One of the biggest issues that Christians face is showing forgiveness and acting in love to people who actively try to hurt us, irritate us or destroy us.  If you're in the world, there's someone out there who hates you.  It doesn't matter how good you are or what good you do in the world...SOMEONE will hate your guts.

Now, it's very likely you can think of one person who really would like to see bad things happen to you.  It might be as simple as them wanting to see you get yelled at during school or work.  They might unplug your computer so you lose the work you've done in the last hour.  Perhaps they gossip about you to other people and start rumors.  Some people take their hate as far as to file false police reports, physical assaults or vandalism. 

What do you as a believer do when someone has those kinds of feelings to you?  Here's a surprising answer from me....nothing directly to them.  Look at this verse from Romans:

"Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, "Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord."" - Romans 12:17-19 (ESV)

A lot of people within the church today will tell you that you need to get along with everyone under every circumstance.  You're not supposed to make anyone angry and you're supposed to just back off if you're in a place to offend anyone.   It's more important to show love than it is to stand on the truth.  If you have to hide parts of the truth just to reach out to someone then you need to do it. 

Look at the verse...it says "so far as it depends on you."  That means you're only responsible for you...not how someone else reacts to you.  If someone gets angry because you're a Christian and you live your faith then there is nothing you should do to compromise your beliefs just to get along with them.  If they have a problem with you standing on the Word of God then that's their issue and not yours. 

That doesn't mean you rub it in their face.  You don't grab a Bible and slap them in the face with it.  Being peaceable to them in terms of it depending on you means you should look for opportunities to share your faith but back off when you can tell it's having a negative effect.  Use wisdom to know when to react to someone and when to let them rant and rave.  Sometimes you don't need to respond when someone's challenging you.

Let me caution, however, that you are in the world and there are worldly consequences for the actions that some people take against you.  If someone breaks the law then by all means cooperate with the authorities and even go into court to testify against someone.  Forgive them yourself but you're also to submit to the authorities and if they say you need to tell your story in court then you need to do so.

Finally, let me say again:  forgive.  Let the anger and the right to retribution go.  I know it's hard...I've had many times where I've had to let go of my strong desires to pay someone back for their spiteful actions.  I've also learned over the last few years that when you forgive that other person and don't hold those actions against them you feel better about yourself and you have a clearer perspective on things.

And don't fret...God is always watching.  Those who do evil will not always prosper.  They may for a season but ultimately they will lose.

So forgive and to your best to be at peace with everyone but DO NOT compromise your walk, your faith or your beliefs just to get along with someone.  Being someone's pal isn't worth offending Christ.

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First, thank you for the comments, private messages and thoughts.  Your outpouring was truly humbling.  I've had some great advice and thoughts which I'm taking to heart (and a lot of which confirmed my views already.)  I've had some resistance from people I really love and trust but their objections aren't to the idea itself.  So please keep me in prayer.

And now, for something completely different.

OK, not completely different but certainly a different color and texture...

With all the things I've been thinking about there's something that jumps out at me.  A lot of us seem to look at forgiveness inside a small package and the real depth of Jesus' forgiveness of us goes far beyond what our human minds can comprehend.  Take this from 1 John:

"If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." - 1 John 1:9 (ESV)

Many Christians are quick to jump to the forgiveness idea when they've sinned or if they're talking to someone who's faced sin in their life.  I'm not disparaging any of that because obviously the verse I quoted and other verse speak clearly about the forgiveness of sin.  That's obviously something Christians need to share with non-Christians and also with each other. 

However...it's more than just forgiveness.  If we focus so much on the forgiveness we find ourselves dwelling on the negative and even though the sin is "forgiven" the power of that sin is still there in our focus on it.  It seems to me that many in the church...and sometimes myself included...seem to forget the second half of 1 John 1:9..."cleanse us from all unrighteousness."

What does cleanse mean?  What happens when you cleanse your bathtub or your toilet?  Does it take the germs and crud and bacteria away?  Do you stand there looking at the tub remembering the mildew that was there?  NO!  You forget about it as soon as you're done cleaning!  That's the EXACT same thing Jesus did for our sins!

That doesn't mean we need to forget our sins because you need to remember just how far God brought you down the path to righteousness.  However, that is in your past and not your present.  That's where you were and not who you are right now.  God has cleansed you and all of that sin is completely gone!!  God's not standing there looking at you and seeing all that sin and you shouldn't do it either.

If you're hanging onto the sins of the past...bringing them back up over and over despite saying you know you're forgiven...let it all go.  Look at and tell Satan that power he had over you in remembering the penalties of those sins are in the future.  Throw a Holy bottle of bleach over the sin and watch it become white as snow because that's how God sees you. 

It's hard ... and if you need prayer I'm here ... but it can be done and God is ready for you to walk in the power of true forgiveness and grace.

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OK...time for me to get personal.  Really personal.

I need to ask you for prayer about something.  I'm feeling an urging in my spirit and I really would like you to pray for me and about this situation to see if this is what God wants me to go and do with my life.

I am a recovering pornography addict.  I say recovering because I believe that this is something that all men have and all men will never completely overcome it without the help of the Lord Jesus Christ.  I am nowhere near where I once was before years of therapy and counseling.  God has taken this broken, wounded soul and presented a tremendous amount of healing.  I'm not perfect but I also know I will never be perfect until I get to heaven and sit down with Jesus.

I'm feeling a serious call on myself right now to stand up against pornography.  To stand up and not only tell my story but to warn men and women everywhere about the danger that pornography can cause to them.  How it can destroy families and lives.  How the women in those movies are horribly degraded and abused and how the men watching these videos are doing nothing but polluting their minds and twisting their view of women.  

I know women are hurt that way because I've seen it.  I know that men are twisted by it because I was twisted by it. 

I want to make a stand and use the gifts God has given me for writing and speaking for this cause.  I have been given a very creative mind and I can think of no better way to use it than to find ways to reach out to today's generation with the warning about porn and most of all to show love and support to those not only coming from the business but also trying to take the stand to overcome porn. 

My heart is aching to be one of the people on the front lines facing the flaming arrows of the enemy while pulling the wounded back to the safety only God can provide for them.  I want to be there to give a shoulder to cry upon when someone's struggling and I want to be the person whose couch someone can sleep on when they're running from the past and have nowhere to turn.

There's a few things I have to consider here.  I will likely lose my job if I take this stand and become visible in reaching out for this.  I know God would provide but it's still a concern.  There's also a chance a certain person would use this in some manner against me.  I can't give more detail than that because of the nature of the situation (and that it involves other people and it's not my right to post their names here.)  I also have absolutely no idea where to start on this.

I'm feeling the urging that I need to get out and be bold and as in your face as the guys from XXX Church.  A take-no-prisoners approach where it's all laid out on the line in front of people with no excuses for bringing up the subject matter.  I want to be a roaring lamb that's roaring very loudly.

I know that I'm saying "I" here but I feel this being placed on my heart.  I feel this is the Lord but as in anything I want to proceed with prayer and petition.  So if you could please go to the Lord in prayer on my behalf and ask for confirmation.  I don't want to do what He doesn't want me to do but I haven't ever felt an impression on my life like this before. 

Thank you all.

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I've been doing something over the last few months that I've found to be good for me and for other folks as well.  On random days, I just pick a few people to pray for and leave them a little note that I'm praying for them and wish them a great day.  I've had the wide range of responses from thank yous and return prayers to complete silence, weird looks and wondering if I was stalking someone (even if it was the first time I'd left them a message!)

I think prayer gets such a powerful reaction...even from those who aren't Christians...because everyone knows it's direct communication with God.  Even if someone doesn't believe themselves in Jesus as Lord, they know Christians do and since there's a chance they might be right it concerns them when someone's speaking to God directly about them. 

The Bible leaves little doubt in the power of prayer.  Jesus prayed all the time and He WAS God in the flesh!  If Jesus prayed there's no way we can get around saying there's power in prayer.  Many of us know James' famous statement regarding prayer in James 5:16:

"Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working." (ESV)

However, it's not the only tme prayer is explicitly prescribed for believers.

"First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior" - 1 Timothy 2:1-3 (ESV)

There's even examples of people praying specifically for others just for the sake of praying for them and their ministry work:

"We give thanks to God always for all of you, constantly mentioning you in our prayers, remembering before our God and Father your work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ." - 1 Thessalonians 1:2 (ESV)

What does "constantly" mean?  I know many people have different definitions but to me it's an attitude of being willing to intercede at any time through prayer.  For example, when I'm listening to music and a song comes on from a particular artist I just say a quick prayer of blessing.  It could be as simple as "Lord, please encourage Jill, her family and her ministry."  Prayer can be that short, that simple and can have a huge effect.  The Lord knows their needs and He also knows how much we need encouragement and support and the feeling of love & concern from fellow believers.  He makes it happen and prayer is a very powerful tool in that. 

Now, you might be saying that you have no problem with the idea of picking people at random and praying for them.  Why tell them?  Why not just pray for them and let God do what God's going to do?  I know there are some who feel just telling someone you're praying for them violates the "don't let your right hand know what your left hand is doing" command.

While I can respect the view of those who feel that way, I disagree that you nullify your prayers by telling someone you're praying for them.  There are times in the Word where believers are encouraged to share with each other their needs and for people to pray over them. For example:

"Is any one of you sick? He should call the elders of the church to pray over him and anoint him with oil in the name of the Lord." - James 5:14 (NIV)

If you can't tell someone you're praying for them how can the elders pray over someone who is sick?

However, my ultimate reason for sharing with someone I'm praying for them is the fact those simple prayers become an encouragement.  We need to have the encouragement of other believers in our walk.  We need to feel like we're not alone in this because I believe when the Lord said it was not good for man to be alone it was more than just reference to bringing Eve to Adam.

The Bible talks many times about fellowship and encouraging each other.  (See 2 Chronicles 35:2, Acts 15:31,32)   The simple act of telling someone you're praying for them communicates many things.  The first is that you care.  Think of how you feel when someone says they really care for you and your needs.  Do you feel good inside?  Does it brighten your mood?  Can it help you rise above an ordinary day or help pull you out of a funk?  Of course it can.

It can also take someone who is in a good mood and reinforce those good feelings and it can also provide confirmation to them regarding their walk and their ministry efforts.  Sincere prayer and praise to someone can do so much especially with the enemy standing all around them shouting at them they're not worthy of serving the Lord. 

Finally, I want to encourage you to pray for other people each day because it makes YOU feel good as well.  Since I've started doing it I've noticed that I've been encouraged and uplifted myself because I see all the folks who are standing up for God and the ways they're making great strides for the Kingdom.  I've seen people I've prayed for who aren't believers come to accept Christ.  I've seen people who I've prayed for in regards to their walk have major breakthroughs and draw close to God in ways they never have done before.   How can you not be encouraged and uplifted when you see God working in those ways?

So take a few minutes.  Think of five people you could lift in prayer today.  Say a quick prayer for them (or longer if you feel led to do so.)  Something like "Lord, be with Brian Hardin today.  Give him encouragement in his ministry and give him something to lighten his day."  Then just drop an e-mail to say "Hey, I'm praying for you today.  Have a great day."

You have no idea how great an impact that note and prayer will have in their lives.  It won't have any impact if you don't do it.

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I had one of those very rare moments yesterday.

God spoke to me through the Holy Spirit. 

I have a total peace about the fact it was God because of the nature of the message and the overwhelming peace and joy I felt after the message even though the message wasn't what I wanted to hear, certainly wasn't the desire of my heart  and it still left questions unanswered.  However, I had been praying for God to reach out to me somehow and give me an idea I was on the right path.  I wanted Him to let me know what was going on.  He certainly did that (although not to the degree I would have liked!)

I have to be honest and say the directness of God's approach shocked me.  I've learned to see Him working through people and little things like the smile of a baby.  I've heard his guidance coming through other believers when they've shown love to me or another human being.  I've seen his hand in action when people band together to help in recovery from storms or disasters.   Hearing that voice in my head and knowing it's God immediately & being acutely aware I'm in His presence on this level has happened to me so rarely in the 13 years I've been a Christian I could count them on one hand and have fingers left over.  It's not His usual style with me. 

When I brought this up to some other believers I know they were excited by the message and they said they could see "light in my eyes."  There was a definite change in my face according to one of them.  I took that as further confirmation as to the source of the message.  

Now, the message was personal for me so I'm not going to share it here because most of you wouldn't really care about it.  The general message was "I know there's something you want badly in your life and I care about it and you.  I'm going to fulfill that desire of your heart.  However, there's something I need you to do before I can do this."  Then the peace set in.  (Which, for me, was unusual because I'm one of those folks who likes to have a general plan of action...it's nice to know where we're going but not necessarily how to get there.  God didn't tell me what the "thing" was He wants me to do.) 

I know there are some who believe God can't speak to people anymore and that it's just an "Old Testament" kind of thing.  If people hear voices today it's because of mental illness and not because the creator of the entire universe and everything in it decided He wanted to tell a person something.  (How ridiculous is it to say that God can create the heavens and the Earth but can't send the Holy Spirit to talk to someone?) 

There are many examples in the Word of God speaking to someone.  He spoke to Philip through an angel in Acts 8:26: "Now an angel of the Lord said to Philip, "Rise and go toward the south to the road that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza."" (ESV)   He spoke to Paul in Acts 9:4-6 (ESV): "And falling to the ground he heard a voice saying to him, "Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?" And he said, "Who are you, Lord?" And he said, "I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. But rise and enter the city, and you will be told what you are to do.""

Now...let me remind you that the Bible covers a time frame of thousands of years.  Direct spoken word is very rare and it's still not happened to me.  The times I've experienced I knew were the Holy Spirit delivering the message.  I mentioned the times people were spoken to directly because there's nothing in the Word that says God can't do that now.  Usually He will speak through something or someone or through the Holy Spirit but He has ultimate power!  He can do ANYTHING at all!  There is no box where you can place God!

Now...let me caution you that every thought you get into your head isn't God.  It's not the Holy Spirit giving you divine wisdom on what sandwich to buy at Quiznos today.  You'll have many thoughts that have nothing to do with God's will or His plan for your life.  You're a human being. 

If you get a thought that you believe is the Lord leading you, first see if it lines up with Scripture.  The Bible's done, folks.  There's no addendum or third testament that's coming along for you.  If the thought you have in your head doesn't line up with the Word of God then it's not from God.  Period.  There's no ifs, ands or buts about it.  If your thought lines up with the Word completely then pray about it.  Maybe pray with others about it as well and ask for God's wisdom to discern the message. 

"If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him." - James 1:5 (ESV)

Folks, I love you all.  I pray that all of you have an experience like I had yesterday because even though it wasn't the answer I wanted to receive and it was not answering most of my questions I had a peace beyond understanding knowing that He's in control and He has a great plan for me.  That He still cares about the desires in my heart and that I'm not just a faceless soldier in His army.  He knows me by name and He cares about me.  He has that exact same love for YOU as well!!!!

Sorry to be so rah-rah and cheerleader like today.  I'll try to get back to my cynical, straightforward Bible Blogger tomorrow where I'm looking at the tough issues and providing encouragement.  Today, I just can't do anything except tell you that God is there with you, He is real, He really does care and that no matter what you're doing He has a purpose and a will for you.  You're never alone.

If you need prayer for anything, please message me. 

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I was reading a post by a subscriber to this blog and they were talking about how they felt depressed because they weren't happy in Christ.  They talked about how they know a Christian is supposed to be happy and smiling and always eager to show the joy they have in Christ. 

They were having some problems in life and it was making them feel less than joyful.  They were praying and giving it to God as we should but they still felt the weight of the problems as they were facing the trials.  As this weight was upon them they began to feel even worse that they were being a poor witness for Christ.  It went on and on ...

They  were, as Mr. Harriman once said on Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends, "all down in the dumpities."

This is for that subscriber and for all of you that feel the same way.  (Myself included sometimes.)

""I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world."" - John 16:33 (NIV)

Jesus himself said that we will have troubles in this world.  Those troubles can be anything that causes us to feel depressed, stressed, worried or worn out.  They could be financial, physical, relational or spiritual.  They will always be around...and you know part of the reason why?

"Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour." - 1 Peter 5:8 (NIV)

Satan is always running around trying to make things difficult for the believer.  Why?  You're his enemy and you will always be his enemy because you belong to God.  Attacks will NEVER end until you get to heaven because as long as you're breathing and not in heaven with our Lord you're potentially someone who can cause damage to Satan's plan by presenting Christ to someone who might (gasp!) accept Christ and become an enemy of Satan. 

Add on to that our own fallen flesh and the thoughts that come into our head from things we've done to program our brains and you can see there's no shortage of ways we could have things that cause anguish.

"But BB," you say aloud to your computer monitor, "didn't Jesus say we should take heart because he's overcome the world?"  Of course he did.  However, "take heart" to me doesn't mean running around with a happy happy joy joy attitude all the time. 

"Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing." - 1 Thessalonians 5:11 (NIV)

If Christians never felt down, if they never felt depressed and if they never felt the weight of the world on their shoulders then there would be no need for a verse like the quote from Thessalonians.  Why do you think the Bible tells us that we need to encourage each other?  God knows we face problems.  Jesus talked about them.  The Holy Spirit comes along to comfort us in those times.  There are also God's "hands and feet"...you and me...that can provide large amounts of comfort just by being there. 

Encouragement is a large part of the Christian walk and if you don't have Christian brothers and sisters around you...or ones that are willing to listen to the Lord's leading...then you'll have times where you feel depressed, weighted down or think you have nowhere to turn.  (You'll have those times even with strong Christian brothers and sisters around but you'll then also know where you can turn.) 

This is NOT a sin.  This is just a result of your fallen flesh.  There's nothing you can really do about those feelings when they come to you unless you're sitting there asking for God to put you in a deep depression.  Recognize these times are going to happen, pray to God but also look to your Christian brothers and sisters for encouragement.  Be open and honest...tell them you're struggling so they can pray and help you.  Don't be too proud to accept their help or support.  Lay yourself bare before them and you'll find these trying times get just a little easier. 

I know all of you are an encouragement to me even though you rarely leave comments or messages on the blog.  I see how many people read the blog each day and how many people are subscribed to it.  Just your simple act of checking in with this blog every day encourages me when I feel tired or depressed or frustrated.  I want to thank all of you for that.  I hope that I can be an encouragement to you along with making you quite mad and challenging you sometimes.  If you ever need prayer, just send me a message and I will be praying for you.

God bless all of you.  Have a blessed week.

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I had a comment to yesterday's blog that really started me thinking about the walk that many people take as a Christian.  We all say that we want to walk with Christ and if you go to a church on Sunday almost everyone will say that they want to do great things for the Lord and go where He would send them.  However, very few of these people really put in the effort to get to a level where God could send them into the field at their maximum effectiveness.

I was pondering this thought when I started playing the brand new version of Out of the Park Baseball.  (I'm a text based game geek.)  As I was setting up a new league and playing around I was struck by the simplicity of major league baseball and how players progress from the beginning of their career to the peak. 

When you first are drafted you're sent to the low minor leagues where you have coaches teaching you how to refine your talents to make you better and more effective.   It's not that you don't know how to play the game...it's just that the coaches will guide you and open your eyes to take your gifts and apply them in whole new ways. 

While the guys in baseball strive to make the major leagues there's also a comfort level in that if you make a mistake it's expected.  You don't feel quite as much pressure if you make an error or if you miss a sign from the coach.  You're a "babe" so to speak and you get shown how to do everything again and again.

Our Christian walk is very similar to being a professional baseball player.  Look at the way we're described in this admonition in Hebrews:

"For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the basic principles of the oracles of God. You need milk, not solid food, for everyone who lives on milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, since he is a child. But solid food is for the mature, for those who have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil." - Hebrews 5:12-14 (ESV)

When we first come to Christ we're grounded in the Word and more experienced believers help us understand Christ's sacrifice and how we're to live our lives to reflect Him in what we do.  It's expected we're going to make mistakes and there really isn't that much pressure on us to have it all together.  After all, we're just starting out, right?   We eagerly drink down the milk because at that point it's new and it tastes so sweet.

This is the point where one of two things can happen and it's usually dependent on the church environment surrounding the young baby believer.  If the church is focused on the Word and equipping their congregation to be showing their faith in how they live their lives then the person will move on to deep Bible studies, strong accountability and the willingness to stand up for the Word in the face of the world.  That happens, in my opinion, less than 10% of the time.

Most of the time what happens is the new believer is placed into a spiritual nursery with a group of other believers in the church.  They get a devotional guide from a denomination or from a local Christian bookstore and they do one lesson a week.  Once Sunday's over they forget what they talked about and make no attempt to apply it to their lives.  There is no real growth at all spiritually...they just show up and get their bottle of holy milk and feel so good inside. 

What's the result of this?  Many, many, many immature Christians who either don't know the Word of God or don't know how to stand up for it.  They become more interested in each other's feelings rather than getting down to the bare bones of the faith.  If a situation arises where someone's facing a real crisis...divorce, addiction, illness, financial difficulties...these folks spew a pre-programmed verse that they get fed once a week and then to go on their way.  No real empathy, no real concern and no real spiritual fruit. 

Folks, we need to be on solid food because there are a lot of hurting people out there that need authentic Christians to bring them love, understanding, support and most importantly truth.  They're tired of the lies of the world and the deceptions that seem to mark every day of life.  We have to take the game to the next level and risk the mistakes and trouble that can come from it. 

If you've read this and you feel that little twinge in the spirit stop tonight and just pray over the situation.  Ask God to show you ways you can move up to solid food.   If you attend a church, talk to the pastor and see what he thinks about things.  The time for silence on this is over and it's time to milking country club Christianity for all it's worth.

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Yesterday I was talking to someone about the blog (which to my surprise only cost me one person from my friends list) and a thought popped into my head.  She was talking about self-image and how she had a really hard time looking at herself in the mirror after a shower. 

"It's hard to be naked," she said with a self-depreciating laugh that tried to hide her insecurity.  My mind suddenly raced to a thought about our spiritual life and how hard it is for us to be naked spiritually around each other. 

" 7Remember, O LORD, against the Edomites the day of Jerusalem,
how they said, "Lay it bare, lay it bare, down to its foundations!"" - Psalm 137:7 (ESV)

When do you do when you have a problem with your DVD player?  You take off the case and then the harnesses around the parts.  You lay it bare.  What do you do when you have a problem with your computer?  You take off the case and open it up to see all the parts inside.   You can't fix anything until you lay it bare. 

We're exactly the same.  Until we lay ourselves bare in front of other believers we risk putting ourselves in situations where we can be damaged in our spiritual walk, our mental health or in some cases our physical being.

"Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working." - James 5:16 (ESV)

I was thinking about the Bible study that I attend each week.  At the end of the usually spirited discussion there's a time for prayer requests and for us to place our needs in front of our brothers and sisters in Christ.  We'll get a few requests about health issues and now and then something a little more serious than the usual requests you hear in churches or Bible studies.  More often than not we only get surface items and nothing with real dirt under it's fingernails.

For example, do I ever say "Hey, I'm feeling really lonely this week and struggling with looking at websites I shouldn't be on.  Can you guys pray for me to have strength?"  I'm usually wanting to because I need all the prayer I can get but I don't say it because I don't want to make anyone uncomfortable and the pastor angry.  (I irritate our pastor enough as is with my straightforward attitude on things.)  Since it's a mixed group, you'll have women uncomfortable with the thought of someone looking at those sites; you'll have men who feel guilty they're doing it too and others who feel it's really inappropriate to bring that subject up in "mixed company."

I'm sure I'm not alone in holding some things back when they shouldn't be held back.  In every prayer group in every church in America there's someone who's struggling with finances, their self-respect, peer pressure or worse.  We all need prayer covering and we need it on some of the darkest, sin-infested parts of our lives yet we never receive the prayers because we don't lay ourselves out in front of our other believers and ask for it. 

In a sense, we let the enemy build their base camp in our lives without even a single missile attack to destroy it.  Then it gets fortified and before you know it the battle begins and you have a serious spiritual battle on your hands.

As a community of believers we need to be a place where the teenage girl can come in and admit she gave into a boyfriend's pressure and she wants to stop but doesn't know how and pray for her.  Give her support and love.  We need to be a place the abusive husband can come in and say that he can't control his anger and he needs help before he does something that can never be repaired.  We need to pray for him and show love and support.  We need to be a place where the drug addict or the porn addict or the shopaholic or the person 450 pounds but can't stop eating comes for people to show love, help and most of all to pray.  Yet we're usually the last stop...and even then most people don't lay out the whole story.

Now, I'm sure long time readers of this blog are saying..."Wait a minute, BB.  You're big on pointing out the sin so it's on the table and ready to be exposed.  You didn't say that in the last paragraph."   You're right...I didn't.  I didn't need to because of one thing:  these people already acknowledged their sin.  They know they're sinners.  They know they need Jesus and they need prayer.  There's no need to reveal to them something they already know.  God opened their eyes and now it's our place to be a healer, a support and a prayer warrior for recovery than the doctor's assistant who breaks the bad news.

I know it's a lot easier to be "naked" on the internet.  When you're chatting with someone who's halfway across the country that you've never met in person you can say things and ask for prayer on things you would likely never do in your church group.  That's not right, my friends!  If it's a need then it's a need.  There's no need to be ashamed or scared to state what you need prayed over by your fellow believers. 

And if you're in a church where your confession of sin would be used against you by other church members then you need to find a new church.  Period. 

I want to encourage you today to really strive to lay yourself bare in front of other believers.  Ask your prayer chains and Bible studies for what you REALLY need prayed over and the sins you're working with God to overcome.  Ask for prayer in the places Satan's attacking so that the angels of the Lord can swoop in and turn the tide.   Together, we can help ease a lot of hurt in this world.

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Every now and then I feel led to write a blog that I know is going to likely result in some people never reading the blog and/or removing their subscription to the blog.  I also know if I'm not obedient that I can't really tell you to listen to what God tells you!  So I have to forward you today's blog is straightforward, blunt and perhaps a little too graphic for the most sensitive among you.  If you can't handle the truth (as Jack Nicholson would say) then you need to wait until tomorrow.

Last warning.

OK.  (Deep breath being taken here.)

Ladies...it's time to put the ta-tas away.

I was reading a blog today by Christian recording star Jill Parr and she was talking about how she's fed up with girls and women who think their self-worth comes from shoving their breasts in front of everything by leaving them basically hanging out of their blouses.  Let me quote something Jill said and add that I completely agree with it:  "SELF WORTH DOES NOT COME FROM HOW HOT YOU ARE!" 

"Likewise also that women should adorn themselves in respectable apparel, with modesty and self-control, not with braided hair and gold or pearls or costly attire, but with what is proper for women who profess godliness--with good works." - 1 Timothy 2:9-10 (ESV)

Realize that in the time this was written the "trend" was for shiny gold and pearls and trying to make yourself as adorned as possible.  Ironically, the trend back then was to put more on where today's it's taking more off.   The true beauty according to the Word is not in your makeup or hair or short skirts or low cut tops.  The beauty comes from women who show their Godliness with good works.

Now, I'll admit in today's society those who do good aren't usually given half the attention as a woman who walks into a room looking like she's wearing three pieces of Kleenex.  The focus is so much on image that someone who spends their Monday nights cleaning the local homeless shelter is seen as "uncool."  This is completely wrong my friends.  Biblically, it's inexcusable for a Christian to put someone's looks over their works. 

As you all know, I'm bluntly honest.  I'll admit in my younger days and even in my past as a Christian I would look at the trashy looking women.  Let me also reveal to you...especially you ladies who like to dress that way...what I was really thinking at that point in time.

I was thinking they're shallow.  I was thinking they would be nice to hang out with but likely couldn't carry on an intelligent conversation to save their lives.  I'm thinking they would be the kind of women who would leave their baby at home with some teenager who barely has caretaking skills so they can go get blitzed and find some stranger to work on the next baby.  I'm looking at someone whose name I likely wouldn't remember in a week.

I was not thinking that she was someone who would make a good wife.  I was not thinking she's someone I'd like to spend the rest of my life with and have raise my children.  I was not thinking this is a person with whom I would enjoy discussing fine movies or books or theatre.  To be honest, I wasn't thinking this was a person worthy of my respect.

Now, I know it's wrong to judge a book by the cover and it's wrong to judge the person based on the apparel but I'm a human being.  I know that I don't do it today...and I praise God that He's really knocked that out of me.  Today, I can see for the most part the women who dress that way are likely insecure with themselves.  They're usually lonely and looking for attention or have that longing inside they just can't fill so they turn to things like drugs, booze or sex.  I have a world of compassion for them because I know how little clothes are outside reflects how little peace is inside. 

But I will admit that my first thought when seeing someone dressed in overly provacative apparrel with a majority of their skin exposed I don't think that this could be the Godly woman I've been waiting God to send me.  If that makes me a bad person, so be it.  I'm just being honest here.  I'm not saying women need to wear a mumu.  However, there's a big difference between a moderately snug fitting blouse that shows she's a woman and someone who's wearing little more than a bra in public. 

Now, I know that some of you will say it's the fault of the person looking at them with scorn and/or in lust.  Yes, all those people have sin in their lives that they would have to overcome.  I agree with you 100% on that issue.  However, Jesus also said: ""Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him if a great millstone were hung around his neck and he were thrown into the sea." - Mark 9:42 (ESV) 

Some try to say that Jesus was only referring to little children in that verse.  I would answer by asking "aren't we all God's children?"  What kind of reward do you really think God would give someone that delibrately tempts a Christian into sin?  You think He's sitting there ready to reward you for that? 

Of course not.

Ladies, I can't say with 100% certainty I know what you're feeling because there are just some things a man can't go through that you face in your life.  However, lonely is universal.  Feeling unwanted is universal.  Thinking no one cares is universal.  Low self esteem happens to men and women.  It's hard to go through all of these things and our human nature is to try and find a way to ease all of that.  Flashing your body to people isn't the way to do it.

The valley is dark and hard to walk through when you follow God's path.  When you feel you're not worth anything think about how much you mean to God.  He sent his Son to die for YOU!  Talk about love!  So dress as you would dress for Him and trust that when the time comes He's going to bring you a man that will love you for the works you do for God, your heart and your devotion to Him.  It's going to be much better than anything you can get from leaving the ta-tas out.

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If you're not a fan of the National Football League then the title of the blog will mean very little to you before you read further.  If you're a fan of the NFL...and you're a perfect human which means you're a Philadelphia Eagles fan...you know that "After further review" is the first words that comes out of the referee's mouth after reviewing a play to see if they judged it correctly when it actually happened.  He'll then say they had it right (if there's any way they can pretend they didn't goof up) or they'll say the play stands as called. 

The review process always starts when one of the coaches on the sideline senses something is wrong and throws a red flag onto the field.  Well, he throws it onto the field and then starts yelling at all the officials until someone notices the flag is on the field but you get the idea.  They see something not quite right and they raise the red flag.

That happened after my second blog yesterday.

A few of you dropped notes to me saying "hey, man, you're being a little harsh on yourself here.  I don't see a failure...I see someone who had their mind on God and they gave the credit to God for everything.  It's not an F!"  Then everyone proceeded to grade me from A to D minus. 

As I pondered the words of wisdom and looked over the encounter again with the filter of distance I had to agree and say after further review it wasn't a complete failure.  In fact, if I look back I see that Deuteronomy 10:14 was written on my heart: "Behold, to the LORD your God belong heaven and the heaven of heavens, the earth with all that is in it." (ESV) 

The first thing I did when I thought all was lost was to say everything was the Lord's and if He wanted to take it away then it was fine.  I trusted that He had some other plan for me and while I may not have known what it was there was still that trust that the Lord is just, fair and loving.  I knew there would be grace later although I really didn't feel much grace at that moment.  I later found out I over-reacted and that's why I can't say I passed completely but it certainly was not a failure.

It make me think of our walk with Christ and how none of us will stop growing before we enter the Kingdom of Heaven if we are truly seeking to be what He wants us to be.  There is always something...in this case, my trust level....that can always be refined, be raised and be used to give glory to God for His power, might and love.  That doesn't mean I (or you) are a poor Christian or we're horribly off the path God has set for us or that we've completely failed the Lord.   It means we're human and we will never be Jesus.  We can just strive to continue to grow in the Lord.

"We ought always to give thanks to God for you, brothers, as is right, because your faith is growing abundantly, and the love of every one of you for one another is increasing. Therefore we ourselves boast about you in the churches of God for your steadfastness and faith in all your persecutions and in the afflictions that you are enduring." - 2 Thessalonians 1:2-4 (ESV)

I love that Paul was writing them to give thanks about the growth that the church at Thessalonica was experiencing.  While the persecutions and afflictions we face today may or may not be on the same level as faced by then the result is still the same.  We continue to grow and our faith can grow abundantly. 

When's the last time you celebrated your growth?

I know I haven't done it nearly as much as I probably should do it.  When you celebrate accomplishment it spurs you on to other accomplishments and lifts your spirits.  It builds self-esteem and it drives you forward to the prize that's awaiting all of us at the End of Days. 

When have you celebrated accomplishment in others?

I'm going to issue all of you a challenge today which I know I don't normally do.  This challenge will likely make you step out of your comfort zone and do something that seems to foreign to you and likely to someone else.  I just feel it's something I need to put here and ask you to try.

Think of a friend or co-worker who is a fellow believer in whom you've seen growth in their faith and walk.  Perhaps it's been over time or maybe it was just one situation where their maturity in Christ shone through even if it didn't seem like it at the time.  Go buy them a card.  Some flowers.  Chocolates.  A bag of red fish.  Or, if they're on the Atkins diet like me, a plate of hot wings.  (Never underestimate the power of hot wings.)  Tell them you see the growth in them and give them the encouragement that Paul was giving the church.  I think both of you will be blessed.

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I failed a test tonight and I want to share with you my failure. 

God is good and He has a perfect plan and I don't doubt that at all as you can see from my blogs.  Today, I had to erase and reinstall Windows XP on my computer because I had upgraded to Vista and it completely ruined most of my programs.  I had backed up everything that I do, including my personal business of three months, onto DVDs for reinstallation once the Windows XP install was finished.

I went to install the most critical disk and it wouldn't read.  The computer said there was nothing on the disk.  All my work was gone...my business was essentially destroyed. 

I'd like to say my first thought was to thank God for closing that door.  However, my first reaction was to throw my hands up and ask God why I had to go through this.  I had worked so hard on it and if it wasn't His will that was fine but perhaps He could let me in on what His will was going to be.  I spoke to some of my clients to give them the bad news that their projects would be delayed and called my folks to break the bad news to them.   I was at a very low point.

I was not praising the Lord.

I was sitting there knowing His plan was perfect and He was working for my good even if I couldn't see it.  I didn't doubt that all of this was happening for some purpose.  Still, I was thinking of the hours that I worked and the missed opportunities that were going to come my way because of this.  I was blaming myself for not making sure the disc was working (even though I had checked it before I took it out of the computer last night.)

I felt an urging just to go try the disc in one of the computers in the back of my employer.  The computer was able to read the info on the disk.  It's going to take three or four times as long to get the data off the disk but praise be to God all my information wasn't destroyed. 

So now I feel several things...I feel like a fool, I feel stupid for not trying that computer in the back of the office in the first place and I feel horrible for failing this test and letting God down.  However, I also know that if God didn't love me I wouldn't have gone through this test today.  I praise Him for allowing me to face the trial even though I was a miserable failure. 

I also know that unlike many times in the past I realize I failed this test and that I will have a chance tomorrow to stand up and do the right thing.  To praise Him first when things are going wrong instead of feeling the weight of it crushing me and grudgingly accepting this is His will for me. 

(Yes...I know it wasn't a total failure because I did admit that His will was what mattered and that His will was more important than anything I could do...but I wasn't standing there grateful for the chances I had and the gifts I had been given up to that point.)

So I get to look forward tomorrow to trying again to be better for Him.  :)  If you find yourself facing failure at one of His tests tonight please try to join me in being happy He loves you enough to test you.  And tomorrow's another day...

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This is blog number 100.

When I felt God impressing on me to write this blog ninety-nine blogs ago I had no idea that I would reach 100 blogs.  I thought perhaps I'd write for a few weeks and then God would say it was enough.  Instead, I press on and feel him telling me to "go on."

So today I was thinking about what to write in a blog when I had the thought to do a Bible Gateway search for "hundred."  It came up with many passages but this one spoke directly to me (and I hope it will you!)

"In hope he believed against hope, that he should become the father of many nations, as he had been told, "So shall your offspring be." He did not weaken in faith when he considered his own body, which was as good as dead (since he was about a hundred years old), or when he considered the barrenness of Sarah's womb. No distrust made him waver concerning the promise of God, but he grew strong in his faith as he gave glory to God, fully convinced that God was able to do what he had promised. That is why his faith was "counted to him as righteousness." But the words "it was counted to him" were not written for his sake alone, but for ours also. It will be counted to us who believe in him who raised from the dead Jesus our Lord, who was delivered up for our trespasses and raised for our justification."  - Romans 4:18-25 (ESV)

Trust is a very hard thing for many Christians.  Sure, we say we trust Him.  What happens when the storms of life hit and you find yourself in a deep valley that's filling up fast from the rain?  Do you keep on walking saying that you trust God will stop the rain or raise the ground level?    

I know the times in my life where the storms hit and I'm barely keeping my head above water it's very hard to just trust that God's going to keep me from drowning.  Now, I KNOW in my head that he's not going to leave me drown.  The Word is clear that he loves us and that "in all things God works for the good of those who love him." - Romans 8:28 (NIV)   And, sure enough, I always get brought through and God's been entirely faithful.

However, God comes in at His perfect time which is almost always never our perfect time.  We want everything to be done right now.  We're in what I call a "fast food society."  We want it fast, we want it now and we want it exactly how we want things to be.  If we don't get it, we're not happy and we let everyone know about it.  If we "trust" someone to do something for us and they're not doing it how we would do it or as fast as we would want it done we zip in and do it ourselves.

That can't work with God.

It's so counter to our human nature and in my opinion it's one of the biggest challenges we as Christians face every single day.  Sure, when everything's going well and you're in a time of favor it's easy to trust God.  Once you find yourself starting downhill into the valley the first instinct is to try and fix it.  Christians need to check themselves and see if they can keep that trust level just as high in the valley as on the mountaintops.  When you reach that level, you've taken a huge step in your spiritual growth.

This does not mean you should be "happy happy joy joy" all the time.  If you're really hurting, if you're really down, if the storm is so heavy you feel that you're about to go under then you need to reach out to your brothers and sisters in Christ.  You need to let them know where you are and have them pray for and with you on everything.  Christians need to be real at all times and not just when things are good.

If you're in the midst of a storm...and I know from messages and e-mails a few of you who are regular readers are facing hurricanes...know that if you stay strong and keep your eyes on Jesus you will always get the victory from God.  Just realize that may not be in your way or even on this side of heaven...but there's nothing you can do about it anyway! 

God bless you all.

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Our final letter in Mailbag week says..."how do you stay so on fire all the time?  I find it really hard to be burning bright all the time for God.  Sometimes what I want gets in the way and before I realize it I've sinned.  It makes me feel discouraged and depressed."

Well, let me confess up front that I don't always burn bright.  It may seem like it in this blog because I have to write and refine and pray for God to give me the words to type but I have the same problem.  I think all Christians at some point have their flame burning a little less brightly than they would like it to be burning.  We're human beings...we're imperfect...so it's going to happen.

I'm sure you were thinking something along the lines of Jesus' revelation to the church of Laodicea in Revelation 3:

"'I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were either cold or hot! 16So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth. 17For you say, I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing, not realizing that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked. 18I counsel you to buy from me gold refined by fire, so that you may be rich, and white garments so that you may clothe yourself and the shame of your nakedness may not be seen, and salve to anoint your eyes, so that you may see. 19Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline, so be zealous and repent. 20Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me. 21The one who conquers, I will grant him to sit with me on my throne, as I also conquered and sat down with my Father on his throne." - Revelation 3:15-21 (ESV)

You read the part about being lukewarm and then being spit out of His mouth.  I understand where you're coming from because for the longest time I had a feeling of fear when I thought of being "spit out of Jesus' mouth" (figuratively speaking.) 

As an example, I have a longing in my heart for a Godly wife.  That in and of itself is not a bad thing but when I dwell on the fact God hasn't brought her into my life yet and spend my time daydreaming about her and letting myself get down and depressed because I'm still alone it's certainly cooling my temperature.  It's even happened a few times when I went to write this blog because I'd get a friend request from a woman who's physical features press my buttons.  (Hey, I'm human here, OK?  And yes, I did ask God for whoever he brings me to have red hair and brown eyes but I'll be happy with whomever He choses for me!  ) 

When I get in that mindset...where I'm doubting God even though I don't realize I'm doing it...I'm completely lukewarm.  There's no other way to describe it.  I've had a few blogs that just never finished getting written and eventually tossed out because I was quite tepid when I wrote them.  A few years ago, I would have let this fact bother me and it would have driven my feelings down even further when I would realize I'm exactly in the place where I'd become a Holy Spit Take.

Then God opened my eyes to verse 19..."Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline, so be zealous and repent."  You don't have to worry and beat yourself up for the times you're lukewarm!  All you have to do is be zealous for Him and repent of your sin.  Repent for doubting Him.  Repent for bad feelings or ill will.  Repentance is ALWAYS there for you like a spiritual hot water heater. 

Don't feel depressed and discouraged because you're human.  Rejoic