I'm not a big fan of medical dramas because I'm not a fan of blood splashing everywhere while two doctors grumble about their personal lives.  (Sorry, ER.)  Usually once a show you get one person who comes in with some kind of horrific wound that can't be healed and either results in immediate death or one of the doctor characters having to give them the news that they're going to die soon.  You get the swell of dramatic music that builds in without you noticing it's there and then you have the big climactic moment after the doctor breaks the news and he goes in the hallway to get a hug from the fashion model in the nurse's outfit.

The only way those shows even survive a little bit is the fact there is a basis of fact in their storylines.  We have physical wounds that just can't be healed.  Sometimes those injuries to your spine mean you'll never walk again according to man's way of healing.   Sometimes a brain injury is going to leave someone in a coma because man hasn't found a way to regenerate brain cells.  

Thank God that there are wounds that can heal no matter how bad they may seem to man.  In fact, we have wounds that seem like they could never heal that not only get complete healing but leave no scars behind after they're gone!  

"He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed." - 1 Peter 2:24 (ESV)

I have a friend who is doing some street mission work in New York City.  She's been homeless and was a stripper for seven years.  To the eyes of the world, this would be a woman who was too far gone to heal and become a productive member of society.  There would be no way that she'd be able to reach a point where her life would impact others in any way other than letting them have an object of fantasy and lust.  Instead, today she runs a ministry helping other women escape the life she lived for years, is inspiring others through her fantastic artwork and is telling her story to help inspire others who might be facing struggle and what seems like insurmountable sin in their lives.

I have another friend named Danielle Bondi.  She was a former prostitute and stripper whose wounds were healed by Christ and turned into power to witness to other women facing those same wounds through an organization she started called Christian Street Intervention.  Danielle had a great heart for reaching out to others and showing them how true healing and new life was possible.  Danielle mysteriously passed away a few weeks ago from an unknown cause (well, unknown to us but known to God) and now her wounds are healed beyond anything we can imagine.  You see, the death of this earthly body is the ultimate healing.   She's now spending eternity with Christ!  No more pain, no more trials, no more anguish.

I've met so many people over the last few years who seem to be what the world would call beyond hope.  Yet Jesus has come into their lives and healed all wounds...and turned those problems into situations where His name can be glorified and where other people can be helped.  It's all proof that there is nothing you've done in your life that Jesus cannot forgive.  (Now, I'm not talking about Jesus' followers...we all know that as human beings sometimes we fall short in realizing God's redemptive power for others.  But Jesus always forgives if you repent and turn to him.)

So this Friday, as you look toward another weekend where you are looking for peace and healing, remember there's one doctor who can heal all wounds.  He has no wait to see you.  There's no waiting room with a line.  He's just a "Jesus, help me" away.

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I think the world has devolved itself to the point where we seem to live inside a giant junior high school locker room.  It's to a point where people actively try to bully one another through insults and personal attacks because you can do it without real fear of reprisal.  Just go through the media or through the internet and make sure you do it in a place where you know others will jump on the bashing bandwagon.  It doesn't matter if what you say is true...you just keep saying it and eventually people will start to believe it because they see it or hear it so much.  It's disgusting, it's childish and I think if you deliberately propagate lies just to hurt someone else it's Satanic in nature.  

I see it all the time on the internet.  For example, I recently came under attack from a batch of Switchfoot "fans" who never bothered to read my recent blog referencing the band but still decided to send me hateful private messages because I dared to say something critical.  They ran to message boards around the internet and proceeded to lie about what was in the blog and to lie about me personally.  It's hilarious in that none of these people actually know me...or had even read this blog before they did a search on MySpace for Switchfoot and found it...yet they virtually run around and say that I'm some horrible, judgmental person who's destroying Christianity because I made some comments about experiences with that band I had first hand.  

That's the funniest part to me...they're saying I'm just bashing the band when a member of the band itself told me directly he could see why I felt that way!  Of course, these haters refuse to answer the question as to why they apparently know better than their so-called heroes what was being said about them.  That's a hallmark of the internet today...and in all honesty any real discussions where someone starts their name-calling.  When someone who is the object of your scorn raises a question with a legitimate point which negates your hateful rantings you just continue to insult them and ignore the valid question.

You see these kinds of tactics every single day and many of them are aimed at Christians.  People with agendas to legitimize sinful activity...like, for example, those in the pro-gay culture...refuse to actually discuss the issue with any decorum but rather jump immediately to yelling someone's a bigot because they don't blindly agree.  If you're not in favor of letting gays do whatever they want anywhere they want at any time then you're a bigot.  If you're against someone using pornography any time they want to do it...whether at work or at home or at church...then you're just closed-minded and trying to impose your beliefs on others.  If you're an employer or leader of a group (like a church committee) and someone's not pulling their weight and you let them go suddenly it's all your fault for being a poor leader, for not showing compassion for your fellow man/woman or for making unreasonable demands like showing up on time.  Lately, the biggest example of this is in the immigration debate where people who want to give a free pass to criminals say anyone who points out the fact these people are breaking the law are just racists.  

I try to avoid political issues as much as possible in this blog even though I myself have some very strong views regarding the direction of the US.  (My problem is that I'm not in line with any party on the scene so I'm despised on all sides!)  Yet I saw a letter to the editor from someone that I felt I needed to respond to and their behavior fell within the boundaries of what I've been talking about up to this point.  The letter stated that anyone who called themselves a Christian yet was against giving amnesty to illegals was someone rejecting the love of Jesus Christ.  The letter went on to say that God would hold us to account for demanding the government hold them accountable for violations of the law of the government.

Let me just say this...whoever believes that as a Christian you should advocate full pardons for those who violate the law intentionally does not know the Bible nor Christ very well.

"The Son of Man will send his angels, and they will gather out of his kingdom all causes of sin and all law-breakers, and throw them into the fiery furnace. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth." - Matthew 13:41-42 (ESV)

"You who boast in the law dishonor God by breaking the law." - Romans 2:23 (ESV)

Whether some people like it or not, God takes the law very seriously.  In the case of God's law, those who openly violate it will face God's wrath and those who have accepted Christ will receive God's discipline to correct their violations of His law (like adultery, etc.)  It doesn't mean that you lose your salvation or that Christ didn't pay the price for your lawbreaking to keep you from heaven but it does mean you still have to face the penalty for what you've done.  

"He will render to each one according to his works: to those who by patience in well-doing seek for glory and honor and immortality, he will give eternal life; but for those who are self-seeking and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, there will be wrath and fury.  There will be tribulation and distress for every human being who does evil, the Jew first and also the Greek, but glory and honor and peace for everyone who does good, the Jew first and also the Greek. For God shows no partiality." - Romans 2:6-11 (ESV)

I'm sure that by this point some of the rabid pro-illegals crowd have already clicked "add comment" and are leaving insulting messages because someone disagreed with their blanket amnesty position.  They'll likely start up the "Jesus said to love everyone" comments where they completely ignore the many times Christ told people to stop sinning.  Violation of public law...governmental law...is sinning because we're called to give to the government what is theirs and that includes following the law.

" He said to them, 'Then render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's.'" - Luke 20:25 (ESV)

So how is a Christian really supposed to handle this illegal immigration issue?  We're to show Christ's love to anyone here illegally while not giving any honor to their illegal actions or advocating the government not take action against them for their illegal actions.  If we take steps to help someone break the law of this country...and that includes trying to keep them from being arrested or deported under the current laws of the government...then we are not rendering to Caesar what is his...namely, following the laws of the land.  If we dislike the laws, that's fine, we work through our governmental officials to change it.  However, that does not give us the right to violate man's law if it does not conflict with God's law.

Unfortunately, God's law doesn't conflict with man's law in the case of illegal aliens.

We can show God's love to these people by making sure any family left legally in the US is taken care of while the illegal person returns to their home country and do what it takes to get here legally.  Sure, it might mean some families are broken apart and that's certainly not a preferred situation but that doesn't mean that goes against God's law so we have some Biblical claim to avoid man's law.  We show love and compassion by helping them financially if necessary to go through the steps to become a legal citizen under the current set of laws.  We show true love and compassion for them while at the same time showing them that laws of man are called to be respected under the Scriptures (when, again, they don't directly conflict with God's law.)  

So stand firm on the truth of the Word in this debate if you're a Christian and make both sides angry.  Anger those who want to just throw all illegals out of the country by showing love and compassion to these people and making sure their basic needs of life are met.  Anger those on the amnesty side by saying that the government is justified in arresting these people and returning them to their home countries.  You'll be faced with being called a bigot or racist or someone who's unpatriotic and hates our country.  You won't find much support anywhere for this position but it is the position that Scripture calls us to follow if you truly are a believer in Christ.  However, let the insults flow your way and be glad they are...

"If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you." - 1 Peter 4:14

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I was celebrating God's wonder yesterday with many others as Sierra Sinn, best known for performing in many pornographic films, announced she was leaving the industry.  She met with Shelley Lubben, a former porn actress who has a ministry dedicated to fighting pornography addiction, keeping children from being able to view pornography and getting women out of the sex trade.  While meeting with Shelley, Sierra admitted that porn had destroyed her life and that she wanted out in the worst way.  Sierra has a daughter who doesn't live with her that she misses terribly.  Please keep Sierra in your prayers as she takes this step away from the money and "fame" of porn and starts a new life.  (As far as I know, she has not accepted Christ yet, so you can pray that she sees His love through Shelley and other people around her.)

Many of you know that my heart is in line with Shelley's in that I want to see people freed of the bondage of pornography and for women who have been decimated by the porn business to be shown there is a way to have a better life without having to degrade themselves on camera.  As I've often said, I'm not naive enough to think that we can end pornography in the world but we can try to make a dent in the number of consumers and performers!  It's a long, hard, uphill battle because many within the business and many consumers of the product don't want to admit the problems porn can cause and/or won't admit it's hurting themselves as well as others in multiple ways.

I could go on a rant here about pornography and how it becomes a god to many men and women...a large number of which are Christians...but I want to focus more on the Proverbs today.  The book of Proverbs gives so many guides to living your life.  If one would just follow the guidelines laid out in Proverbs many lives would be improved and stress levels would seem a lot lower.  While reading Proverbs this morning and thinking about Sierra and the battle ahead of her I had a few proverbs jump off the page and felt compelled to share them with you.

"Whoever loves transgression loves strife." - Proverbs 17:19 (ESV)

Have you ever stopped to think about sin in that manner?  After all, that's what transgression is when you look at that verse.  If you're someone who loves to have sin in your life you're showing a love for the stress, the anxiety, the mental anguish, the pain caused by the results of that sin.  You may say that you don't love it...maybe even convince yourself that you hate it...but if you truly hated it you wouldn't be allowing yourself to take action to bring those consequences to life.  Yes, that means you would have to hate sin (transgression) and it's a step many won't take because you're so obsessed with the "pleasures" of life that lead to transgression and the "pleasure" it brings to you.

"Whoever loves pleasure will be a poor man; he who loves wine and oil will not be rich." - Proverbs 21:17 (ESV)

This proverb can be take in multiple ways.  First, it can be taken literally.  If you love pleasure so much that it's a driving force within your life you'll spend all your money chasing after it.  When the day comes that your income is cut or you lose your job or perhaps get sued and lose all your money then you'll find all those pleasures you chased mean nothing when you can't feed yourself or your family.  If you're a drunk (lover of wine) or glutton (oil was used for cooking) then you'll find your physical health is damaged and your quality of life will suffer overall.  

It can also be taken in the figurative sense that you will be a shallow, soulless person if your god is the pleasure that the world can bring to you.  Pornography is one of the biggest gods in the lives of human beings today.  So many people think about it on a regular basis and actually take steps to build their life so they can make porn a part of it daily.  I promise you that in your church on Sunday morning at least 10% of the men are thinking about something related to pornography while the service is going on.  (The actual number of those in your church who are consuming pornography is much higher...I'm just being generous and giving the benefit of the doubt that the majority of those folks can actually stop thinking about porn and focus on God.  I know I'm probably low on the 10% number but even at that low rate it's still shocking to think one out of every ten in your church is thinking about porn while singing songs of praise to God.)  

True riches are stored in heaven and that comes through a relationship with Jesus Christ at the center of all you do.  If you're seeking Christ it doesn't matter what you have on this earth.  God will provide in some way for your needs to live if you just trust in Him.  You cannot store up riches in heaven if you're focused solely on pleasure here on Earth.

"The way of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord, but He loves him who pursues righteousness." - Proverbs 15:9 (ESV)

If you're chasing the way of the wicked...in other words, seeking pleasure as the world that despises God seeks out pleasure...you won't be storing up riches in heaven.  You will be a poor person regardless of the amount of money in your bank account.  Sierra realized this because she sees true riches are in things like a solid, loving relationship with her daughter.  She realized that the porn life couldn't provide her with true riches and the things that matter most in the world.  That life is fake (and if you have a chance, visit Shelley Lubben's website at www.shelleylubben.com to see a video where Sierra says exactly that.)  

The good news here is that if you're wrapped up in pornography or any other kind of pursuit of pleasure that's ahead of God in your life there is a way out.  Proverbs 15:9 does start with a harsh condemnation to the wicked but a great promise at the end that God loves those who pursue righteousness!  If you stop today...and I mean completely stop...then turn your heart back to God you will start to see His love shining through to you.  Reach out to those around you and have them help you take the stand against your problem.  Some of your non-believing friends might not understand the spiritual component of your actions but they will likely see you trying to make your life better & not condemn you for it.  

Today is the day to stop and turn it all around just like Sierra.  I know I'd be as joyful for you as her when that moment comes when you say "I just can't take living a fake life anymore."

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"Why does the way of the wicked prosper?  Why do all who are treacherous thrive?" - Jeremiah 12:1 (ESV)

I know what just ran through your head.  I've had the same thought sometimes.

You go through your days doing what God calls you to do and try to live as Christ called us to live.  You face struggles and trials in your finances, your personal life, your spiritual walk, your job, etc.  Then you see your neighbor, your co-worker, your friend or just a stranger on television living a wicked, immoral life and they seem to have everything they could want out of life.  (No, this isn't a veiled shot at Paris Hilton.)  

There is nothing wrong...and it's not a sin...to wonder why the wicked seem to be getting blessings showered on them while you as a follower of Christ seem to be getting along with only the basics of life.  God doesn't mind the questions...you just need to be careful those questions don't turn into statements denying God's authority or challenging His right to do with your life as He sees fit to do.  

"You are not your own, for you were bought with a price." - 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 (ESV)

And there is no question that the "wicked" (as you want to define them yourself) do seem many times to get what people define as "blessings" like riches, fame and material possessions.  The problem with this mindset is that in reality it's not how Christ calls us to look at the world.  Instead, we're called to remember we are no longer part of this world but a part of God's Kingdom and as such are not to be seeking what the world calls blessing and riches.

"If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world." - John 15:19 (ESV)

"And he said to them, Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions." - Luke 12:15 (ESV)

"When Jesus heard this, he said to him, 'One thing you still lack. Sell all that you have and distribute to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.'" - Luke 18:22 (ESV)

"For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." - Luke 12:34 (ESV)

Don't forget also that ultimately all the things of this earth will no longer matter.

"Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away." - Mark 13:31 (ESV)

I won't pretend this is an easy way to look at things but then Jesus never said things were going to be easy!  We spend so much time surrounded by a world that is obsessed with material possessions that sometimes we just can't shake having thoughts now and then about how great it would be to win the lottery or get a new car or a new house.  We see friends with the new video game system or HDTV and feel those pangs of jealousy and wonder why God isn't choosing to give you those things.  Sometimes we even make the mistake of chasing those things and getting them for ourselves which opens the door to all kinds of problems like mountains of debt.

Dave Ramsey, a financial counselor, continually uses the phrase "live like no one else so one day, you can live like no one else" to encourage people to get out of debt and it's very true when you're talking financial debt.  Those friends all around you with the new cars and big screen televisions are more than likely up to their ears in payments and bills.  You may think their life is wonderful and they're experiencing the joys of freedom in America...but...

"The borrower is the slave of the lender" - Proverbs 22:7 (ESV)

Have them lose their jobs and not make a few payments and see just how free they really are in their lives!  They'll lose the televisions, the cars, the houses and end up in court being sued or possibly jailed for their actions.  That's not freedom!  That's not blessings!  That, my friends, is what God wants you to see when you feel like Jeremiah that the wicked are prospering all around you.  True riches and blessings are in him so don't worry about what you see around you in this world.  The treasures in heaven will surpass anything the world can bring to you.

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One of the major things the world tries to impose upon everyone is to be "tolerant" and "impartial" toward everyone else.  If you take a stand for something it usually results in scorn or hatred being sent in your direction.  However, if someone is openly hostile toward your faith, it's easy to see these kinds of statements, actions and attitudes so you are not surprised when their intolerance is put on full display.  It's those who do not believe in Christ who put off their aire of impartiality who are the most dangerous.

When these people are put into leadership positions it opens the door for more intolerance and more hate to be thrown at you as a believer because despite their outward attempts to appear impartial they will act as they feel within their hearts.  This isn't a new concept...the Bible speaks about people taking actions based on their hearts.  (And realize in Bible times, what we think of as heart was really a reference to their brain/mind.)  

"You brood of vipers! How can you speak good, when you are evil? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks." - Matthew 12:34 (ESV)

Now, I know we tend to look at evil in extremes in the sense that it's someone ranting and raving and actively trying to destroy someone.  I think the idea of evil has to be expanded beyond the extreme to realize that it can be in minor ways.  For example, you could be a part of a group of people involved in a sewing circle.  You become friends with the person who's the leader of the group despite the fact they openly profess to not being a Christian and not seeing any point in it.   When the group is together and subjects are brought up this person is always in the middle showing they disagree but always appearing respectful of your beliefs.

Then this person faces a hardship in their life and you pray for them and show concern.  Then this person does something (pick whatever you feel comfortable thinking) and it is really something out of character for their personality as you've seen it over the years.  You decide to quietly say something to them about their behavior because it's not just something casual but something that really crosses the line of acceptable social behavior.  (Not even on a Biblical level but a social one.)

The response that you get is sarcastic asking who you think you are to be passing judgment on someone else.  Perhaps they'll jump in on your "holier-than-thou" attitude.  Of course you'll be told to keep your comments to yourself and most likely told to keep your prayers because they do no good.

Now, when you get offended (and there is nothing wrong with it) you question if this is how they've really felt all along.  At this point, more than likely the person will realize what's "slipped out" and begin to cover their tracks because they don't want to appear as if these are their real feelings.  They've worked so hard to craft that persona of being impartial they have to work to maintain it.  If you see through it perhaps others will start to as well and then they won't be as popular or well loved as they currently believe that they are in your social circle.

Obviously, you're to forgive them for what they say or do.  

"Then Peter came up and said to him, 'Lord, how often will my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? As many as seven times?'  Jesus said to him, 'I do not say to you seven times, but seventy times seven.'" - Matthew 18:21-22 (ESV)

That doesn't mean, however, that you have to forget the actions they've taken in the sense that you allow yourself to be in positions where this person's biases can be used against you in a more tangible way.  When the Bible speaks of God forgetting it's in the sense that He does not use our actions against us in future punishment or incidents and we are to be the same way.  There's a difference between bringing up someone's past and not allowing them to act the same way they have acted in the past.  You have every right, for example, to avoid conversations with them of a political nature if that person has shown open hostility toward your political beliefs.  

Realize that in times of stress and times of trouble you will likely see the true heart that is within a person.  I even believe it's possible that a person doesn't realize how they really feel inside until a time of testing and trial (sickness, divorce, fire, etc.)  Show compassion, be concerned and genuinely want to see the person get through whatever it is they're facing but do not forget the glimpse you had into their heart so that you can be on guard for future instances where you'll have to deal with this person.  This way, you're not taken by surprise when someone allows you to be held up for scorn (or does it themselves.)

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I know this subject is one I've touched on before but it's a subject being laid on my heart...trusting in the Lord.  It's a little bit of a piggy-back from yesterday's blog in praying for God's will in your life and not your own desires to be done.  

One of the biggest trials we can face in any part of our lives and walk is the simple test of trusting in the Lord.  It doesn't matter if the need is physical (healing), emotional (healing, peace) or financial (peace, provision).  We want to take the bull by the horns and wrestle it to the ground ourselves because we want to have an easy to read, step by step plan to overcome whatever we're facing in life.  As we all know from the Word, God can do things that way...but usually He doesn't!  The Bible is full of times where God brought about a solution in a way completely unexpected and that's one of the great wonders of our God.

"Commit your way to the Lord, trust in Him, and He will act." - Psalm 37:5 (ESV)

"Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for Him; fret not yourself over the one who prospers in his way," - Psalm 37:7 (ESV)

"Trust in Him at all times, O people, pour out your heart before Him; God is a refuge for us." - Psalm 62:8 (ESV)

David was a man that definitely faced some problems in his life and it wasn't always because of sins that he committed!  Many times when he was running from Saul there was nothing David did that put him at fault yet he was in danger of losing his life.  Still, David trusted the Lord and committed himself to following the commands of God and at the end God still considered him a man with a heart after God.

"And [Solomon] walked in all the sins that his father did before him, and his heart was not wholly true to the Lord his God, as the heart of David his father." - 1 Kings 15:3 (ESV)

King David certainly didn't have an easy life and faced many times where he trusted in the Lord even though it brought great tragedy upon him and the Kingdom of Israel.  The most glaring example to me is what happened after the incident with Bathsheba.  The child that she conceived as a result of their adultery was dying and Lord told David that he would not live.  Yet David spent seven days fasting, lying in the dirt praying for the Lord to spare the child yet God called the child to Him.  Did David react with anger toward the Lord?  No!  David rose from his weeping and ate to the amazement of those around him.  David had the peace of God to know that all was in His hands and that He would do whatever is good and right in His eyes to the benefit of his servant David.  

What happened next?  David went to comfort his wife and she became pregnant...with a little guy who had a minor role in the Bible.  His name was Solomon.

Just as David remained steadfast in the Lord, so too do we have our duty to remain in Him.

"Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life which God promised to those who love Him." - James 1:12 (ESV)

We need to have our focus not on the things of this world and the troubles that we will face but rather the eternal reward that is coming to us on the last day.  Everything else we deal with...money matters, relationships, health, children, people who drive twenty miles under the speed limit on two lane roads with no passing zones...are just little things that God will take care of in His time for His ultimate purpose.  This is the true definition of faith in God.

"Faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen." - Hebrews 11:1 (ESV)

Finally, I want to leave you with a little encouragement because I know very well in my own life that trials can tear you down and make you tired and weary.  Sometimes these tests of your faith come in such a rapid fire manner that it seems as if God wants you to know nothing more than a life of trouble and turmoil.  That he's a cruel Father who almost revels in your pain.  Well, take heart in that He is only allowing things to happen that will strengthen your faith and build on your trust in Him.

"We have had earthly fathers who disciplined us and we respected them.  Shall we not much more be subject to he Father of spirits and live?  For they disciplined us for a short time and it seemed best to them, but he disciplines us for our good, that we may share his holiness.  For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it." - Hebrews 12: 9-11 (ESV)

Remember that discipline does not mean only punishment for mistakes.  Do you remember as a child when your parents would impose discipline on you to teach you how to manage money or time?  Discipline can be a way of living your life and a structure that makes life easier for you in the long run.  Yes, discipline can be punishment for sins or wrongdoing...but do not let that me your focus.  Sometimes God just wants you make you wiser, stronger and more in love with Him.

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"Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven." - Matthew 6:9-10 (ESV)

We've all heard "The Lord's Prayer" and there are many churches that include the congregation repeating it as part of their weekly services. The question I've often wondered is how many believers actually know what they're praying and want that to be true in their lives? It's a prayer about surrendering everything to the Lord and trusting that He will provide what we need in our lives rather than what we want in our lives.

Many Christians I know have a prayer life that consists of going to God and making requests about the things they want to have happen in their lives. A lot of the time the prayers fall into the same general theme...prayers for friends and family, prayers for our wants and now & then a prayer for our church. It's rare that someone prays for the Lord's will to be done in their lives no matter what that will may be and then truly desire to have that! It's as if people pray for that with the thought in the back of their minds that they only want God's will if it lines up with the desires they have for themselves.

I think a lot of this comes from the fact many Christians have a hard time truly letting themselves trust in God. We all have free will and unfortunately that free will can make it very easy to say we trust without actually taking that within our hearts and minds. We want to trust but when it comes to crunch time we take it on our shoulders to try and make things happen. Most of the time, these "crunch times" are not within God's will but rather something we want or the result of our trying to chase down something we want rather than what God wants for us. It leads to stress, anxiety, financial troubles, marital troubles and other burdens which further cloud our relationship with God.

In your next scheduled quiet/prayer time, instead of praying in your usual manner try taking the step of saying the Lord's Prayer, mean it and then just sit and listen for God. Spend the time in front of Him without throwing out every request, every desire, every petition. God will be there to help you see His will and put your heart in tune with Him. Then you'll start praying for the desires He puts within your heart and you'll see God doing powerful things through your life.

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I was walking last night and thinking about people I've known over the last twenty years of working at my career and it hit me how so many of them have moved in and out of the Christian music industry.  Some of them went out of ministry, others ended up as pastors (like Brad Olsen of The Waiting) or just seemed to fall off the face of the earth (like Jennifer Knapp...if you see her, someone tell her to contact me & let me know she's alive and OK.)

I really began to think and wonder about five incredible people I knew from my days in Minnesota.  Matt Berry, Alison Ogren, Nate Larson, Pete Sanders and David Caton made up a band called "Clear."  They released two albums that I think were incredibly underrated by the Christian music business and Christian music fans...a self-titled debut CD and their follow-up "Follow The Narrow."  More importantly than seeing their ministry and being able to help support that as much as I could both in my job and outside that area, I was also able to get to know them as people.  I remember being blessed to be able to talk to them about their walks with Christ, their lives, their futures.  

In 2001, they split up as a band because of various issues and went into different areas of ministry.  As I walked last night, I wondered where they were all right now.  I know Matt Berry (last I heard which was about a year ago) was lead worshipper at Eaglebrook Church in White Bear Lake, Minnesota.  I think I read that Pete went to medical school and I think Nate was selling real estate.  I have no idea where Alison or David are today.  It was a little bit disconcerting to realize that five folks I cared so much about had really just fallen out of my life because God moved them on to different things.  

As I walked last night and listened for the millionth time to "Tidal Wave", "She's In The Sunset", "Ready To Ride" and all the other tracks off Clear's debut CD I really felt God with me and was amazed at how music and minister to you years after the ministers have moved on.  (I'm listening to them as I type this today.)  I immediately have been thinking about the verse made famous in the song "Turn, Turn, Turn" by the Byrds:

"For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven." - Ecclesiastes 3:1 (ESV)

That's true in itself but there is much more in the Bible in regards to things in our lives moving in a season.  Some of the season could last your entire life (like a marriage) or they could move for a few years like Clear's musical ministry.  What's great is that your season of ministry can have lifetime impacts upon people even though you'll never see the end result of that season!

"For here the saying holds true, 'One sows and another reaps.'" - John 4:37 (ESV)

It can be frustrating to be in a ministry and be sowing seeds for Christ everywhere you go but not see the reaping of those seeds.  As humans, we want to see the end result and know that our efforts are not in vain.  Yet Jesus himself recalled the saying that one will reap while another is the one who sowed what was to be reaped.  We have to work to reach a point in our Christian walk that we don't care if we are the ones to see the end result of the seeds planted through our walk.  (Note...I'm not saying we shouldn't desire to see that end result but we can't let it effect us in any way if it's God's will for us to see it.)  The key to all of it is to keep right on sowing wherever God calls us because:

"The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully." - 2 Corinthians 9:6 (ESV)

and

"He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness." - 2 Corinthians 9:10 (ESV)

It doesn't say what you'll reap...just that you'll reap bountifully.  It doesn't say that you will increase the harvest of your righteousness...just that it will be increased.  The focus needs to be taken off of ourselves and the end result of our sowing and put squarely on Jesus Christ who brings the harvest to fruition.  You could easily get frustrated into slowing down or stopping your sowing of God's seeds by not having that focus on Christ.

As an example, let's say that in 2009 someone struggling with an addiction stumbles across Clear's debut CD from 1999 on Amazon.  They order a used copy (because it's long out of print) and the song "Free" reaches into the heart of that person looking for way out of their addictions and struggles.  It points them to Jesus Christ who provides true freedom and the song is like the sweet nectar of fruit this person didn't even know they needed or wanted to eat.  They accept Christ and their name is written in the Book of Life for eternity.  It will be a decade since Clear planted that seed in their music...but it came to harvest in the life of someone they will likely never know or meet.  (Yes, I know it's hypothetical but they still minister to me eight years later so it's not impossible to see their music still ministering and reaching out ten years later.  If you think old music can't minister, go listen to Keith Green.)  

Finally, a word of encouragement to you if you're sowing and not seeing much reaping:

"Let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up." - Galatians 6:9 (ESV)

Do not give up.

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"You shall not spread a false report" - Exodus 23:1 (ESV)

"You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor." - Exodus 20:16 (ESV)



If you've been a reader of the blog since the beginning you know that I freely admit my faults and admit to you the times that I've fallen or slipped or just flat out made a fool of myself.  Well, today in the blog I ended up doing such a thing and I'm back with a rare second blog of the day to take ownership of my mistake and to ask forgiveness.

Today, I'm asking the forgiveness of Chad Butler of Switchfoot for my blog today where I questioned the motivation of the band and if their hearts were really in the same place as years ago.  

The reason?  I talked to Chad today and a lot of issues were discussed.

I'm not going to reveal the context of the conversation but I will say that hard questions were asked, items that were not known by all sides in the conversation came to light and at this moment I have no question about Chad's heart or what he sees as the role for Switchfoot that God has determined for them.  I am completely confident that the band had no idea about the things brought up to Chad and that he certainly didn't condone anything if it was true.  Chad's heart is to spread the love he feels from God to others through music because it ministers to him in that manner and I'm completely down with that.

Now, you're probably saying, "why not just delete the other blog?"  Well, I could do the internet thing and just delete it without another word but that's the wrong way to go about it.  I made a mistake here in bringing this out in the manner I addressed it.  I could have, for example, not used the name of the band in the blog.  That way I wasn't lying but didn't mention someone specifically.  

I still believe the concept is right in that we need to watch what we do in public because the world is watching us...both Christian and non-Christian alike.  That's why I felt I needed to let my mistake remain seen and then have this apology for everyone to see.   We all make mistakes and we need to avoid the temptation of the world to cover our tracks.  When we create a false air of perfection it can only lead to situations where someone would sit and think "gee...look at Mr. Christian who screwed up and can't say 'I was wrong.'"  

I was glad to have the chance to talk to Chad and to really clear the air.  I feel foolish for questioning their heart although Chad himself said in the conversation that if he was in our place he could see thinking and feeling the same way.  That doesn't change the fact I was wrong in what I did today and I take full responsibility for it.

So Chad, I am sorry.  Drummer to drummer...feel free to use my head for a woodblock the next time you're coming through the area. 

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I used to be a big fan of the rock band Switchfoot.  If you're not familiar with this band, they are a group from California that was a Christian band who has crossed into the mainstream and become a band made up of Christians.  It's a tricky road to walk in today's society because of the general level of hostility the world has toward Christians and Christian beliefs.  There are many people that once they realize a group like Switchfoot is made up of Christians will automatically dismiss them or condemn them because of their beliefs.  As a result, they usually keep their faith in God close to the vest so that they rarely mention God and almost never mention Jesus from the stage or in an interview.  

In and of itself, I really don't have a problem if a group of Christians wants to have a band that's not a "Christian band."  When you put that label upon yourself there is a whole list of restrictions that is imposed upon you.  As an example, you cannot play in certain places because you'll have Christians who will condemn you for having the audacity to actually try to be salt & light in the world instead of only playing churches and "Christian venues."  Conversely, many of your non-Christian fans won't set foot inside a church to see you play no matter how much you may rock their faces off.  

Where I take an issue...and where you and I can take an issue in our own lives...is that I've seen situations where Switchfoot has actively avoided being associated with Christian groups and that raises a question about their level of faith and their commitment to being a part of God's family.  Just because you want to make an impact in the world doesn't mean you turn your back on the church or its people.  Now, before you think I'm basing today's blog on rumors, let me share with you a little bit of my experience with Switchfoot and a recent situation I saw first hand.

I first discovered the band in the late 90s when it was just brothers Jon and Tim and drummer Chad Butler.  I have a love of power trios so it didn't take much for me to get hooked on their first project, The Legend of Chin.  Since they were based on the west coast and I was working in the midwest I wasn't able to see them live and it really irritated me because I love live music.  On day in 1999, I was in Atlanta at a conference and I skipped out of a session because I was a little bored with the "same old same old" of the conversations.  As I was passing a conference room, I heard the undeniable sounds of Switchfoot doing soundcheck.  I snuck into the room and watched from the back as they tuned up for a performance for the conference.  They were flat out brilliant.

I had a chance to get to know them and talk with them about a variety of things over the next few months as part of work.  They were open about their faith and they had no qualms about being a part of the Christian music community.  That's why I personally was shocked when soon after they signed a mainstream record deal they imposed a boycott of the Christian community because they didn't want to deal with people asking them questions about the band and their faith.  Supposedly it distracted them from their music.  (If you don't believe me, look at their Wikipedia entry which mentions it.)  Only recently have they allegedly been going to dealing with Christian festivals and Christian magazines and radio stations.

That's the public line...privately, I can't be too sure.  I know they came to play in a town in the midwest where their management completely blew off the Christian radio stations in the town where the concert was held.  They wouldn't do interviews, they wouldn't send CDs for giveaway, they wouldn't give concert tickets.  When they were contacted by the radio station staff expressing their dismay that they would be ignoring the Christian radio station to the point they wouldn't even send a few tickets for the staff the contact by the radio personnel was read and ignored.  (I saw the return notice that the message was read.)  Does that sound like a group that's ending their "boycott"?  It doesn't to me.  I also know it doesn't for many others in the Christian broadcasting culture.  

Now, I will honestly say I haven't had a conversation with them in about six years so there's no way I can say for sure they've sold out their faith just to be successful.  Even if I were to talk with them, I can't say I could still know short of having a no-holds-barred conversation about some of the things I've mentioned in this blog until now.  All I can really do is look at the fruit of the spirit and the fruits of their ministry and ask myself whether or not they've really done anything to bring people to Christ or point them in his direction.  I used to be able to say an unqualified yes to that.  Now, I don't even recommend them to non-believers as an example of Christians in the mainstream making an impact.  I know it's possibly their management taking these steps but the management works for the band...for example, they could step in and tell them to deal with the Christian broadcasters if they really wanted that done.

Now, you're probably wondering why I'm bringing them up and how a band that seems to be avoiding almost any association with Christ's people that doesn't gain them public notice is something that relates to our daily lives.  I think this situation is a great reminder to all of us that the world is watching all that we do in our lives.  We cannot profess Christ as a part of our lives and then turn around and try to hide Him to chase the pleasures and glory of the world.  We shouldn't even try to do that!

"You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven." - Matthew 5:14-16 (ESV)

If you are going to be a Christian then you have that light within you to shine to the world.  Here's the part you may not realize....the world knows it.  The world expects to see that light shining from you.   If you're doing things to try and hide that light the world sees exactly what you're doing and begins to wonder not only about you but also about Jesus himself.  If you're so ashamed of Him that you want to not let people know about Him then He must not be the great Savior you proclaim he is for an hour once a week on Sunday morning.  If you're so burdened by the fact someone wants to ask you about your faith that you do all you can to avoid it then they must think there's nothing that powerful regarding the "truth" you know because if there was you wouldn't have a problem talking about it.

The key is to notice that the world isn't talking to you about it.  They're just watching and making up their minds based on your actions.  They don't have to come to you and ask you about Jesus to see that you're doing all you can to avoid the subject.  It might be because you want to get along with people because you hate having someone dislike you.  You could be someone who's trying to be popular and famous.  Perhaps you're someone who just likes to make everyone else happy.  At the end of the day, your motivation for hiding Jesus in your life isn't important to those watching you in the world.  The important thing is the fact you feel you need to hide Jesus.

Some of you might be saying "well, I talk about God all the time.  As long as I don't start talking about Jesus they'll listen to what I have to say about God."  That's great.  Remember that many religions talk about their "god" and they do it on a regular basis.  If you're a Christian, you have this from the Word of the one true God:

"No one who denies the Son has the Father." - 1 John 2:23 (ESV)

If you deny Jesus Christ then you're denying God.  You can't talk about God if you can't talk about His son.  There is no ambiguity here and there's no way around it short of saying the Word of God isn't valid.  I know it might make situations a lot easier if you can just say "God" and let people think about whatever "god" they want to worship.  Jesus never called us to have an easy life if we are one of co-heirs for the Kingdom (which as sons and daughters of God, we are!)  

I want to encourage you today if you're someone who felt a little stung by today's message.  If you're someone who is thinking "yeah, I am hiding Jesus to get along with others."  Even those saying "Switchfoot rules man!  How dare you say something bad about them!"  Perception can be reality for many people and the perceptions you leave upon them...right or wrong...go along way toward Jesus being real in the lives of people.  Step back today and look at your life as objectively as possible and if you feel you need to make a little course correction then do it.  If you need someone to pray for you as you make the transition, I'd be glad to do it.

Don't just speak the faith we have in Jesus.  Live it.  You and the world around you will be better for it.

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I have a friend who ran her own business until very recently.  It's the typical story of what's going on in America...a private business owner has a successful business in a smaller town.  A local government entity decides it wants to begin providing the same service as this business owner so they come to them and ask for help in setting things up.  They imply to the business owner they'll be bringing that person on to run the show once things are set up...and then once they're ready to go they say they've "changed their mind."  They offer the service to the community at a little cheaper rate (after all, they're the government) and people start doing business with them without even thinking about the impact it might have on their neighbor.  As a result, my friend had to not only shut her business but move away from that town just to find work.  (God is blessing and taking care of her in this storm and I praise Him for that.)

She was talking to me about the reactions that she's getting from people...especially her former clients...after the word broke in town that she had to close and was leaving in just a few weeks.  People she didn't really know that well were coming up and asking about her well-being but those she'd known for years wouldn't say a word to her.  The parents of children she helped through her business wouldn't even look her in the eyes.  To me, it's obvious that these people have realized as a result of their actions they've hurt another person and they don't have the courage to face that directly.  It's a lot easier to ignore it than to tell someone you did something that hurt them without even thinking about it and that you're sorry this person's facing hardship because of your greed or selfishness.  To her, she feels like these people who claimed to be her friends were doing nothing more than lying to her and using her for their own purposes.  

I can understand her feelings because we are in a society where people seem to have a focus of using other people for their own ends without any concern for their well-being, their feelings or even their walk with God.  It's not any worse among Christians than non-Christians when it comes to this situation (which is a sad commentary in itself) but it seems like it's worse for Christians because we're called to be the ones that show concern and mercy and love for each other.  We are supposed to be the ones that are set apart and live our lives differently than the world would do it.  It would be great if I could say that happens but for the most part I can't say that.

Now, you might think this blog is going to take Christians to task for not thinking about their actions and for putting their own worldly desires (like making more money at the expense of hurting other believers) but I'm not going in that direction today.  God may have me write a blog on that in the future but today I feel led to talk about my friend, her situation and the struggle she's facing to be Godly in doing something that we're called to do when faced with situations where Christians are not acting in a Godly manner and doing things that harm us.

Forgive.

I know you're looking at the word "forgive" and thinking to yourself "well, duh!  Of course we're to forgive them!"  This is a situation where once again it's easier to talk about being a Christian than it is to actually do it.  There are many times that we as Christians are quick to tell someone we forgive them for something and when that person walks away we start to quietly grumble to ourselves that we'll never really forgive them or start praying for God to drop a 1982 Buick on their heads.  It may not necessarily be that we want to get revenge ourselves upon them but we have this drive within us for justice and it's hard to forgive someone if it appears their sins are going to end up without consequences.  

The problem with those feelings is that if you look at the Word, God will have that same kind of mindset toward you.  You are not completely forgiving that other person and leaving it up to God not only for their correction (if, in fact, they need it) and you're not giving God the right to do whatever He needs to do in your life.   We are clearly called to forgive others in the same way that God forgave us for our sins.

"Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you." - Ephesians 4:31-32 (ESV)

If you read that passage, it's obvious there is no way you can retain anger and a desire to see wrath of any kind put down on someone else and still be showing the forgiveness of Jesus Christ.  God doesn't look at you in that manner when you sin because His son says to look at Him and His life.  Just as Jesus is blameless, so too should you look at someone else as blameless.  This is not for their sake, however...this is for your sake.  You forgive so that you too may be forgiven and in the same measure by which you forgive.  Forgiveness may be for the person asking for it but it's always for the person who does the forgiving.  

"For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses." - Matthew 6:14-15 (ESV)

I don't know about you but I really like when God the Father forgives my trespasses because I have trespassed many times in my life!  Can you imagine the sorrow in your life if God would not truly forgive you for the things that you've done?  If He just told you He forgave you while sitting there planning to get his revenge upon you?  It wouldn't be a fun life and you would always walk around in fear that at any moment a very large moving object would be on a collision course with you.  (A 16 ton anvil if Monty Python's Flying Circus is to be believed.)  Realize that it's possible a person who wronged you feels exactly that way around you!  They fear that you're going to pay them back for the evil things they have have done (either intentionally or not intentionally.)  That's unfortunately a part of our life today because too many people don't show the forgiveness of Christ.

"If we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin. If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." - 1 John 1:7-9 (ESV)

Never forget that we sin every single day and in many ways we sin against God in the same manner in which people sin against us.  We grieve the Father every day in actions we take and that's why we need Him to forgive our sins.  Just as John says God is faithful and just to forgive our sins so to must we be faithful and just in forgiving others for their sins against us.  We have to resist the natural feelings of anger and desires for revenge.  There's nothing wrong with feeling those emotions because it's normal, healthy human emotions.  We saw many times when Jesus himself was angry with people and even took physical action against them...

"And making a whip of cords, he drove them all out of the temple, with the sheep and oxen. And he poured out the coins of the money-changers and overturned their tables. And he told those who sold the pigeons, Take these things away; do not make my Father's house a house of trade.  His disciples remembered that it was written, Zeal for your house will consume me." - John 2:15-17 (ESV)

The important thing to remember is in that anger you don't take actions to harm them in a manner that's not pure in the eyes of the Lord:

"Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, and give no opportunity to the devil." - Ephesians 4:26-27 (ESV)

What does it mean to be angry and not sin?  It means that you can feel the emotions and even adjust your behavior in a manner that does not benefit that person in the future but doing it in a way that brings glory to the Lord or has you working in a manner that is consistent with the teaching of Christ.  As an example, let's say you're doing business with someone who claims to be a Christian yet you discover that this person has been overcharging everyone they do business with to make additional profit.  You would have every right to feel angry that this person was taking advantage of their relationship with Christ to profit off others believers.  In anger, you might run around town telling everyone about what they did and spreading gossip about them.  You might even get to the point you feel it's your place to make sure his business goes down the tubes because of what they did to you.  Instead, you forgive them for what they've done and release it to God BUT you don't do business with that person again.  

What happens at that point?  Other people notice that suddenly you're not working with the Christian person anymore.  They start to examine this person and their dealings with them.  Their unrighteousness will eventually come out in the open and they'll face the due consequences for their actions.  Remember...

"For nothing is hidden that will not be made manifest, nor is anything secret that will not be known and come to light." - Luke 8:17 (ESV)

This is where it gets tricky.  If you're doing it with false motives...if your intent is doing it in anger and responding in a sinful manner...people will notice that as well.  You won't be viewed as acting in a Christian manner yourself.  You'll find that people will look at you and realize you haven't forgiven the other person and might even ignore the sin in the other person that may or may not actually be there!  In the case of my friend, you might get someone who would say "well, the government group is offering it cheaper so she had to be overcharging us."  Not exactly.  The government can run something without making a profit or even providing a way for the people working in that business to live.  The person running a business on their own has to pay expenses and be able to have a reasonable lifestyle.  It's not right for Christians to expect another to live in a run down, one room apartment with nothing but Ramen noodles to eat every day just so we can have fancy cars, big houses and HDTVs.

Forgiveness (as many other things in your Christian walk) comes down to the motivations by which you take it within your heart.  If you focus on having the motivations of God and to really strive to show forgiveness to others as Christ has shown it to you then you will find that life can be much easier and much less stressful!  These hard times are going to come to you but it's when you put Christ in your heart and allow Him to work forgiveness through you that these tough times seems like little more than bumps in the road.

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