The Unknown God

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts%2017:22-23&version=NIV 

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isa%2055:8-9&version=NIV 

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=I%20Cor%2013:12&version=NIV 

Every once in a while we get surprised by others, don’t we?  I’m not talking parties here.  I’m talking actions.  For example, a friend that we’ve known for years suddenly quits their job.  And buys a house in Aruba.  Or a neighbor that we’ve known for years one day commits suicide.  Or a spouse that we’ve been married to for years decides they want a divorce.  They walk out the door.  And into the arms of a new-found love.  We are left wondering why?  How?  Yes, it appears that all of us are surprised by others at some point in time.  We thought that we knew them.  Then we found out that we didn’t.

That happened to me with God recently.  God and I go way back.  To be truthful, we go all the way back to eternity past when He first thought of creating me.  But from my recollection, we go back 45+ years.  To when I was just entering my teens.  That’s when God & I ‘tied the knot’, so to speak.  When I entered into a relationship with Him.  A relationship that continues to this present day.

Now one would think that in 45+ years, I would really know God by now.  I mean, we’ve been together such a long time.  We’ve talked together.  We’ve gone through life together.  I’ve learned so much about Him.  By reading the Bible.  Through experience.  By worshiping Him.  So it came as quite a shock to me when I found out that I really didn’t know Him that well after all.  It’s almost as if I’ve been worshiping a concept.  Or a God of my own creation.  Sometimes I feel like John 4:22 where Jesus told the woman at the well that she worshiped ‘what she did not know’.  Or when Paul found an altar to the Unknown God on Mars Hill in Athens.  Let me explain.

Lately my attention has been drawn to a number of verses in Scripture.  Verses that talk about how holy God is.  How terrible He is.  How awesome.  Verses that talk about how loving He is.  And full of grace.  And mercy.  Slowly I have to come to the realization that after all these years I have only scratched the surface of who God really is.  And it has rocked my world.  I am ashamed.  I thought I knew God pretty well.  It turns out that I don’t.  Because I  haven’t spent time going deeper in my Bible reading.  I haven’t spent as much time meditating on His Word as I should have.  My prayer times have been far too short on time.  And substance.  The result is that I find that I don’t know God very well at all.

And God is not content with this.  Because His desire is that I get to know Him intimately.  Deeply.  That I know Him in an intensely personal way.  Because that is the essence of love.  Of relationship.  And that is His desire for you, as well.  And for every person on this planet.  In Jeremiah 9:24 God says, “But let him who boasts boast of this, that he understands and knows Me...”  This is what God wants from us.  To be known.  To be understood.  To be appreciated.  To be loved.  But this takes time.  It takes intentionality.  It takes commitment. 

So I am asking God to help me.  To help me get to know Him better.  To help me pursue Him.  And seek Him.  With all my heart.  One day I am going to see Him.  And then I will understand so much more about Him than I do now.  And for all eternity I am going to get to know Him better and better.  Now that’s something to look forward to!

Lord, You are so awesome.  And holy.  And loving.  There is so much to learn about You.  To explore.  To know.  Help me to pursue You will all my heart.  Increase my desire to know you.  And understand You.  And love You.  In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Every Knee Will Bow

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Phil%202:5-11&version=NIV

One practice that was fairly common in ancient times, and for much of human history, is obeisance.  This is the reverential bowing or kneeling to another person.  It is performed as a sign of respect.  Usually to a sovereign.  A king or queen.  In some cases, it might even be done to a person who is not royalty but who was highly respected.  Since it was very common in ancient times we find many instances of obeisance in Scripture - people bowing to kings such as David, Solomon, Nebuchadnezzar, etc.  However, in modern times bowing has become far less common, practiced in only a small number of countries today.

As Americans, bowing to others is a practice that is virtually unknown to us.  Even though our roots are in England and its monarchy, when we formed this nation we founded it as a democracy.  A nation that is - for the people, by the people, and of the people.  In our break from England, our forefathers steadfastly refused to bow to anyone.  This is now a part of our culture.  We don’t bow.  To anyone.  Anywhere.  Anytime.

Of course, one aspect of bowing that I have not mentioned is worship. Obviously if bowing or kneeling is a sign of respect, one would expect that it would be a part of worship.  And so it is.  Once again, we see that this practice was very common in ancient times.  People of all religions bowed down before their idols, their gods and goddesses.  There are also numerous examples of people bowing in worship that are recorded in Scripture.

Unlike bowing to royalty, however, bowing is still very much practiced in the realm of religion.  Every day people still bow in churches, synagogues and mosques to worship their God.  And many millions more bow in worship before an idol or shrine.

Once again, as it relates to American culture, we don’t normally bow in worship.  At least publicly.  Many of us are too formal for this.  Or not used to it.  But there are a number of people who bow privately.  As a sign of worship, reverence and submission to God.  The older I become the more readily I bow in private worship before God.  I love what it communicates.  I am the servant.  God is, well, God.  He is the Lord.  The Sovereign.  The Almighty.  I am in awe of Him.  I revere and respect Him.  I submit to His leading and His will.  And well I should.  If you are a Christian, you should too.  The Bible is full of passages that speak of our bowing or kneeling, even lying prostrate, before God.

The link to the Philippians passage at the top of the post talks about bowing.  Before Jesus.  It says that someday every knee will bow before Him.  Every knee.  Everyone in Heaven.  Everyone on earth.  Everyone under the earth.  Yep, that pretty much includes everyone.  People who love Jesus.  People who don’t believe in Jesus.  People who hate Jesus.  It doesn’t matter.  Someday every person is going to give Jesus the reverence and worship that He deserves.  Why?  Because He is the Son of God.  Because He is our Savior.  Because He alone is worthy.

That day is getting closer and closer.  The question is, are you going to be one of those who bows willingly or not?  The choice is yours.

Jesus, I thank you for all that You have done for me - creating me, loving me, dying for me, transforming me.  You are my all in all.  I willingly bow the knee before You.  Today and every day.  And for all eternity.  There is none like You.

Restaurant Stakeout

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=COl%203:12-14&version=NIV 

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Eph%204:2&version=NIV

The past couple months Beth and I have watched a program on the Food Network called Restaurant Stakeout.  The show stars Willie Degel who is the founder and CEO of the Uncle Jack's Steakhouse chain in New York City.  Each episode finds Degel visiting a restaurant at the request of its owner.  The reason for Degel’s presence is that the restaurant is underperforming.  Profits are either down or non-existent.  The hope is that Degel can come in, assess the situation, and then recommend changes to the owner that will help increase its profitability.

The way that Degel accomplishes this is through the use of hidden cameras.  These cameras are installed without the staff’s or customer’s knowledge.  They cover every facet of the restaurant’s operation - the kitchen, the bar, and the entire restaurant floor.  Then Degel invites the restaurant’s owner to join him in a separate room where they can view how the restaurant is being run.   What they see is incredible - drinking on the job, arguing with customers, flirting (with other employees or with customers), arguments between the staff, neglect of customers, and a lack of knowledge of the menu.  In addition to observing the staff, Degel will enlist some undercover people to enter the restaurant, acting as patrons.  These people are wired so that Degel can communicate with them.  Degel’s purpose in this is to test the staff and see what they know and how they respond.

As you can imagine, there is usually a good reason why the restaurant is underperforming and Degel and the owner can see it with their own eyes.  Of course, the owner is shocked when they see for themselves what goes on in their restaurant when they are not around.  Degel will mention to the owner what he sees is wrong and what should be happening.  Afterward Degel and the owner confront the staff.  At that time they learn who Degel is and why he is there.  More importantly, they are then told about the presence of the hidden cameras.  And that they have been under surveillance.  Usually this results in a look of shock, embarrassment and shame on the faces of the staff.  Degel will then tell the staff what he saw.  He will commend the staff who did do a good job.  And he will criticize the ones who didn’t.

As a leader, I put myself in the owner’s shoes.  In some cases the staff haven’t been trained properly.  Or there is no chain-of-command.  That’s on the owner.  But that still doesn’t excuse staff for basically ‘stealing’ from their employer by consuming product without paying for it or being lazy.  If it was up to me I would have fired more than one staff member right on the spot.  But Degel doesn’t do this.  He meets with each employee individually.  He tells them what they have been doing wrong.  And then tells them what they ought to be doing.  In some cases, he promotes employees and in other cases he moves them to a different position.  Lo and behold, when Degel comes back a couple months later, those same staff are now model employees.  They know what they are doing.  They like what they are doing.  And the restaurant is profitable.

As I watch these staff make a 180̊ change, I feel guilty.  While I was willing to fire some of the staff, Degel worked with them.  The result was a win-win situation.  The employee learned how to do their job and the restaurant was not only able to retain their staff, but also get increased productivity out of them.

This is a problem in the church at times.  And with Christians in general.  We are pretty quick to judge others.  Let a Christian fall off the wagon, or commit some kind of sin, and we immediately distance ourselves from them.  We act as though they have committed the unpardonable sin.  (Which they haven’t.)  We also have little tolerance with church workers who don’t meet our expectations.  If they are not performing well, we simply don’t re-up them the next year.  Or we make not-so-subtle hints that they ought to do something else.  Quite frankly, often we treat others like they are disposable. 

How sad!  Over and over again the Bible says that God is a God of second chances.  Why don’t we understand this?  And practice it?  Shouldn’t we be praying for, and working with, those who fall into sin?  Shouldn’t we be coming alongside our workers to help them improve?  To become all that God created them to be?  The answer to both of these questions is yes.  The fact is that God doesn’t give up on anybody.  Neither should we.

Lord, help me to be humble.  And filled with grace.  To see the best in others.  To be willing to look past their mistakes and weaknesses.  To see the potential that You have placed within them.  Help me to pray for, and work with, others so that they can be all that You created them to be.  In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Where Would I Be Today?

I wrote the following song in August 1982.  The words pretty much reflect what I was thinking at the time:

WHERE WOULD I BE TODAY?

        I can still remember the very time and place,

        I came to know Him and trusted in His grace,

        T’was something very special and beautiful to me,

        He loosed the bonds of sin and guilt and gave me liberty,

        Thank you for the preacher who told the Old Story to me,

        Thank you for the Sunday School teacher who taught it to me.

        Where would I be, oh, where would I be, where would I be today,

        What would have happened if no one would have shown me the way,

        Where would I be, oh, where would I be, where would I be today,

        What if nobody had taken the time to tell the story to me,

        The story to me, the story to me?

        Ev’ry day I praise Him for a brand new day,

        I thank Him for the strength He gives to walk the narrow way,

        I’m so glad I’ve found Him, He’s everything to me,

        He’s at my side in all I do and gives me victory.

        Thank you for the parents who read the Old Story to me,

        Thank you for the Christians who were an example to me.

        Where would I be, oh, where would I be, where would I be today,

        What would have happened if no one would have shown me the way,

        Where would I be, oh, where would I be, where would I be today,

        What if nobody had taken the time to tell the story to me,

        The story to me, the story to me?

I don't know if you have you ever stopped and thought about how different your life would be today if you hadn't put your faith in Jesus as your Savior?  It's definitely something to think about.  In my case, as a child, I had a terrible temper.  We're talking uncontrollable rage.  Once I punched my fist through the glass in our front door when my younger sister locked it on me.  I might have been 10 at the time.  Then, in 4th grade, I was involved in a fight at school during lunch hour that ended up in a brawl.  I was suspended from school for the remainder of the year and spent 5th grade at home with a tutor.  Funny, today I tell people about my temper issues and they can't believe it - thank you Jesus!  I know for a fact that if I hadn't become a Christian when I was 13 that, sooner or later, I would have either killed someone and/or been killed myself.

In the movie, It's A Wonderful Life, George Bailey gets an opportunity to see what life would have been like if he had never been born, and it was very different, in an extremely negative way.  I don't know when we get to Heaven if God will show us what our lives would have been like if we hadn't put our faith in Jesus as our Savior or not.  Time certainly won't be a factor!  If He does, I am sure that we will watch with horror and then deep gratitude, appreciation and worship over the difference He did make - and will continue to make for all eternity! 

Lord, thank you so much for the difference that You have made, and are making, in our lives!  Only You know how different they would have turned out otherwise.  Continue Your wonderful work of transforming us into the image of Your Son.  In Jesus' name, Amen.

When The Bottom Falls Out

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm+18:2&version=NIV

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm%2034:6&version=NIV

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm+40:2&version=NASB

Having the bottom fall out of something is seldom good.  For example, which one of us hasn’t had that happen to a bag of groceries?  The bag got wet.  Or there was too much weight.  All of a sudden, bam!  The bottom falls out.  Next thing we know there are groceries all over the floor.  Or the ground.

Or what about a business transaction?  The paperwork is all set to get that house that we’ve had our eye on.  Or that vehicle.  All of a sudden, bam!  The bottom falls out.  An inspection reveals previously unknown damage.  A credit score comes back lower than expected.  Suddenly the deal falls apart.  No house.  No vehicle.

Unfortunately, that’s exactly what happened to the Bush family of Seffner, Florida last Thursday evening.  Jeff Bush, 36, was in his bedroom sleeping at 11 pm when all of a sudden the bottom fell out.  Of his bedroom.  Literally.  A large sinkhole swallowed Jeff and the entire contents of his bedroom.  Jeff’s brother, Jeremy, who was also in the house, heard the noise and immediately ran down to his brother’s bedroom.  When he opened the door, everything was gone.  Including Jeff.  Jeremy jumped into the hole to try to find and rescue his brother but was unable to do so.  The hole was still collapsing and Jeff had to be rescued by a sheriff’s deputy.  The sinkhole eventually grew to an estimated 60' deep.  Fortunately Jeff and 3 other people in the house were unhurt.

I can only imagine the pain that Jeff felt.  He lost his brother.  In an instant.  Without warning.  He also lost the house that he was living in, since it has been subsequently demolished.  The house had been in his girlfriend’s family since the 1970's.  Now the house is gone.  Along with many of their personal effects.  All they have left are memories.

Isn’t that a lot like life?  One day things are going well and the next thing we know, bam, the bottom drops out!  We lose our job.  We are in an accident.  Or get diagnosed with a disease.  We go through a separation.  Or a divorce.  A child gets into trouble with the law.  A loved one dies.  All of a sudden we are in a free fall.  And we don’t know when or where we are going to land.  Or even if we will land.  Maybe we are just going to keep falling forever.  These are traumatic times.  In many cases, we never saw it coming.  Just like Jeff Bush.  Unfortunately, some people never recover from this.  The bottom falls out of their life and their life is over.  Maybe they don’t die.  But for all intents and purposes, their life is done.  Addiction.  Anger.  Bitterness.  Withdrawal.  They never recover.  They gradually sink from sight.  Never to be heard from again.

What can we do?  Well, it’s not like we can prevent the bottom from falling out of life.  It happens.  Sooner or later it will happen to us.  The goal is to be prepared.  The best way to do this is to know God.  To have a personal relationship with Him.  Because at the bottom of every hole, God is there.  He loves His children.  And He will always be there for them.  He will catch them.  He will rescue them.  He will put their feet back on solid ground once again.  We have His word on this.

Lord, I thank you that when the bottom falls out of my life You are there.  Sustaining me.  Holding me.  Loving me.  May I continue to strengthen and deepen my relationship with You today.  So that when bad times come I am not searching for You.  I will know exactly where You are.  Right beside me.  In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Lights In The Darkness

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John%201:4-5&version=NIV

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John%208:12&version=NIV

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew%205:14-16&version=NIV

Light.  You really can’t appreciate it until you don’t have it.  Then you realize its value.  Take the winters here in the Flathead Valley, for example.  Because of the nearby mountains it is not uncommon for us to get socked-in with clouds.  Not for just a day or two.  But for a couple of weeks! Now let me tell you, after a couple weeks of not seeing the sun, just about everybody is depressed.  As humans, we like to see the sun.  On a frequent basis.  When we don’t, we miss it.

The same is true for other lights.  Walk into a dingy or dark room and there is nothing much to see.  However, get a few lights going and the whole atmosphere changes.  Designers and architects know this.  That is why they devote so much time and energy to getting just the right amount, and types, of lights.  In the design world, lighting is everything.

One of the features of light that I find fascinating is just how far it can be seen.  Living on the south side of Kalispell I can see lights on the distant mountainside.  These lights are probably coming from someone’s porch or garage.  Now the fact is that these lights are probably 3 or more miles away.  But they stand out in stark contrast to the dark mountainside around it.  The same is true on water.  You can be out in the middle of Flathead Lake at night, miles from shore, and yet still see all kinds of lights in the distance.

Of course any discussion about the visibility of light from a great distance has to include the stars.  Early in the morning or late at night I am always amazed to go outside and see how brightly they shine.  Especially considering that they are at least 4 light years away.  That is the closest star.  Many are much further away.

This brings us to Philippians 2:14-15.  “Do everything without grumbling or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, ‘children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.’  Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky.”  What these verses are saying is that when we live for God the way that we should, our lives will stand out to others.  Just like stars do at night.  People will notice us.  They will see the light of God’s glory in us.  As such, they receive hope.  Direction.  Joy.

So many times we feel that, as Christians, our lives don’t count.  That we really don't matter much for the Kingdom.  But that is not true!  As we have already seen, even a single, solitary light can be seen for miles around.  You may be the only Christian in someone’s life.  They notice you.  They might not say it but you are the bright spot in their life.  The only ray of hope in an otherwise dark existence.  Don’t get discouraged.  You’re having an impact.  In your home.  School.  Work.  Community.  And as the world get darker as a result of sin, your life is going to shine that much brighter.  Your honesty, your kindness, your compassion and love will be noticed by others.  And just like a moth on a summer night they are going to be attracted to you.  And, in turn, to Jesus.  Isn’t that a great thought?

So don’t give up.  Your life does count.  You are being noticed.  Let your light be all that it was intended to be.  Let it shine.  Let it shine.  Let it shine.

Lord I thank you that I have the light of Your presence living in me.  I might not realize it at times but it is shining for others to see.  And appreciate.  It brings them hope.  And direction.  And joy.  May You use this little light to show others the way to You.  In Jesus’ name, Amen.

A Short Leash

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Hebrews%2012:5-11&version=NIV

I am not a dog owner but I have observed a number of people who do own them.  When a dog owner wants to take their dog for a walk, in most cases, a leash is very important.  The leash allows the owner to give their dog some freedom (as opposed to carrying their dog in their arms!) but not too much freedom.  The fact is that if some dogs weren't on a leash they would run wild - and either get into trouble or possibly put themselves, or others, at risk.

Of course, depending on the dog and the circumstances, not only might a dog have a leash, it might have a short leash.  The reason for this is that usually the dog is in an environment that is too tempting for it to handle.  Or too dangerous.  For instance, when an owner walks their dog past other dogs they may need to shorten the leash in order to keep their dog from getting too close.  Or the owner might be walking his dog in a crowd or near traffic, a place where too much leash could have bad consequences.

Now it appears that most dogs don't like leashes but it's not like they have a say in the matter.  That being said, most dogs really don't like a short leash.  This is because there is something that they want to see or explore and a short leash prevents them from doing so.  Unfortunately the dog probably doesn't understand that the short leash is actually a symbol of love and thoughtfulness on behalf of their owner.  The short leash is for their own good - to keep them out of mischief.  Or worse.

Over the years I have found that God has me on a short leash.  For example, I only skipped school once in my life.  It was during my senior year in high school and a couple of my friends decided to ditch school and go across the border into Canada for the day.  So I threw away my lunch, hopped on the bus with them, and headed north.  Unfortunately our plans were thwarted at the bridge to Canada - the result that a truant officer took all 4 of us back to the high school.  Where our parents were called.

Then there was the time right after I was married and we were moving to a new apartment.  As I pulled up in front of the apartment there were no parking places on the right side, so I pulled across traffic (there were no cars coming) and parked on the left side of the road - facing the wrong direction.  Now the reason that I did this is that I'd seen others do this hundreds of times.  However, I didn't even get out of my car before a police officer came by and lectured me on the dangers of this - and made me move my car.  Like I said, for most of my life God has had me on a short leash.

Of course, at first I chaffed at such treatment.  'How come others get away with things?  Why are You so harsh and stern with me?' I complained.  Just like a dog, I wanted to do what I wanted to do when I wanted to do it and I didn't like the idea of being restrained - of being told no.  However, over time I have come to thank God that He has me on a short leash.  I am glad that He doesn't allow me to get too far away from His side.  Having a short leash means that I can't continue in known sin.  I just can't.  I have to confess it as soon as possible and put it behind me.  I also can't say an unkind word to someone.  Or ignore God when He's asking me to do something.  I just can't.  Sooner, rather than later, I give in, confess my sin and do things God's way.

So rather than complain about the things that others get by with that you can't, maybe a little appreciation and thankfulness is in order.  Thank God that you got caught stealing the first time.  Thank God that you got a ticket the first day you took the car for a spin.  Thank God that the first time you told a lie someone called you out on it.  As His child, God loves you too much to allow you to get into trouble - to drift too far from His side into dangerous territory.  Rejoice and be glad!  Your Heavenly Father has you on a short leash because He wants you close by His side - which is the very best place to be!

Dear Lord, I thank you for keeping me on a short leash.  For wisely not letting me have my own way - for not letting me go places and do things that would have only caused me pain, suffering and embarrassment.  I have come to embrace and love the short leash.  It tells me how much You really love me.  In Jesus' name, Amen.

20 Years Of Ministry

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Gen%2012:1-3&version=NIV

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Heb%2011:1&version=NIV

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans%201:17&version=NIV

"The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step." - Chinese proverb

Abraham.  After the earlier accounts of Adam & Eve and Noah, he bursts on to the scene at the end of Genesis 11.  The first thing we learn about Abraham is that he is about to take a journey.  God speaks to Abraham and directs him to leave his native Ur of the Chaldees and go west - to some unknown land that He would show him.  The incredible thing is that Abraham obeyed!  He left behind his home.  His relatives.  His native city.  Everything that he had ever known.  To take a journey to realms unknown.  Certainly this was a huge risk on his part.  He was, in effect, going away from civilization - to some foreign, sparsely-populated, uncivilized place. 

So Abraham stepped out in faith and, following God’s directions, arrived in Canaan.  This was where Abraham was to live.  To spend the rest of his life.  This was the land that God was going to give to his descendants - who would one day be more numerous than the stars in the sky - or the grains of sand on the seashore.  Yes, the whole story of Abraham began with a single step of faith.  And once he arrived in Canaan, though his physical journey was over - Abraham’s spiritual journey was just beginning.  He was going to have to live by faith.  Faith that God would sustain him.  Faith that God would provide him with an heir.  Faith that God would keep His promises.  Many centuries later we know that God rewarded Abraham’s faith.  How different might things have turned out for Abraham, and our world, if he had not stepped out in faith!

20 years ago our family also embarked on a significant journey.  On August 27, 1992, we arrived in Kalispell, MT inside our old 1984 Ford station wagon.  It was the end of a physical journey that had begun 4 years earlier.  It was then that we left our native Niagara Falls, NY to travel to Minnesota.  So that I could attend Crown College.  And prepare for ministry.  Now we were in Kalispell and the spiritual part of our journey - the journey into ministry - was about to take place.  Kalispell is where I would officially be known as, and called, ‘Pastor’.  Kalispell is where I would be responsible for the spiritual welfare of a group of people.  Kalispell is where I would have the opportunity to take all that ‘theory’ that I had acquired - and put it into practice. 

Certainly there was a learning curve at the beginning.  When you arrive in ministry in your first church, people automatically assume that you are skilled in every area.  Preaching.  Teaching.  Counseling.  Leadership.  Administration.  The reality is that any ‘newbie’ to ministry has very little skill.  A lot of potential perhaps.  But not much experience.

But God was gracious.  And the people were kind.  Supportive.  Loving.  And God blessed.  Eventually I gained some valuable and much-needed experience.  I was able to translate my education into skills.  I learned on-the-job and eventually became comfortable with a particular style of ministry that represented who God made me to be.

20 years later I look back on our time in Kalispell and I am amazed.  Amazed because rarely do most pastors last this long in their first church.  Amazed at the skills that I have today that were so undeveloped back then.  Amazed at the sermons I preach - for each week I get to see first-hand how God brings it all together.  Amazed at how much I have grown spiritually.  Amazed at how much I have learned about myself.  And human nature.  And the Bible.  Amazed at what God has done in our family.  Amazed at how faithful God has been each step along the way.  Amazed at the various ways that God has worked through me to impact the lives of others.  Who knew?  I certainly longed for, and hoped for, this.  But still - it is amazing when one sees it actually happen!  And to think that all of this is a result of a single step of faith years ago.  What if we hadn’t taken that step of faith?  How different would our lives be today.  And the lives of countless others.

There is a lesson in all this.  That lesson is the importance of faith.  Faith is a journey.  Faith is always moving forward - into realms yet unknown.  Faith trusts God for what it cannot see - believing that He can make the impossible possible.

So where are you taking a step of faith today?   In what areas of your life are you trusting God?  Your job?  Your marriage?  Your family?  Your finances?  Your ministry?  Wherever it is, don’t stop!  Keep going forward.  Keep trusting God.  Eventually your faith will be rewarded.  You will be able to look back and see the hand of God at work in your life.  You will be able to see how much you’ve learned.  And grown.  You will be able to see how God has used you to impact the lives of others.  And someday, in Heaven, everyone will be able to see the results of your faith.  And they will give glory to God!

Lord, I thank you for the journey of faith that led me and my family to Kalispell.  That 20 years later has produced so much fruit.  It’s all because of You.  And for You.  Help us to continue to walk by faith.  On a daily basis.  Trusting You.  Knowing that You will accomplish great things.  In us.  And through us.  In Jesus' name, Amen.

My Dad And The Lawn

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ecclesiastes+9:10&version=NIV1984

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Col%203:23-24&version=NIV

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Col%203:17&version=NIV

We grew up in a low-income housing project back in Niagara Falls, New York.  As a result of this, we had what I call was a ‘city’ lawn.  It’s the kind of lawn that most houses in the city have - small.  To show how small it was, during summer my father would mow both the front and back lawns in about 20 minutes.  With a rotary push mower.  Enough said.

About the time I became a teenager I wanted to mow lawns.  There was this elderly neighbor who needed his lawn cut.  And he was willing to pay someone to do it.  Not only was the prospect of getting some unheard-of cash in my happy little hands very exciting, so was getting to use the lawnmower.  It was sharp.  It could hurt someone.  The result?  No children allowed.  So getting to use the lawnmower was a kind of rite of passage for me.

Well, my dad, being the thorough kind of guy he was, didn’t just turn me loose with the lawnmower.  Oh, no.  He had to instruct me on how to operate it.  First, there was the proper stance so that you could push it.  Then there was the admonition about being careful not to hit any rocks, sticks or other objects that might dull the blade.  Finally, there was the half-cut method.  This meant that you only mowed half the width of the lawnmower.  The idea being that when you came back the opposite way, you mowed the same patch of grass from the opposite direction.  This ensured that you cut the lawn thoroughly.  That there would be no isolated patches of uncut lawn leftover from trying to cut too much with each pass.  Unfortunately, it also meant basically cutting the lawn twice.

After the newness of mowing the lawn wore off (it always does, and rather quickly) I no longer appreciated my dad’s method of cutting the grass.  So I started cheating.  Taking 3/4's cuts.  Sometimes even whole-width cuts.  Even more than whole-width cuts!  Of course, the inevitable happened.  The result was isolated patches of uncut grass.  Grass that was an eye-sore compared to the rest of the lawn.  Grass that I needed to go back and cut.

Now I am much older.  And wiser.  I still mow the lawn.  But not with a rotary mower!  I use a gas, self-propelled walk-behind mower.  It takes me about 90 minutes to mow my entire lawn.  I can’t say that I really enjoy it.  (I sort of envy my dad’s ‘city’-sized lawn).  But my large lawn gives me a little space from my neighbors.  And it’s great for the grandkids.  Funny thing is, as much as I dislike mowing the lawn, I find myself cutting it half the width of the mower!  Why, I don’t know.  Because I can cut the whole width of the mower if I want to.  There’s nothing preventing me from doing that.  So, why do I mow my lawn dad’s way?

I suppose it’s because I see the logic behind what my dad was teaching me way back then.  He wasn’t teaching me how to mow the lawn so much as he was teaching me how to do the job right.  The first time.  Because my reputation was on the line.  Because lifelong habits were being formed.  Habits that would serve me well later in life.  Habits that, if they were bad, would be difficult to break.

I find that our Heavenly Father often does the same thing with us.  He teaches us certain methods.  He instructs us in certain ways.  Methods and ways that we often don’t understand.  Methods and ways that we often rebel against.  And resist.  Such as the way to greatness is through servanthood.  The way to glory is humility.  The way to strength is weakness.  Funny thing is, that there are reasons why God teaches us the methods & ways that He does.  They are for our benefit.  They help form our character.  Character that will pay rich dividends throughout our lives.  Character that will positively impact the lives of others.

Of course, when I taught my sons how to mow the lawn, I taught them the half-cut method.  I’m not sure that they appreciated it.  (Most teens don't.)  And if I get a chance to teach my grandchildren how to mow the lawn, you can be sure that I am going to teach them the half-cut method as well.  Why?  Because I’m not just teaching them how to mow the lawn.  Like dad, I’m teaching them good habits.  Habits that will have a positive impact on them the rest of their lives.

Lord, I thank you for a father who was wise.  A man who taught me life lessons at an early age.  I also thank you for the life lessons that You are teaching me.  May I pay attention to them.  Implement them.  And be blessed by them.  In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Flat Sheets Or Fitted?

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm%20103:13-14&version=NIV1984

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Phil%204:19&version=NIV1984

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2%20Corinthians%2012:9&version=NIV1984

I try to help out my wife Beth around the house whenever I can.  Once or twice a week this means folding the laundry for her.  Sometimes that involves folding the sheets.  What I have learned after many years of marriage is that there are 2 kinds of sheets - fitted and flat.  Fitted sheets go directly on the mattress.  They usually are a struggle to get on because they fit so tight.  Which is good.  I hate sloppy sheets.  The flat sheet then gets put on top of the fitted sheet.  And pulled back slightly at the top.  When you go to sleep at night you sleep between the fitted sheet (bottom) and the flat sheet (top).  OK.  Sheets 101.  Back to the folding part.

Flat sheets are easy to fold.  Whichever way that you fold them (and it seems that there are several ways to do this), since they are rectangular, they match up nicely.  Fold in half.  Fold in half again.  Fold the other way several times and presto, you have a nicely folded sheet.  Not so with fitted sheets.

Fitted sheets have those pesky corners that make them fit very snug on the mattress.  But they are terrible for folding.  What I normally try to do is to put the corners of one end of the sheet and then match them with the corners of the other side.  Because of the layout of the fitted sheet, this is an approximation at best.  Then I fold the sheet in half the other way so that both corners match.  Again, this is an approximation.  Then I just start randomly folding until the fitted sheet is about the same size as the flat sheet.  Unfortunately, when I am finished folding it, the fitted sheet couldn’t look any worse than if I had just rolled it up into a ball.  The point is that flat sheets are a perfectionist’s dream.  Fitted sheets are a perfectionist’s nightmare.

Is this a lot like life or what!  There are some areas of our lives that are like flat sheets.  These areas differ from person to person.  For some people a ‘flat sheet’ could be their finances.  Or their house.  Their yard.  Their job.  The point is that these areas are nice and neat.  Organized.  And we are able to manage them fairly well.  Then there are the areas of our lives that are more like fitted sheets.  How appropriate since they actually give us ‘fits’!  Again, these areas differ from person to person.  Finances.  House.  Yard.  Job.  The point is that these areas are a mess.  They look like a bomb has exploded.  We have little semblance of control over them and most of the time they control us.  We try to get these areas to look like the flat sheets but to no avail.  They are what they are.  A jumbled mess.

Lately I have been finding a disturbing trend in my life.  I don’t know if it’s the fact that I am getting old, busier, or less ambitious (or maybe a combination of all three) but I am finding that some former ‘flat sheet’ areas have now become ‘fitted sheet’ areas.  They are a mess.  And so am I.  I keep trying to get them back under control but it ain’t happening!  This leaves me with two choices - renew my efforts to get these areas back under control, to make them a little more organized and manageable - or to accept the fact that they are not going to be nice and neat anytime soon.  If ever.

The good news is that we don’t have to be perfect.  (That is very good news!)  We don’t have to have every single area of our lives organized.  And under control.  In fact, a quick survey of the Bible finds that many people mentioned in its pages didn’t have their lives totally in order.  Jesus did.  But Peter didn’t.  In fact, Peter had a lot of loose ends in his life.  So did David.  And Abraham.  And many others.  So if people like these didn’t have their act entirely together, what are we worrying and stressing about?  The truth is that Jesus loves us exactly the way we are.  Mess and all.  Yes, He wants us to grow and mature.  To allow the Holy Spirit to tidy up some untidy areas of our lives.  But we don’t have to be perfect in order to receive Jesus’ love and approval.  We already have it!

So let’s go ahead and celebrate the flat sheets in our lives.  And be glad that at least some areas are in pretty decent shape.  But let’s not be ashamed of the fitted sheets either.  Life is messy.  Some areas just don’t just come together very nicely.  And there’s not much we can do about it.  Flat or fitted, we have to rely on Jesus anyway!

Lord, although I wish that I were on top of every area of my life, the reality is that I am not.  And I fear that some areas are never going to be what I want them to be.  Or what You want them to be.  I must remember that I am still a work in progress.  Thank you for Your willingness to help me.  With both the fitted sheets as well as the flat ones.  In Jesus’ name, Amen.

A God Who Flushes Toilets

http://www.biblegateway.com/quicksearch/?quicksearch=make+all+things+new&qs_version=NIV1984

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ps%20103:10-12&version=NIV1984

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isaiah+43:25&version=NIV1984

As I recall, our oldest grandson, Brett, seemed to get the hang of being potty-trained fairly easy.  Of course, one of the reasons why he did so well was his fascination with the whole process.  First, there was his excitement of being able to produce lots of bubbles when he peed in the toilet.  Then there was his fascination with flushing the toilet and watching everything make a downward spiral and out of sight.  When a child gets to this stage your water bill will automatically spike.  It’s because they often flush the toilet multiple times.  Whether it needs to be flushed or not.  Just for the fun of it.

Unfortunately, over the past couple years, Brett’s fascination with flushing has been replaced by absent-mindedness.  Lately whenever I go in to use the guest bathroom, I find that it has not been flushed.  It seems that Brett now has other things on his mind (like getting to the dinner table or going outside) so he often forgets to flush the toilet.  The past month or so Beth and I have reminded him several times that he needs to complete the process.  He needs to flush the toilet.

This past week Brett joined me up at Dickey Lake Bible Camp for a day.  Several times in our journeys back and forth across the camp I had to stop in and use the restroom.  (It seems that the older you get, the more you need to go.)  Now historically, camp restrooms are not always the cleanest of places, especially during a children’s camp.  Used paper towels on the counter or on the floor.  A few articles of clothing lying around.  And unflushed toilets.  It seems like every time we went in to use the restroom, it smelled.  Bad.  Brett noticed the odor right away.  I told him to check the toilets.  There were 3 of them.  Sure enough, at least one if not two toilets had not been flushed.  So Brett flushed them.  And the smell gradually dissipated.  This led to a good discussion with Brett about why it’s important to flush the toilet after using it.  If you don’t, the bathroom will start to smell.  Besides, neither you nor anyone else really wants to see what you left behind.  (Behind - get it!)

As I thought about this it reminded me of an important spiritual truth.  The Bible says that sin is nasty.  Disgusting.  Smelly.  Putrid.  It smells up a person’s life.  And it is unsightly.  The fact is that we are repulsed at the sight of our sins.  So are others.  And so is God.  Fortunately, God made a way for our sins to be flushed away.  This ‘way’ was a result of Jesus’ death on the cross.  When Jesus uttered the words ‘It is finished’ and died on the cross, forgiveness for our sins was made available to us.  When we repent and confess our sins, and ask for forgiveness, God does just that.  He forgives them.  This is the equivalent of Him flushing our sins so that they disappear.  Never to be seen again.  All the putridness, all the smell, all the repulsiveness, are gone in an instant!  Gone forever!  And whenever we subsequently sin, I John 1:9 tells us all we need to do is repent, confess those sins, and God will flush them away as well.

Wow!  A God who is willing to flush toilets!  Our toilet!  Someone who won’t let the smell and the putridness of our sins put Him off.  A God who is willing to do whatever it takes to make us holy.  Righteous.  Pure.  What a wonderful God we have!

Lord, there are times when I am absolutely horrified by the ugliness, the putridness, the stench of my sins.  I am so glad that You provided a way to get rid of them.  That in Your love and grace, You flush them away.  All of them.  Forever.  Thank you for Your willingness to do this for me.  In Jesus’ name, Amen.

The 23rd Psalm - Part III

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ps%2023:2-3&version=NASB

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ps%2023:2-3&version=NIV1984

Continuing our look at the 23rd Psalm, we come to verses 2 and 3.  In these verses there are four parts, each beginning with the word ‘He’.  I want to look at three of these.

He makes me lie down in green pastures

Is there anything better than nice, lush, green grass in a field?  Especially if we don’t have to mow it!  Think of some of the lush, green landscapes that one finds in the United Kingdom and you get an idea of what this looks like.  Of course, if we find beauty in such a scene how much more do sheep!  All the grass they can eat.  This must be the closest thing to Heaven on earth they could imagine.  Then, when they have eaten to their heart’s content, they can lie down in it.  I would imagine that sheep have the same feelings about lying down that we humans do.  And us humans would take lying down in a field of grass any day to lying down in dirt and rocks.

He leads me beside quiet waters

Right about now in Montana the streams are running pretty high.  This is because of the snow melt at lower elevations.  And also the result of some of the recent rain that we’ve had.  Now while kayakers and whitewater enthusiasts like high, fast streams, the rest of us don’t.  Fast, high streams are generally muddy so they aren’t conducive to good fishing.  And I suppose that they aren’t exactly the best water to drink from either.  The fact is that if a sheep should get to close to fast water it could possibly fall in and drown.  The result is that high, fast streams mean danger for sheep.  And so the wise shepherd will find a nice, slow-moving stream to lead his sheep to.  Or an oasis.  Or a pool of water.  There the sheep can enjoy drinking cool, clean, refreshing water. And also enjoy the accompanying coolness that such a stream brings to a rather hot landscape.

He restores my soul

Again, understanding that sheep are pretty similar to humans in some respects, once a sheep has eaten its share of green grass and drank its share of refreshing water, what does it want to do?  Relax.  Lie down.  Rest.  This serves to renew the sheep’s energy and vitality.  This is important so it can be healthy and ward off sickness and disease.  When it comes to people, there is a good reason why they enjoy dinner = food and drink.  Once their bodies’ physical needs have been taken care of, then a person can sit back.  Rest.  Relax.  Enjoy themselves.  Whether it’s at a restaurant, a friend’s house, or home, there is something very restorative about dinner.  Spirit’s are revived.  Things are put in their proper perspective.  Now let's put all of these phrases together.

In a word, these three phrases represent care.  This could easily be the theme of the entire Psalm.   Life is such that it has a way of wearing us down.  Causing us to grow weary.  To lose strength.  Tired and exhausted, we become susceptible to discouragement, depression and even sin.  As our Good Shepherd, Jesus cares for us.  He leads us to those green pastures of rest and relaxation.  He leads us to places where we can drink from His Spirit and His Word.  He restores our soul.  To restore means ‘to repair, renovate, or return to a former condition’.  Jesus revitalizes our spirit to the point where we are able not only to function once again but to live life triumphantly.

What a wonderful picture this is of Jesus - not only our Savior but our Shepherd.  Are you experiencing His care today?  If not, you can.  All you need to do is to seek Him out and follow His leading.  As I Peter 5:7 encourages us, "Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you."

Lord, I thank you that You care for me.  Me!  In every way.  May I continue to follow You and submit to Your leading, as so find rest for my body and soul.  In Jesus' name, Amen.

The 23rd Psalm - Part II

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ps%2023:1&version=NASB

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ps%2023:1&version=NIV1984

Continuing with my thoughts about Psalm 23, moving on to the rest of verse 1...“I shall not be in want.”

‘Want’ is an interesting word.  As any parent knows, ‘want’ is an integral part of a child’s language.  Every time a commercial comes on for some new toy, they immediately ‘want’ it.  Around our house, our grandchildren are already letting us know what they ‘want’ for Christmas...which is still 7 months away!  Of course, adults are also pretty familiar with 'want’ as well.  We all ‘want’ something - be it clothes, jewelry, tools, a new vehicle, a vacation, whatever.  Fill in the blank.  So in the positive sense of the word, ‘want’ is equivalent to desire.  And, as we all know, there is no shortage of things that we desire.

‘Want’, however, also has a negative sense.  In a word, ‘want’ indicates lack.  As in something missing or lacking.  We see this in Daniel 5:27, and the writing on the wall which Daniel interprets for King Belshazzar, “You have been weighed on the scales and found wanting.”   Not good.  In other words, God was telling King Belshazzar that he was lacking in the area of character and godliness.  The result was he was killed that very night.  Another word that would substitute for ‘want’ is need.  This is a word that we are more familiar with.  What is interesting about the phrase “I shall not be in want”, is that ‘want’ is used in the negative sense in a positive way.  (Stay with me on this one.)  What David is saying is that since the Lord is his Shepherd, he will have no ‘wants’.  No lack.  No needs.  In other words, David will lack for nothing in his life.  All of his needs will be taken care of.  This is obviously a huge positive for David.

What a precious promise this is for each of us as well!  All of us have needs in this life.  From the most basic needs of food and water to the more complex needs of purpose and fulfillment.  In short, life is a constant struggle by us to meet all of our needs.  Unfortunately, not only do we have a lot of needs, many of them are reoccurring, which means that they have to be met over and over again.  This is part of the perplexing nature of human existence.  No sooner do we have a need met, than it requires our attention once again soon after (food, water, rest, etc.).  The good news is that our Shepherd, Jesus (John 10) is able to meet all of our needs.  He is able to take care of us to the point where we are not ‘wanting’ for anything.  Everything, from the most basic needs to the most complex, are taken care of by Him.  All we have to do is to trust Him.  To willingly place ourselves under His control.  To follow His leading.

Again, isn’t this wonderful news!  This means we can get off the proverbial treadmill of life.  We don’t have to relentlessly try to meet our needs only to discover that we have to start all over again.  Countless millions of people are doing this very thing every single day.  And they are worn out from it.  Exhausted.  Discouraged.  As Jesus said in Matthew 6, if we will put the Kingdom of God first in our lives, all of our needs will be taken care of.  All of them!  This means we can relax.  We can enjoy life.  We can follow close at the heels of our Good Shepherd without a single care in the world.  Our needs will be taken care of.  Daily.  Abundantly.  We will not be in want.

Lord, I thank you for the reality that is found here in the first verse of the 23rd Psalm - that when I follow Your leading I will not be in want - today, tomorrow, ever!  How simple this makes my life!  In Jesus’ name, Amen.

The 23rd Psalm - Part I

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ps%2023:1&version=NIV1984

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ps%2023:1&version=NIV1984

Psalm 1:2 says that “Blessed is the one whose delight is in the law of the Lord and who meditates on His law day and night.”  I’ve been thinking about this verse for some time.  And asking God what it looks like?  I mean, exactly what portions of Scripture could I meditate on that would draw me into His presence?  Yesterday God answered that prayer.

As I was mowing my lawn (this gives me 90 minutes to think and pray) my mind was drawn to the 23rd Psalm.  I think everyone would agree that this is the most popular Psalm.  And probably one of the most famous passages of Scripture.  Right up there with John 3:16 and a few other verses.  In my mind I went over the Psalm verse-by-verse.  And even word-by-word.  In my post today I just want to mention what God showed my in famous opening line of the Psalm - The Lord is my Shepherd.

The Lord - Wow.  Where to begin?  The Bible tells us that the Lord is eternal in the Heavens.  Master and Creator of the Universe.  Maker of Heaven and earth.  Almighty.  Omniscient.  Omnipresent.  Holy.  The center and attention of Heaven.  I thought about Isaiah’s vision of the Lord in Isaiah 6.  Seated on His throne.  High and lifted up.  The train of His robe filling the Temple.  Attended to by angels.  Smoke.  Thunder.  Glory.  These are just a few insights into who the Lord is.

Is - One of the smaller words, for sure.  Yet is has a lot to say.  The same mighty, exalted, glorious Lord that we just looked at ‘is’.  I don’t profess to be an English major but it seems to me that ‘is’ denotes present tense.  In other words, not the past, or the future, but right now.  ‘The Lord is’.  In other words, He exists right now.  This brings great comfort and encouragement to me because I need the Lord now!  The past is over and done with.  Tomorrow is still in the future.  I need the Lord today.  Right now.  Right this very minute.

My - Another small word that says a lot.  Again, venturing into territory that I am probably not qualified to explore, as I understand it, ‘my’ is possessive.  In other words, whatever or whoever the object is, when I say ‘my’, it belongs to me.  Me!  This means that I have some sort of stake of ownership in it.  It personalizes things.  No longer is it ‘the’ Lord, as in everyone’s Lord but ‘my’ Lord!  This reminds me of the words of Thomas after He saw the resurrected Jesus with his own eyes in John 20:28, “My Lord and my God!”  The word ‘my’ takes things from being abstract and makes them personal.  Is there any better word to attach ‘my’ to than the Lord?

Shepherd - Here is the object of the entire first phrase.  Most of us who are familiar with the Bible are also familiar with what a shepherd is.  Shepherds have a long, rich tradition in Scripture.  The patriarchs (Abraham, Isaac & Jacob) were all shepherds to some degree.  So was Moses.  And David.  Amos the prophet.  Shepherds were also the ones who received the news of the birth of Jesus and who saw Him the night He was born.  What does a shepherd do?  Care for sheep.  Which is a pretty big job when it comes right down to it.  Without getting ahead of myself, a shepherd takes care of a sheep’s need for food and water.  Shelter and protection.  He inspects it from time-to-time to make sure that it hasn’t been infected with parasites or some kind of illness.  The shepherd lives with the sheep day and night.  As a result the shepherd knows his sheep better than any one else.  He knows his sheep intimately. 

The Lord is my Shepherd - So now we put it all together.  The great, almighty, sovereign Lord of the universe is a shepherd.  And He is my Shepherd!  Right now.  At this very moment.  This means He is currently watching over me.  Meeting all of my needs.  Protecting me.  Guiding me.  Loving me.  Again, I say wow!  What an incredible thought!  No wonder why the 23rd Psalm is one the most beloved passages of Scripture.  We’ve only looked at five words and already we are overwhelmed with wonder and gratefulness!

What words to think about and meditate on!  What words of comfort and encouragement!  What words of hope and joy!  So let's take some time and go over these words in our minds.  To think about what they mean for us.  To let them speak to our spirit and soul.  This is why they have been preserved for us.  These are God’s own words straight to our hearts!

Lord, I thank you for Your Word.  In particular for the 23rd Psalm.  Oh how much those first few words say to me.  How they speak to my heart.  How they encourage and strengthen me.  And humble me.  Who am I that You should care for me?  And watch over me?  And know me so intimately?  And love me so much?  May the reality of these words penetrate to the depths of my being.  In Jesus’ name, Amen.

The Incredible Hulk

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=James%201:19-20&version=NIV1984

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs+29:22&version=NIV1984

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs%2022:24-25&version=NIV1984

The other day, I was watching some DVD’s with my grandsons, Brett & Jaydon, 5 and 3 respectively.  They love watching superhero DVD’s (yes!!) and so they had selected The Avengers.  One of the episodes on the DVD featured the Incredible Hulk.  I remember reading about the Incredible Hulk in comic books when I was a teenager.  And then I watched the TV series by the same name starring Bill Bixby and Lou Ferrigno from 1978-1982.  But I haven't seen the movie about the big, green guy that came out in 2008.  Guess I'm going to have to do that.

If you aren’t familiar with the Incredible Hulk, the story goes like this.  A scientist, Dr. David Banner, accidently exposes himself to high levels of gamma radiation.  The radiation doesn’t appear to have an effect on him at first, but when Banner gets angry, he suddenly turns into a very powerful green monster known as the Incredible Hulk.  The theme is basically a combination of the Dr. Jekyll & Mr Hyde and Frankenstein stories.  Of course, the Incredible Hulk, with his raw power, greatly appeals to boys and men.

 

As I said, I grew up reading comic books about all the superheros, but as I sat there watching the animated version of the Hulk with my grandsons, I was reminded why I have a problem with him.  The problem is that when David Banner gets angry he turns into the Incredible Hulk.  The Hulk then uses his superior strength to take care of whatever situation he’s dealing with.  So the underlying lesson is that getting angry solves problems.  That is not the kind of lesson I want to teach my grandchildren.  Or anyone else’s children or grandchildren, for that matter.  The reason why is that nothing could be further from the truth.

In real life, anger creates far more problems than it solves.  Think of a marriage where a couple gets into an argument. Yelling and screaming.  Name-calling. Slamming doors.  Throwing objects. Maybe even physical abuse.  Instead of discussing their differences in a rational manner that makes solving problems possible, anger makes reconciliation very difficult.  If not impossible.  The same is true of other situations.  Whenever a person or persons become angry, common-sense and level-headedness usually go out the window.  The result is that a relatively small disagreement can mushroom into a huge argument or altercation.  One that leaves behind hurt feelings.  Guilt.  Remorse.  Lasting scars. 

Now there are athletes who use anger to help motivate them to play better.  They nurse grudges against an opponent.  Or they manufacture an offense from the most innocent of comments.  Or perceive a slight.  This athlete then uses their anger to help them play better.  Of course, the downside to this is that an athlete’s anger can cause them to take revenge on another player.  To do something that is illegal.  If caught, they get penalized and so does their team.  The end result is that sometimes the anger the athlete was trying to use to help them ends up hurting them and their team instead.  Then there is the larger issue that anger often becomes a learned behavior.  How many athletes do we know who get angry off the field as well?  Who wind up getting into fights at bars.  Or who are involved in domestic violence in the home.

The fact is that there is not much good that comes from anger.  In the overwhelming majority of cases, anger only makes things worse.  Which is why the Bible has so much to say about it.  Among other things, we are told to refrain from anger.  To deal with it immediately and not let it go on unaddressed (Ephesians 4:26).  To stay away from people who are given to anger so that we don’t adopt the pattern ourselves (Proverbs 22:24-25).  To give a gentle reply to people and not a harsh one (Proverbs 15:1).  Yes, it is true that Jesus displayed anger.  His cleansing of the Temple is a prime example of this.  But Jesus’ anger was a holy anger.  It was indignation at the callous disregard He saw of His people toward God.  It was focused anger.  Controlled.  Unlike the anger that we often experience which leads us to become out-of-control.

The bottom line is that I’ll probably still watch the Incredible Hulk with my grandsons.  But I will use it as a teaching tool.  I will explain to them that anger does not solve problems.  It creates them.  And makes them worse.  I will then tell them what the Bible says about anger.  And talk to them about the poster child for anger in the Bible - Samson.  Anger certainly was the undoing of his life.  I will explain how allowing the Holy Spirit to control our lives is a much better route to take.  That such things as patience, forgiveness and love are much better responses to problems.  And problem people. 

Lord, You know that anger is one issue that I struggled with as a child.  Most likely I learned it from my dad.  It was an area that threatened to ruin my entire life.  I thank you that when I put my faith in Jesus as my Savior that Your Holy Spirit helped me in this area.  To the point where now people can’t believe that I ever had a problem with it.  Continue to help me to avoid anger.  To be loving.  Kind.  Patient.  Forgiving.  In Jesus’ name, Amen.

FOX News: The Christian News Channel?

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2%20Corinthians+10:3-5&version=NIV1984 

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke%206:28&version=NIV1984 

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isa%2055:8-9&version=NIV

I confess.  I don’t watch a lot of news.  In fact, I don’t watch any news.  I used to.  I’ve never been one for national news.  But Beth & I used to watch the local news.  Every night.  But then our routine changed.  And it’s not like there’s much good on the news.  A crime here.  A tragedy there.  More controversies that a person can even keep track of.  Besides, I get to see the headlines everyday when I log on to my home page.  So I feel like I am pretty up-to-date with what’s happening in the world.

If I were going to watch a national news program it certainly would be FOX News.  Out of all the networks I think they present a much less biased and liberal view.  Now this does not mean that FOX News is conservative.  But they are much more conservative than the network news programs.  I did watch FOX News fairly extensively during the Iraqi invasion.  I trusted them to be fairly unbiased in their reporting.  I liked Shephard Smith and thought that he did a good job of covering the war.

In a world devoid of options, many Christians have gravitated to FOX News as the news channel of choice.   Like me, they like FOX’s less-liberal-biased reporting.  And their willingness to present the conservative view on matters.  After all, FOX News purports itself to be fair and balanced.  As a result, FOX News has been adopted by many Christians as the only news channel to be watched.  The same way that the Republican Party has become the only political party for Christians.  In the process, commentators such as Bill O’Reilly, Ann Coulter and Rush Limbaugh have become revered as courageous people who stand up to the liberals.  They tell it like it is.  They put the liberals in their place.  They throw their arguments back in their face.  I admit that part of me enjoys this, too.  It is so gratifying to see the same tactics that the liberals are using, used against them.  Fight fire with fire.  See how you like it!

But while I appreciate FOX News as being the best that we have to choose from, I am going to stop short of anointing it as the spokesperson for my faith.  First of all, I don’t know if many of the commentators are Christians.  This means that while they can give clever and insightful responses to many of our country’s problems, they don’t do so from a Biblical perspective.  For example, when was the last time that a commentator actually said that Jesus was the answer to a problem?  When was the last time that a commentator stated that the proper way to respond to hate was with love?  I understand why they don’t.  It’s because they don’t know Jesus in the first place.  So how could they possibly promote Christian-based values and strategies? 

Secondly, the tactics that the commentators use to defend their beliefs are not Christian.  The Bible has many verses that talk about ‘speaking the truth in love’, not letting ‘any unwholesome word’ come from our lips, about making sure that our conversation is ‘always full of grace, seasoned with salt’.  The fact is that when you start making fun of your opponents, attack them, call them names, and belittle them, you are stooping down to their level.  But hey, it attracts viewers.  And isn’t that what really matters?  However, as a Christian, I would never speak to someone, or about someone else, in this way.  Nor would I expect any other Christian to speak to someone else in this way.

And this is precisely the point.  Is any of our haranguing about the left changing them?  Is it transforming their hearts and minds?  No.  It is simply causing them to dig in that much more.  The strategy to use is love.  Sure, state the facts.  Present the logical argument.  Stand up for the truth.  But do it with grace and love.  That’s what Jesus would do.

So while FOX News is the best available source for reliable, unbiased news on the networks, we need to remember that, at its heart, it still is humanistic.  And humanistic solutions, while they sound good, will never work.  At least not in the long term.  So let’s not buy into them.  Only godly solutions will work.  And one day, when Jesus appears back on this planet, those godly solutions are going to be implemented.  Peace will reign.  Righteousness will be the norm.  And this world will be exactly the way God created it to be.  The way that we long for it to be.  Now that will be news indeed!

Lord, help me to remember that the way to counter hate, deception and evil is with love, truth and righteousness.  Help me to be able to sincerely pray for my enemies.  For those who are actively seeking to destroy this country.  For those who are opposing Your kingdom in the process.  May You bring the light of Your presence into their lives.  In Jesus’ name, Amen.