I am taking a little side trip today. I actually have more than one idea for blogs today, strangely enough. But I was struck by how our expectations can set us up for either a fall or for blessings. Our expectations really seem to come out of our world view. In the West, especially the US, we seem to have this expectation that life is going to be easy for us. Even our president seems to think that life should be safe, and all of us should be able to have affordable healthcare. In fact some seem to think that our government's job is to prevent anything bad from happening, to make sure we have a home and that we feel good about ourselves.
My main point though is that by having expectations that we will get what we think we need or what we want, or that we should get what we want, or that we are some how deserving of these things sets us up for disappointment, delusion or possibly a sense of entitlement. The truth is that there is no guarantee that we will get anything in this life. Jesus did however say that we should expect difficulties in this life.
When we think somehow that we are deserving of good things, or the things we want, we set ourselves up to be disappointed and/or depressed. The major part of the world suffers all kinds of problems; famine, brutal attacks by thugs and brigands, lives without many creature comforts at all. These people don't necessarily enjoy such lives, but they accept that is part of their lot. All they can do is work to make what little corner they have better. They realize that there are many things out of their control. They can only control those things that are in front of them. They make the best with what they have.
But there are some in the west who get this and I think This Video really says it better than I can - Enjoy!
Thursday, January 17, 2013
Friday, January 11, 2013
The Purpose of Life Part I (Blog #3 of 100)
On New Year's Day I wrote an article on making and keeping goals/resolutions. However I think making goals and resolutions without understanding who you are and why you are here is well, a bit pointless. It's only when we understand our purpose in life that we can begin to set goals for our selves that are purposeful or useful. Too often we look at other people, they appear successful and we think we are missing something and if we could just set a few goals for ourselves then we too could be "successful" But even as I write these words, I realize how big of a topic I am trying to feed you. I will likely have to break this up into a series of articles. But as always with all of my writings, take them with a grain of salt. Be a good Berean ; don't swallow it whole. Chew on it a bit and compare it to scripture and pray over it. I don't claim to be the fount of all knowledge, but I do believe I have been given insight into a variety of topics and I want to share what I have learned and what I am learning with you.
Maslow's hierarchy of needs seems to identify or suggest that there are different level's of human existence. I cannot say that I fully understand or agree with Maslow's theory, but I believe he has identified something that tells us that every person is both influenced by the world around them as well as their own basic physical, emotional and intellectual needs. I might add that we humans who are spiritual creatures have the ability to transcend our basic human needs. I firmly believe that, in part, understanding our purpose allows us to transcend our limited existence. Unlike Maslow who based his observations upon the "top 1%" of humanity, I would say that my theories apply to the greater human experience. One thing I think cripples our understanding is our limited thinking. Most westerners tend to see things through the eyes of the west. My experience is a bit more expansive in that I have visited countries in Asia and Africa and studied (not professionally but more as a student of human behavior - a people watcher) how people behave. I am not a trained psychologist or sociologist but I think I am observant enough to understand what I am seeing.
I will warn you that my premise for this series of articles will be looking at humans as created objects/organism. In that creation the Creator had purpose. My desire is to explore some of the possible purposes and sub-purposes humans might have been created for. But I also want to examine what we have become. To that end I want to explore some of the aspects/forms of human existence.
What makes us human
Even as I have being chewing on this myself and thinking what I might say and how it might be said, a number of ideas have occurred to me. Different people have different ideas about what makes us human. Some evolutionary psychologists see us merely as a highly "evolved" animal, but still that is what they say we are; an animal with an apposing thumb and self-awareness. In this theory of humans we are merely slaves to needs of our self-serving mitochondria which are programmed by our DNA. There is no mind; only the brain. Our highly "evolved" brain allows us to be very adaptable and thus set us up to be the dominant species on the planet. I don't subscribe to such a belief but I will not cast this out completely. We do have a very developed brain; One might even say that it is well designed. (Note: my primary thrust it not do argue against evolution, however I do not subscribe to the idea that somehow we are all evolving into something better or more adapted from the primordial slime). I will however suggest that we as humans can live at different levels or in various aspects/forms of human existence.Maslow's hierarchy of needs seems to identify or suggest that there are different level's of human existence. I cannot say that I fully understand or agree with Maslow's theory, but I believe he has identified something that tells us that every person is both influenced by the world around them as well as their own basic physical, emotional and intellectual needs. I might add that we humans who are spiritual creatures have the ability to transcend our basic human needs. I firmly believe that, in part, understanding our purpose allows us to transcend our limited existence. Unlike Maslow who based his observations upon the "top 1%" of humanity, I would say that my theories apply to the greater human experience. One thing I think cripples our understanding is our limited thinking. Most westerners tend to see things through the eyes of the west. My experience is a bit more expansive in that I have visited countries in Asia and Africa and studied (not professionally but more as a student of human behavior - a people watcher) how people behave. I am not a trained psychologist or sociologist but I think I am observant enough to understand what I am seeing.
I will warn you that my premise for this series of articles will be looking at humans as created objects/organism. In that creation the Creator had purpose. My desire is to explore some of the possible purposes and sub-purposes humans might have been created for. But I also want to examine what we have become. To that end I want to explore some of the aspects/forms of human existence.
Aspects of Human Existence
I would like to suggest to you that there are at least 5 kinds of or aspects to human existence: The Human Animal; The Human Collector; The Human Intellectual; The Person of Faith and The Human Transcendent. Each level has a different understanding of what their purpose is. Each level experiences a certain amount of paradigm blindness, which to say that they have difficulty understanding or accepting views or understanding different from each of their own. To help define these different aspects I will explore and suggest a number of key elements which will help define each of these aspects.
- How self is viewed
- How others are viewed
- How possessions are viewed
- How the future is viewed
- How knowledge is viewed
- How right and wrong is viewed
- How do they feel "Alive!"
- How do they view threats
- How do they view popular things
In the articles that follow I plan on exploring these aspects/forms of being human:
- The Human Animal (I am what I need or want)
- The Human Collector (I am what I have and do)
- The Human Intellectual (I am what I think or what I know)
- The Person of Faith (I am what I believe)
- The Human Transcendent (I am more that I can think or imagine)
I do not view these aspects or forms as being completely distinct for each other, rather I seem them as modes that we can move in depending upon a great variety of factors. They are not mutually exclusive and one aspect can overlap with one or more of the others, or I should say that were we are in our life can be at a place where there is blending of these aspects. I see it as a kind of Venn diagram and where we are in our understanding and life experience locates us with in one or more of these aspects.
I will pick up on this in the next article.
P.S. if you think I missed a number (2 of 100) I have other blogs I post in. 2 of 100 was posted on my Preacher Al's Paradoxes blog
P.S. if you think I missed a number (2 of 100) I have other blogs I post in. 2 of 100 was posted on my Preacher Al's Paradoxes blog
Wednesday, January 2, 2013
My Goals for this year
I just realized that I had not posted my goals for this year hear on Blogger. My Facebook friends will already know this. My goal for this year, in the realm of writing, is to write 100 or more articles on my Preacher Al Blog, and some of my other blogs like Preacher Al's Paradoxes. I want to accomplish this by Christmas of this year. Additionally I want to write out at least 6 courses in theology or Bible studies during the same period.
For me this is a bit of a challenge as I was the student who always hated English as a course in High School. I disliked writing. I think it was mostly because of lack of personal discipline. So now I am trying to discipline myself to write every day with a goal in mind.
I truly believed that God has granted me insight in to a number of Biblical, Theological and Life themes. Actually for me all these concepts blend in my mind. Its like a Venn Diagram; everything overlaps. Sometimes our Greek (western) makes us think we need to keep all these things separate. Its as if we keep all things religious separate from the rest of our lives. This is double mindedness in my thinking. I think we need to find a way to make all things spiritual part of our daily life. So come with me as I explore different aspects of the life of faith. A life that Christ has give us that we might live it to the full.
Blessings
Alan
For me this is a bit of a challenge as I was the student who always hated English as a course in High School. I disliked writing. I think it was mostly because of lack of personal discipline. So now I am trying to discipline myself to write every day with a goal in mind.
I truly believed that God has granted me insight in to a number of Biblical, Theological and Life themes. Actually for me all these concepts blend in my mind. Its like a Venn Diagram; everything overlaps. Sometimes our Greek (western) makes us think we need to keep all these things separate. Its as if we keep all things religious separate from the rest of our lives. This is double mindedness in my thinking. I think we need to find a way to make all things spiritual part of our daily life. So come with me as I explore different aspects of the life of faith. A life that Christ has give us that we might live it to the full.
Blessings
Alan
Making Resolutions for the New Year (1 of 100)
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On the one hand, I am really not all about making resolutions for the next year. Why should this date of January 1 be the driving force in my life? If I see something in me that needs to be changed, then I should take steps to make the necessary change occur, regardless of the date on the calender. But even having said this, If a new year it was gives you hope for new beginnings, then go for it. But I would like to suggest a few things to help you make changes.
1. Set goals for your self. A goal is that thing you can fix your eyes or your heart on and continually strive towards. Jesus had the cross before him. He set his eyes and heart on it (not just as the cross but as the hope of our salvation) and didn't let anyone or any thing dissuade him from it. I have been taught that goals should have these qualities:
In Him,
Alan
On the one hand, I am really not all about making resolutions for the next year. Why should this date of January 1 be the driving force in my life? If I see something in me that needs to be changed, then I should take steps to make the necessary change occur, regardless of the date on the calender. But even having said this, If a new year it was gives you hope for new beginnings, then go for it. But I would like to suggest a few things to help you make changes.
1. Set goals for your self. A goal is that thing you can fix your eyes or your heart on and continually strive towards. Jesus had the cross before him. He set his eyes and heart on it (not just as the cross but as the hope of our salvation) and didn't let anyone or any thing dissuade him from it. I have been taught that goals should have these qualities:
A. They should be doable. Don't set some pie in the sky goal for yourself that you can not achieve. But even so, a goal can be doable while being quite difficult. If you find value in achieving it you will be motivated to complete it.
B. It should be measurable or in other words, you should know when you have accomplished it. If you say I want to be thinner, then you should have some way of knowing you have achieved it. "I want to fit into a such and such size article of clothing."
C. Your goals should be timely. You need a time-frame to see it accomplished within. This could be a date on the calender - "... by Valentine's Day" or it could be a with in a specific time (with in the next 90 days). But whatever goals you are setting for yourself you should be thinking of a time (and place) where you want to see them accomplished
D. I would had a fourth item as a Christian. These goals should not be set merely to please yourself or to fit in better in this world. As Christians our goals should reflect our knowledge of God. They should reflect his love, his mercy, his holiness. I truly believe that our goals should bring us closer in our relationships with God and with others. Not to gain people's acceptance or even feel better about ourselves but to create an environment around us that fosters greater reflection of God at work in our lives.
E. I would also add that our goals should not be presumptive. We should be praying to know God's will in our lives. Sometimes its obvious. If we are using our bodies to do evil, then we need to stop and use them instead to glorify God. But sometimes there are things that seem right to us, but are not God's will for us. A simple way we can do this is to pray "God if it be your will, I am going to do..." At least this way there is a semblance of wanting to do God's will in our lives.
2. Keep these goals before you. It doesn't do any good to make good goals for your self which are doable, measurable and timely if you don't keep them ever present in your mind and life. I would like to suggest the following to help you do that.B. It should be measurable or in other words, you should know when you have accomplished it. If you say I want to be thinner, then you should have some way of knowing you have achieved it. "I want to fit into a such and such size article of clothing."
C. Your goals should be timely. You need a time-frame to see it accomplished within. This could be a date on the calender - "... by Valentine's Day" or it could be a with in a specific time (with in the next 90 days). But whatever goals you are setting for yourself you should be thinking of a time (and place) where you want to see them accomplished
D. I would had a fourth item as a Christian. These goals should not be set merely to please yourself or to fit in better in this world. As Christians our goals should reflect our knowledge of God. They should reflect his love, his mercy, his holiness. I truly believe that our goals should bring us closer in our relationships with God and with others. Not to gain people's acceptance or even feel better about ourselves but to create an environment around us that fosters greater reflection of God at work in our lives.
E. I would also add that our goals should not be presumptive. We should be praying to know God's will in our lives. Sometimes its obvious. If we are using our bodies to do evil, then we need to stop and use them instead to glorify God. But sometimes there are things that seem right to us, but are not God's will for us. A simple way we can do this is to pray "God if it be your will, I am going to do..." At least this way there is a semblance of wanting to do God's will in our lives.
A. Post your goals somewhere where you will see them; on the refrigerator, on the mirror or as a reminder that pops up on your computer, smart phone or electronic pad. There are lots of apps and software that can help you with that. I keep by goals before me by having a daily reminder go off on my phone (note: if you fail to act on the reminder it will just become an annoyance in your day - that has been my experience)
B. Break your goals down in to easier bites (sub-goals). There is a saying that goes, "How do you eat and elephant?" The answer, "One bite at a time." Even the most difficult goals can be accomplished when they are broken down in to smaller easier achievable goals. But the rule remains for these smaller goals they must be doable while somewhat challenging, measurable and timely.
C. Memorize them and regularly repeat them to yourself. This way they become part of you and your vision for the future. They are not merely something you do to achieve some end, but rather a pattern of living.
D. Periodically examine your progress on your goals. Find a time that you will remember like the first Monday of the month, that last Friday, or more frequently if you feel the need. An more helpful way is to have an accountability partner. If you have someone you know that you will have to report to you will be more inclined or motivated to make progress. If you can find a group of like minded people you can for a group whose goals will be to help each other achieve their life's goals/purpose.
3. Do not become discouraged when you fail to achieve your goals. When you are attempting something that is challenging chances are that you are going to make mistakes. Change is difficult; it can even be painful. Don't give up when it gets difficult or you fail. Human beings are creatures of habit. When you have a way of life or a pattern of thinking that is deeply ingrained in you, it is not completely unexpected that you might fall back into your old patterns. When this happens just take the following steps.B. Break your goals down in to easier bites (sub-goals). There is a saying that goes, "How do you eat and elephant?" The answer, "One bite at a time." Even the most difficult goals can be accomplished when they are broken down in to smaller easier achievable goals. But the rule remains for these smaller goals they must be doable while somewhat challenging, measurable and timely.
C. Memorize them and regularly repeat them to yourself. This way they become part of you and your vision for the future. They are not merely something you do to achieve some end, but rather a pattern of living.
D. Periodically examine your progress on your goals. Find a time that you will remember like the first Monday of the month, that last Friday, or more frequently if you feel the need. An more helpful way is to have an accountability partner. If you have someone you know that you will have to report to you will be more inclined or motivated to make progress. If you can find a group of like minded people you can for a group whose goals will be to help each other achieve their life's goals/purpose.
A. Admit your mistake. In John's first epistle in the first chapter we are told that anyone who thinks they are without sin (perfect) deceives themselves. This scripture doesn't say to beat yourself up or to be angry of discouraged. It merely tells us to "confess" which in this case means to agree with God that we blew it.
B. Accept God's forgiveness. God's grace is not based upon our performance, but it does expect us to return to him and after admitting our failings, to accept his forgiveness. Some say we need to forgive ourselves - if that works for you, you can try that path, but for me, if God has forgiven me through the Blood of Jesus, then how could my forgiveness exceed that?
C. Ask for God's help in faith. God' has your best in mind (not as we might perceive it). So if we are striving to live the life He has ordained for us, then we should expect his help. I have heard it said, that God does not call the equipped (the prepared, good, right), rather He equips (provides for, helps) those He calls (the ones He has foreordained to serve Him).
D. Get up and get going again. Don't let failure stop you from trying again. You may need to evaluate your efforts to see if they are getting the desired results, but then when you do the right thing in God's eyes, you may not see immediate results in your own attitudes or in the reactions of those around you. We are called the race as if to win. We have all seen those athletes who have fallen only to get up and go on to win. Failure only remains failure when you sit down and refuse to get back up. Getting back up is the only way you will achieve your goal after you have stumbled and fallen.
I pray that this year will be a year of successes for you as you strive toward the upward call of Christ in your life.B. Accept God's forgiveness. God's grace is not based upon our performance, but it does expect us to return to him and after admitting our failings, to accept his forgiveness. Some say we need to forgive ourselves - if that works for you, you can try that path, but for me, if God has forgiven me through the Blood of Jesus, then how could my forgiveness exceed that?
C. Ask for God's help in faith. God' has your best in mind (not as we might perceive it). So if we are striving to live the life He has ordained for us, then we should expect his help. I have heard it said, that God does not call the equipped (the prepared, good, right), rather He equips (provides for, helps) those He calls (the ones He has foreordained to serve Him).
D. Get up and get going again. Don't let failure stop you from trying again. You may need to evaluate your efforts to see if they are getting the desired results, but then when you do the right thing in God's eyes, you may not see immediate results in your own attitudes or in the reactions of those around you. We are called the race as if to win. We have all seen those athletes who have fallen only to get up and go on to win. Failure only remains failure when you sit down and refuse to get back up. Getting back up is the only way you will achieve your goal after you have stumbled and fallen.
In Him,
Alan
Sunday, December 23, 2012
Dealing with unforgiveness
In the Gospels we have a number of quotes from Jesus that should give us all pause when we say things like, "God (or I) could never or should never forgive so and so for what they did." The first scripture that comes to mind it from Matthew chapter six immediately following "The Lord's Prayer". It says that when we do not forgive our brothers (or sisters for that matter) then God will not forgive us! Yikes, in my book that is reason alone to always forgive.
Maybe be its easier if you have failed in a big way; if you have committed one or more of the big ten. And maybe it's harder when you have not overtly committed one of the great sins. But In Jesus words, if you will excuse my paraphrase, "If you thought it, you did it." The person who looks at another person with lust in their heart is guilty of either adultery, if they are married, or fornication. Pretty serious sins. He also tells us that if we hate someone then we are guilty of murder. So if you think you are sinless or that your sins don't count as much as those of a murder, fornicator, homosexual or adulterer, then think again.
The cost of sin is death. All of us have sinned an fall short of the glory of God. All of us need the saving power of God's grace and Jesus' blood. But actually at this point I am more concerned about those people who don't think that God can forgive them, or that think that they cannot forgive another. According to Jesus there is only one sin that cannot be forgiven; blaspheming the Holy Spirit. I think that most people do not know how to do that, but there are some out there treading on it by claiming that speaking in tongues (strange languages) is of the devil. Now putting that aside I might ask if it is possible for people to so far as to become unforgivable. I would say no.
In a conversation with Peter beginning in Matthew 18:21 the topic comes up to about forgiveness. Peter being super-spiritual asks, "How many times shall I forgive my brother up to 7 times?" Jesus response is, "Not seven times but seventy times seven." Now I am not a legalist. I do not take it to mean that Jesus was saying that we only need to forgive someone 490 times. I take it as hyperbola. It is a way of saying, "Always forgive!" When I think that here our Lord is telling us that we must always forgive someone when they sin against us, I am left to wonder what is God's position on forgiveness. If we must always forgive others, then I am left with believing that God will always forgive us, when we come to Him earnestly asking for forgiveness.
The Hebrews saw God as The God who forgives all our sins and heals all our diseases (Ps. 103:3). So even in the OT the people of God saw YHVH as the God who will always forgive. In John's first epistle we are told, first that anyone who says they are without sin is a liar. We all need God's forgiveness. But then he goes on to tell us that if we confess our sins, (which is to say be in agreement with God that we have in fact committed a sin) then God is faithful and just and will forgive us of our sins and cleanse us of all unrighteousness. Those are pretty powerful words. And I must ask myself how must I respond to them?
I am left with the conclusion that God doesn't want to hold anything against me. So long as I am willing to fess up and admit that I have sinned and ask for His forgiveness, He is willing to forgive me.
What what about those people who are perpetually sinning. People who are addicted to pornography, sex, drugs, alcohol or any number of other life dominating behavior patterns? Can such a person receive again and again, God's forgiveness? I must say yes. First if God requires us to repeatedly forgive others, then He too must be willing to forgive anyone and every one. Whatever God asks us to do, is in line with His will and His character. Now there may be consequences for such behavior, much as there is a consequence for putting your hand in a fire. But I have seen people who spent most of their young adult lives, using drugs and alcohol, who have been fornicators and who have repeatedly stolen from their families to pay for their addictions be forgiven and healed even of things like AIDS.
The problem is, is that there are schemes of the enemy in place, set to entrap us, to take advantage of our weaknesses so that we will be held captive to sin and not see the fullness of Gods redemption. Now I cannot say that I know all the theology behind this; why it is that some people find it easy to be free of sinful habits and for other's it is a life long struggle? Some blame it on generational curses. Others blame it on strongholds in our lives. Whatever the case, some people just seem to struggle more than others until the root of it is found and pulled out.
I have seen multiple methods employed to get to the source of these people's problems. I have seen people set free only to be sucked back into the same web of sin and condemnation. I have recognized the enemy's one-two punch of temptation followed up with the double cross of condemnation. I have also seen people who have been deeply hurt by loved ones. This can be one of the hardest things to overcome. Children whose trust was betrayed by parents or close family friends or members. I have seen wives and husbands betrayed or abused by their spouses. For many the cycle goes on and on; abuse, forgiveness followed by further abuse. But whatever the case, from what I have seen the only path to healing for those sinned against is through forgiveness.
I don't mean to say that someone must continue to subject themselves to abuse, but at the same time, I am saying that no matter the hurt, we must work to not repay the sin but rather to forgive the one who has sinned against us.
Jesus forgave those who crucified him while he hung on the cross and doing so demonstrated to us how we are to deal with those who hurt us. As his followers we are called to become more and more like him. To lay down our preconceived notions of fairness and the right to retribution and instead bless those who curse us and pray for the benefit of those who mistreat us. We must also forgive those who disappoint us; this has been a difficult path for me. We are all in process. We are all working out our salvation with fear and trembling. I know of no one when compared to God and his perfect Word who can all themselves perfect. So if we are not perfect in God's eyes and yet He has offered us salvation and forgiveness, how can we then who are imperfect expect perfection out of another person? Yes people will fail us.
So let us all move on and live in the freedom of God's love by giving up unforgiveness and granting forgiveness to those who have failed us or hurt us. Jesus came to set the captives free. One of the things that holds us in captivity, to fear and endless anger is unforgiveness. Let us cast it aside and embrace to fullness of God's agape love that we might walk in the freedom that Christ has granted us through the forgiveness of sins.
To God be the Glory forever and ever, Amen
Maybe be its easier if you have failed in a big way; if you have committed one or more of the big ten. And maybe it's harder when you have not overtly committed one of the great sins. But In Jesus words, if you will excuse my paraphrase, "If you thought it, you did it." The person who looks at another person with lust in their heart is guilty of either adultery, if they are married, or fornication. Pretty serious sins. He also tells us that if we hate someone then we are guilty of murder. So if you think you are sinless or that your sins don't count as much as those of a murder, fornicator, homosexual or adulterer, then think again.
The cost of sin is death. All of us have sinned an fall short of the glory of God. All of us need the saving power of God's grace and Jesus' blood. But actually at this point I am more concerned about those people who don't think that God can forgive them, or that think that they cannot forgive another. According to Jesus there is only one sin that cannot be forgiven; blaspheming the Holy Spirit. I think that most people do not know how to do that, but there are some out there treading on it by claiming that speaking in tongues (strange languages) is of the devil. Now putting that aside I might ask if it is possible for people to so far as to become unforgivable. I would say no.
In a conversation with Peter beginning in Matthew 18:21 the topic comes up to about forgiveness. Peter being super-spiritual asks, "How many times shall I forgive my brother up to 7 times?" Jesus response is, "Not seven times but seventy times seven." Now I am not a legalist. I do not take it to mean that Jesus was saying that we only need to forgive someone 490 times. I take it as hyperbola. It is a way of saying, "Always forgive!" When I think that here our Lord is telling us that we must always forgive someone when they sin against us, I am left to wonder what is God's position on forgiveness. If we must always forgive others, then I am left with believing that God will always forgive us, when we come to Him earnestly asking for forgiveness.
The Hebrews saw God as The God who forgives all our sins and heals all our diseases (Ps. 103:3). So even in the OT the people of God saw YHVH as the God who will always forgive. In John's first epistle we are told, first that anyone who says they are without sin is a liar. We all need God's forgiveness. But then he goes on to tell us that if we confess our sins, (which is to say be in agreement with God that we have in fact committed a sin) then God is faithful and just and will forgive us of our sins and cleanse us of all unrighteousness. Those are pretty powerful words. And I must ask myself how must I respond to them?
I am left with the conclusion that God doesn't want to hold anything against me. So long as I am willing to fess up and admit that I have sinned and ask for His forgiveness, He is willing to forgive me.
What what about those people who are perpetually sinning. People who are addicted to pornography, sex, drugs, alcohol or any number of other life dominating behavior patterns? Can such a person receive again and again, God's forgiveness? I must say yes. First if God requires us to repeatedly forgive others, then He too must be willing to forgive anyone and every one. Whatever God asks us to do, is in line with His will and His character. Now there may be consequences for such behavior, much as there is a consequence for putting your hand in a fire. But I have seen people who spent most of their young adult lives, using drugs and alcohol, who have been fornicators and who have repeatedly stolen from their families to pay for their addictions be forgiven and healed even of things like AIDS.
The problem is, is that there are schemes of the enemy in place, set to entrap us, to take advantage of our weaknesses so that we will be held captive to sin and not see the fullness of Gods redemption. Now I cannot say that I know all the theology behind this; why it is that some people find it easy to be free of sinful habits and for other's it is a life long struggle? Some blame it on generational curses. Others blame it on strongholds in our lives. Whatever the case, some people just seem to struggle more than others until the root of it is found and pulled out.
I have seen multiple methods employed to get to the source of these people's problems. I have seen people set free only to be sucked back into the same web of sin and condemnation. I have recognized the enemy's one-two punch of temptation followed up with the double cross of condemnation. I have also seen people who have been deeply hurt by loved ones. This can be one of the hardest things to overcome. Children whose trust was betrayed by parents or close family friends or members. I have seen wives and husbands betrayed or abused by their spouses. For many the cycle goes on and on; abuse, forgiveness followed by further abuse. But whatever the case, from what I have seen the only path to healing for those sinned against is through forgiveness.
I don't mean to say that someone must continue to subject themselves to abuse, but at the same time, I am saying that no matter the hurt, we must work to not repay the sin but rather to forgive the one who has sinned against us.
Jesus forgave those who crucified him while he hung on the cross and doing so demonstrated to us how we are to deal with those who hurt us. As his followers we are called to become more and more like him. To lay down our preconceived notions of fairness and the right to retribution and instead bless those who curse us and pray for the benefit of those who mistreat us. We must also forgive those who disappoint us; this has been a difficult path for me. We are all in process. We are all working out our salvation with fear and trembling. I know of no one when compared to God and his perfect Word who can all themselves perfect. So if we are not perfect in God's eyes and yet He has offered us salvation and forgiveness, how can we then who are imperfect expect perfection out of another person? Yes people will fail us.
So let us all move on and live in the freedom of God's love by giving up unforgiveness and granting forgiveness to those who have failed us or hurt us. Jesus came to set the captives free. One of the things that holds us in captivity, to fear and endless anger is unforgiveness. Let us cast it aside and embrace to fullness of God's agape love that we might walk in the freedom that Christ has granted us through the forgiveness of sins.
To God be the Glory forever and ever, Amen
What is Worship?
I have been walking with God for over 25 years and still some Christian terms are not really clear to me. But on an occasion I get a clear picture. One of the loaded terms we use in Christianity is the word "Worship".
For the longest time I thought worship meant singing in church. But as my faith grew and I went to seminary the picture got bigger, but not clearer. Pretty soon everything is worship. Giving tithe, singing, praying - in fact the whole church service is often referred to as the "Worship Service" But this is just a list of activities; it doesn't get to the root of the meaning.
I have come to the conclusion that godly worship is this: The appropriate response to the presence or the knowledge of God. What our worship looks like after our encounter with God, is a matter of the state of our hearts. When our hearts are dark and filled with sin we can respond one of two ways. We can reject God (in belief that He is rejecting us) or we can worship him. I think when our hearts are not clean, true worship is when we fall down before God in humility recognizing that we cannot save ourselves and that we can only look to the grace and mercy of God for our salvation. I think we should even beg for it, but not because that is what God demands, but rather it just shows how much we realize we cannot live without God's mercy and grace.
I think our response to God - our worship - will vary from day to day. I think "acceptable worship" is a wide brush stroke. I think we can sing, dance, fall on our faces, laugh for joy, weep tears of gratitude, and the list goes on. But what ever it is, it must be authentic and true. Jesus says his people will worship in spirit and in truth. The apostle Paul tells us in the first verse of Romans chapter 12 that we should present our bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is our spiritual worship.
We are told in the Word of God what we are to worship the Lord our God only. Which seems to imply that there are other things that we could worship; other gods, the creation, wealth, personal freedom, pleasure etc. In this sense this kind of worship is not godly or appropriate worship but rather idolatry. I think when we put other things before God we are saying that in worshiping other things we are giving something besides God power over us. In godly worship we recognize that there is no greater power than our Triune God; God the Father, God the Son (Jesus Christ) and God the Holy Spirit.
I pray then for you reading this that you find an outlet for your worship that is acceptable in the sight of God. I pray that you will be set free to abandon all your fears and hang-ups and worship the God of Glory in spirit and in truth. I truly believe that as we learn to worship God in Spirit and Truth, that we will have greater freedom and a greater joy than we have ever experienced. I am not suggesting anarchy, but freedom from fear of other's rejection and freedom to respond to how God is moving in your heart. There is a place for this, maybe in your personal prayer time, maybe in a home group setting, maybe atop a mountain; I don't know. Only you in your earnest and sincere seeking of The One True God, through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, in the Power of the Holy Spirit with the guidance of the Word of God, can know what worship will look like for you.
Some would say that God would never ask you to do anything you are uncomfortable with. I would strongly disagree. Its when we step out of our comfort zones under the calling of the Holy Spirit that are set free to worship in Spirit and in truth.
To God be the Glory! Amen
For the longest time I thought worship meant singing in church. But as my faith grew and I went to seminary the picture got bigger, but not clearer. Pretty soon everything is worship. Giving tithe, singing, praying - in fact the whole church service is often referred to as the "Worship Service" But this is just a list of activities; it doesn't get to the root of the meaning.
I have come to the conclusion that godly worship is this: The appropriate response to the presence or the knowledge of God. What our worship looks like after our encounter with God, is a matter of the state of our hearts. When our hearts are dark and filled with sin we can respond one of two ways. We can reject God (in belief that He is rejecting us) or we can worship him. I think when our hearts are not clean, true worship is when we fall down before God in humility recognizing that we cannot save ourselves and that we can only look to the grace and mercy of God for our salvation. I think we should even beg for it, but not because that is what God demands, but rather it just shows how much we realize we cannot live without God's mercy and grace.
I think our response to God - our worship - will vary from day to day. I think "acceptable worship" is a wide brush stroke. I think we can sing, dance, fall on our faces, laugh for joy, weep tears of gratitude, and the list goes on. But what ever it is, it must be authentic and true. Jesus says his people will worship in spirit and in truth. The apostle Paul tells us in the first verse of Romans chapter 12 that we should present our bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is our spiritual worship.
We are told in the Word of God what we are to worship the Lord our God only. Which seems to imply that there are other things that we could worship; other gods, the creation, wealth, personal freedom, pleasure etc. In this sense this kind of worship is not godly or appropriate worship but rather idolatry. I think when we put other things before God we are saying that in worshiping other things we are giving something besides God power over us. In godly worship we recognize that there is no greater power than our Triune God; God the Father, God the Son (Jesus Christ) and God the Holy Spirit.
I pray then for you reading this that you find an outlet for your worship that is acceptable in the sight of God. I pray that you will be set free to abandon all your fears and hang-ups and worship the God of Glory in spirit and in truth. I truly believe that as we learn to worship God in Spirit and Truth, that we will have greater freedom and a greater joy than we have ever experienced. I am not suggesting anarchy, but freedom from fear of other's rejection and freedom to respond to how God is moving in your heart. There is a place for this, maybe in your personal prayer time, maybe in a home group setting, maybe atop a mountain; I don't know. Only you in your earnest and sincere seeking of The One True God, through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, in the Power of the Holy Spirit with the guidance of the Word of God, can know what worship will look like for you.
Some would say that God would never ask you to do anything you are uncomfortable with. I would strongly disagree. Its when we step out of our comfort zones under the calling of the Holy Spirit that are set free to worship in Spirit and in truth.
To God be the Glory! Amen
Sunday, December 16, 2012
Guns, Freedom and Slaughter
Yesterday a mentally disturbed young man, killed his mother then took 4 guns to the school where is mother worked and killed the principle, 20 children and several adults. I can see people already taking up sides on either sides of the issue of handguns. I am a moderate and I try to avoid extremes except where my Lord Jesus calls for me to lay down my life for others, so my response to the will likely tread on the toes of both sides of the argument.
In principle I agree with the statement that guns don't kill people; people kill people. But that fact is, is that people are killed with guns and often by people who know them. Except for gang violence, a hand gun is more like to result in the death of a member of the household or neighbor than a criminal. Do I believe in our right to defend our selves? My answer is both yes and no.
I have never owned a gun. There have been times I have thought about buying one, but to keep peace in my household I haven't. I have worked with a lot of people who own guns, and those who make a practice seem to find reason to pull theirs out to "defend themselves" far more than I ever have. There is part of me that thinks that owning a handgun somehow changes one's mind set, or maybe it's the other way around. Maybe those who buy and own handguns for "Self-defense" just have a different mindset.
I have never found myself in a situation where I wish I had a gun. Now I am not advocating banning guns or crazy gun control. I served in the Navy for 22 years in the US Navy and as part of my reenlistment oath, I pledged to support and defend the Constitution of the United States; that includes the Second Amendment. I may not advocate gun control, but I do advocate responsible gun ownership. In the incident that happened in Connecticut this past Friday, I can't but wonder if those 4 guns had been locked up so that this mentally unstable man didn't have access to them if the whole tragedy couldn't have been avoided. The problem isn't that guns can kill people, it's that they make it so easy to kill others on impulse. If that young man had come the school with a kitchen knife the death toll would have been much smaller.
So some extremists think we should eliminate guns, while on the other side people demand the right to arm themselves. Unfortunately our society has so many guns both registered and unregistered, that trying to eliminate them would be a hopeless cause. But how about some simple training about how to responsibly own a gun so that it doesn't fall into the hands of children or mentally unstable people living in the house. The constitution does guarantee the right to bear arms, but we also have a responsibility to control them so that they do not fall into the hands of someone who might use them for purposes other than self-defense or target practice.
One last thought I have is "What could we as a society done to help that family with their difficult son." How could we have poured out the healing power of love so that maybe instead of anger and rage being his response to difficult situations, that he might have had someone who might have loved him and reasoned with him. Now I understand that reasoning with a mentally unstable person can seem like an impossible or pointless effort but my experience has shown me that love overcomes a multitude of wrong doings.
Love can make a way where there seems to be now way.
In principle I agree with the statement that guns don't kill people; people kill people. But that fact is, is that people are killed with guns and often by people who know them. Except for gang violence, a hand gun is more like to result in the death of a member of the household or neighbor than a criminal. Do I believe in our right to defend our selves? My answer is both yes and no.
I have never owned a gun. There have been times I have thought about buying one, but to keep peace in my household I haven't. I have worked with a lot of people who own guns, and those who make a practice seem to find reason to pull theirs out to "defend themselves" far more than I ever have. There is part of me that thinks that owning a handgun somehow changes one's mind set, or maybe it's the other way around. Maybe those who buy and own handguns for "Self-defense" just have a different mindset.
I have never found myself in a situation where I wish I had a gun. Now I am not advocating banning guns or crazy gun control. I served in the Navy for 22 years in the US Navy and as part of my reenlistment oath, I pledged to support and defend the Constitution of the United States; that includes the Second Amendment. I may not advocate gun control, but I do advocate responsible gun ownership. In the incident that happened in Connecticut this past Friday, I can't but wonder if those 4 guns had been locked up so that this mentally unstable man didn't have access to them if the whole tragedy couldn't have been avoided. The problem isn't that guns can kill people, it's that they make it so easy to kill others on impulse. If that young man had come the school with a kitchen knife the death toll would have been much smaller.
So some extremists think we should eliminate guns, while on the other side people demand the right to arm themselves. Unfortunately our society has so many guns both registered and unregistered, that trying to eliminate them would be a hopeless cause. But how about some simple training about how to responsibly own a gun so that it doesn't fall into the hands of children or mentally unstable people living in the house. The constitution does guarantee the right to bear arms, but we also have a responsibility to control them so that they do not fall into the hands of someone who might use them for purposes other than self-defense or target practice.
One last thought I have is "What could we as a society done to help that family with their difficult son." How could we have poured out the healing power of love so that maybe instead of anger and rage being his response to difficult situations, that he might have had someone who might have loved him and reasoned with him. Now I understand that reasoning with a mentally unstable person can seem like an impossible or pointless effort but my experience has shown me that love overcomes a multitude of wrong doings.
Love can make a way where there seems to be now way.
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