Sitting this morning one a hot cup of coffee and a pastor leader post on vacations and time away, it came to my mind that I use to blog a bit. It took over a half hour to even find the blog and get signed in. Here I am though.
Update: I am getting married in just under two weeks. I now live in Plentywood Montana and I am starting a new missional church called Living Hope.
Life is so very exciting right now and I don't see any signs of it letting up.
When we face challenges and problems in our lives, as christians, how do we see them. Do we look to them the same way the non - believers do or do we hyper-spiritualize every experience in life?
To put our faith in God is certainly new with each experience but something that we can attain with every experience. What I am saying is that it doesn't need to be a daunting experience that brings us to our knees. We can live our lives on our knees, bowed down to the creator of Heaven and Earth.
It requires surrender to Him though and that is tough for a people that love so much to be in control of our own lives.
I have been doing a small series based on a quote by Louis Lamour. He said " sometimes it feels as though everything is finished, That is the beginning" I don't know much about Louis, but I wonder if he knew he was so theological or deep.
Like the trees in the fall, giving up their leaves, they do it so beautifully (until you have to rake them). They say good bye to the old leaves with such grace and beauty, that we miss what is actually happening. They are shedding part of themselves in preparation for the beauty and new life in the following season. Spring brings new growth and new life. It brings the fruit of a new year.
When we surrender, we can learn to welcome in the new fruit of a new season in our lives, but we must first give up some of the old. It is scary to let God in completely and take control completely. It is against everything that we have grown up knowing. We need not be in control of anything, but instead allow God to fully take the rains and guide us to a life that worthily magnifies His amazing love for us. Romans 6 speaks so wonderfully of this very thing, that we are not slaves to sin, that we have new life in God.
Will you have the guts to let go - it is the ultimate trust fall. Will you allow God to catch you and change you to be all that He has for you. Greater is the wisdom in His little finger than in all our minds, if you don't believe me, ask yourself what He was thinking when He made the sunrise and then to top it off, the sunset.
If we do this thing right, we just might get out of here alive.
Monday, November 25, 2013
Thursday, May 17, 2012
To Bury Your Pain
Frederick Buechner
To bury your pain is a way of surviving your pain and therefore by no means to be dismissed out of hand. It is a way which I venture to say has at one time or another served and continues to serve all of us well. But it is not a way of growing. It is not a way of moving through adolescence into adulthood. If you manage to put behind you the painful things that happen to you as if they never really happened or didn't really matter all that much when they did, then the deepest and most human things you have in you to become are not apt to happen either.
This is an amazing way to "Cope", to hide inside something that is tearing you to pieces, it just doesn't make sense. Bitterness and pain do drive us, but they drive to places that we don't want to go. To be angry and hurt all the time is no way to live either. I know, I am a recovering pusher - I dealt with life by pushing down those points in my life that hurt to much to deal with. I have been learning in school the difference between pushing feelings down until they seemingly go away and actually dealing with those things. It is only through hours of counseling that I am beginning to get free from a pushing.
Ya see the thing that I had to recognize is that I was just a child and that those things which happened to me were done to me, not because of me, I was a victim of anger and rage, I was a victim of someone else pushing their pain away. You have to see that if we are to break the cycle then we have to deal with our stuff. It is painful to bring it all back up, but God will take it from you. He sent His Son that we might know life and life in abundance. LIfe does not have to be a continued act of coping, God want s you and I to live free. The crucifixion of Christ assures that those who come to Christ with their hearts, will be set free from those chains that bind.
We can actually help with that. we are called to be in relationship with one another, but we fixate on what others tell us is right and wrong. We need to listen to our hearts, listen to God. He calls us to be together, Adam needed Eve as to not be alone. I need you and you need me, we need each other. You don't need to be a great brain that has all the answer to help me get over it, you need to be there for me and I for you. "No one cares how much you know, until they know how much you care." We can do this thing together, we can Love others and ourselves.
If we do this thing right, we might just get out of here alive!
Saturday, April 28, 2012
To Love is to Live
I often struggled with the ability to love the unlovable. We all have those people in our lives that drive us nuts. You know the one that it is just best if you stay out of their vicinity. Well, I think that God has a way of bringing those people and placing them right in my path. Recently I had one of those people placed all but dead center in my world. This person was one of those that would not listen as they know everything that you are trying to teach them, on top of that he is grumpy about everything. Now I don't get mad about it unless you act as if you already know it and then can't do the work, and you get angry at me for trying to help.
One morning this person was extra specially ornery and I was not in the mood to take it. I sent him away to go and do his work. I was undoubtably angry at this man. God interrupted me and told me to go and love him, to which I said NO. He interrupted again and told me to love him and again I said no. This went on one more time and finally I gave in.
I went down and found this guy and told him that I love him, which I honestly do at the most basic level of love. I also told him how much God loves him. He began to weep and I continued to love on him, telling him the truth about how valuable he is and so on.
The feelings that took over my body were amazing. This young man and I were then able to talk about things. I was able to coach him in his work from that point on. Our relationship changed from that point on and I am hoping and praying that it never goes back the way it was.
When God tells you to love someone and you do, it will not go unnoticed. God has given me eyes to see others from time to time, the way that He does. The peace that fills my spirit most times is amazing. I have been freed from those old awful and defeating feelings. God made an upgrade, and all I had to do is what He said, I had to love my neighbor.
Here is the challenge - The next time you are annoyed at someone, love them first. When they then don't act the way you want them to, love them some more. Love will win! Jesus is Love!
It is really amazing - The more you love, the more opportunities you will get to love!
If we do this thing right, we might all get out of here alive!
One morning this person was extra specially ornery and I was not in the mood to take it. I sent him away to go and do his work. I was undoubtably angry at this man. God interrupted me and told me to go and love him, to which I said NO. He interrupted again and told me to love him and again I said no. This went on one more time and finally I gave in.
I went down and found this guy and told him that I love him, which I honestly do at the most basic level of love. I also told him how much God loves him. He began to weep and I continued to love on him, telling him the truth about how valuable he is and so on.
The feelings that took over my body were amazing. This young man and I were then able to talk about things. I was able to coach him in his work from that point on. Our relationship changed from that point on and I am hoping and praying that it never goes back the way it was.
When God tells you to love someone and you do, it will not go unnoticed. God has given me eyes to see others from time to time, the way that He does. The peace that fills my spirit most times is amazing. I have been freed from those old awful and defeating feelings. God made an upgrade, and all I had to do is what He said, I had to love my neighbor.
Here is the challenge - The next time you are annoyed at someone, love them first. When they then don't act the way you want them to, love them some more. Love will win! Jesus is Love!
It is really amazing - The more you love, the more opportunities you will get to love!
If we do this thing right, we might all get out of here alive!
Monday, March 12, 2012
Get a Life
Anna Quindlen
So here's what I wanted to tell you today: Get a life.
Get a real life, not a manic pursuit of the next promotion, the bigger paycheck, the larger house. Do you think you'd care so very much about those things if you blew an aneurysm one afternoon, or found a lump in your breast?
Get a life in which you notice the smell of salt water pushing itself on a breeze over Seaside Heights, a life in which you stop and watch how a red-tailed hawk circles over the water gap or the way a baby scowls with concentration when she tries to pick up a Cheerio with her thumb and first finger.
Get a life in which you are not alone. Find people you love, and who love you.
Source: Commencement address at Villanova University (February 8 1999)
The Father has made us to be in relationship - First with Him and then with our neighbors - Will your life matter when it is over?
I am not sure much else can be said!
If we do this thing with His love flowing we will get out of here alive!
Tuesday, February 28, 2012
Getting Stoned- for His Glory
Christ tells us as Christians that we will face persecution as believers. That we won't be recognized in our home towns. Never in the bible does it say that we will life a life free from persecution or that we will have an easy life.
Too often we act as though we expect to get through this life without battle scares and sorrows. That is not the promise at all. It sucks somedays to be quite honest. It would be a lot easier if Christ would have made that promise to us and subsequently we would not suffer, but He didn't.
An unfortunate consequence is that we go through life almost alone sometimes, it is the rare friendship that is true enough to listen and understand everything. i.e. we don't have a real place to take our issues. Most of us are unaware of our responses to things, as in we don't know why we act the way that we do.
I recently went through a class on shame and grace. What an amazing experience. Rev. Robert Walter taught it at The Masters Institute in Minneapolis Minnesota. We were taught such great things as identifying some of the things from our childhood, times when we were shamed, or guilted into certain things. Those play a part in our childhood and how we felt with things as well as our adult lives and how we still do things.
As we learn how to recognize those symptoms and how to deal with them, we can then start the healing process. Learning how to forgive and break the chains that bind will without a doubt break the chains that bind. In my life there have been so many different things that have brought shame, but I thought that I forgiven those things and those people that caused the shame. I thought that I had forgiven myself for the things that I have done to myself and others. I had stated that I forgave and found that for what ever reason I am holding onto some of those things.
We (my seminary class) got an amazing opportunity - we got to do some Theophostic prayer. An amazing time that involves some of those ingrained memories and thoughts. Recognizing the belief as well as the feeling and then asking Jesus what He might think about it. The amazing part is seeing for yourself that He cares for us, He cares for me and for you. We worship a great God and I am thankful for Jesus and His sacrifice. By my own effort I am not worthy, by His economy, I am made worthy.
Learning to be real with each other and being there for one another, is a great beginning. I pray for God's strength to continue the therapy with Christ and the healing that I know He wants for me. Phillipians 3:20-21-"20 But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ,21 who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body." I continue to grow in Christ and continue to flesh out what the word relationship means. He has laid this on my heart and as well as a genuine love for people. His healing will aid me in being the same person in all circumstances. To be able to Love all His kids, not just the ones that I agree with.
I praise God for His goodness and long for His spirit to dwell so richly in me and for me to be able to walk with Him in all that I do.
If we do this thing in His will, we may just get out of here alive!
Too often we act as though we expect to get through this life without battle scares and sorrows. That is not the promise at all. It sucks somedays to be quite honest. It would be a lot easier if Christ would have made that promise to us and subsequently we would not suffer, but He didn't.
An unfortunate consequence is that we go through life almost alone sometimes, it is the rare friendship that is true enough to listen and understand everything. i.e. we don't have a real place to take our issues. Most of us are unaware of our responses to things, as in we don't know why we act the way that we do.
I recently went through a class on shame and grace. What an amazing experience. Rev. Robert Walter taught it at The Masters Institute in Minneapolis Minnesota. We were taught such great things as identifying some of the things from our childhood, times when we were shamed, or guilted into certain things. Those play a part in our childhood and how we felt with things as well as our adult lives and how we still do things.
As we learn how to recognize those symptoms and how to deal with them, we can then start the healing process. Learning how to forgive and break the chains that bind will without a doubt break the chains that bind. In my life there have been so many different things that have brought shame, but I thought that I forgiven those things and those people that caused the shame. I thought that I had forgiven myself for the things that I have done to myself and others. I had stated that I forgave and found that for what ever reason I am holding onto some of those things.
We (my seminary class) got an amazing opportunity - we got to do some Theophostic prayer. An amazing time that involves some of those ingrained memories and thoughts. Recognizing the belief as well as the feeling and then asking Jesus what He might think about it. The amazing part is seeing for yourself that He cares for us, He cares for me and for you. We worship a great God and I am thankful for Jesus and His sacrifice. By my own effort I am not worthy, by His economy, I am made worthy.
Learning to be real with each other and being there for one another, is a great beginning. I pray for God's strength to continue the therapy with Christ and the healing that I know He wants for me. Phillipians 3:20-21-"20 But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ,21 who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body." I continue to grow in Christ and continue to flesh out what the word relationship means. He has laid this on my heart and as well as a genuine love for people. His healing will aid me in being the same person in all circumstances. To be able to Love all His kids, not just the ones that I agree with.
I praise God for His goodness and long for His spirit to dwell so richly in me and for me to be able to walk with Him in all that I do.
If we do this thing in His will, we may just get out of here alive!
we have enough- Elizabeth Canham
We Have Enough
Elizabeth Canham
"Knowing that we have enough takes us out of the never-ending tension created by greed, out of the constant envy of others that causes us to overlook our own riches, and out of the turmoil of unmet desires.
Traveling back one afternoon to the seminary where I taught two decades ago, I found a seat on the upper deck of a red London bus. Smoking was permitted 'upstairs,' so I usually chose seats below, but on this day they were all full. Maybe God wanted me 'upstairs' that day, for as we journeyed south along the Old Kent Road, a sign painted high on a building caught my eye: CLUTCH CLINIC.
It took a few moments for me to realize that the advertisement referred to an automobile service center specializing in the repair of defective clutches, for I heard the advertisement that day as God's invitation.
"Supposing you spent time in my clutch clinic," God seemed to say. "What are some of the things you need to relinquish so that your hands can be open, ready to receive the grace I wait to give?"
Beloved, do you have enough yet? What is enough? Can you put a stick in the shore and wait until the tide rises above that stick and say, thank you God for all that you have given me, and pursue no more? Will you be like most everyone else and change your level of "need" ?
Beloved when the day is over and your game has been played will you have realized how much is enough, or will you forever pursue more?
If we do this thing right, we might just get out of here alive!
Psalm 56
Psalm 56:1-4 Be gracious to me, O God, for man tramples on me; My enemies trample on me all the day long, for many attack proudly. When I am afraid, I put my trust in you. In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I shall not be afraid, What can flesh do to me?
I am guessing that I am not the only one that feels this way some days? It is tough, this life and the way that we live it. We are called to love our neighbors, aren't we? If we are called to it, are we doing it? I struggle with both of the commandments that Jesus left us with. I have a hard time loving those who seem to take advantage of me. I might even come across a little harsh sometimes.
If I were to really love my neighbor and stop attacking or oppressing my neighbor, what would happen?
v:6 They stir up strife, they lurk; they watch my steps, as they have waited for my life.
I don't go out doing these behaviors purposely, but I know that I do this. I have not been the brother that I need to be and sometimes get a little self righteous. This, by lack of love, is doing those very things. If you are not part of the solution you are part of the problem.
Why do people feel alone in this day and age? We are living in a world with more people in it than ever before and yet we have people, children feeling alone and unwanted. We have children that are so picked on that they kill and hurt other children. We then make them out to be monsters and point fingers at how awful they are. Are they? or are they just really alone and hurting with no where to go? Has anyone introduced them to the Lord and showed them how valuable they actually are? We may never do this thing perfectly but I believe beloved that we can do it better.
v:8 You have kept count of my tossings; put my tears in your bottle. Are they not in your book?
How deep the Fathers love for us, how far beyond all measure. Beloved, we can make a difference in this thing we call LIFE. Please read this Proverb and then go and read 1Cor. 13:1-4. All that we are doing is no good beloved, it is no good if we don't have love.
Please, Please, Please, Love your family today and tomorrow and everyday from here to eternity. Repent openly to your children and God for mistakes made. They will forgive you, this I know. Humble your self in the sight of the Lord, ask Him for strength and guidance. Can we learn to Love our neighbors, even if they are not believers or overtly friendly?
Beloved we are empowered by the strength of the Holy Spirit as were the disciples to go and Love and make disciples of every nation. God said it and He has given us the ability to do it, now go and do it.
Beloved, if we do this one thing, we might just get out of here alive!
I am guessing that I am not the only one that feels this way some days? It is tough, this life and the way that we live it. We are called to love our neighbors, aren't we? If we are called to it, are we doing it? I struggle with both of the commandments that Jesus left us with. I have a hard time loving those who seem to take advantage of me. I might even come across a little harsh sometimes.
If I were to really love my neighbor and stop attacking or oppressing my neighbor, what would happen?
v:6 They stir up strife, they lurk; they watch my steps, as they have waited for my life.
I don't go out doing these behaviors purposely, but I know that I do this. I have not been the brother that I need to be and sometimes get a little self righteous. This, by lack of love, is doing those very things. If you are not part of the solution you are part of the problem.
Why do people feel alone in this day and age? We are living in a world with more people in it than ever before and yet we have people, children feeling alone and unwanted. We have children that are so picked on that they kill and hurt other children. We then make them out to be monsters and point fingers at how awful they are. Are they? or are they just really alone and hurting with no where to go? Has anyone introduced them to the Lord and showed them how valuable they actually are? We may never do this thing perfectly but I believe beloved that we can do it better.
v:8 You have kept count of my tossings; put my tears in your bottle. Are they not in your book?
How deep the Fathers love for us, how far beyond all measure. Beloved, we can make a difference in this thing we call LIFE. Please read this Proverb and then go and read 1Cor. 13:1-4. All that we are doing is no good beloved, it is no good if we don't have love.
Please, Please, Please, Love your family today and tomorrow and everyday from here to eternity. Repent openly to your children and God for mistakes made. They will forgive you, this I know. Humble your self in the sight of the Lord, ask Him for strength and guidance. Can we learn to Love our neighbors, even if they are not believers or overtly friendly?
Beloved we are empowered by the strength of the Holy Spirit as were the disciples to go and Love and make disciples of every nation. God said it and He has given us the ability to do it, now go and do it.
Beloved, if we do this one thing, we might just get out of here alive!
Wednesday, February 15, 2012
Sacrifice is ESSENTIAL!
Sacrifice is Essential
Thomas Keating
Sacrifice is absolutely essential for human growth; yet the abiding disposition of sacrifice is rarely established without some experience of suffering. Of course suffering itself does not make one holy and can even lead to despair. Despair is suffering that fails to teach.
This is not what I needed to hear this week. I was perfectly content whining about my pain and my discomfort and a few other things that aren't going exactly right. So I started recovery last night. Recovery from whining about it. At church there was a small message about victim mentality and that hit me right between the eyes.
Yes it is ok to feel bad when bad stuff happens, but you have to get over it. How do you do that, stop thinking of yourself. You haven't died on a cross or been beaten to within and inch of your life. Although it sure may feel like it.
Reach out to those people that will listen, we all have someone at least one other person, don't we? If you don't find one, you might even find that Jesus is waiting for His little brother or sister to come cry on His shoulder. Have your cry and get over it. Yes I know it is hard but we have to, the alternative sucks.
I always talk about learning something from everything so that I cannot count it a loss. Some things it is hard to do that. If we search hard enough we can find that one thing - do we need to learn more about what just happened so we might stop it in the future. We have to learn something and the best part is that we get to learn something. A professor learned a lesson from his Dad - ignorant is not a crime, staying ignorant is!
So although it is tough to do, even when the pain feels as though it is going to eat you alive, lean on your friends and family, Lean on Jesus, learn how to fix it and get on with it. We all have to do something besides outward expressions of our discontent. Help others to learn the same thing you just learned, so they might not have to go through it. DO NOT DESPAIR!
If we do this thing right, we might just get out of here alive!
Friday, February 10, 2012
Make your time count - He does
Make your time count
I was recently blessed with a trip back home. This trip back home was significant first because it felt like I was going home. I have wandered along ways over the course of my life and although I keep coming back to the same place, this time was different, this time it felt like I was going home. Ya see although I knew where home was, it never gave me that great feeling that you might get from a Hallmark card or even one of their great tear jerking movies.This was blessing one of two. This was the first gift that God gave me this Christmas
God has blessed me with dear friends. These are friends that will truly be with a guy his entire lifetime. This trip back how was going to be a bit different. I was counseled to put together an intercessory prayer group for myself and the church that God, I feel, is having me plant. So at church that first Sunday I asked a few people and amazingly, they had the time and the desire to enter into prayer for me. This may not seem like a huge deal to many of you, but to me it was monumental.
We were sitting at the table when it hit me. All these people had come to know me and still accepted me and not only that, they were there to pray for me. These friends opened their home to me and prepared a meal for me as well. This was absolutely amazing to me that anyone would do this for me. That is when it hit me right square between the eyes, God has called me to be a Pastor. Not only did He call me, but He is telling people about it. These people were gathered around the table to pray for me and this church. This was one of those kairos moments, where God intervenes into your life and shows you how much He truly loves you. This was one of those moments in my life that I will never forget. I have to thank those friends that were there that morning, you know who you are and you will always be so very special to me, Thank you!
While this moment may not seem that out of the ordinary for most or many people, it was for me. This moment signifies the moment where all of God’s hard work on my character and spirit had come together. The moment where I finally started believing that I might truly be used by God. I had known what He had called me to for years and was willing to do it for Him. Now was different, now I know that I can do this. I know that God has been continually pruning me to do a work for Him. He has been equipping the called, and definitely not calling the equipped!
You see that so often in our lives we feel that we are unworthy or incapable. We may have heard that “ God equips the called” or some other corny Christian saying. None of these truly do much good, we have to walk in His goodness ourselves. We have to get to a point in our lives where we feel the loving presence of God. We have to make the most of the time that God has given us. We do this by spending time in His word and praying as well as meditating on His goodness. We have to go with Him on these sojourns that He has called us to. I never thought that I could be a pastor, I was not that kind of guy. God knows different and is making that come true.
If He has called you to something that is more than your character can handle, TRUST! Trust Him in all things to include your time and your dreams. Make those moments count, those moments that God sneaks in and gives you a crazy dream. Don’t sit idle with a dream in your heart. Press in and fulfill that dream. Dare to be that person that God desires you to be. He will see to it that you make it. He will not call you and leave you hanging in the wind. He is faithful and true to His word. He will create in you a clean heart as it says in Psalm 51:10
Dream my friends Dream! Live to Love Him who first Loved You!
If we do this thing right, we might just get out of here alive.
Thursday, December 22, 2011
It is hard
So I have not posted in some time, which makes me feel a little guilty. Somehow I have allowed my life to get so busy that I have not taken the time to do something that I so enjoy. Writing this blog has helped me to communicate to, well at least a few of you, how I am feeling and thoughts that God has impressed on my heart. I love to talk and I love even more to talk about God. He is my Rock and My salvation. He is my shelter from the storm and my guiding Spirit through this thing called life.
2 Chronicles 15:15 "And all Judah rejoiced over the oath, for they had sworn with all their heart and had sought him with their whole desire, and he was found by them, and the LORD gave them rest all around."
So this entire post is out of a spot of frustration, I have been sick for a few days and I still have trouble resting. I was listening to Sons of Korah on youtube and sure enough a sermon idea came to mind. It has taken all my strength not to write it. So instead I write this blog which brings great joy to me.
Atleast once a week I hope that you take the time that God has given to us as a gift (the Sabbath) and rest. It is a spiritual gift and practice and possibly the hardest of all but one that will bless your soul immensely. TRY IT! YOU WILL LIKE IT!
if we learn to find rest in this world, we may just get out of here alive.
2 Chronicles 15:15 "And all Judah rejoiced over the oath, for they had sworn with all their heart and had sought him with their whole desire, and he was found by them, and the LORD gave them rest all around."
So this entire post is out of a spot of frustration, I have been sick for a few days and I still have trouble resting. I was listening to Sons of Korah on youtube and sure enough a sermon idea came to mind. It has taken all my strength not to write it. So instead I write this blog which brings great joy to me.
Atleast once a week I hope that you take the time that God has given to us as a gift (the Sabbath) and rest. It is a spiritual gift and practice and possibly the hardest of all but one that will bless your soul immensely. TRY IT! YOU WILL LIKE IT!
if we learn to find rest in this world, we may just get out of here alive.
Wednesday, October 12, 2011
The parable of the sower
In the book of Luke we get to hear the parable of the sower. What a great parable, well this morning it read a bit different to me. It read of great hope and the way that we see others. Not only the way that we see each other but the way or lack there of that we treat each eachother. The parables lies in Luke 8:5-8
5 "A sower went out to sow his seed. And as he sowed, some fell along the path and was trampled underfoot, and the birds of the air devoured it. 6And some fell on the rock, and as it grew up, it withered away, because it had no moisture. 7And some fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up with it and choked it. 8And some fell into good soil and grew and yielded a hundredfold." As he said these things, he called out, "He who has ears to hear, let him hear."
When I was reading this parable this morning I got a great vision or feeling in my heart. If we were to just walk innocently with our bag of seed, remember that faith the size of a mustard seed or all we need to do is plant the seed, if or since the bag has a small hole in it, we would scatter seed wherever we went.
I go this picture of a simple person all but skipping. Maybe they were skipping somewhere, but were skipping and just enjoying Life.
So the new parable is as follows: A man that loved Jesus had recently built a beautiful home that he and his wife and children adored. They shared this blessing with anyone that would listen or come over. They always spoke praises of what God has down for them in their lives, how God had provided for them to receive this home. Well, work still needed to be done and this day he decided to finish seeding the lawn, as there were some bear spots, it happens he felt and he was excited and happy to do the work. So he started out on his way to town to get the seed. Being such a beautiful day he decided to walk. Along the way he saw the man that owns the house on the very next corner. He took but a second to say good morning and God bless you to the man, who grumbled something under his breath, but the man kept going with joy in his heart. He came across a young man who was seemed to be just hanging around downtown, it turns out that this youngster was listening to his I-pod, the man greeted him with a good morning and a God bless you before he noticed what the kid was up to, it did not matter to him anyway. The boy never heard a word he the man had said to him, but the man kept walking undeterred. When the gentleman finally got to the store he greeted everyone he saw there with joy in his heart and a smile on his face. He purchased his grass seed and shared another gracious good morning with the clerk. As the man left the store he encountered a young woman who seemed a bit distraught. He took just a brief moment to say Good Morning and God Bless you, to which the young woman told him to leave her alone and continue on his way. He felt the need to tell her that God loves her and that he would pray for her. She muttered something that may have resembled a thanks, and the man continued on. What the man did not notice was that his bag had a small hole in it. Oh sure it was just a little hole in the weaving of the bag. As he passed several other people along the way, some met him with joy and some without, the bag still leaking seed, sometimes on dirt, sometimes on a sidewalk, sometimes it fell on rocks, but the man didn't even notice or concern himself with what was going on behind him. This went on until he got home. When he arrived he finally noticed the hole in the bag and that some of the seed had spilled out. He shrugged it off and went inside where he told his wife of the wonderful adventure he had just had and how beautiful it was out this morning. Never mentioning anything about the hole in the bag and the seed he had spilled out. There was no need to grumble about the lost seed, only the beauty he had just witnessed.
The point is not that we waste seed or time with people, it is that we take the time to spread seed and give some time to others. That we take the time we are given and use it wisely, not muttering and grumbling but loving and smiling. Jesus called us to love our neighbor as ourselves and not judge one another. If we can spend a little more time focusing on what God has given us and what we are to give others, instead of what is going on and how those people are receiving it, we might just change the way things look and feel around here.
If we do this thing right, we might just get out of here alive!
5 "A sower went out to sow his seed. And as he sowed, some fell along the path and was trampled underfoot, and the birds of the air devoured it. 6And some fell on the rock, and as it grew up, it withered away, because it had no moisture. 7And some fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up with it and choked it. 8And some fell into good soil and grew and yielded a hundredfold." As he said these things, he called out, "He who has ears to hear, let him hear."
When I was reading this parable this morning I got a great vision or feeling in my heart. If we were to just walk innocently with our bag of seed, remember that faith the size of a mustard seed or all we need to do is plant the seed, if or since the bag has a small hole in it, we would scatter seed wherever we went.
I go this picture of a simple person all but skipping. Maybe they were skipping somewhere, but were skipping and just enjoying Life.
So the new parable is as follows: A man that loved Jesus had recently built a beautiful home that he and his wife and children adored. They shared this blessing with anyone that would listen or come over. They always spoke praises of what God has down for them in their lives, how God had provided for them to receive this home. Well, work still needed to be done and this day he decided to finish seeding the lawn, as there were some bear spots, it happens he felt and he was excited and happy to do the work. So he started out on his way to town to get the seed. Being such a beautiful day he decided to walk. Along the way he saw the man that owns the house on the very next corner. He took but a second to say good morning and God bless you to the man, who grumbled something under his breath, but the man kept going with joy in his heart. He came across a young man who was seemed to be just hanging around downtown, it turns out that this youngster was listening to his I-pod, the man greeted him with a good morning and a God bless you before he noticed what the kid was up to, it did not matter to him anyway. The boy never heard a word he the man had said to him, but the man kept walking undeterred. When the gentleman finally got to the store he greeted everyone he saw there with joy in his heart and a smile on his face. He purchased his grass seed and shared another gracious good morning with the clerk. As the man left the store he encountered a young woman who seemed a bit distraught. He took just a brief moment to say Good Morning and God Bless you, to which the young woman told him to leave her alone and continue on his way. He felt the need to tell her that God loves her and that he would pray for her. She muttered something that may have resembled a thanks, and the man continued on. What the man did not notice was that his bag had a small hole in it. Oh sure it was just a little hole in the weaving of the bag. As he passed several other people along the way, some met him with joy and some without, the bag still leaking seed, sometimes on dirt, sometimes on a sidewalk, sometimes it fell on rocks, but the man didn't even notice or concern himself with what was going on behind him. This went on until he got home. When he arrived he finally noticed the hole in the bag and that some of the seed had spilled out. He shrugged it off and went inside where he told his wife of the wonderful adventure he had just had and how beautiful it was out this morning. Never mentioning anything about the hole in the bag and the seed he had spilled out. There was no need to grumble about the lost seed, only the beauty he had just witnessed.
The point is not that we waste seed or time with people, it is that we take the time to spread seed and give some time to others. That we take the time we are given and use it wisely, not muttering and grumbling but loving and smiling. Jesus called us to love our neighbor as ourselves and not judge one another. If we can spend a little more time focusing on what God has given us and what we are to give others, instead of what is going on and how those people are receiving it, we might just change the way things look and feel around here.
If we do this thing right, we might just get out of here alive!
Monday, September 26, 2011
the TRUTH
So this afternoon I have been doing an inductive bible study on the book of Hebrews, which has little to do with what I am about to write about other than to note why I am in the bible today. So, I am thumbing back into Psalms and run across a message which says: Fred, " Do not fear, for I have redeemed you: I have called you by name, you are mine." Isaiah 43: 1
I am not sure how that got in there, but I am sure that an angel disguised as a friend gave this to me for such a time as this. The thoughts of insignificance and lack of faith in the abilities God has placed in me sometimes gets a bit overwhelming, today being one of those times. I am not an academic person.
I am now, God called me to seminary and called me to be a pastor. he would not have done it if He was not going to see me through it. He never called the israelites into a battle and then left them for dead. When they were actively pursuing Him and true to His word, He was always there for them.
When Joseph was sold into slavery, when Daniel was in the Lions Den. When the Israelites marched around Jericho and then shouted and blew horns. The point is the tif God truly does being you to it, He can and will bring you through it.
God changed Abram's name to Abraham, He changed the names of many of His beloved. He has changed my name as well, not that I might be a great and well written biblical scholar, but that I might be able to walk into the calling He has placed upon my life.
Sometimes a new perspective is the best as well as exactly what we need. He is GOOD and his love endures forever. I need to walk out in to the newness that was brought upon Christ's death upon the cross. He did it for you and for me. Change your name if it helps you to recognize that the old is dead and the new lives. Live out the destiny that God created you for, even upon creation and Christ paid for it upon Calvary.
If we do this thing righteously, we just night get out of here alive!
I am not sure how that got in there, but I am sure that an angel disguised as a friend gave this to me for such a time as this. The thoughts of insignificance and lack of faith in the abilities God has placed in me sometimes gets a bit overwhelming, today being one of those times. I am not an academic person.
I am now, God called me to seminary and called me to be a pastor. he would not have done it if He was not going to see me through it. He never called the israelites into a battle and then left them for dead. When they were actively pursuing Him and true to His word, He was always there for them.
When Joseph was sold into slavery, when Daniel was in the Lions Den. When the Israelites marched around Jericho and then shouted and blew horns. The point is the tif God truly does being you to it, He can and will bring you through it.
God changed Abram's name to Abraham, He changed the names of many of His beloved. He has changed my name as well, not that I might be a great and well written biblical scholar, but that I might be able to walk into the calling He has placed upon my life.
Sometimes a new perspective is the best as well as exactly what we need. He is GOOD and his love endures forever. I need to walk out in to the newness that was brought upon Christ's death upon the cross. He did it for you and for me. Change your name if it helps you to recognize that the old is dead and the new lives. Live out the destiny that God created you for, even upon creation and Christ paid for it upon Calvary.
If we do this thing righteously, we just night get out of here alive!
Sunday, September 25, 2011
relationships that change the Shame game for His glory
Christ tells us as Christians that we will face persecution as believers. That we won't be recognized in our home towns. Never in the bible does it say that we will life a life free from persecution or that we will have an easy life.
Too often we act as though we expect to get through this life without battle scares and sorrows. That is not the promise at all. It sucks somedays to be quite honest. It would be a lot easier if Christ would have made that promise to us and subsequently we would not suffer, but He didn't.
An unfortunate consequence is that we go through life almost alone sometimes, it is the rare friendship that is true enough to listen and understand everything. i.e. we don't have a real place to take our issues. Most of us are unaware of our responses to things, as in we don't know why we act the way that we do.
I recently went through a class on shame and grace. What an amazing experience. Rev. Robert Walter taught it at The Masters Institute in Minneapolis Minnesota. We were taught such great things as identifying some of the things from our childhood, times when we were shamed, or guilted into certain things. Those play a part in our childhood and how we felt with things as well as our adult lives and how we still do things.
As we learn how to recognize those symptoms and how to deal with them, we can then start the healing process. Learning how to forgive and break the chains that bind will without a doubt break the chains that bind. In my life there have been so many different things that have brought shame, but I thought that I forgiven those things and those people that caused the shame. I thought that I had forgiven myself for the things that I have done to myself and others. I had stated that I forgave and found that for what ever reason I am holding onto some of those things.
We (my seminary class) got an amazing opportunity - we got to do some Theophostic prayer. An amazing time that involves some of those ingrained memories and thoughts. Recognizing the belief as well as the feeling and then asking Jesus what He might think about it. The amazing part is seeing for yourself that He cares for us, He cares for me and for you. We worship a great God and I am thankful for Jesus and His sacrifice. By my own effort I am not worthy, by His economy, I am made worthy.
Learning to be real with each other and being there for one another, is a great beginning. I pray for God's strength to continue the therapy with Christ and the healing that I know He wants for me. Phillipians 3:20-21-"20 But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ,21 who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body." I continue to grow in Christ and continue to flesh out what the word relationship means. He has laid this on my heart and as well as a genuine love for people. His healing will aid me in being the same person in all circumstances. To be able to Love all His kids, not just the ones that I agree with.
I praise God for His goodness and long for His spirit to dwell so richly in me and for me to be able to walk with Him in all that I do.
If we do this thing in His will, we may just get out of here alive!
Too often we act as though we expect to get through this life without battle scares and sorrows. That is not the promise at all. It sucks somedays to be quite honest. It would be a lot easier if Christ would have made that promise to us and subsequently we would not suffer, but He didn't.
An unfortunate consequence is that we go through life almost alone sometimes, it is the rare friendship that is true enough to listen and understand everything. i.e. we don't have a real place to take our issues. Most of us are unaware of our responses to things, as in we don't know why we act the way that we do.
I recently went through a class on shame and grace. What an amazing experience. Rev. Robert Walter taught it at The Masters Institute in Minneapolis Minnesota. We were taught such great things as identifying some of the things from our childhood, times when we were shamed, or guilted into certain things. Those play a part in our childhood and how we felt with things as well as our adult lives and how we still do things.
As we learn how to recognize those symptoms and how to deal with them, we can then start the healing process. Learning how to forgive and break the chains that bind will without a doubt break the chains that bind. In my life there have been so many different things that have brought shame, but I thought that I forgiven those things and those people that caused the shame. I thought that I had forgiven myself for the things that I have done to myself and others. I had stated that I forgave and found that for what ever reason I am holding onto some of those things.
We (my seminary class) got an amazing opportunity - we got to do some Theophostic prayer. An amazing time that involves some of those ingrained memories and thoughts. Recognizing the belief as well as the feeling and then asking Jesus what He might think about it. The amazing part is seeing for yourself that He cares for us, He cares for me and for you. We worship a great God and I am thankful for Jesus and His sacrifice. By my own effort I am not worthy, by His economy, I am made worthy.
Learning to be real with each other and being there for one another, is a great beginning. I pray for God's strength to continue the therapy with Christ and the healing that I know He wants for me. Phillipians 3:20-21-"20 But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ,21 who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body." I continue to grow in Christ and continue to flesh out what the word relationship means. He has laid this on my heart and as well as a genuine love for people. His healing will aid me in being the same person in all circumstances. To be able to Love all His kids, not just the ones that I agree with.
I praise God for His goodness and long for His spirit to dwell so richly in me and for me to be able to walk with Him in all that I do.
If we do this thing in His will, we may just get out of here alive!
Friday, August 26, 2011
under attack
Off I go. It is the first week of Seminary and already under heavy attack. I have been praying that I could afford school without working. I want more than anything to do a great job for the Lord. I want to be all that Jesus died for me to be. I want to be able to go to school and not work, outside the 15 hours a week internship.
The enemy is hitting me so very hard that I am feeling terrible. I am having times where I feel as though I should not even be here. That is a lie, in the name and blood of Jesus I cast that lie out of my life. This vessel is for the Lord.
I know all the right things to do to cast these thoughts out of my head and heart. I know that they have no place in me, and yet they come. These thoughts invade my sleep and take over when I am not even looking. Taking away the joy of the Lord from my very soul, from my heart. I don't feel like even going to school. I am under attack.
Turn to the word of God Fred, turn to the word of God. So I am praying and praying and God tells me to open up the book. So I open the book and what do I see? Ezekial 15 - Jerusalem, a useless Vine. great God are you telling me I am worthless? Of course He isn't. I am an heir to the thrown, I am a Prince in the Most Royal Family. I Frederick J. Schumacher am Jesus' little brother. I am not worthless. I am worthy of this inheritance. I am worthy of what God Himself has called me to. I am "I Am's" boy. While Ezekial 15 talks about a worthless vine, Ezekial 16 talks about God's love and provision. It talks about how much God loves us. Although on the day of your birth you were not even washed, you lay there in your blood, God saw you and had more for you. 16:6 says"And when I passed by you and saw you wallowing in your blood, I said to you in your blood,'LIVE!' " I made you flourish like a plant of the field.
This passage goes on to talk about all the provision of God. When it seems as though you are not enough as Jerusalem surely felt, repent from you worldly views and flourish in God's gifts. He loves you and you can't do anything about that. When the enemy is telling you that you are not enough, tell him to kindly go back to hell where he belongs. Tell him that he has no place in the son or daughter of the Most High God.
God's love endures forever. Do not turn back into the ways of the world. Do not turn to jewels or rely on your own beauty as it talks about in the rest of the chapter. Stay in Daddies arms. Stay where the Son is so nice and warm on your heart, that your skin even feels warm.
Please grab a friend when the enemy is attacking, you may very well be on the brink of something wonderful for the Kingdom. Be encouraged that you are under attack, that means that you are worth it.
If we do this thing right, we might just get out of here alive!
The enemy is hitting me so very hard that I am feeling terrible. I am having times where I feel as though I should not even be here. That is a lie, in the name and blood of Jesus I cast that lie out of my life. This vessel is for the Lord.
I know all the right things to do to cast these thoughts out of my head and heart. I know that they have no place in me, and yet they come. These thoughts invade my sleep and take over when I am not even looking. Taking away the joy of the Lord from my very soul, from my heart. I don't feel like even going to school. I am under attack.
Turn to the word of God Fred, turn to the word of God. So I am praying and praying and God tells me to open up the book. So I open the book and what do I see? Ezekial 15 - Jerusalem, a useless Vine. great God are you telling me I am worthless? Of course He isn't. I am an heir to the thrown, I am a Prince in the Most Royal Family. I Frederick J. Schumacher am Jesus' little brother. I am not worthless. I am worthy of this inheritance. I am worthy of what God Himself has called me to. I am "I Am's" boy. While Ezekial 15 talks about a worthless vine, Ezekial 16 talks about God's love and provision. It talks about how much God loves us. Although on the day of your birth you were not even washed, you lay there in your blood, God saw you and had more for you. 16:6 says"And when I passed by you and saw you wallowing in your blood, I said to you in your blood,'LIVE!' " I made you flourish like a plant of the field.
This passage goes on to talk about all the provision of God. When it seems as though you are not enough as Jerusalem surely felt, repent from you worldly views and flourish in God's gifts. He loves you and you can't do anything about that. When the enemy is telling you that you are not enough, tell him to kindly go back to hell where he belongs. Tell him that he has no place in the son or daughter of the Most High God.
God's love endures forever. Do not turn back into the ways of the world. Do not turn to jewels or rely on your own beauty as it talks about in the rest of the chapter. Stay in Daddies arms. Stay where the Son is so nice and warm on your heart, that your skin even feels warm.
Please grab a friend when the enemy is attacking, you may very well be on the brink of something wonderful for the Kingdom. Be encouraged that you are under attack, that means that you are worth it.
If we do this thing right, we might just get out of here alive!
Monday, August 15, 2011
time of need
It is so amazing how, when you think that you couldn't possibly get any more in need of people or reliant upon friends, God shows you another situation. When yo think that you might have a firm grasp on what humility is, think again. God will allow you to learn even more about it.
I have been laid up for a little over a month. I blew my back out the week of Easter. ( It is quite ironic that on the week of easter, I find out the true weight of the cross, or at least enough to get an understanding if only a little bit). I can't carry a five pound bag of potatoes, and yet I need to move in the next few days or so.
Having to rely completely on others for everything is so very humbling. I am moving and for the first time in my life my body is incapable doing any of it or of working as a carpenter. It is time to put my words from the pulpit in to action in my life. When the bible says to rely fully on God and not worry about tomorrow for tomorrow has enough to worry about on it's own. I need to believe that God will in fact provide for me and the journey that He has for me. Seminary is tough enough without all the worries of my inability to provide for myself, not being able to focus and concentrate for any amount of time.
The Proverbs speak of our trust in God: Proverbs 3: 21-26 "My child, do not let these escape from your sight: Keep sound wisdom and prudence, and they will be life for your soul and adornment for your neck. then you will walk on your way securely and your foot will not stumble. If you sit down," your ill not be afraid; when you lie down your sleep will be sweet. Do not be afraid of sudden panic, or of the storm that strikes the wicked: for the Lord will be your confidence and will keep your foot from being caught.
God I love you and I have to admit, I don't doubt you, it is me. Sometimes I doubt my ability to listen and follow through with what it is that you will do for me. I need You Lord!
I have to say thanks to God for getting me through the sermon on Sunday. Lord you showed up in the writing and the delivery of the message. You gave me the courage to share my life with the congregation. You gave excellent scripture verses that tied with my life so well. You gave me strength to stand for 30 minutes. Lord you have provided everything that I need, now please let forth the victory chant that tells me we are going to make it. Lord show me how to fight from the victory of the cross. How do I not let the enemy into my life at this stage. God you name dreams of victory - You are Glory! You are Victory! Jesus, the price you paid on the cross is more the enough! Help me walk that in all that I do, help me get rid of doubt.
Dear Lord, help me get out of this thing alive!
I have been laid up for a little over a month. I blew my back out the week of Easter. ( It is quite ironic that on the week of easter, I find out the true weight of the cross, or at least enough to get an understanding if only a little bit). I can't carry a five pound bag of potatoes, and yet I need to move in the next few days or so.
Having to rely completely on others for everything is so very humbling. I am moving and for the first time in my life my body is incapable doing any of it or of working as a carpenter. It is time to put my words from the pulpit in to action in my life. When the bible says to rely fully on God and not worry about tomorrow for tomorrow has enough to worry about on it's own. I need to believe that God will in fact provide for me and the journey that He has for me. Seminary is tough enough without all the worries of my inability to provide for myself, not being able to focus and concentrate for any amount of time.
The Proverbs speak of our trust in God: Proverbs 3: 21-26 "My child, do not let these escape from your sight: Keep sound wisdom and prudence, and they will be life for your soul and adornment for your neck. then you will walk on your way securely and your foot will not stumble. If you sit down," your ill not be afraid; when you lie down your sleep will be sweet. Do not be afraid of sudden panic, or of the storm that strikes the wicked: for the Lord will be your confidence and will keep your foot from being caught.
God I love you and I have to admit, I don't doubt you, it is me. Sometimes I doubt my ability to listen and follow through with what it is that you will do for me. I need You Lord!
I have to say thanks to God for getting me through the sermon on Sunday. Lord you showed up in the writing and the delivery of the message. You gave me the courage to share my life with the congregation. You gave excellent scripture verses that tied with my life so well. You gave me strength to stand for 30 minutes. Lord you have provided everything that I need, now please let forth the victory chant that tells me we are going to make it. Lord show me how to fight from the victory of the cross. How do I not let the enemy into my life at this stage. God you name dreams of victory - You are Glory! You are Victory! Jesus, the price you paid on the cross is more the enough! Help me walk that in all that I do, help me get rid of doubt.
Dear Lord, help me get out of this thing alive!
Thursday, July 21, 2011
A rant if you will
The point between Love and Law
This is the point where my Lord dwells
His home is between judgment and righteousness
Between Ego and humility
Where the love pours out like wine, on both the rich and the poor, the weak and the strong, the smart and the "ignorant"
Lord how do we enter into this place that you have prepared for us Lord
The place where love is the law
The place that following you Lord is the place we desire to be
To be in constance fellowship with you Lord
How is it that we have gone so far on your grace,
and have yet to walk on our own with you
Lord I feel as though I fail you more than I champion for you
What is this allusive point that I hunt for,
that place between my head and my heart where I seem to get lost more than I am found
To love you to the point of ridicule
To love you to the point of persecution
God my God how is it that you still love me in spite of me
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
It can happen at the drive up?
So, if your anything like me. You, from a young age have found yourself noticing that some people do more than others and you in fact are most often that one that does more.
Most times I try to blow it off and say that I don't mind. I will be honest right now, eventually it will rub on me and I will build resentment about it. Why do I have to do so much more than that person and we either receive the same or frequently they will make more? Why am I busting my back when they are loafing or doing so little?
I bring this up today as I read through 2nd Corinthians 8:12-15- 12 For if the willingness is there, the gift is acceptable according to what one has, not according to what one does not have.
13 Our desire is not that others might be relieved while you are hard pressed, but that there might be equality. 14 At the present time your plenty will supply what they need, so that in turn their plenty will supply what you need. The goal is equality, 15 as it is written: “The one who gathered much did not have too much, and the one who gathered little did not have too little.”
This is really working on me about equality and the whole idea behind this blog - Relationally how do we get through this thing alive? How will we come together if we are always judging "fairness".
We get out alive by not building up resentments and loving one another! We do this by caring for others more than we care for ourselves. you all know that the first shall be last and the last shall be first right, so?
I, and hopefully I am not alone on this one. I seem to have a keen ability assess value to what others do in their days. I can tell you without question whether or not you work hard or not. I can tell you whether you are pulling your weight or not. I have been blessed with the ability to tell if someone is doing all that they can do or not. Hopefully you can read the scarcasm in that.
As I read this passage today it really hit me that I have to reevaluate what or how I look at others and their commitments to this thing called life. Have you ever been blessed by a beautiful steak dinner? How about a small little flower growing out of a crack somewhere that you would never suspect it to be? Has any one ever told you a story or said something nice to you in just the smallest and almost unnoticeable way? Have you ever got a chuckle or a smile out of the old guy driving his farm truck 20 miles and hour under the speed limit?
One day, about 20 years ago, I was driving around Madison Wi. and I was having the absolute worse day of my life. I was on the verge of tears all day. Everything sucked and I mean everything. I am sure that I had contemplated my reason for even being on this earth. I know that it did not matter to me at that time if I was here or not, it would not matter to anyone especially me. I pulled into a McDonald's of all places. I drive up to the menu and I hear this young kid ask how I was doing and if I knew what I wanted and if there was any way that he could help me. This young man sounded as if He knew why he was there. He was just doing his seemingly insignificant job. He delighted in what he was doing though. I could hear hope and joy and love in his voice. I instantly began weeping. I was weeping because a kid that was probably only making 3.50 an hour was doing his job. This kid did not find his job insignificant and neither did I after hearing him. I knew that things would be ok. I knew it from kid at McDonald's. I knew that it would be ok,from that kid's attitude about his "stupid little job.
I look back at it now and I would like to say that God sent a not so insignificant angel for me. I gave the kid a 5.00 tip and said thanks and told him that he may never know how much he just changed my life and my day and drove away. So, while this "kid" made his .30 for his less than five minutes with me, he made a difference in my entire life. So as this "kid went from there to wherever he went after work, and maybe he didn't have an abundance of money,(that is not the real point) he did more than money could ever buy, he helped to save my life that day. He gave from his "little"and gave me a lot.
I am not sure how his day went from that point on or even before hand, but this line of work is often looked down upon by many, it is menial and trivial and matters very little in the grand scheme of things. I guess what I am saying is that while some appear to not do there part, think about it. Do you really know what there part is? Have you been given divine insight to see what they were meant to do today?
Even if they did nothing today or as long as you've known them, maybe it is because you are not giving of your abundance first. Maybe you need to pour out into them. Maybe you can ask them in a genuinely pleasant way today - How may I help you?
While we don't know what each other is suppose to do from moment to moment, it is my argument that we know what we are suppose to do.
LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF!
Do not worry about what others are or aren't doing, worry about what Christ is doing in and through you!
If we do this correctly, we just might get out of this thing alive!
Most times I try to blow it off and say that I don't mind. I will be honest right now, eventually it will rub on me and I will build resentment about it. Why do I have to do so much more than that person and we either receive the same or frequently they will make more? Why am I busting my back when they are loafing or doing so little?
I bring this up today as I read through 2nd Corinthians 8:12-15- 12 For if the willingness is there, the gift is acceptable according to what one has, not according to what one does not have.
13 Our desire is not that others might be relieved while you are hard pressed, but that there might be equality. 14 At the present time your plenty will supply what they need, so that in turn their plenty will supply what you need. The goal is equality, 15 as it is written: “The one who gathered much did not have too much, and the one who gathered little did not have too little.”
This is really working on me about equality and the whole idea behind this blog - Relationally how do we get through this thing alive? How will we come together if we are always judging "fairness".
We get out alive by not building up resentments and loving one another! We do this by caring for others more than we care for ourselves. you all know that the first shall be last and the last shall be first right, so?
I, and hopefully I am not alone on this one. I seem to have a keen ability assess value to what others do in their days. I can tell you without question whether or not you work hard or not. I can tell you whether you are pulling your weight or not. I have been blessed with the ability to tell if someone is doing all that they can do or not. Hopefully you can read the scarcasm in that.
As I read this passage today it really hit me that I have to reevaluate what or how I look at others and their commitments to this thing called life. Have you ever been blessed by a beautiful steak dinner? How about a small little flower growing out of a crack somewhere that you would never suspect it to be? Has any one ever told you a story or said something nice to you in just the smallest and almost unnoticeable way? Have you ever got a chuckle or a smile out of the old guy driving his farm truck 20 miles and hour under the speed limit?
One day, about 20 years ago, I was driving around Madison Wi. and I was having the absolute worse day of my life. I was on the verge of tears all day. Everything sucked and I mean everything. I am sure that I had contemplated my reason for even being on this earth. I know that it did not matter to me at that time if I was here or not, it would not matter to anyone especially me. I pulled into a McDonald's of all places. I drive up to the menu and I hear this young kid ask how I was doing and if I knew what I wanted and if there was any way that he could help me. This young man sounded as if He knew why he was there. He was just doing his seemingly insignificant job. He delighted in what he was doing though. I could hear hope and joy and love in his voice. I instantly began weeping. I was weeping because a kid that was probably only making 3.50 an hour was doing his job. This kid did not find his job insignificant and neither did I after hearing him. I knew that things would be ok. I knew it from kid at McDonald's. I knew that it would be ok,from that kid's attitude about his "stupid little job.
I look back at it now and I would like to say that God sent a not so insignificant angel for me. I gave the kid a 5.00 tip and said thanks and told him that he may never know how much he just changed my life and my day and drove away. So, while this "kid" made his .30 for his less than five minutes with me, he made a difference in my entire life. So as this "kid went from there to wherever he went after work, and maybe he didn't have an abundance of money,(that is not the real point) he did more than money could ever buy, he helped to save my life that day. He gave from his "little"and gave me a lot.
I am not sure how his day went from that point on or even before hand, but this line of work is often looked down upon by many, it is menial and trivial and matters very little in the grand scheme of things. I guess what I am saying is that while some appear to not do there part, think about it. Do you really know what there part is? Have you been given divine insight to see what they were meant to do today?
Even if they did nothing today or as long as you've known them, maybe it is because you are not giving of your abundance first. Maybe you need to pour out into them. Maybe you can ask them in a genuinely pleasant way today - How may I help you?
While we don't know what each other is suppose to do from moment to moment, it is my argument that we know what we are suppose to do.
LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF!
Do not worry about what others are or aren't doing, worry about what Christ is doing in and through you!
If we do this correctly, we just might get out of this thing alive!
Sunday, July 10, 2011
way of the warrior
A wonderful book entitled qualities of a spiritual warrior has been so revitalizing. Graham Cooke wrote the book in 2008 as a way to help people realize the power they have in Christ.
One of the struggles I have always had in my life has been being reactionary. I frequently react to circumstances that need my tending to. This could be someone picking on the under privileged or maybe something not quite so hero - esk. If it was not an action type situation such as the previously mentioned, it could be my getting upset when things did not go quite right for me or someone said something to me that was upsetting. How about road rage or being tested in the realm of patients.
Reacting to situations is something I am quite good at - if you will. This book talks about those things as well as helps you to get through them. Seeing scripturally how God has made provision for us. He has us covered, He already thought of it. He talks about how much God loves us. We know from scripture that God delights in us, but Graham describes this as God bubbling in enthusiasm for us. That certainly puts a great big smile on my face.
These descriptions help me to keep up the fight. To continue to run the race, to endure in what He has called me to do. If God so desires a relationship with me that He bubbles in enthusiasm for me, it is my blessing to do the same in return. This brings up a question for me, how do I love Him the way that He loves me? It is necessary to be genuine in our pursuit of Him. To ask Him truthfully what is in our hearts. If we are able to be real with God, won't that show in all that we do? It should show in our relationships with others, and that is the catch for me. That is something that truly draws me in, draws me deeper into a relationship with Him and others.
Many times the church is it's own worst enemy. We rely on our own abilities to understand and relate to people we only see on Sundays ( most of the time). Remember when I talked about judging people and their walk with Christ. It is easy to see that I have been relying on my own understanding of God and what He would want from me.
Graham has an amazing quote in this book.
"This is the land of the religious and the Pharisee, where men make God in their own image; and intellectual study governs our thinking. We have no internal perception of God's true reality, and our logic based faith is so reasonable we cannot achieve anything with it."
If we only fix our eyes on what we learn from a book, we can never fix our eyes on what He is showing us - how much He loves us and how much we are to Love others. We can never get fixated on peoples performances or the way that we think they should be that we forget to Love them where they are at, the way that Christ took us - as is - damaged goods - He bubbles with enthusiasm for us!
Can we take from example - What He has shown us - can we be the difference that changes the world? Can we show a love that is undeniable to those who know no love like this?
It is my recommendation that everyone who has an interest in knowing God more intimately - read this one! it is simply amazing!
If we do these things correctly or with a true heart, we might just get out of this thing alive!
One of the struggles I have always had in my life has been being reactionary. I frequently react to circumstances that need my tending to. This could be someone picking on the under privileged or maybe something not quite so hero - esk. If it was not an action type situation such as the previously mentioned, it could be my getting upset when things did not go quite right for me or someone said something to me that was upsetting. How about road rage or being tested in the realm of patients.
Reacting to situations is something I am quite good at - if you will. This book talks about those things as well as helps you to get through them. Seeing scripturally how God has made provision for us. He has us covered, He already thought of it. He talks about how much God loves us. We know from scripture that God delights in us, but Graham describes this as God bubbling in enthusiasm for us. That certainly puts a great big smile on my face.
These descriptions help me to keep up the fight. To continue to run the race, to endure in what He has called me to do. If God so desires a relationship with me that He bubbles in enthusiasm for me, it is my blessing to do the same in return. This brings up a question for me, how do I love Him the way that He loves me? It is necessary to be genuine in our pursuit of Him. To ask Him truthfully what is in our hearts. If we are able to be real with God, won't that show in all that we do? It should show in our relationships with others, and that is the catch for me. That is something that truly draws me in, draws me deeper into a relationship with Him and others.
Many times the church is it's own worst enemy. We rely on our own abilities to understand and relate to people we only see on Sundays ( most of the time). Remember when I talked about judging people and their walk with Christ. It is easy to see that I have been relying on my own understanding of God and what He would want from me.
Graham has an amazing quote in this book.
"This is the land of the religious and the Pharisee, where men make God in their own image; and intellectual study governs our thinking. We have no internal perception of God's true reality, and our logic based faith is so reasonable we cannot achieve anything with it."
If we only fix our eyes on what we learn from a book, we can never fix our eyes on what He is showing us - how much He loves us and how much we are to Love others. We can never get fixated on peoples performances or the way that we think they should be that we forget to Love them where they are at, the way that Christ took us - as is - damaged goods - He bubbles with enthusiasm for us!
Can we take from example - What He has shown us - can we be the difference that changes the world? Can we show a love that is undeniable to those who know no love like this?
It is my recommendation that everyone who has an interest in knowing God more intimately - read this one! it is simply amazing!
If we do these things correctly or with a true heart, we might just get out of this thing alive!
Monday, June 13, 2011
what we are talking about
So many times in our lives we have probably heard that "nothing changes if nothing changes", "if everything stays the same nothing changes".
These are such Duh statements and yet, we don't change. We allow our society to tell us,(those that should know better) what is ok or how we should do our faith. We allow people to tell us virtually what we are thinking and how we should do that.
I subscribe to a daily devotion called inward /outward it is from church of the savior. I want to share with you todays quote which drives this point home for me.
Behold the New
We know Your Word says, 'Woe to those who call evil good,' but that is exactly what we have done. We have lost our spiritual equilibrium and reversed our values. We have exploited the poor and called it the lottery. We have rewarded laziness and called it welfare. We have killed our unborn and called it choice. We have shot abortionists and called it justifiable. We have neglected to discipline our children and called it building self esteem. We have abused power and called it politics. We have coveted our neighbor's possessions and called it ambition. We have polluted the air with profanity and pornography and called it freedom of expression. We have ridiculed the time-honored values of our forefathers and called it enlightenment. Search us, Oh God, and know our hearts today; cleanse us from every sin and Set us free. Amen!' With the Lord's help, may this prayer sweep over our nation and wholeheartedly become our desire so that we again can be called 'One nation under God!'
Think about this: If you forward this prayer to everyone on your e-mail list, in less than 30 days it would be heard by the world.
These are such Duh statements and yet, we don't change. We allow our society to tell us,(those that should know better) what is ok or how we should do our faith. We allow people to tell us virtually what we are thinking and how we should do that.
I subscribe to a daily devotion called inward /outward it is from church of the savior. I want to share with you todays quote which drives this point home for me.
Behold the New
Elizabeth O'Connor
"The church is not going to be different until someone in it is different. God waits for each of us to hear, "Behold, I do a new thing--through you!" The question is always: Can we open our lives so that the Holy Spirit may descend and new power break that we may be the kind of person around whom renewal begins?"
Source: Call to Commitment
If we are to change, I suggest that you start with you. Haver the courage to stand for what you believe, as Christ did. He died on a tree that we might have the ability to do so. It can all start when we don't do what society says is right, rather do what Christ has taught us is right. Just do the next right thing.
I received an email that has a great Billy Graham quote:
'Heavenly Father, we come before you today to ask your forgiveness and to seek your direction and guidance. We know Your Word says, 'Woe to those who call evil good,' but that is exactly what we have done. We have lost our spiritual equilibrium and reversed our values. We have exploited the poor and called it the lottery. We have rewarded laziness and called it welfare. We have killed our unborn and called it choice. We have shot abortionists and called it justifiable. We have neglected to discipline our children and called it building self esteem. We have abused power and called it politics. We have coveted our neighbor's possessions and called it ambition. We have polluted the air with profanity and pornography and called it freedom of expression. We have ridiculed the time-honored values of our forefathers and called it enlightenment. Search us, Oh God, and know our hearts today; cleanse us from every sin and Set us free. Amen!' With the Lord's help, may this prayer sweep over our nation and wholeheartedly become our desire so that we again can be called 'One nation under God!'
Think about this: If you forward this prayer to everyone on your e-mail list, in less than 30 days it would be heard by the world.
'One Nation Under God!
Remember if we do this thing right, we just might get out of here alive. The price has already been paid - will you accept?
Friday, June 10, 2011
Perspective
Looking at life the way that Christ did. It shouldn't be that tough, should it?
We who live in America are truly blessed. We have so much wealth that we get angry and depressed when we cannot purchase the latest and greatest toys or material goods. We get to a point emotionally that goes beyond what many people of this world would understand.
Christ walked this earth with only a few things, what we would certainly call nothing. He had a the clothes on His back. He had sandals on His feet. He had 12 "friends", that was about it. Ooooops , forgot the greatest two things. His love for God the Father and His love for His brothers and sisters. Christ lived His entire life to love God and love His neighbors. Not for what the world could give Him but rather what He could give the world
If you were to be stranded on a deserted island, what would you have to take with you? Ask this question and then throw in the idea that you can take the top 10 favorite things. Make the list, go ahead and write them down.
If your done with your list, evaluate said list. Are there more material things on your list that have nothing do do with your faith in Christ? How does that make you feel about what you values? Does it at least make you think about things a little bit different?
We are told to love our neighbor as our selves. Was one of the things on your list your best friend or your family? Was another your bible or another form of the Gospel message?
King Solomon once had to work out the thoughts and efforts of his heart verse his faith in God. Is it ok to want? Does your want include God's will?
His efforts are recorded in Ecclesiastes 2:1-11
I said to myself, "Come now, I will test you with pleasure. So enjoy yourself." And behold, it too was futility. I said of laughter, "It is madness," and of pleasure, "What does it accomplish?" I explored with my mind how to stimulate my body with wine while my mind was guiding me wisely, and how to take hold of folly, until I could see what good there is for the sons of men to do under heaven the few years of their lives. I enlarged my works: I built houses for myself, I planted vineyards for myself; I made gardens and parks for myself and I planted in them all kinds of fruit trees; I made ponds of water for myself from which to irrigate a forest of growing trees.I bought male and female slaves and I had homeborn slaves. Also I possessed flocks and herds larger than all who preceded me in Jerusalem. Also, I collected for myself silver and gold and the treasure of kings and provinces. I provided for myself male and female singers and the pleasures of men--many concubines.Then I became great and increased more than all who preceded me in Jerusalem. My wisdom also stood by me. All that my eyes desired I did not refuse them. I did not withhold my heart from any pleasure, for my heart was pleased because of all my labor and this was my reward for all my labor. Thus I considered all my activities which my hands had done and the labor which I had exerted, and behold all was vanity and striving after wind and there was no profit under the sun.
He came up with a great answer in verses 12 through 17. He is basically saying that a person needs to be wiser than the fool. Chase after the light vs. the darkness, or you and a fool will chase after the same things. Both the fool and you will die, so what is the difference?
Christ set the example. Don't struggle and strain to gain earthly things, work hard to walk with God. This will mean that you need to change your perspective. What does success look like to you and your friends. How would you define success?
I am not sure if anyone of us will ever get this perfect,. but if we try to see things the way that Christ would have, maybe just maybe we can get out of this thing alive.
We who live in America are truly blessed. We have so much wealth that we get angry and depressed when we cannot purchase the latest and greatest toys or material goods. We get to a point emotionally that goes beyond what many people of this world would understand.
Christ walked this earth with only a few things, what we would certainly call nothing. He had a the clothes on His back. He had sandals on His feet. He had 12 "friends", that was about it. Ooooops , forgot the greatest two things. His love for God the Father and His love for His brothers and sisters. Christ lived His entire life to love God and love His neighbors. Not for what the world could give Him but rather what He could give the world
If you were to be stranded on a deserted island, what would you have to take with you? Ask this question and then throw in the idea that you can take the top 10 favorite things. Make the list, go ahead and write them down.
If your done with your list, evaluate said list. Are there more material things on your list that have nothing do do with your faith in Christ? How does that make you feel about what you values? Does it at least make you think about things a little bit different?
We are told to love our neighbor as our selves. Was one of the things on your list your best friend or your family? Was another your bible or another form of the Gospel message?
King Solomon once had to work out the thoughts and efforts of his heart verse his faith in God. Is it ok to want? Does your want include God's will?
His efforts are recorded in Ecclesiastes 2:1-11
I said to myself, "Come now, I will test you with pleasure. So enjoy yourself." And behold, it too was futility. I said of laughter, "It is madness," and of pleasure, "What does it accomplish?" I explored with my mind how to stimulate my body with wine while my mind was guiding me wisely, and how to take hold of folly, until I could see what good there is for the sons of men to do under heaven the few years of their lives. I enlarged my works: I built houses for myself, I planted vineyards for myself; I made gardens and parks for myself and I planted in them all kinds of fruit trees; I made ponds of water for myself from which to irrigate a forest of growing trees.I bought male and female slaves and I had homeborn slaves. Also I possessed flocks and herds larger than all who preceded me in Jerusalem. Also, I collected for myself silver and gold and the treasure of kings and provinces. I provided for myself male and female singers and the pleasures of men--many concubines.Then I became great and increased more than all who preceded me in Jerusalem. My wisdom also stood by me. All that my eyes desired I did not refuse them. I did not withhold my heart from any pleasure, for my heart was pleased because of all my labor and this was my reward for all my labor. Thus I considered all my activities which my hands had done and the labor which I had exerted, and behold all was vanity and striving after wind and there was no profit under the sun.
He came up with a great answer in verses 12 through 17. He is basically saying that a person needs to be wiser than the fool. Chase after the light vs. the darkness, or you and a fool will chase after the same things. Both the fool and you will die, so what is the difference?
Christ set the example. Don't struggle and strain to gain earthly things, work hard to walk with God. This will mean that you need to change your perspective. What does success look like to you and your friends. How would you define success?
I am not sure if anyone of us will ever get this perfect,. but if we try to see things the way that Christ would have, maybe just maybe we can get out of this thing alive.
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