Thanks? Trust? What's This All About, Anyway?

Our pastor spoke on Trust and Forgiveness on Sunday. He emphasized the trust that must exist between a pastor and the congregation for the body to function like it must. He emphasized that sometimes we don't hear all the gory details about an issue because the staff is charged with doing what's right in EVERY circumstance...with EVERYone's concerns, reputation, and dignity in the balance.

As I reflect on many significant events in my life over the last 2 - 3 years, I am reminded to be thankful. Thankful for a God who loves me, in spite of who I have often been (or, how I have often acted). Thankful for wonderful children. Thankful for a loving and caring wife, even though we're no longer together.

But, today I am also very thankful that I serve a risen Savior, under leadership that works really hard at following His leading. I am thankful that, in spite of so many negative opinions and thoughts, the leadership at our church stays focused on what GOD wants...and does their best to help the rest of us do the same.

How about you? Are you THANKFUL for your church's leadership? Do you crtitique and criticize, or do you remind them that you appreciate their service and dedication? If you've struggled to understand and support them, maybe you can try to SUPPORT them first. Then, you might find that God will help you UNDERSTAND them!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Are You Under the Law, or Under Grace?

I know I've probably posted on this before, but I was reminded again this morning of a few simple truths about God's Grace vs. The Law....namely:

1) The law leads to only one place. Death.

2) The U.S. has more "laws" than any country in Europe, but yet cannot build jails fast enough to meet the need. What better evidence that the "law" accomplishes nothing in and of itself?

3) The Bible speaks of the believer being "In Christ" TEN TIMES MORE OFTEN than it speaks of Christ "being in us."

4) As Neil Anderson has so eloquently put it in his book, "Victory Over The Darkness", we are NOT sinners saved by Grace...we are now Saints who occasionally sin.

Are you still burdened with the need to fulfill the law? Are you still trying to be "good enough?" Do you really accept that NOTHING you can do will ever EARN God's Grace? Jesus did all the "doing" necessary! Are you living a victorious, grateful, and energetic life in the knowledge that His Grace is enough for you? Don't let Satan steal this truth from you, dear friend! Go in Victory today!

We Can Impart Grace?

In Ephesians Chapter 4, Paul provides a number of "instructional" thoughts to the believer. He reminds "those who stole" to "steal no more," and the familiar phrase "be ye kind one to another..." verse is found there as well. But, the verse that caught my eye (and heart) today is this:

Let no corrupt speech proceed out of your mouth, but such as is good for edifying as the need may be, that it may give grace to them that hear.

Really? Our speech gives Grace? If that is true (and it's right there in Ephesians 4!), then what does my unkind, UNEDIFYING speech take AWAY from others? Oh, how destructive I must be at times!

May God grant me the wisdom to think of others first, and love them enough to EDIFY and not destroy with my speech today!

Who will you impart grace upon today?

Worth Fighting Over? Or, Worth Preparing For?

I've come to wonder why we Christians fuss so much about the "presence of God." Recently, right before a very powerful prayer service, our Worship Pastor told our choir to "be ready." He said when God shows up, His first act is to reveal things to us ABOUT OURSELVES! Perhaps, then, it is FEAR that makes us so wary of the presence of God....hmmm?

If you've wondered what it's like to really invite his presence, why not take the leap? Let Him show up and show you things about yourself. Then you can confess them and go in His forgiveness and "Sin no more."

Sunday's Coming!

Easter...a remarkable time of year. Fair weather, budding and blooming flowers, fresh (yet stinky) mulch everywhere...oh, and that little thing about the Resurrection...

There's a video I just saw a year ago for the first time of a poem by John Jefferson (a pastor, I think). Anyway, the oft repeated phrase is "But, Sunday's Coming." With ever increasing intensity and conviction, Pastor Jefferson repeats this phrase after stating some other fact about those dreadful events leading up to and including Jesus' death and burial. You can find it on YouTube. Just search on "Sunday's Coming."

So, for you today...what's feeling like it's crucifying you? Remember the promise that you are loved (no matter what), and as a believer in Jesus, you are forgiven. So, when Satan tries to show you how bad you are, just like when he tried to claim victory over Christ, you simply stare him down and remind him that...

SUNDAY'S COMING!

Happy Easter!

What Are You Afraid Of?

As I have witnessed our church growing in its Worship of our Lord over the last several months, I've reflected on how this has occurred, and especially on why this isn't the way it's always been. Let me explain...

Buddhism Part 2
Folks, the reason we need Jesus is we CAN'T overcome our selfishness alone. Even when I "control" myself, it's with MY best interest in mind! But, God says HIS way is the way to life, and life more abundant. Choose His way today, and you'll find freedom in Grace, not bondage in discipline.

Buddhism? Pt 1
So, tiger apologized, and even cited Buddhism as his base. Only problem is that, by his own description, it's about him managing himself.

What Makes the Difference?

As I have dealt with challenges over the last few months and years, I've often fought a battle within to also deal with my guilt. More specifically, I've fought the perceptions I have of myself that are fueled by comments others can make. Someone sat and looked me in the eye last Spring, and reminded me over and over and over of a very simple truth. The conversation went something like this:

Hurting? Praise the Lord Anyway!

I know a couple of people who are dealing with some chronic pain right now. One is a dear friend, and one is a family member. I don't mean a sore joint, or a pulled muscle, I'm talking about borderline debilitating pain that makes daily functioning a really big chore. They see doctors, and doctors prescribe stuff, or try stuff, and yet, here they are...still hurting. I ache in my heart for them because it just seems like there should be a solution.

This morning our pastor discussed the idea of bearing what God puts on us, and discussed Paul's afflictions.

Hmmm...Winter Weather

So, once again God has blessed us with snow (OK, ice and sleet, too) on a Friday evening. It's so amazing how many of these events we've had this Fall/Winter, and they've all been at or near the end of the week. It really makes school/work closure decisions, and overall safety of people really easier. Yes, it's disruptive to things folks had planned for the weekend, but you know, God was NOT surprised with this weather. He is not wringing His hands about what we're going to do about rescheduling events and such. So, even as I help some guys whose concert for tomorrow night is now postponed, I sit here expecting that God knows exactly what He is up to, and anticipating that He will provide an even greater worship experience for our team at a future date.

It just makes me think how much we work, and fret, and worry, and stress and all that jazz over things that WE plan, that WE want, and that WE expect to do. But, the Word reminds us that we say what we will do tomorrow, without realizing that God has other plans. Instead, we ought to say "if the Lord wills" we will do this or that. Not because God is a control freak. It's more about the blessing WE receive when we GIVE UP ourselves, our pursuits, and our wants in favor of allowing Him to bless us with our NEEDS. I am so thankful that He knows my name, my needs, and my heart - and He loves me anyway!

I hope that you find His Love for you in a new, fresh, and VERY REAL way today! He knows your name, He knows your thoughts, and He LOVES YOU ANYWAY! That is a more comforting thought than the warmest fire on the coldest, iciest, wettest Winter day! When it gets confusing, stressful, worrisome, or just plain hard...stop and rejoice in the fact that you are LOVED! Then, allow Him to show you what He is up to in your difficulty!

Had to try this "mobile blog" thing. Sitting on a plane in Detroit, bound for Minneapolis...in JANUARY! I must be nuts! But, God is good no matter where I am!

Jesus Loves... Me?

Over the last several months, I've grown more and more curious about what people have been through, or are going through. Here's why...

For years, and I mean YEARS, I thought that if folks would just "Trust God" with their lives and marriages, then all this strife, and divorce, and infidelity, and selfishness, and all that jazz just didn't necessarily have to be. I even thought that anyone who couldn't overcome all that to "hold it together" (don't you love that term?) was just not being Spiritual enough. Yes, I was one of those. We (my wife and I) even taught a Sunday School class on marriage topics for several years to try and help stem the divorce tide - even within our own church. It was really successful, by typical "church" measures, because I made it fun, and we talked about all sorts of stuff (yeah, ALL of it - and in a Baptist church! :)).

Anyway, I've learned that I only did that to be in a place of acceptance by other people. And, I've ultimately learned that I spent most of our 22+ years of marriage basing my self-worth on what my wife thought of me. So, I NEVER was totally honest, or even truthful about some little things...not with myself, or my wife...not if I thought it would mean disappointing her, or having her disapprove of me. Funny, I did some stupid things to break her trust, but it all resulted from me never TRUSTING her enough to be open and share truth with her.

So, while I am, or try to be, a Spiritual person (Christian, Baptist, believe in right and wrong, Jesus is the only way, all that kind of stuff), I am also learning that the GREATEST gift God gave us was the Grace that goes with Salvation. And, if we are to "be of the same mind as Christ" as the Bible says, it is going to mean that we've got to give out a LOT of grace ourselves. Not that we can make ourselves into ragdolls, or punching bags, but we can learn to love for what can be, not withhold love for what has happened. In fact, I believe that even if some of my current life challenges do not work out, there is still a purpose that God has for me, and that He expects me to be about that purpose. You see, our purpose in Him is still the greatest calling we have. We clearly serve at least some of that purpose for our life by being a spouse, or a parent to our children, or in some ministry within our church. I serve it in using my specific talents and gifts in how I serve within my church (not to mention how those gifts fit with my job).

So, I can't help but believe sometimes that God has intended to educate me on balancing law (living right just because it is right) and grace (understanding that I have the opportunity to live right today even if I messed up yesterday) so that I can help others see the value in BOTH.

So, why on earth did I write alll that? NOT for some exhortational (hard word) truth of Scripture. NO, the REAL reason:

I ache for what I see others going through...maybe even you, the reader, for whatever reason...so I want to offer you some encouragement. I know you want to have answers, or have this current challenge over with. I don't know the details of that challenge, nor do I need to know. However, I hope even in this time, that you understand that you are still more than just your kids parent, or a spouse, or an employee. You are His (God's if that's not clear) child. He loves you, he knows you, and he knows all that is going on with you. Let me restate part of that...

He KNOWS YOU, and HE LOVES YOU! How HUGE is that?

So, if you need some encouragement beyond "convincing yourself" that you are OK, know it because He says it: You are OK.

Hear this phrase all over again as I did recently:

Jesus Loves Me, This I Know...for the BIBLE tells me so. Period.

Favorite Joke Ever

Well, figured I might as well get this one out of the way!

A professor is getting ready to go to work one day when his wife ties a string around his finger.

"What's that for?", he asks.

"I don't want you to forget, we're moving today.", says she.

"I won't forget!", says he.

"No, you won't. Not since I put the string on your finger."

He goes off to teach for the day, and at the end of the day, he is packing up his briefcase when, you guessed it, he spots the string on his finger for the first time all day. Of course, he can't remember what he was supposed to "not forget", and goes straight home to the old house. Finding the door locked, and realizing the house is empty, he finally remembers, "That's right, we moved today. Now, if I could just remember where we moved to!"

He sits on the front steps for several minutes, then spots some children playing next door. Calling to one little girl, he says, "Honey, could you come over here a minute?"

"Yes, sir?", the little girl says upon arriving in front of the professor.

"Do you know the family that used to live in this house?", he asks her.

"Yes, sir." she says.

"Well, do you happen to know where they moved?", he inquires.

After a brief pause, she finally says:

"Come on, Daddy. Momma said you wouldn't remember!"

So, This Is Blogging?

Hmmm...wondered what it might be like to just write random thoughts and stuff. And, though I don't really think I have much to share of value, it seems pretty neat to be able to put down stuff that God puts in your mind, and then just see if maybe He decides to do something with it. Not to mention this medium seems a little more substantial than the FB status thing...not that I don't do that, too, of course!

Anyway, if you've happened across my new blog for the first time today, welcome! Not sure how often I'll show up here, or what might be on my mind, but you are certainly welcome at any time. Thanks for reading...thanks? Like I'm doing this so you'll read...so I'll "get something" for that? Let's rephrase that...I hope you find (or found) something useful here today. But, if not, maybe future postings will provide more insight. If anything of value is found, you can rest assured it came only from our magnificent Creator, and not from me! Have a great day! -RM