I was scanning through my favorite "Preachers" magazine the other day, simply entitled "Preaching". Like sports fanatics and "HGTV" nature lovers, we Pastor's have our favorite magazines suited just for us, to help keep us informed and on the cutting edge of new ideas etc.
On my journey through each page I discovered a unique central message that if not intentional, very subliminally came through loud and clear. There was the same general theme throughout. IN conference advertisements, Christian cruises, Gospel singing concerts, universities without fail, every announcement had the pictures of the speakers, the singers and the school presidents highlighted like Christian superstars. Every famous preacher you could imagine was highlighted.
I had never noticed it to the extreme and extent I noticed it this time through. I then "thot" about our own church newsletter and there too you will see the pictures of myself and our staff and my lovely wife is featured with me.
Let's be honest and clear. I really don't believe there is a selfish and prideful; motive in any of the advertisements. I know there is none on our part and our Church newsletter. In fact, it is difficult to get people to feel like their picture is worth a thousand words and agree to have it published. Usually, even my wife and I included, we are not happy at all with something in our picture whether it be our appearance or whatever the reason. You know, things like gray hair, a big nose or no hair at all, whatever it might be we usually hate to see ourselves pictured with all these flaws. But pictures help increase the likelihood a person wanting to purchase a book or attend a conference will do so if we put our pictures out there for all to see. "Look at me, I'm smiling, happy and successful, come to my conference and you can be too".
Once again, only each person knows their own hearts and motives, but i wonder how much is done out of pride and a desire to see ourselves in limelight. I sincerely said something to someone the other day that I mean with all my heart. Whether we have 30 or 700 people or 3000 people in our church , God help me to love people, preach the Word and don't quit. Never succomb to the flesh and remaindifferent in mind and body.
I remember seeing one speaker I won't mention, who is a dynamic and wonderful preacher. When he first came to the church I was Pastor of, over 20 years ago. He came for a generous love offering we would receive at each service . That's the problem wtih love offerings there is a little offering and alot of love. Every speaker and Pastor deserves to be compensated. Every waitress is worthy and deserves fairness when it comes to their tip. Every worker is worthy of his effort. But this same speaker today when I called and asked about his coming, he said" well you know things are different now and I can't come for less than 1500. I looked at his picture in the magazine. When I looked at his picture in the magazine I honestly prayed for him. That God would bless Him his ministry opportunities, his family and that he would bless all his other ministry opportunities , for his family . I pray for his family that he would be strong and holy and not ever succumb to temptation.
I remember hearing the story of a famous popular Revivalists hearing the story told of a famous preacher and revivalists . He had seen over 1000"s and he was a popular revivalists. He He had seen 1000's in his meeting He had seen 1000's in his meetings and hundreds saved at each . God truly had his hand an his life he was holy and climbing the denominational ladder.In my opinion he was succumbing to the temptation to not live holy in Christ Jesus.
I remember hearing the story told of a famous and popular Revivalists. He had seen thousands at his meetings . God truly had his hand upon him and one town he was holding a meeting and through out town there were billboards that said "so and so" is coming to town. The blessings seemed to be empty this week though, no one came forward . He was curious as to the reason, then he discovered large bill boards with his picture and announcing his arrival. There is your problem you have lifted up a man and not the Lord God.
Wednesday, October 10, 2007
Stand Up for Jesus
Over the weekend at the Emmy Awards, so-called and self-proclaimed comedian Kathy Griffin, receiving a Emmy trophy, began to lambaste and take the opportunity in front of a national audience to say some disrespectful, degrading things about the Lord Jesus Christ.
Let it be known at the outset here that Jesus doesn't need for me or anyone else to stand up for Him. He is perfectly capable of standing on His own but the reason I am firing back and outraged is because, were her comments changed to say anything about Mohammed, or Allah or Hinduism or Buddha. The reason why she didn't speak of any of them in particular is there would be a riot and cars would be set ablaze, people would be hurt or killed, death warrants sworn out for the perpetrator. But when it comes to Christianity it is an easy target because we preach Christ and Him crucified and resurrected and the only one who can forgive sin.
It should be pointed out Kathy Griffin is a former Catholic and from what I understand even some Catholics are not happy with her tirade. The fact of the matter she is not going to make one iota of difference in who Christ is, the truth of Christ for salvation or the reason we worship on Sunday. But I am a believer and if someone uses God's name in vain it offends me. If they use it around my wife or children I let them know I don't appreciate it. If someone uses language that should never had been allowed on television 25 years ago, then it is time to speak up. The time has come for the "redeemed of the Lord to say so". In our wonderful country she is allowed to say anything almost that she wants. I am allowed to refute her ranting as hate speech and disgusting just as much however.
She has referred to Jesus as dead so He would not do anything about her ranting anyway in past comments. She has referred to Christians believing in fairy tales, but so do children she says. The point of all this is that in some twisted way Kathy Griffin thinks this will revive or bolster her career.
Here is what Kathy Griffin said without the specific wording that is offensive and slang and something that we do not use in our everyday language at our house. Upon receiving the Emmy and holding it in her hand she said: "I guess hell froze over. A lot of people come up here and thank Jesus for this award. I want you to know no one had less to do with this award than Jesus. So, all I can say is, s*** it Jesus. This award is my god now," she concluded. Earlier this year she described herself as a "complete militant atheist." In June she was quoted in a homosexual magazine as saying, "If you don't believe in God, even though you don't try to inflict your atheism on anyone, people get furious. And yet we have to listen to everybody's God this and Jesus that. I'm sorry it bothers you that I don't believe in God. I don't care what you believe in. Whatever."
To be quite honest in America she can say what ever she likes even if it were vulgar and rancid. I am more concerned for her soul than I am about making a point that I am offended. I am not sitting in a corner crying because someone has attacked the Lord. They have been doing that for thousands of years now. My point is had it been any other so called religion we would have had riots and bedlam in the streets.
The Kathy Griffins of this world will always be there. I am concerned with Christians carrying their Bible and living godly and not giving the unbelieving world an opportunity to see a double standard or double talk in the Christians life. We have for too long sat back and are taking it as it comes and thinking, "well I'm going to Heaven no need in getting so engrossed in all this". I am writing this article on Sunday morning and no doubt there will be Christians sitting at home this morning or working in the yard or just using Sunday the Lord's Day as their day. No wonder when the car doesn't leave the driveway the neighbors wonder whether we believe what we say we believe or not.
This is not going to change the fact that Jesus is the Lord and Savior and He is returning soon, real soon. But it does mean I am going to speak up, stand up and rise up when my Lord is attacked. God help me never to be like Peter at the betrayal, at the crucifixion and be silent and say that I don't even know the man.
Let it be known at the outset here that Jesus doesn't need for me or anyone else to stand up for Him. He is perfectly capable of standing on His own but the reason I am firing back and outraged is because, were her comments changed to say anything about Mohammed, or Allah or Hinduism or Buddha. The reason why she didn't speak of any of them in particular is there would be a riot and cars would be set ablaze, people would be hurt or killed, death warrants sworn out for the perpetrator. But when it comes to Christianity it is an easy target because we preach Christ and Him crucified and resurrected and the only one who can forgive sin.
It should be pointed out Kathy Griffin is a former Catholic and from what I understand even some Catholics are not happy with her tirade. The fact of the matter she is not going to make one iota of difference in who Christ is, the truth of Christ for salvation or the reason we worship on Sunday. But I am a believer and if someone uses God's name in vain it offends me. If they use it around my wife or children I let them know I don't appreciate it. If someone uses language that should never had been allowed on television 25 years ago, then it is time to speak up. The time has come for the "redeemed of the Lord to say so". In our wonderful country she is allowed to say anything almost that she wants. I am allowed to refute her ranting as hate speech and disgusting just as much however.
She has referred to Jesus as dead so He would not do anything about her ranting anyway in past comments. She has referred to Christians believing in fairy tales, but so do children she says. The point of all this is that in some twisted way Kathy Griffin thinks this will revive or bolster her career.
Here is what Kathy Griffin said without the specific wording that is offensive and slang and something that we do not use in our everyday language at our house. Upon receiving the Emmy and holding it in her hand she said: "I guess hell froze over. A lot of people come up here and thank Jesus for this award. I want you to know no one had less to do with this award than Jesus. So, all I can say is, s*** it Jesus. This award is my god now," she concluded. Earlier this year she described herself as a "complete militant atheist." In June she was quoted in a homosexual magazine as saying, "If you don't believe in God, even though you don't try to inflict your atheism on anyone, people get furious. And yet we have to listen to everybody's God this and Jesus that. I'm sorry it bothers you that I don't believe in God. I don't care what you believe in. Whatever."
To be quite honest in America she can say what ever she likes even if it were vulgar and rancid. I am more concerned for her soul than I am about making a point that I am offended. I am not sitting in a corner crying because someone has attacked the Lord. They have been doing that for thousands of years now. My point is had it been any other so called religion we would have had riots and bedlam in the streets.
The Kathy Griffins of this world will always be there. I am concerned with Christians carrying their Bible and living godly and not giving the unbelieving world an opportunity to see a double standard or double talk in the Christians life. We have for too long sat back and are taking it as it comes and thinking, "well I'm going to Heaven no need in getting so engrossed in all this". I am writing this article on Sunday morning and no doubt there will be Christians sitting at home this morning or working in the yard or just using Sunday the Lord's Day as their day. No wonder when the car doesn't leave the driveway the neighbors wonder whether we believe what we say we believe or not.
This is not going to change the fact that Jesus is the Lord and Savior and He is returning soon, real soon. But it does mean I am going to speak up, stand up and rise up when my Lord is attacked. God help me never to be like Peter at the betrayal, at the crucifixion and be silent and say that I don't even know the man.
Live to Be 100
It is very rare that someone lives to be a 100 or more but there are a small percentage of our populace that have graced the century mark. I would hope that if God gave me the grace to live that long I would be able to fend for myself at least, that would be my prayer. The other side of the equation is no one is going to live life as we know it forever.
There is coming an end to this life and each person will live forever somewhere -- II Cor. 5:8. We work at living longer and longer. We take medicines and vitamins and exercise more and more to gain a few more days of life. I don't know about you but the thot of being with the Lord and not having the things of this world to bring us down is sounding better all the time. However, it is a thing only the Lord knows regarding our time to live and our time to die -- Hebrews 9:27.
An irate subscriber stormed into a newspaper office waving the current edition, asking to see "whomever wrote the obituary column." When referred to a young reporter, he yelled, "You can see I am very much alive, and you've put me in the obituary column. I demand a retraction."
Replied the reporter, "I never retract a story. But I tell you what I'll do. I'll put you in the birth column tomorrow and give you a fresh start."
The only fresh start that we as believers can ever hope to receive is the new life found in Jesus. Even then there are times in this world that we are drug down with so many encumbrances it is difficult to continue on at breakneck speed.
When a grandmother was in her late eighties she decided to move to Israel. As part of the preparations she went to see the doctor and he gave her a clean bill of health and all her charts. The doctor asked her how she was doing, so she gave him a litany of complaints, this hurts, that's stiff, I'm tired, slower, etc.. He responded, "Mrs. Siegel you have to expect things to start deteriorating. After all, who wants to live to be 100?" The grandmother looked him straight in the eye and replied, "Anyone who's 99."
There is coming an end to this life and each person will live forever somewhere -- II Cor. 5:8. We work at living longer and longer. We take medicines and vitamins and exercise more and more to gain a few more days of life. I don't know about you but the thot of being with the Lord and not having the things of this world to bring us down is sounding better all the time. However, it is a thing only the Lord knows regarding our time to live and our time to die -- Hebrews 9:27.
An irate subscriber stormed into a newspaper office waving the current edition, asking to see "whomever wrote the obituary column." When referred to a young reporter, he yelled, "You can see I am very much alive, and you've put me in the obituary column. I demand a retraction."
Replied the reporter, "I never retract a story. But I tell you what I'll do. I'll put you in the birth column tomorrow and give you a fresh start."
The only fresh start that we as believers can ever hope to receive is the new life found in Jesus. Even then there are times in this world that we are drug down with so many encumbrances it is difficult to continue on at breakneck speed.
When a grandmother was in her late eighties she decided to move to Israel. As part of the preparations she went to see the doctor and he gave her a clean bill of health and all her charts. The doctor asked her how she was doing, so she gave him a litany of complaints, this hurts, that's stiff, I'm tired, slower, etc.. He responded, "Mrs. Siegel you have to expect things to start deteriorating. After all, who wants to live to be 100?" The grandmother looked him straight in the eye and replied, "Anyone who's 99."
Questions to Ponder
It seems like forever since I have communicated a devotional thot with you and so I must ask you to forgive me for not doing so. It has been rather busy for several weeks in a row that I have put other things in front of my daily devotional thot. But come to thinking of it, none of you even emailed to say you missed it, so, if you did, you need to let me know and if you didn't, my email receipts will tell the story. Anyway, enough of that. I have been thinking about questions. Some people ask a lot of questions about life, about things that happen in a person's life and much more. Here are a few to consider:
* When an agnostic dies does he go to The Great Perhaps?
* Why is the time of day with the slowest traffic called "rush hour"?
* Do you think David Copperfield has ever locked his keys in his car?
* Can atheists get insurance for acts of God?
* If a #2 pencil is the most popular why is it still #2?
* Isn't it strange that people who laugh at fortune tellers play the lottery?
* If Practice makes perfect, and nobody's perfect, why practice?
* Why is there always one in every crowd?
* If all the world is a stage, where does the audience sit?
* How do you know when it is time to tune bagpipes?
Just a few questions that make for deep thinking. Sort of the way the Bible says that people outside of faith in Christ think we are foolish. The word foolishness in the passage in Corinthians is the Greek word "moros" where we get our English word 'Moron". So the world thinks we are morons for believing and confessing Christ and believing all we do about the Bible and it's truths. But I have always wondered like the question I posed above, how do atheists claim acts of God and claim there is no God.
Have you ever wondered what will be placed on your head stone? Some of us have already made it clear to our families what we want to be placed there. Some are still thinking about it or don't want to think about it. It really doesn't matter but we all are going to face that fate one day. We are born, we live and we die. Unfortunately that is the facts as they really are. Reminds me of the woman who meant to call a record store, but dialed the wrong number and got a private residence instead. "Do you have "Eyes of Blue" and "A Love Supreme" the lady asked the person on the phone. "Well no," answered the puzzled homeowner. "But I have a wife and eleven children." "Is that a record?" she asked, all puzzled herself. "I don't think so," replied the man, "But it's as close as I want to get."
Some people will miss Heaven by 18 inches. From the Head to the Heart. Atheists can't believe in God because their head says no. Their heart probably says something different, but in most cases we will never really know.
* When an agnostic dies does he go to The Great Perhaps?
* Why is the time of day with the slowest traffic called "rush hour"?
* Do you think David Copperfield has ever locked his keys in his car?
* Can atheists get insurance for acts of God?
* If a #2 pencil is the most popular why is it still #2?
* Isn't it strange that people who laugh at fortune tellers play the lottery?
* If Practice makes perfect, and nobody's perfect, why practice?
* Why is there always one in every crowd?
* If all the world is a stage, where does the audience sit?
* How do you know when it is time to tune bagpipes?
Just a few questions that make for deep thinking. Sort of the way the Bible says that people outside of faith in Christ think we are foolish. The word foolishness in the passage in Corinthians is the Greek word "moros" where we get our English word 'Moron". So the world thinks we are morons for believing and confessing Christ and believing all we do about the Bible and it's truths. But I have always wondered like the question I posed above, how do atheists claim acts of God and claim there is no God.
Have you ever wondered what will be placed on your head stone? Some of us have already made it clear to our families what we want to be placed there. Some are still thinking about it or don't want to think about it. It really doesn't matter but we all are going to face that fate one day. We are born, we live and we die. Unfortunately that is the facts as they really are. Reminds me of the woman who meant to call a record store, but dialed the wrong number and got a private residence instead. "Do you have "Eyes of Blue" and "A Love Supreme" the lady asked the person on the phone. "Well no," answered the puzzled homeowner. "But I have a wife and eleven children." "Is that a record?" she asked, all puzzled herself. "I don't think so," replied the man, "But it's as close as I want to get."
Some people will miss Heaven by 18 inches. From the Head to the Heart. Atheists can't believe in God because their head says no. Their heart probably says something different, but in most cases we will never really know.
Are You Ready for Some Football?
I am sure you are well aware by now that I enjoy watching college football. The rivalries and the atmosphere of cheering for your favorite college team is second to none. I have always loved any kind of football even the NFL but the outrageous salaries and the off field shenanigans has made it not what it used to be for me anyway. There are some "purists" still playing in the NFL but so many are attracted to the fame, attention and money. While College is still somewhat protected it is good to see young people disciplining themselves and preparing their bodies to out muscle out wit or out score their opponent ultimately to be the best they can be.
It is unique how so many people get so involved in a football game and forget some of their actions are questionable at times. Compare football, even college football to the excuses you hear why people don't come to church. For example:
· Every time you go they ask you for money.
· The people who sat near and around you weren't that friendly and you hardly knew them.
· The seats were too hard and not very comfortable.
· The coach never came by to speak to me.
· The referee made some decision I could not agree with.
· I was sitting with some hypocrites- they came only to see what others were wearing to the game.
· Some games went into overtime, and I was late getting home.
· The games are scheduled when I want to do other things.
· My parents took me to too many games when I was growing up.
· Since I read this book on sports, I feel I could coach as good as those coaches we have.
· I don't want to take my children, because I want them to choose for themselves what sport they like best.
· The parking was awful… I had to walk six blocks to the stadium.
· Nobody came up and introduced himself to me …very impersonal, and too loud.
· It's always too loud and people are always standing up and not letting me see the game.
· It's always too hot or too cold in the stadium.
Should I keep going or does that about say it all? What if we took on our church responsibilities as serious, the same way we attend and root for our favorite team, hobby or other activities we are involved in. I spoke to the Youth last night and challenged them to be sold out to Christ and live a dedicated, consecrated, all out Christ like life. We have lowered our standard of living to accommodate and go along and get along to get many times more numbers and I'm all about reaching more, but not at the cost of consecrated living.
Jesus didn't prick His finger and have blood drawn for our sins, He went all out because He loved us that much. What drives us to our consecrated living, "Love for Jesus."
It is unique how so many people get so involved in a football game and forget some of their actions are questionable at times. Compare football, even college football to the excuses you hear why people don't come to church. For example:
· Every time you go they ask you for money.
· The people who sat near and around you weren't that friendly and you hardly knew them.
· The seats were too hard and not very comfortable.
· The coach never came by to speak to me.
· The referee made some decision I could not agree with.
· I was sitting with some hypocrites- they came only to see what others were wearing to the game.
· Some games went into overtime, and I was late getting home.
· The games are scheduled when I want to do other things.
· My parents took me to too many games when I was growing up.
· Since I read this book on sports, I feel I could coach as good as those coaches we have.
· I don't want to take my children, because I want them to choose for themselves what sport they like best.
· The parking was awful… I had to walk six blocks to the stadium.
· Nobody came up and introduced himself to me …very impersonal, and too loud.
· It's always too loud and people are always standing up and not letting me see the game.
· It's always too hot or too cold in the stadium.
Should I keep going or does that about say it all? What if we took on our church responsibilities as serious, the same way we attend and root for our favorite team, hobby or other activities we are involved in. I spoke to the Youth last night and challenged them to be sold out to Christ and live a dedicated, consecrated, all out Christ like life. We have lowered our standard of living to accommodate and go along and get along to get many times more numbers and I'm all about reaching more, but not at the cost of consecrated living.
Jesus didn't prick His finger and have blood drawn for our sins, He went all out because He loved us that much. What drives us to our consecrated living, "Love for Jesus."
Keeping Things Light-Hearted
We live in a day when, if we knew all the facts, "stress" is probably the number one health threat to the American citizen. Proverbs tells us, "Laughter is like a medicine," that means it is good for you. I am the worlds worst at being lighthearted. I know I tell some great jokes when I am preaching , Ha Ha. But really I am a usually more serious minded person and always have been. I love it when people send me emails and humorous stories. I love reading Readers Digest humor sections although I let my subscription run out because that was all I seem to be reading. The fact is we don't laugh and we don't let ourselves laugh enough. We put at the top of our mind and prioritize all the negative, difficult, problematic things we deal with or worry about what we might have to deal with when life is dealing us new problems every day.
Now don't misunderstand me, I am in no way suggesting we "laugh off" our problems or situations we deal with. But if you had known me years ago you would have seen a worrier, a stone faced serious , seemingly unhappy , Pastor. I internalized things much worse than I even do still yet today. You know what that is called, not believing and following Proverbs 3:5-6. It says some positive things to do to keep a sweet and congenial spirit at all times.
Now don't misunderstand me, I am in no way suggesting we "laugh off" our problems or situations we deal with. But if you had known me years ago you would have seen a worrier, a stone faced serious , seemingly unhappy , Pastor. I internalized things much worse than I even do still yet today. You know what that is called, not believing and following Proverbs 3:5-6. It says some positive things to do to keep a sweet and congenial spirit at all times.
- Trust in God- Hey, my problems are His problems as my Father.
- Trust whole heartedly- Don't try and fake trusting because everyone knows when we are faking a smile or whatever.
- Don't prop yourself up with your own reasoning- I think I have a wealth of experience to give and I do, but I also have a bunch of baggage that if left unclaimed will drag me down. Leave your baggage with the Lord.
- My understanding- My understanding is based on my limited knowledge, experience and leaves out the supernatural; act of almighty God. Someone was doing a heroic, great thing the other day, and they will be doing it for a long time to come. Without any complaining whatsoever. God saw their need and sent someone to help carry their load. I was able to just sit back and watch God do something just because He through the Holy Spirit used someone else that He talked to, to bless a faithful servant. Don't get me started because I could start preaching now.
- In All- well, I am so thankful God put this in the Bible, there is nothing too big for God if He said "all". Had He said take your needs for today or take your physical problems to me every night and I will see what I can do then we could not have so much hope but God said the faithful, obedient, trusting servant and child of His has to give him all things to handle for us.
- Ways- I have a bunch of things that sometimes I don't think I need to bother God with and if my children did that it would make me mad and frustrated that they didn't come to me with a need. I wonder what God is saying when we categorize what we take to Him and what we think we can handle ourselves. We need rain desperately, when you come to church on Sunday get ready because we are going to cry out to God for rain, make sure you bring your umbrella.
- Acknowledge- "yada" in the Hebrew and it means assuredly acknowledge God.
- Him- not our abilities or our gifts but acknowledge Him. It is time we as God's church start not just be spectators but start actively engaging the Word of God and making it a apart of all that we do and are.
- Direct our paths- We have done some camping over the years and done some hiking on trails. We got lost or turned around once and it sure would have been nice to have God say turn here, take a left here and stop here and go right. When spiritually He is wanting to do that very thing for us each day of our lives.
Junk E-Mail
I am sure that if you have a computer you receive some mail we all call "Junk E-mail". It is everything from offers to get free money, to have your horoscope read to government grants with no strings attached. There is so much to offer you on "junk email' that every single need we have could be solved by answering all these emails. But that is really not true. There is only one source that makes sure the Christian has all of his needs met and that is our Heavenly Father. You name it and He will provide.
Of course all of us have what we call needs that are really wants and when our so called needs are not met we think God is not listening or doesn't care when He certainly knows what is best for His children. I usually take a glimpse at emails and <Delete> 99 % of them right on the spot. The computer and internet is a wonderful invention and one that our work and workday most likely depends on to be effective in this modern world of science and new inventions. My fear is at times that I might not have the necessary equipment or the updated version or the tools necessary to be effective.
The junk mail and computer and internet has also become a stumbling block to many people and many believers looking at things they should not be involved in. It is happening all to often if it happens one time to church leaders and pastors. The internet filth is not limited to any area or group or part of the country. It is everywhere and it can come at you from every angle. You can innocently search for a sight on the internet and be shocked to discover it is a sight altogether different and has an evil twist to it.
In one church I was the pastor of a dear wife and mother that had begged her husband to stop looking at video pornography and computer sights that were not godly. He was ensnared like a drug addict is snared by cocaine. One day I took a Deacon with me and we visited the young man who by the way had two beautiful small boys. They were just toddlers. We went in the home and guess where we found the man, on the computer in the living room. His wife had made him move it out into the living room for accountability sake. I had arranged our visit with his wife but he did not know we were coming. His wife said she had found video tapes he hid all around the house. I prayed and sought the Lord as to how and jolt this man into reality that his family was being torn apart by this filth. I had seen this happen all to often in the many years of being a Pastor and saw it growing up and it tore my parents apart.
I asked him why he was doing this. He denied he was doing any such thing. That he had gotten rid of all the tapes. I had his wife bring us one she had recently found just that morning. "Let's put it in and watch it. My Deacon friend and I are here and if you think this is good enough for you then let us watch it with you." He was shocked. "Oh, please don't Pastor, Please don't" I put the tape in and played about 45 "seconds" of the lewdness and crudeness he had been feeding on. It took 30 plus days to get those images out of my mind. Just think what a daily diet of this corruptness was doing to him. Sadly, he divorced his wife and moved in with another man who left his wife for an adulterous relationship.
Be careful and abstain from the very appearance of evil my friend. The trap is set and we are to run from the temptation, the Bible states.
Of course all of us have what we call needs that are really wants and when our so called needs are not met we think God is not listening or doesn't care when He certainly knows what is best for His children. I usually take a glimpse at emails and <Delete> 99 % of them right on the spot. The computer and internet is a wonderful invention and one that our work and workday most likely depends on to be effective in this modern world of science and new inventions. My fear is at times that I might not have the necessary equipment or the updated version or the tools necessary to be effective.
The junk mail and computer and internet has also become a stumbling block to many people and many believers looking at things they should not be involved in. It is happening all to often if it happens one time to church leaders and pastors. The internet filth is not limited to any area or group or part of the country. It is everywhere and it can come at you from every angle. You can innocently search for a sight on the internet and be shocked to discover it is a sight altogether different and has an evil twist to it.
In one church I was the pastor of a dear wife and mother that had begged her husband to stop looking at video pornography and computer sights that were not godly. He was ensnared like a drug addict is snared by cocaine. One day I took a Deacon with me and we visited the young man who by the way had two beautiful small boys. They were just toddlers. We went in the home and guess where we found the man, on the computer in the living room. His wife had made him move it out into the living room for accountability sake. I had arranged our visit with his wife but he did not know we were coming. His wife said she had found video tapes he hid all around the house. I prayed and sought the Lord as to how and jolt this man into reality that his family was being torn apart by this filth. I had seen this happen all to often in the many years of being a Pastor and saw it growing up and it tore my parents apart.
I asked him why he was doing this. He denied he was doing any such thing. That he had gotten rid of all the tapes. I had his wife bring us one she had recently found just that morning. "Let's put it in and watch it. My Deacon friend and I are here and if you think this is good enough for you then let us watch it with you." He was shocked. "Oh, please don't Pastor, Please don't" I put the tape in and played about 45 "seconds" of the lewdness and crudeness he had been feeding on. It took 30 plus days to get those images out of my mind. Just think what a daily diet of this corruptness was doing to him. Sadly, he divorced his wife and moved in with another man who left his wife for an adulterous relationship.
Be careful and abstain from the very appearance of evil my friend. The trap is set and we are to run from the temptation, the Bible states.
What Matters Most of All
I have been amazed and excited about our church for some time now. I am amazed that we have seen a growth of some 400 people over the course of the last three years. I have been even more amazed at the offering growth almost twice what it was three years ago. Without harping or ranting and raving about attendance or giving people have seen, I hope the pure motives within the church and the staff that we have assimilated to the point we understand we all have one commission and one calling to enlarge the Kingdom of God. When I think of 400 plus people coming over the past four years it is simply a God thing. It really boils down to how much we care. Do we care enough or could we care even more and no telling what might God entrust us with?
For example, on a routine visit to a busy Bellevue Hospital. A charity case if you will. A drunken homeless man had slit his throat and died. Then came the visit to the morgue by the Pastor. The derelicts name was misspelled on the hospital form, But then what good is a name when the guy' s a bum. The age was also incorrect. He was 38 not 39 and looked twice that. Somebody might have remarked, "What a shame for one so young," but no one did. Because no one cared.
The details of what had happened in the predawn of that chilly winter morning in New York were fuzzy. The nurse probably shrugged it off. They had seen thousands and were sure to thousands more.
His health was gone and he was starving. He had been found lying in a heap, bleeding from a deep gash in his throat. His forehead was badly bruised and he was semiconscious. A doctor used black sewing thread to suture the wound. Then the man was dumped in a paddy wagon and dropped off at Bellevue Hospital where he languished and died. But nobody really cared.
A friend seeking him was directed to the local morgue. There among dozens of other nameless corpses he was identified. When they scraped together his belongings, they found a ragged, dirty coat with .38 cents in the pockets and a scrap of paper in the other. All his earthly goods. Enough coins for another night in the clubs and five words, "Dear friends and gentle hearts." Almost like the words of a song, some one may have thought.
Which would have been correct, for once years ago this man had written the songs literally made the whole world sing. Songs like, "Camptown Races", "Oh Susanna", "Beautiful Dreamer", " Jeanie with the light brown hair," "Old folks at Home," "My Old Kentucky Home," and two hundred more that have become deeply rooted in our rich American heritage. Thanks to Stephen Collins Foster. The question is do we care enough to show hospitality to strangers. I said it yesterday and I'll say it again, "The world does not care how much we know until they know how much we care."
For example, on a routine visit to a busy Bellevue Hospital. A charity case if you will. A drunken homeless man had slit his throat and died. Then came the visit to the morgue by the Pastor. The derelicts name was misspelled on the hospital form, But then what good is a name when the guy' s a bum. The age was also incorrect. He was 38 not 39 and looked twice that. Somebody might have remarked, "What a shame for one so young," but no one did. Because no one cared.
The details of what had happened in the predawn of that chilly winter morning in New York were fuzzy. The nurse probably shrugged it off. They had seen thousands and were sure to thousands more.
His health was gone and he was starving. He had been found lying in a heap, bleeding from a deep gash in his throat. His forehead was badly bruised and he was semiconscious. A doctor used black sewing thread to suture the wound. Then the man was dumped in a paddy wagon and dropped off at Bellevue Hospital where he languished and died. But nobody really cared.
A friend seeking him was directed to the local morgue. There among dozens of other nameless corpses he was identified. When they scraped together his belongings, they found a ragged, dirty coat with .38 cents in the pockets and a scrap of paper in the other. All his earthly goods. Enough coins for another night in the clubs and five words, "Dear friends and gentle hearts." Almost like the words of a song, some one may have thought.
Which would have been correct, for once years ago this man had written the songs literally made the whole world sing. Songs like, "Camptown Races", "Oh Susanna", "Beautiful Dreamer", " Jeanie with the light brown hair," "Old folks at Home," "My Old Kentucky Home," and two hundred more that have become deeply rooted in our rich American heritage. Thanks to Stephen Collins Foster. The question is do we care enough to show hospitality to strangers. I said it yesterday and I'll say it again, "The world does not care how much we know until they know how much we care."
Changing the Culture
I was watching Larry King Live on CNN the other evening and heard Bill Maher talk of his beliefs and total disregard for religion, as he called it. He went on to talk about a documentary that will be coming out next Easter dispelling the so called truth of Religion. The documentary traveled to all the religious hot spots, Vatican city, Jerusalem and the Dome of the Rock where Mohammed is purported to have flown off into Heaven. I am sure he covered Baptists and Bible believers because he went on to speak how no one can know where they are going or what will happen after they die. He looked at Larry King and said, "I don't know what happens when I die and no one else does either."
This used to be a non issue. Yes, there have been people who have always questioned the truth of the Bible and the existence of God but there is a platform now like never before. There is the internet, television, radio, talk shows, pundits and skeptics and lifestyle groups who are determined to not let anyone challenge their right to do and think and challenge even our right to disagree with them by making Christians appear foolish and ignorant. They have the monetary resources to get their message out. Believers have the proof of lives changed.
There need not be fear in the camp because someone dares to call our faith a hoax and our belief false and phony. The greatest defense for our Faith in Jesus Christ as the Savior of the world is changed lives. Perhaps that is why the culture is shouting so loud to be heard is because there is not enough change agents in the world. Are we making a difference or are we simply maintaining our position and not reproducing our selves in others as the Great Commission states we should be doing. We are too weak in our fervency to stand for our faith. Leon Walters said, "Lord, give the determination and the tenacity of a weed".
My prayer: "God give us faithful, bold and conscientious believers who not only have eternal life but know how to live their lives so that others will want what they have because it is so life changing, they are drawn to Christ". We need plumbers, engineers, construction workers, business men and women, doctors, lawyers, Pastors, dentist, truck drivers, stay at home moms, computer scientists, factory workers and grocery store workers who are committed to sharing their faith to change the world.
Remember this as you face this week and all of its challenges, "People don't care how much you know until they know how much you care."
This used to be a non issue. Yes, there have been people who have always questioned the truth of the Bible and the existence of God but there is a platform now like never before. There is the internet, television, radio, talk shows, pundits and skeptics and lifestyle groups who are determined to not let anyone challenge their right to do and think and challenge even our right to disagree with them by making Christians appear foolish and ignorant. They have the monetary resources to get their message out. Believers have the proof of lives changed.
There need not be fear in the camp because someone dares to call our faith a hoax and our belief false and phony. The greatest defense for our Faith in Jesus Christ as the Savior of the world is changed lives. Perhaps that is why the culture is shouting so loud to be heard is because there is not enough change agents in the world. Are we making a difference or are we simply maintaining our position and not reproducing our selves in others as the Great Commission states we should be doing. We are too weak in our fervency to stand for our faith. Leon Walters said, "Lord, give the determination and the tenacity of a weed".
My prayer: "God give us faithful, bold and conscientious believers who not only have eternal life but know how to live their lives so that others will want what they have because it is so life changing, they are drawn to Christ". We need plumbers, engineers, construction workers, business men and women, doctors, lawyers, Pastors, dentist, truck drivers, stay at home moms, computer scientists, factory workers and grocery store workers who are committed to sharing their faith to change the world.
Remember this as you face this week and all of its challenges, "People don't care how much you know until they know how much you care."
Cool in the Desert
Boy, has it been hot lately.
Now if you know me then you know I enjoy the warm weather but do not like the cold weather. Each person has his or her favorites. Of course we all would love it to be spring or fall year round but that is not likely to happen. There has also been a lot of talk about Global warming and that we are entering a critical phase and it is in our hands to control. While it may be true we are depleting our air and oxygen supplies with gas fumes, I am not personally convinced we are about to see the earth go into oblivion just yet. I understand however that just as much as anything else in the Bible we should take care of and keep it the best we can, this creation God has blessed us with.
Sometimes we are like the two guys who meet in the middle of the desert. One was carrying a car door, and the other an umbrella. The one with the car door said to the guy with the umbrella, "Why are you carrying that umbrella around, it isn't going to rain in the desert?" To which the guy with the umbrella replies, "Yeah", but it keeps me out of the sun! By the way, why are you carrying around that car door, you don't even have a car to go with it". The guy with the car door days, "Yeah, well at least if I get too hot from the sun I can just roll down the window!"
Anger is a deadly character trait.
Psalm 37:8 Cease from anger, and forsake wrath. Fret not in any way to do evil.
Proverbs 14:17 He that is soon angry dealeth foolishly.
Proverbs 16:32 He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty.
James says be swift to hear and slow to be angry.
Keeping our cool is not always easy. For some of us the nagging thing that we have to continually work on just like everyone who lives has something to deal with is the anger bug. Anger is something we most likely all fight or have fought at times. Of course Jesus and His Temple experience where He turns over the tables and the money changers is used by many to say, "see even Jesus got angry". Jesus spoke probably pretty loudly when He said, "My house shall be called a house of prayer but you have made it a den of thieves." Mark 11:17 I preach and I get loud most of the time but it doesn't mean I'm mad or angry, it means I am passionate about what I am saying. You can be passionate about something without being sinfully angry.
Be Cool. There will probably come sometime this week you will wish and pray someone would be patient with you. When cool heads prevail much can be thought through and problems solved. I know of a church where a business meeting became unlike anything that would please the Lord. A man stood up and the veins in his neck were pulsating and he fell over after his tirade and was later pronounced dead. Anger is not something to be played around with. You and I both want kindness and courtesy then give it and you will get it.
Now if you know me then you know I enjoy the warm weather but do not like the cold weather. Each person has his or her favorites. Of course we all would love it to be spring or fall year round but that is not likely to happen. There has also been a lot of talk about Global warming and that we are entering a critical phase and it is in our hands to control. While it may be true we are depleting our air and oxygen supplies with gas fumes, I am not personally convinced we are about to see the earth go into oblivion just yet. I understand however that just as much as anything else in the Bible we should take care of and keep it the best we can, this creation God has blessed us with.
Sometimes we are like the two guys who meet in the middle of the desert. One was carrying a car door, and the other an umbrella. The one with the car door said to the guy with the umbrella, "Why are you carrying that umbrella around, it isn't going to rain in the desert?" To which the guy with the umbrella replies, "Yeah", but it keeps me out of the sun! By the way, why are you carrying around that car door, you don't even have a car to go with it". The guy with the car door days, "Yeah, well at least if I get too hot from the sun I can just roll down the window!"
Anger is a deadly character trait.
Psalm 37:8 Cease from anger, and forsake wrath. Fret not in any way to do evil.
Proverbs 14:17 He that is soon angry dealeth foolishly.
Proverbs 16:32 He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty.
James says be swift to hear and slow to be angry.
Keeping our cool is not always easy. For some of us the nagging thing that we have to continually work on just like everyone who lives has something to deal with is the anger bug. Anger is something we most likely all fight or have fought at times. Of course Jesus and His Temple experience where He turns over the tables and the money changers is used by many to say, "see even Jesus got angry". Jesus spoke probably pretty loudly when He said, "My house shall be called a house of prayer but you have made it a den of thieves." Mark 11:17 I preach and I get loud most of the time but it doesn't mean I'm mad or angry, it means I am passionate about what I am saying. You can be passionate about something without being sinfully angry.
Be Cool. There will probably come sometime this week you will wish and pray someone would be patient with you. When cool heads prevail much can be thought through and problems solved. I know of a church where a business meeting became unlike anything that would please the Lord. A man stood up and the veins in his neck were pulsating and he fell over after his tirade and was later pronounced dead. Anger is not something to be played around with. You and I both want kindness and courtesy then give it and you will get it.
Is Contentment Really that Difficult?
Is it really so difficult to be content and happy with things and people and just get along with others? That is a rhetorical question, but a real one nonetheless. I mean think about it. I have come to learn that I really make things so difficult for myself because I expect things to be different than they are. I expect people to act differently than they do. I expect everything to run smoothly and it doesn't. Then there is another way of thinking about contentment that some people have, which is just be satisfied with what you have. While that is a part of the big picture it still doesn't explain the whole scene.
When we think of being creative our intuitive juices start flowing to come up with the newest and the best and reach someone no one else has ever captivated before. When it comes to being confident we can strut with the best of them because after all we are somebody too. When it comes to being competent we are the best at what we do because we work hard to make sure of it. But this other "C" word called Contentment, now that is a different story. Let's list some things that mean we aren't content rather than the things we should do to be content. Here we go:
We recently told you in church of a friend of ours who has all the "toys" and the means to enjoy them. We also told you that what makes our friend different is if he didn't have all those things he would still be humble because he is humble and he has those things. He gives more away than I could ever hope to think about giving. He is a down to earth kind of guy who loves Jesus and his family and his friends. Nothing seems to shatter his approach to each day.
Paul chose an interesting phrase in Philippians 4:11 ".I have learned." what it means to be content. Contentment is a process. For some it takes longer than others. If you want to be content, be a fast learner because Contentment is where there is Joy.
When we think of being creative our intuitive juices start flowing to come up with the newest and the best and reach someone no one else has ever captivated before. When it comes to being confident we can strut with the best of them because after all we are somebody too. When it comes to being competent we are the best at what we do because we work hard to make sure of it. But this other "C" word called Contentment, now that is a different story. Let's list some things that mean we aren't content rather than the things we should do to be content. Here we go:
- The work day is going to happen every day just like it has for the last several years so just let it happen
- School starts at 7:45 am and there is no stopping it so don't gripe that it is too early, everyone has to do it
- There will be until the day you leave this world be someone who doesn't like you (Don't hate them for it or you will be as bad as them, just realize I am going to do to others as I would like to have them do to me)
- There will always be the "X" factor that challenges our contentment, everyday in many ways
- Contentment that is really contentment always includes the Lord in our plans
- Contentment is being satisfied you did a great job if you get a large tip or a small one
- Content that you are pleasing yourself, your family, your Lord
- If we lash out, we aren't content
- If we curse the day or the pitfalls of life, we aren't content
- Contentment is not becoming passive
- Contentment doesn't mean we are door mats for others to abuse
We recently told you in church of a friend of ours who has all the "toys" and the means to enjoy them. We also told you that what makes our friend different is if he didn't have all those things he would still be humble because he is humble and he has those things. He gives more away than I could ever hope to think about giving. He is a down to earth kind of guy who loves Jesus and his family and his friends. Nothing seems to shatter his approach to each day.
Paul chose an interesting phrase in Philippians 4:11 ".I have learned." what it means to be content. Contentment is a process. For some it takes longer than others. If you want to be content, be a fast learner because Contentment is where there is Joy.
The Cause of Pain
Pain is not fun at all. When something hurts in our body and it is a severe pain especially it makes us miserable from top to bottom. It seems we can't do anything without the pain influencing what we do and how we do it. The other thing about pain is it is noticeable no matter how hard you try and fake it. People can tell.
A little girl went up to her mother one day while holding her stomach saying, "Mommy, my stomach hurts." Her mother replied, "That's because it's empty, you have to put something inside it!" She then prepared a bowl of soup.
Later that day when the Pastor and his wife were over for dinner. The pastor began to feel bad. Holding his head he said," I have such a terrible headache!" The little girl looked up at him , giving him the sweetest smile that any little child could give. Then she said, "That's because it's empty, you have to put something inside it!" Careful, I heard those laughs out there. What a cute story about how pain hurts.
Not only does Pain Hurt. But Pain helps. Last week we celebrated the Lord's Supper at our church on a Sunday morning. What a wonderful service it was because we had a drama to go along with it entitled the "Living Lord's Supper". It brought to life the night Jesus broke bread with His disciples and told them a traitor was among them and of His impending death as their leader. Inthis situation Pain helps. Were it not for the Pain and the suffering of Christ on the Cross we would be utterly hopeless. Our destiny would be sure and it certainly would not be with the Lord.
Pain can also not only help but Pain can also help and it can also bring Hope. Because Jesus suffered on the cross you and I do not have to. I don't believe we fully grasp the fact that unless we go out into the highways and byways and compel them to come in we are not giving or spreading Hope to the Hopeless. The Lord never one time said, " Let them come to you." Just create this Holy Huddle and they will come.
In fact that is the exact opposite of what He instructed us to do. He instructs us to be on the offensive and reach out to those who come in our path with the Gospel of the good news of Christ. Pain binges hurts, pain helps, and pain brings hope. Pain also can honor God.
Over and over again the scripture is replete with those who have suffered for the name of Christ and time after time they honor God with a testimony to HIS faithfulness. God loved us enough He sent His best. Not a substitute so the real thing would not get hurt or suffer pain or be dishonored but Christ was in pain so we might be pain-less. He bore our sins on the Cross. "Oh, what a Savior".
A little girl went up to her mother one day while holding her stomach saying, "Mommy, my stomach hurts." Her mother replied, "That's because it's empty, you have to put something inside it!" She then prepared a bowl of soup.
Later that day when the Pastor and his wife were over for dinner. The pastor began to feel bad. Holding his head he said," I have such a terrible headache!" The little girl looked up at him , giving him the sweetest smile that any little child could give. Then she said, "That's because it's empty, you have to put something inside it!" Careful, I heard those laughs out there. What a cute story about how pain hurts.
Not only does Pain Hurt. But Pain helps. Last week we celebrated the Lord's Supper at our church on a Sunday morning. What a wonderful service it was because we had a drama to go along with it entitled the "Living Lord's Supper". It brought to life the night Jesus broke bread with His disciples and told them a traitor was among them and of His impending death as their leader. Inthis situation Pain helps. Were it not for the Pain and the suffering of Christ on the Cross we would be utterly hopeless. Our destiny would be sure and it certainly would not be with the Lord.
Pain can also not only help but Pain can also help and it can also bring Hope. Because Jesus suffered on the cross you and I do not have to. I don't believe we fully grasp the fact that unless we go out into the highways and byways and compel them to come in we are not giving or spreading Hope to the Hopeless. The Lord never one time said, " Let them come to you." Just create this Holy Huddle and they will come.
In fact that is the exact opposite of what He instructed us to do. He instructs us to be on the offensive and reach out to those who come in our path with the Gospel of the good news of Christ. Pain binges hurts, pain helps, and pain brings hope. Pain also can honor God.
Over and over again the scripture is replete with those who have suffered for the name of Christ and time after time they honor God with a testimony to HIS faithfulness. God loved us enough He sent His best. Not a substitute so the real thing would not get hurt or suffer pain or be dishonored but Christ was in pain so we might be pain-less. He bore our sins on the Cross. "Oh, what a Savior".
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