Correction is a necessary part of life.  None of us...not you, me, Albert Einstein, Bill Gates or even Stephen Colbert knows everything there is to know.  There are also times that we make mistakes in our social interaction or workplace interaction.  Regardless of the type of mistake we make it's never fun to be corrected.  None of us want to face it but it's so clear in Scripture we need to accept it:

"Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but he who hates correction is stupid."-Proverbs 12:1 (NIV)

"He who ignores discipline comes to poverty and shame, but whoever heeds correction is honored." - Proverbs 13:18 (NIV)

"Stern discipline awaits him who leaves the path; he who hates correction will die." - Proverbs 15:10 (NIV)

It's hard sometimes to take correction because in addition to your mistakes you find out there's other things you did or didn't know that add to the bad feelings.  As an example, say you had a woman in your church who was a prayer partner and confidant.  You shared with her things you were praying about and concerns about life and even vented about things at work.  Then your boss yells at you one day and you find out your confidant was telling your boss what you told her! 

How does that make you feel?  First, you're embarrassed because that information was told to someone it was never meant to hear.  Just another lesson in not saying anything that you shouldn't be saying!  Second, you're hurt because it's threatening your job and income.  Certainly it's put a black mark on your employment and it's going to be next to impossible to erase that black mark.  Third you feel a deep betrayal because you had put your trust into someone and they turned around and violated that trust. 

All of it could drive you into a depression or maybe into anger and rage.  It's emotions and feelings that are disconcerting.  You don't want to be in those places and you don't want to feel like this again.

This is where correction comes to the crossroads.  Either you do the right thing...which is accept the lesson given to you and move on...or you go the other way and take steps to avoid those situations.  If someone comes up trying to correct you on something you dismiss them or start pointing out the faults in their life.  You try to turn it back around and dismiss their comments because they obviously have issues or SINS! in their life and since they don't bother with those they're obviously wrong with you.

I know the second option is tempting but you need to fight it with all you have within you.  Sometimes I think that accepting correction in the proper way is the hardest part of being a Christian.  It's so hard to stay calm and not try to throw up some kind of defense when you are clearly in the wrong. 

So the next time you said something to your sister about your mom and she tells mom avoid the urge to lash into little sis.  Apologize to your mom and remind yourself that gossip causes more harm than good.  Remember that:

"no man can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison." - James 3:8 (NIV)

Now, I know I've focused a little bit on times you're corrected for things you say but it also applies equally to things that you do (or perhaps don't do.)  Remember that God wants us to be honest in all things even when it's hard to do or when it leads to our receiving correction.   So when you don't do that ten page report on the prospects of harvesting one legged kangaroos from Sydney you need to step up and admit you dropped the ball. 

God is always there and God will always forgive even when humans don't forgive. He will also be there when we're honest and say we messed up.  Trust in His forgiveness and always do the right thing knowing at the end of everything He is the one to whom we answer.

Permalink:
http://www.myccm.org/post/bible/blog/correction_isnt_fun_not_at_all_not_even_a_little.html

Trackback URL:
http://www.myccm.org/post/bible/blog/correction_isnt_fun_not_at_all_not_even_a_little.trackback

While I don't normally start with Scripture, I want to present today's passage with no real setup for it. 

" 22Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything; and do it, not only when their eye is on you and to win their favor, but with sincerity of heart and reverence for the Lord. 23Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, 24since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving. 25Anyone who does wrong will be repaid for his wrong, and there is no favoritism." - Colossians 3:22-25 (NIV)

If you have a job then chances are you have a boss.  This boss may be a great boss or they can be one of the bosses you see being made fun of every New Year's Day on one of the job search web sites because of their ineptitude or cruelty.  While I hope you have the good boss I've found that most people have the bad boss.

That leads to stress in the workplace.  This person will seek to pin you for their shortcomings.  They might blame you for the mistakes made by their pet employees or in some cases even relatives.  (How many times do you hear stories about things going south after the boss hires their son?)  Sometimes this boss will forget to do something and when a deadline is missed you get hung out to dry. 

How does that make you feel?  Most likely you feel hurt.  Anger.  Frustration.  Almost like you're being viewed as a slave (and it's quite possible you are depending on your particular boss.)  It's likely you suppress these feelings and either let them bottle up until you explode or you take them out on other people in inappropriate ways.  (I'm not a psychologist but I think the clinical term is "displaced anger.") 

It gets to the point where you just want to tell your boss to take the job and shove it up a very moist body orifice.  Just walk away and feel the weight fly off your shoulders and think to yourself they won't be able to get along without you.

Realize this...most of the time they'll be able to find some other poor shlub to take your job and the abuse they heap upon it.  The turnover rate will be high but the boss won't care as long as they have minions to fill the slots.  The boss won't really care about why people keep leaving as long as their country club dues get paid and their expensive home gets the new six person hot tub with gold fixtures.  Very rarely are you going to "get 'em."

Remember that you are responsible for how you deal with the situation with the knowledge that you are where GOD wants you to be.  When you're in those situations you need to have the focus that you're serving God and not the boss who may or may not be acting in a Godly manner.  At the end of the day, the week, the year or the career you have to account for your actions and whether or not you worked as if for the Lord.

(All of us have times where we don't work in that manner.  We have something personal on our minds or we aren't feeling well & cut corners.  While those are valid issues and do effect what I'm discussing here I'm going to leave them for another time to focus on the boss issue.)

This means that when the Boss comes to you and says you need to drop everything and do a report that you submitted two weeks ago that the boss never realized was done you do it.  It means when you're given a task you do it whole heartedly instead of doing it quickly and shabbily.  (This is especially important if you have co-workers that depend on what you do because it's more than likely not their fault the boss is being the person they've chosen to become.  It's not your co-worker's fault you scrape by barely making enough to eat Ramen Noodles every night while your boss has Filet Mignon and champagne.)

It's not fun and it's not going to really make you feel any better inside.  Yes, you're serving the Lord and there's a matter of satisfaction in that but we're also human beings and we have natural feelings of anger, hurt and frustration.  Don't be ashamed to have those feelings but don't let them overcome you and dictate your actions.  Avoid acting rashly and saying things out of anger that can only destroy and not encourage. 

Yes, I know it's easier said than done.

A tip?   When the boss starts to roll the manure downhill see if there's a way you can take a break or even leave the building for a few minutes.  Go to the store on the corner and get a diet Cherry Vanilla Dr. Pepper.  Go for a quick prayer walk.  Most of all, turn it over to our Dad and say "look, I need you to give me grace and work in this situation because right now I'm too angry/hurt/frustrated to do the right thing."  He will help and he will provide what you need even if it's the strength to just get through the day.

I want to leave you with something for you that I hope will provide some comfort.  God doesn't let your bosses off the hook.

" 1Masters, provide your slaves with what is right and fair, because you know that you also have a Master in heaven." - Colossians 4:1 (NIV)

I know it says "Masters" but the same concept applies to business owners and bosses.  It's those in dominance in a working relationship.  These people will be held to account before the Lord for their actions against you and everyone else who's been in their employ.

That means God notices when they promise you a raise and don't give it to you while buying a new car for themselves.  It means God notices when you're given a reprimand for a project when it's the boss's wife who didn't follow through on the job.  It means that God knows full well the owner could be paying a better wage to his people for working them so hard and instead hoards the money himself while crying poverty.

God will pay those men and women back for their actions in His time.  These people will find themselves facing lower productivity or bad workers or serious cash flow problems because they have not followed through with their responsibilities or have neglected to be good stewards of what God has provided and that DOES include the workers he brings to help them prosper.

Hopefully during those times the boss will wake up and repent of what they're doing and God will hear that true repentance.  God has much grace to give everyone.  Even if it doesn't happen and you end up losing your job because of the situation remember your Father in heaven has a plan and will take care of you. At the end of the day, all of this is His.  Just trust in Him.

Permalink:
http://www.myccm.org/post/bible/blog/masters_and_slaves.html

Trackback URL:
http://www.myccm.org/post/bible/blog/masters_and_slaves.trackback

I was thinking today about hearing from God.  The last few weeks have been peppered with discussions among my friends of "how do you hear God" or "ways to hear God better" or "you're hearing God but don't know it."  We expect God to suddenly pop up on the television and say "OK, sit down and let me tell you what's going to be happening for the next year..."

A passage of Scripture popped into my head today while I was pondering the whole "hearing from God" idea.  We're going old school here...the Old Testament...

" 11 The LORD said, "Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the LORD, for the LORD is about to pass by."
      Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the LORD, but the LORD was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the LORD was not in the earthquake. 12 After the earthquake came a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper." - 1 Kings 19:11-12 (NIV)

A great and powerful wind....loud.  An earthquake...loud.  A fire...loud.  Then the Lord showed up in a gentle whisper...nice and quiet.

I think many times we forget that still, small voice inside of us can be the Holy Spirit giving us guidance.  Some people call it their conscience.  It's that voice that gives you warning bells when you're in a situation you should not be in or it gives comfort when you are making the right decision. 

I was reading another blog today and the writer was talking about how women hear that voice regarding a man and just ignore it and the red flags that go with it because they want a relationship so badly.  I, of course, countered men do the same thing although we probably don't talk about it as much on Oprah.  It's an epidemic among Christians...we just ignore the Holy Spirit and that still, small voice.

It's as if we all need some kind of hearing aid for that small voice so it echoes enough in our heads that we realize who it is telling us to do the right thing or make the right choice or get out of a bad situation.   A lot of Christians will still ignore the voice but it's harder to ignore a loud voice than a soft one!

Permalink:
http://www.myccm.org/post/bible/blog/the_holy_hearing_aid_of_sri_lanka.html

Trackback URL:
http://www.myccm.org/post/bible/blog/the_holy_hearing_aid_of_sri_lanka.trackback

I get a lot of weird looks when someone asks me to pray in public because of how I see my relationship with God.  To me, God's dad.  When I pray, I talk to him just like I talk to my dad.  I'll laugh, I'll make jokes, I'll submit petitions and give Him praise.  Sometimes I just say "Dad, thanks." 

I take that tact because of this passage from Matthew 6:

"7And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. 8Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him." -- Matthew 6:7-8 (NIV)

When I first became a Christian I remember spending hours just praying and praying.  I would ramble on and on about requests that I was placing before the throne thinking I had to make the same long prayers that people at church gave on Sunday mornings.  I always felt like God listened but I never felt a close, personal relationship. 

Then one night while I was reading Matthew those verses hit me between the eyes.  As co-heirs with Christ, we are God's children.   When I call my dad, I don't spend an hour asking him for one thing.  I just say "Hey dad...I need..."  So I just decided to do that with God.

The result is I feel closest to God when I'm just talking to Him.  It doesn't mean I don't praise Him and I don't thank Him for everything.  It doesn't mean I don't petition him for the needs of others.  It doesn't mean I don't spend time with Him...most of my prayer time with Him is spent in silence listening for Him. 

I understand that everyone approaches Him differently and my way of prayer and speaking to Dad might not work for you.  However, if you find yourself in a dry place and feel as if it's been a while since you felt that intimacy why not try to shake up your prayer life a little bit?

Permalink:
http://www.myccm.org/post/bible/blog/rappin_with_daddy.html

Trackback URL:
http://www.myccm.org/post/bible/blog/rappin_with_daddy.trackback

I was chatting with a friend of mine who's in the radio industry and he was relaying a story about a co-worker who was obsessed with a certain performer.  This performer (whose name is being kept out of the story because their talent level really doesn't matter) had put out a new single and my friend's co-worker wanted the station to play the song.

Well, it wasn't the best song this artist put out and my friend was slow to add it to the playlist.  Over the month between the release of the song to radio and the time my friend finally added the record there was a chill to the relationship between the co-workers.  Within another month the co-worker left and said part of the reason was that my friend, her boss, "showed no respect to my views and suggestions for the radio station." 

What happened?  Over that month the co-worker kept bringing up the song to my friend and asking why it wasn't being played.  The discussions turned into arguments and led to resentment by the co-worker.  Eventually the relationship was damaged beyond the point neither one wanted to make the effort to repair it.

Did you ever find yourself in a situation like that?  I think of this verse when I hear of these situations.

"Don't have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels." - 2 Timothy 2:23 (NIV)

Many times I'll look back on an argument I had with someone and kick myself for what I consider a "dumb argument."  I know "dumb" isn't the politically correct term for it but I really think sometimes I've made what can only be called DUMB decisions to continue certain discussions!

It's hard sometimes to avoid these situations because we all have issues that bring out our passion.  You'll get into the discussion with someone who you think is clearly in the wrong and you're not going to give up until they see the light!   Eventually you get to the point where the discussion has been saturated with ideas and neither side is going to give or take.  That's when you need to realize what's going on and back away from the conversation (or talk about something else.) 

When you're in these situations, ask yourself what's being accomplished by the discussion.  Is it fruitful?  Is this the kind of discussion Jesus would be having with someone?  Yes, it's true Jesus did get into the face of the Pharisees and others but He didn't fight with them over every little thing.  Jesus picked his battles and you need to do the same.

So...try to avoid marching into the dumb arguments that lead to resentments and divisions.  If you're in a discussion (or even argument) where you start to think it's crossing the line then back out of it.  Yes, you don't get the "satisfaction" of "winning" the argument.  You might have additional problems because you're not giving the other person the chance to "win" the argument.  In the long run, you'll both be better off for it.

Permalink:
http://www.myccm.org/post/bible/blog/the_march_of_dumbs.html

Trackback URL:
http://www.myccm.org/post/bible/blog/the_march_of_dumbs.trackback

I can see this blog opening a can of worms.  However, this is the scripture that I found entirely by accident and that leapt off the page at me. 

"11A woman should learn in quietness and full submission. 12I do not permit a woman to teach or to have authority over a man; she must be silent." - 1 Timothy 2:11-12 (NIV)

It begs the question...do I, as a believer, feel that women cannot be pastors.

My firm, rock solid, unwavering, unyielding answer is..........sometimes.

No, I'm not being wishy-washy and trying to find a cop out that would keep me from having every woman on the subscription list cancel.  I think there is a restriction on women in ministry according to the Word but it's nowhere near as restrictive as someone would like to think taking the verse I quoted separately from the rest of scripture.

The way I see Scripture the only restriction to ministry placed on a woman is that she cannot be the spiritual teacher & leader over men.  That means a woman cannot be the senior pastor for a church (for example) where they are the final spiritual teaching authority in a church body.  It also means, because Scripture says an elder needs to be able to teach (and they're the second in authority to the head pastor of a church) that they cannot be elders.

Some people want to take this further and say women can't teach Sunday School classes with men because they're in authority over men.  I would say that's not accurate because the ultimate teaching authority in the church would be a man and these women would be subject to the leading of that senior pastor.  Yes, in that classroom they may be leading the discussion, but that does not make them the spiritual authority for that church.  (See the difference?)

Note...I've had squabbles with many Christians over the years about my belief that a woman can be a teacher in a classroom containing men.  Some believe that they can only be a teacher in a room full of women or children.  I see their view, I respect their right to have it but I disagree because I think the passage in question refers to the overall spiritual teaching and leadership of the church.

I believe a woman can be a pastor of women's ministry.  If a woman wanted to start a church that was only for women and was the senior pastor I'd have absolutely no problem with it (other than the fact they're being discriminatory based on gender but that's a whole other issue.) 

I would even say that women could be deacons within a church because if you look at the Bible's restrictions on deacons in 1 Timothy and Titus you don't see the teaching requirement.

Clearly if you look at Scripture women were given large spiritual gifts.  They were told just like men to speak the Word of God and make disciples of all nations.  They're told to show hospitality and kindness and mercy just like all men are ordered to by God.

I even think women can be heads of committees, groups and ministries within a church.  I have no problem with women in the church leadership helping plan the direction of a church and it's ministries.  I just see the Word saying the final authority when it comes to teaching rests on men. 

Someone will then say...what about the churches where the men don't step up and get the job done?   That's a whole different blog for another day.  I will say this...I agree that in many churches today the men have not lived up to the responsibilities and obligations as laid down by Paul in 1 Timothy.   There are many churches where the men have abdicated responsibility to the women.  If a woman steps up in those situations and leads the ministry then I don't fault her in any way. 

I hope you realize that I'm not woman bashing in this blog.  I'm sure that I'm going to receive some messages with subject lines like "This is why you'll never get married."  I'm sure it's very possible women who've read and/or subscribed to this blog like Tamara, Monica, Vanessa, Christine, Julie and other women who have lead in Christian ministries will have a little steam coming from their ears because I said my thoughts on this issue.  I hope that if we disagree we can discuss it in a positive way because I've tried to stay that way in my original comments.  If you're a little angry, I understand.  I don't like it when someone says I'm not allowed to do something.

And let me publicly thank God for putting this verse in front of me and compelling me to write this blog.  I look forward to learning what He wants me to learn from being obedient in writing it!

Permalink:
http://www.myccm.org/post/bible/blog/women_cant_be_pastorssometimes.html

Trackback URL:
http://www.myccm.org/post/bible/blog/women_cant_be_pastorssometimes.trackback

There's an outstanding music artist I know named Monica.  (Check out her cool music at monicadennington.com.)  Monica and I have a bizarre kind of friendship because our personalities really clash to a degree.  She's very humble and she's easily embarassed when someone really praises her God-given talents.  Sometimes I think she needs to be a little more accepting of praise but that's personal opinion.

Anyway...I have a naturally sarcastic, dry sense of humor.  I compare my sense of humor to Monty Python's Flying Circus (if you remember that British comedy series.)  When I see Monica, I always say something about "world famous recording artist" or a related term.  I always mean it as a term of endearment and I only say it because I like her and think it's great how she lets God use her in a powerful way.

When we were first getting to know each other I know that really bothered her because those kinds of comments were so counter to her view of herself in the picture of God's creation.  There were times when we first were around each other that I would see her shy away when I was around simply because my sense of humor wasn't something she could handle that day. 

Eventually, as our friendship grew into familiarity, she began to realize that this was just my way of showing friendly affection and that when I said those things it was meant as terms of endearment.  Now when I make a crack about her being an "international superstar" she just smiles and laughs it off and I don't push it beyond that point. 

How often when you're in a situation like that do you automatically write off the person who might be rubbing you the wrong way?   You think that they're always going to be an annoyance and certainly not someone God would want you to befriend? 

Have you stopped to think you might be missing a blessing?  This might be a time where God is going to mold both of you in ways you didn't even think were possible.   Remember Romans 14:10 (NIV): " Why do you judge your brother? Or why do you look down on your brother? For we will all stand before God's judgment seat."

I've been fortunate that God has worked with me on this issue over the years.  I find it much easier today to deal with someone who gets my dander up than I did even a year ago.  It even brings a level of peace into your life where you feel less stress and anxiety.  You may never have your heart leap with joy when you see this person approaching but you no longer feel a sense of dread.  It can lead to a happier life!

So I want to encourage you today to think about that person who just seems to always make your teeth involuntarily grind as they approach.  Think about ways you can reach out to them that perhaps they can understand why you feel the way you feel.  Think about ways that maybe you're reading too much into their words or actions and you need to turn it down a notch.  God is always working and this could be a time where if you step back you'll see blessings you never realized were there.

Permalink:
http://www.myccm.org/post/bible/blog/how_to_be_irritating_and_influence_people.html

Trackback URL:
http://www.myccm.org/post/bible/blog/how_to_be_irritating_and_influence_people.trackback

As you saw from other blogs, I live in the part of the country that was devastated by the ice storms.  Entire communities are still without power even a week and a half after the storm.  Thousands are in emergency shelters because their homes are little more than iceboxes.  Some people haven't had clean drinking water in their areas since the storm first hit the area.  Some elderly people have been sleeping and living in their cold homes because they had nowhere else to go.

(Strangely, George Clooney's not organizing a telethon to help the needy of our area.  I guess the hungry, homeless, broke and broken people of Missouri don't matter as much to him...but I digress...)

One of the horrible situations you find when a disaster strikes are people so enamored with greed they try to take advantage of desperate people.  These are the people who rush to an area without drinkable water and sell gallon jugs for ten dollars each.  One man actually tried to sell power generators that cost $700 under normal circumstances for over $2,500.  (He actually sold a few before the police caught wind of it and he had to skip town.)

If you're like me then it bothers you there are people out there taking advantage of people in need this way.  When you hear those folks spewing their "it's just supply and demand!" excuses you want to walk over and show them what you had for lunch a few hours ago.  Our human nature sees them as some of the most vile people you've met and you get even more angry when you think they're getting away with their scams!

Well, take heart in something:

"Don’t you realize that those who do wrong will not inherit the Kingdom of God? Don’t fool yourselves. Those who indulge in sexual sin, or who worship idols, or commit adultery, or are male prostitutes, or practice homosexuality, 10 or are thieves, or greedy people, or drunkards, or are abusive, or cheat people—none of these will inherit the Kingdom of God." (1 Corinthians 6:9-10 NLT)

I always laughed when I hear someone say that cheaters never win.  That's not entirely accurate because in the short term that's exactly what happens for them.  Just like the people who are taking advantage of the needy by gouging them for money, cheaters do prosper in the short term.  Some even prosper until their days on the earth come to an end.

It's important to remember that in the end they have to stand before God and have account for themselves.  These people will in the end always lose because they put their desires of money or flesh or self ahead of the calling of God in their lives.  The money they gouge or the pleasures they feel won't mean a thing in the scope of eternity in hell.

We as believers also have a responsibility to alter our focus as well when it comes to people like I've mentioned.  We need to stop looking upon them with scorn and disgust and realize their actions are just a symptom of really needing a close relationship with Jesus Christ.  We need to show love and respect to them as God's creations while at the same time correcting them for their horrific behavior.

I know it's not going to be easy to do.  I know I'm not there yet.  Still...that's where we need to go.  Want to join me?

Permalink:
http://www.myccm.org/post/bible/blog/cheaters_always_prosper_for_a_season.html

Trackback URL:
http://www.myccm.org/post/bible/blog/cheaters_always_prosper_for_a_season.trackback

I try not to use the "Verse of the Day" at Gospelcom because everyone who visits that site sees it and takes their own lesson away from it.  However, today's verse is one of my favorites from 1 Corinthians. 

"No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it."--1 Cor. 10:13 (NIV)

The reason this verse speaks to me so much is because for the longest time I actually believed that God brought temptation into our path to test us.  When I first became a believer, I wasn't really grounded in the faith.   When I came to Christ I really attended a Catch and Release Church.

(Side note for a definition of  "Catch and Release Church":  A church that is focused so much on winning souls to Jesus that after someone is saved there is no discipleship or grounding in the faith to help the new believer truly shake off the bonds of their old life.)

I know beyond any doubt that it's Satan that tempts us and that God allows those temptations to occur.  However, to a new believer who may not understand Scriptures, it can appear that God brings those temptations to test us.  There's a world of difference between allowing something to occur and making it happen yourself and this verse from Corinthians illustrates it beautifully.

It says that God will not LET YOU be tempted beyond what you can bear.  It doesn't say God won't tempt you beyond what you can bear...it's just that He lets it happen.  He also provides a way of escape so that you don't get bound up in the sin or have to deal with consequences from a sinful decision that seems so easily chosen from our fallen human nature. 

Those tests are what make us stronger in the faith and to me I appreciate the fact that God will allow me to face those temptations and trials.  I don't always make the right decision and I don't always do what God would want me to do but I cannot expect to grow in my faith and as a person without those times of testing. 

It's also good to know that God won't allow me to face a situation I can't handle.  I'll be honest and a little personal here..in the last two years I've faced from trials that have stretched me to the breaking point.  I've laid on the floor of my apartment in tears screaming at God because of the pain and pressure that I was feeling at the moment. 

He got me through it all.

Now, it still hurt.  I still bear the scars from those trials and to be honest most of them are still continuing although the pain from the stretching has subsided.  Still, I know He's there and these trials and temptations I face are nothing that He can't bring to a sudden (and what would be a very welcome) end.  It's another reason to just completely trust him.

So take a look at Gospelcom.net's "Verse of the Day" today and be encouraged if you're facing temptations or trials.  It just means God wants you to grow a little bit for something important to Him later in life.

Permalink:
http://www.myccm.org/post/bible/blog/the_verse_of_the_day.html

Trackback URL:
http://www.myccm.org/post/bible/blog/the_verse_of_the_day.trackback

I was at work today and had just finished a nice luke warm bowl of Chunky Soup when I entered our office kitchen area.  As you know, we've had a bit of an ice storm and it's been quite cold.  As a result, no one's taken out the trash in a week and it was stuffed to the gills.  I couldn't scoop the soup on top of the pile for obvious reasons.

So here I am with a bowl half filled with soup remnants and no place to dispose of them.  I could use the sink but there's no disposal.  All I would need there is some kind of backup and I'd be hearing it from all the ladies on the staff! 

Then I saw it...the toilet (or loo or bog or commode or flower planter depending on your location in the world.)  I quickly scooped the soup debris into the bowl and flushed away the problem.  I slipped the bowl into the communal sink and filled it with soap and water.  Crisis averted.

Now...that had me thinking it was amazing the various ways that I could dispose of the soup.  Think of the many ways the job could get done beyond what I had done:

1.  Trash can.
2.  Down the sink.
3.  Down the toilet/loo/flower planter.
4.  Throw it outside behind the building and hope no one notices.
5.  Leave it on the counter for someone else. 
6.  Stick it in the fridge and pretend it's leftovers until someone cleaning the fridge throws it away.

Isn't it amazing the possible solutions to reach the exact same place?  Now...this was on my mind when flipping around 1 Corinthians and found Chapter 7, Verse 16 (NIV): "How do you know, wife, whether you will save your husband? Or, how do you know, husband, whether you will save your wife?"

I know you're probably thinking there's a tremendous stretch between dumping soup down the toilet and a husband or wife saving their spouse.  Just go with me for a minute, OK?

Think about the ways you go about trying to introduce someone to Christ in a way that they accept Him as their Savior.  Sometimes you witness to someone and they hear what you're saying through the Holy Spirit and they repent and accept Christ.  We all do the happy dance, the angels cheer and Satan has a bad day. 

Sometimes you witness to someone with everything you have yet that person doesn't fall to their knees.  You try and you try to come up with some way to witness and in the end the person doesn't accept Christ when you're there.  Then you hear the person was out for a walk in the woods when they came across a cute little bunny rabbit which makes them suddenly realize the beauty of creation and the intracies that make it beyond mere chance or evolution.  They pray right there in the woods with Thumper and Bambi looking on.

The third guy you witness to doesn't buy any of it.  He laughs you off.  No matter what you say to him there's some flippant, sarcastic answer.  You think that nothing will ever get through to this guy.   One Monday he comes into work and he's beaming from ear to ear because he was saved at a Benny Hinn Crusade over the weekend.

Now...you're excited over the first and a little disappointed over the second two, right?  It's human nature.  You worked so hard on the second two folks and you weren't there for the payoff!  You wanted to be there to share the joy and while you're happy you have that little bit of disappointment.

This is where you have to realize it all reaches the same result and that's where we need to find our joy for this situation.  It shouldn't matter if it's our witnessing, the beauty of nature, the rantings of Benny Hinn, the screaming of a drunk in an alley or a flyer in the mail.  Regardless of the method, they've accepted Christ as their Savior!!!

So the next time you're finding that you weren't the method to bring the salvation home (so to speak) take a step back and divorce your human nature.  Take joy in the salvation of a new fellow believer and rejoice in any one of the methods that led this person to Him.

Permalink:
http://www.myccm.org/post/bible/blog/putting_soup_in_the_toilet.html

Trackback URL:
http://www.myccm.org/post/bible/blog/putting_soup_in_the_toilet.trackback

(Note:  I've been offline and sleeping on floors at work because of the ice storm blowing through the midwest.  I apologize for no new blogs in a few days.  I'm back in my home now so I'll be getting back to the usual schedule.)

Would you like to know the worst part of not being the authority in a situation?  That means it's someone else!

I think the desire to determine one's actions is an intrinsic human characteristic. We don't like someone else telling us what to do or when to do it.  It's even harder when we find ourselves in a situation where we face a "superior" or "leader" or "authority" whose judgment we question.  Why submit to someone who's clearly wrong?

Look at this passage from Romans 13:1-3 (NIV):

" 1Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. 2Consequently, he who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. 3For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and he will commend you."

I struggle with the idea that all the governing authorities are in place because God allows it to happen.  I especially struggle when I see leaders in Washington (for example) who clearly have stances that are counter to God's Word while at the same time pretending to be Christians.  You read the paper or see the television news and ask yourself why you need to respect the position that person holds when they clearly aren't following God's direction.

This is the time where we need to pray and trust that God is going to do what is best for us as well as His Kingdom.  That's why I say sometimes "I may not respect the person but I respect the position."  I may not respect Nancy Pelosi but she is still the Speaker of the House of Representatives.  I may not respect George W. Bush or Dick Cheney or Hillary Clinton (take your pick) but they are authorities and you have to respect their positions.

(Note...that doesn't mean you can speak against their actions or advocate for not re-electing them to their current positions...you just can't openly flaunt their authority without risking jail or other punishment.)

The hardest submission to authority of all is submission to God.  Chances are you won't have George W. Bush showing up at your front door asking you to do something for him.  (Bill Clinton might show up asking for your McDonald's french fries but he's not President anymore so you can say no.) You will have God at some point tell you to do something you don't want to do.  Whether it's going on a mission trip or funding a mission trip or bringing a cup of coffee to your grandma during Bible Study it's still something that you particularly wouldn't want to do. 

When that time comes I would highly recommend you do it.  Fighting it can only lead to problems...such as the church funding the mission trip only to not be able to fund your Sunday School group's outreach event.  Don't even get me started on how mad grandma gets when she doesn't get her coffee before the Scripture reading. 

God has authorities in place for a reason and our purpose is to submit to them when they're acting in a way that's not directly counter to the call of our lives as a Christian.  It's not always fun but it's almost always right.

Permalink:
http://www.myccm.org/post/bible/blog/the_powers_that_be.html

Trackback URL:
http://www.myccm.org/post/bible/blog/the_powers_that_be.trackback

A friend of mine is really have a hard time in her life right now.  She's in a very trying situation and she's had to make some hard decisions regarding life and her walk with Christ.  She has many more decisions on the horizon and she's starting for the first real time (in my opinion) to see what a commitment to serve Christ with your life really means...and it's not always what we'd call "fun."

Look at this passage from Romans 6:16 (NIV):

"Don't you know that when you offer yourselves to someone to obey him as slaves, you are slaves to the one whom you obey—whether you are slaves to sin, which leads to death, or to obedience, which leads to righteousness?"

When you accept Christ as your Savior, you become a child of God.  You also become a slave to His righteousness!  Your life is no longer your own but your life is in Christ because He has given you new life.  You give God the right to say where you go, what you do and who you do it with!

That is so counter to our human nature.  Slavery is seen as some kind of ultimate evil that should be avoided at all costs.  It's all about freedom!  It's all about doing what you want to do!  Whatever makes you feel happy inside is important!  No one is your Lord and Master!!!

That's where Satan wants everyone to be because then you're flying right in the face of God.   Just as Paul wrote very clearly in Romans you're a slave regardless of which master you choose to serve.  You either are a slave to sin or you're a slave to Christ.  There is no middle ground.  There is no either/or situation.  You're either sin's slave or Christ's save.

You might say "well, I didn't pick to be anyone's slave."  That reminds me of a lyric from the song "Free Will" by the band Rush where lyricist Neil Peart wrote "if you choose not to decide, you still have made a choice."  You have free will to make the choice and that choice you will eventually made even if it's to choose not to choose.  No sitting on the sidelines with this situation, folks.

Now, I would say we're not as much as slave in the sense that we're working for no reward.  Heaven is a great reward for all our work and sacrifices.  If we were only given Heaven that would be enough.  However, God also provides us with families, friends, spouses, jobs, homes, etc.  He brings us blessings and bounty beyond measure when we serve and obey him.  However, when we don't, we face trial, tribulations and discontent.

If you're in a situation like my friend where you're struggling and fighting because you don't want to give up control and submit to what God has in store for you I want to encourage you to let go.  Fight that human nature that Satan is so eagerly trying to feed that says you should run away from what God has planned because it's not going to be easy or "fun."  When you know God's will, stand firm on it regardless of what you have to give up.  God will never take things away without giving to you in abundance that which you may not know you need!!

Permalink:
http://www.myccm.org/post/bible/blog/obey_me_slave.html

Trackback URL:
http://www.myccm.org/post/bible/blog/obey_me_slave.trackback

I really get concerned some times when I see a Christian teacher take things to extremes that really aren't solidly based in Scripture.  Almost a decade after I first heard the man I can recall a pastor who was telling his youth group to take this passage of Scripture literally and live it:

"14Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness? 15What harmony is there between Christ and Belial? What does a believer have in common with an unbeliever? 16What agreement is there between the temple of God and idols? For we are the temple of the living God. As God has said: "I will live with them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they will be my people."" (2 Corinthians 6:14-16 NIV)

The pastor was of the opinion that the kids shouldn't make unbelievers a part of their social circle and that they should concentrate on having strong Christian friendships.   It was this pastor's contention that if you made a friendship with a non-Christian it meant you were yoking yourself together and it could only drag you down into a pit of sin.

I don't disagree with the sentiment that you need to have solid Christian friends.  You will eventually be changed by the company you keep and if you are always surrounded by those who refuse to acknowledge Jesus Christ then you will have serious struggles with your walk.  If that was all the farther this pastor went then I wouldn't be writing this blog.

However, this guy was advocating taking it entirely too far in that he wanted them to actively AVOID unbelievers for friendship and social interaction.  It's as if he wanted the youths to put unbelievers on an island and only bring them around one at a time when it was Evangelism Month and they had to practice their script on bringing a "sinner" to Christ.

I think not only is this virtually impossible it's also counter to the calling of Christ.  For example, under this guy's logic, you couldn't buy groceries from a grocer who isn't a Christian.  After all...the money you give that guy for a box of Fruity Pebbles might be used for....SIN!  (Insert a guy screaming like a girl here.) 

You would have to live your life hoping that everyone you cross is a Christian.  Imagine...you'd be along the side of the road with a flat tire and someone stops to change it and you'd have to ask first if they believed in Christ.

(I know you think I'm making this up but I asked the guy after his sermon if I was hearing him right and he said that I was hearing him.  Of course, he didn't have an answer when I asked if all the guys in his bowling league were Christians.)

Don't be afraid to talk to someone because they're not a Christian.  Don't shy away from inviting them to dinner with a group of your friends.  Go ahead and sit next to them at a basketball game and cheer on your mutual team.  Developing a friendship with someone who is not a Christian isn't a sin and it doesn't mean you're going to suddenly find yourself turning into the world's biggest sinner.

(Now, I do agree that you shouldn't date an unbeliever if you are a believer.  That can lead to a world of troubles and that's going to be in another blog because it's going to take a lot of time and scripture to write out!)

Just remember that any time you interacting with an unbeliever that their values are not your values.  Keep in mind that you know Jesus and what He's taught you about living life and keep that as your priority.  Sometimes it means you'll have to leave those friends...so leave them.  I know it'll be hard (and yes, if you're not hanging with unbelievers you're less likely to run into those kinds of hard situations) but the reward from God will be better than anything you might give up.

Permalink:
http://www.myccm.org/post/bible/blog/hangin_with_mr_unbeliever.html

Trackback URL:
http://www.myccm.org/post/bible/blog/hangin_with_mr_unbeliever.trackback

Sometimes it's very easy to get bogged down in the "legalities" of being a Christian.  Give your ten percent tithe.  Show up for worship every Sunday.  Shake hands with three people between the opening song and the Pastor's greeting.  It's down to a science so much that you could likely skip a service and do it in your own home alone and not miss a beat.

I've seen many Christians and churches who have fallen into the trap of legalism and had gotten to the point that they almost set up Christianity on their own terms.  If you want to come to Christ, you have to be like us.  You have to like organ music with your hymns.  You have to wear a tie and a suit every Sunday.  Women can't wear pants of any kind if you want to worship Jesus!

I think this is a modern day version of what Jesus was condemning in Matthew 23:23 (NIV): "Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You give a tenth of your spices—mint, dill and cummin. But you have neglected the more important matters of the law—justice, mercy and faithfulness. You should have practiced the latter, without neglecting the former."

Sometimes we get so focused on making sure we have all the small groups assigned and the kitchen team fully manned and the greeters all smiling and happy that we tend not to notice the homeless guy at the back door who wants a sandwich.   We spend months planning a fundraiser for the local women's shelter while we neglect to bring a bag of groceries to the woman whose husband just ran out and left her alone with four kids. 

I completely understand the need to focus on ministries to which we give our time, effort and money.  There certainly needs to be organization and there are times we really need to focus on the nuts and bolts of the ministry to move it forward.  I think part of what Jesus was saying...and what I'm hoping to challenge you tonight to do...is to always keep your eyes open to the big picture.  Always look for that opportunity to be the hands and feet of God on this Earth because if you don't do that you're only living a part of the life God has in store for you.

Work hard to avoid putting on the mantle of religiosity and strive to do the work of Christ with the same humble spirit.  Do all you can to show love to someone else and remember you might be the only expression of God's love they see that day.  Most of all, realize that your heavenly father loved you just as you were on the day you accepted him and anyone else can come to him that same way.

Permalink:
http://www.myccm.org/post/bible/blog/the_big_picture.html

Trackback URL:
http://www.myccm.org/post/bible/blog/the_big_picture.trackback

OK, this is a break from my usual format in that I'm going to answer some e-mails and private messages that have been sent to me both on this site and other sites the blog is hosted.  I won't be revealing the names of the people who wrote...just initials and states...in case you didn't want to be "outed" as a reader of the blog. :)

(BTW, you can subscribe to the blog.  That will give you a notice when a new blog is posted.  Just click on the "Subscribe To This Blog" on my main profile page above the latest blog entry.)

Let's go...

T.S. in Pennsylvania writes:  "I noticed that in almost every one of your blogs you have a happy or at least an upbeat ending.  I always struggle with being happy in some of the hard situations.  How do you stay so positive?"

Shot answer is I don't always stay positive.  I'm a human being just like you and everyone else.  I get frustrated with God.  I get angry with God.  I yell at God sometimes.  (I honestly believe a Christian who says they've never been upset with God is either lying to you or lying to themselves.) 

I just heard a pastor once talk about the tough times and the times we're angry and God and his advice was to do what he had learned to do:  praise Him during those times.  I've tried it and was surprised at how effective it can be.   No, it doesn't change the situation.  It doesn't instantly give you answers as to why God's doing what he's doing.  It does, however, seem to bring some relief or at least ease the burden that you feel upon your shoulders. 

It's like in Psalm 29:11 (NIV): " The LORD gives strength to his people; the LORD blesses his people with peace."

I even had one of those situations last night where I felt some real weight on me but I went to Him in prayer and while the situation is still the same the weight is gone.  Thanks for the e-mail!

K.L. in the Great White North of Canada (eh) writes:  "I've seemed to sense through your blogs that you believe in spiritual warfare.  Is this true?"

I sure do.  I think Frank Peretti's "Piercing The Darkness" is fictional only in that the story is fictional.  I think angels and demons are at war and it's all around us.   However, before I give a long answer, let me bring in another question and tie the answers together.

R.R. in Texas asks: "What do you think of the prosperity preachers and guys like Joel Osteen who just preach about the good in Christ?"

I was debating how to give an answer to this question until I heard a radio commercial this morning promoting a local mega church.  In the spot, it was talking about how Jesus said in John 10:10 (NIV): "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full."

Some Bibles translate that as abundant life or have it in abundance.  Regardless of the translation it has the same general meanings.  However...I don't see anywhere in that verse where Jesus is saying that full, abundant life is only what we would term as "good."

This is where I think your two questions meld quite a bit.  I believe that once you accept Jesus as Lord and are taken out of the hands of Satan you become an enemy of Satan.  At that point, he HATES you as much as he hates God.