Everyone in need is the recipient of our help. We aren't supposed to decide whether they are worthy of our help. We are not charged with searching out their motives (although as a faithful steward I sometimes wonder if we shouldn't conduct at least a little due diligence). We are charged with giving. God's concern is a cheerful, giving heart.
Christ talks of storing our treasures in heaven and Proverbs tells you how to direct deposit for eternity. "He who has pity on the poor lends to the Lord, and He will pay back what he has given." (Proverbs 19:17 NKJV) God is faithful with His return of merciful gifts.
My thought is this: Give freely, whether mercy or money, compassion or coins, forgiveness or fruit baskets; you never know when you will be the one asking for mercy.
Every theologian and writer begins their analysis of the fifth Beatitude by drawing from Psalm 41:1. The psalmist writes, "Happy is he who helps the poor, for the LORD will deliver him when he is in trouble." (Clear Word) Jesus speaks directly to those of means on the mount and tells them they would be blessed, be happy, if they look after the needy. Jesus doesn't only mean financially poor, though.
There are people who are morally bankrupt which need direction and encouragement to be deposited. There are people whose health fails them and they require patient care and love from those around them. There are people who are uneducated which need the careful instruction in the way of life. And certainly there are folks who cannot provide for themselves who need a hand providing the simplest of things for their existence.
At times we become callous and skeptical of those who continually ask for help. We have given and not received in return. We have been taken advantage of and it left a foul taste in our mouths. Our oath has been made to not be used again. But God has other ideas regarding the poor.
"Give to everyone who asks of you. And from him who takes away your goods do not ask them back." (Luke 6:30) Jesus doesn't limit our generosity to those we love or even to those we know. Everyone in need is the recipient of our help. We aren't supposed to decide whether they are worthy of our help. We are not charged with searching out their motives (although as a faithful steward I sometimes wonder if we shouldn't conduct at least a little due diligence). We are charged with giving. God's concern is a cheerful, giving heart.
Christ talks of storing our treasures in heaven and Proverbs tells you how to direct deposit for eternity. "He who has pity on the poor lends to the Lord, and He will pay back what he has given." (Proverbs 19:17 NKJV) God is faithful with His return of merciful gifts.
My thought is this: Give freely, whether mercy or money, compassion or coins, forgiveness or fruit baskets; you never know when you will be the one asking for mercy.
Thursday, February 2, 2012
Redeeming the Time
My past is full of wasted time. Not from developing relationships which no longer exists; I learned from those. Not from studying for tests I no longer remember; it has to be in my brain somewhere. But I have wasted my time preparing for things which do not matter. I have spent hours worrying about something God was in control of in the first place.
When God opens our blind eyes we begin to realize the time we have wasted. He shines light on our darkness and asks us to pay attention. "See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Therefore, do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is." (Ephesians 5:15-17)
My time should be spent preparing for the culture of heaven and encouraging others to do the same. Changing my behavior is not something I am able to do myself. But God is willing to redeem the time I have used to avoid the change. God places peace in my heart about the change. God helps me make better decisions for my future than I've made in the past.
Don't be foolish. Don't be turned off by the false Christian experience of others. Be wise and redeem the time by letting God show you the culture of heaven in your life today.
When God opens our blind eyes we begin to realize the time we have wasted. He shines light on our darkness and asks us to pay attention. "See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Therefore, do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is." (Ephesians 5:15-17)
My time should be spent preparing for the culture of heaven and encouraging others to do the same. Changing my behavior is not something I am able to do myself. But God is willing to redeem the time I have used to avoid the change. God places peace in my heart about the change. God helps me make better decisions for my future than I've made in the past.
Don't be foolish. Don't be turned off by the false Christian experience of others. Be wise and redeem the time by letting God show you the culture of heaven in your life today.
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
Deep and Wide
You probably grew up singing about a fountain flowing deep and wide. That fountain, though not explicit, is the fountain of grace. Did you know why we need a fountain grace to flow deep and wide? Because of the depth and width of our selfishness.
The vein of narcissism runs deep and wide through our core. We are born with a streak of darkness and sin so deep only a deeper and wider fountain of grace can overcome it.
"Moreover the law entered that offense might abound. But where sin abounded, grace abounded much more,..." (Romans 5:20)
The valley of our selfishness is nowhere near as deep as the valley of grace. The chasm of our narcissism is nowhere near as wide as the bridge of mercy.
"For as the heavens are high above the earth, so great is His mercy toward those who fear Him; as far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us." (Psalm103:11,12)
God's forgiveness is deeper than deep, wider than wide.
The vein of narcissism runs deep and wide through our core. We are born with a streak of darkness and sin so deep only a deeper and wider fountain of grace can overcome it.
"Moreover the law entered that offense might abound. But where sin abounded, grace abounded much more,..." (Romans 5:20)
The valley of our selfishness is nowhere near as deep as the valley of grace. The chasm of our narcissism is nowhere near as wide as the bridge of mercy.
"For as the heavens are high above the earth, so great is His mercy toward those who fear Him; as far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us." (Psalm103:11,12)
God's forgiveness is deeper than deep, wider than wide.
Monday, January 30, 2012
Pure Words
"Every word of God is pure; He is a shield to those who put their trust in Him. Do not add to His words, lest He rebuke you, and you be found a liar." -Proverbs 30:5,6
Responding to people in haste or in anger means we make mistakes. Speaking in anger or haste about Scripture means our mistakes are even greater. When we speak as Christians we must realize the weight of our words and what they say about the Savior we claim to follow. Would your words represent the Jesus of the Bible? Mine don't always give a strong witness of His character.
When I became a pastor I realized something much too late: Your words carry far more weight than you realize (especially as a pastor). We should be careful what we say. Some people will count your words on par with Scripture because they know you're a Christian. Don't be flippant with your words. Don't take this lightly.
When you give advice or counsel your words should mirror Scripture. When your friends ask what you think of the world or their troubles, reference Scripture. If you realize you don't know Scripture well enough to correctly use it, you better start reading your Bible. God will give you the mind and appetite for the Word.
If we think we're quoting Scripture or understand the mystery of Godliness but we haven't actually searched the Bible ourselves we can be sure we are farther off than we think. Stop speaking words you choose yourself and start speaking the pure words of God found in Scripture. Stop making mistakes and lying in the eyes of God. Let God speak for Himself through you.
Responding to people in haste or in anger means we make mistakes. Speaking in anger or haste about Scripture means our mistakes are even greater. When we speak as Christians we must realize the weight of our words and what they say about the Savior we claim to follow. Would your words represent the Jesus of the Bible? Mine don't always give a strong witness of His character.
When I became a pastor I realized something much too late: Your words carry far more weight than you realize (especially as a pastor). We should be careful what we say. Some people will count your words on par with Scripture because they know you're a Christian. Don't be flippant with your words. Don't take this lightly.
When you give advice or counsel your words should mirror Scripture. When your friends ask what you think of the world or their troubles, reference Scripture. If you realize you don't know Scripture well enough to correctly use it, you better start reading your Bible. God will give you the mind and appetite for the Word.
If we think we're quoting Scripture or understand the mystery of Godliness but we haven't actually searched the Bible ourselves we can be sure we are farther off than we think. Stop speaking words you choose yourself and start speaking the pure words of God found in Scripture. Stop making mistakes and lying in the eyes of God. Let God speak for Himself through you.
Sunday, January 29, 2012
The Blight of Sin
Watching the pain of sin in the lives of those we love can be discouraging. Family members riddled with cancer, friends suffering the final stages of AIDS, children living with birth defects. Just this week a candidate for the Republican presidential nomination left the campaign trail to spend time with his daughter who was hospitalized from complications of Trisomy-18.
God does not wish any should die. Nor does He plan for anyone to experience cancer or AIDS or birth defects. The people in Christ's day believed sickness and suffering was the punishment of God. People today still seem to think that way about certain diseases.
But God has a time appointed for judgment. Yes, the consequences of sin in our physical bodies may be felt. Yes, we may carry disease or defects, but not because God is angry or no longer loves us. They are the result of a choice made in a garden long ago and the compounding choices which followed.
God loves His children. Through pain and suffering, death and disease, defects and disasters, Jesus woos us. He remains close to comfort us. He gives us courage in the face of sin. He redeems us in the midst of darkness.
Don't let the blight of sin pull you from the arms of Christ. Don't let "Christians" tell you God is punishing you because of the consequences of sin. Jesus loves you and redeems you in the midst of your darkness.
God does not wish any should die. Nor does He plan for anyone to experience cancer or AIDS or birth defects. The people in Christ's day believed sickness and suffering was the punishment of God. People today still seem to think that way about certain diseases.
But God has a time appointed for judgment. Yes, the consequences of sin in our physical bodies may be felt. Yes, we may carry disease or defects, but not because God is angry or no longer loves us. They are the result of a choice made in a garden long ago and the compounding choices which followed.
God loves His children. Through pain and suffering, death and disease, defects and disasters, Jesus woos us. He remains close to comfort us. He gives us courage in the face of sin. He redeems us in the midst of darkness.
Don't let the blight of sin pull you from the arms of Christ. Don't let "Christians" tell you God is punishing you because of the consequences of sin. Jesus loves you and redeems you in the midst of your darkness.
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