A few weeks back I had done "Song Lyric Week" and received the most response I've received yet from a series on the blog.  I've been feeling like I need to do another song lyric week so we're going to start out today with a track from the Newsboys called "A Million Pieces."

"As they all fall
Like a million raindrops
Falling from a blue sky
Kissing your cares goodbye
They all fall
Like a million pieces
A ticker tape parade high
Now you're free to fly

You've gotta lay that burden down
You're gonna lay that burden down
It's time to leave your burdens in a pyre
Set a bonfire"

It's a common theme in many songs about burdens weighing you down to the point that you can't fly or can't soar or can't otherwise reach the levels in life that God wants you to reach.  When we focus so much on the burdens and problems in our lives we can't step out and walk in faith the way we're called to do by the Lord.  It's basic human nature to have issues and problems that occupy our mind and our thoughts.  When we're focused on those problems how can we have thoughts of God and the things He wants us to focus upon?  The simple answer is we really can't do it.

There are two things I want to look at in regards to burdens:

"Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ." - Galatians 6:2 (ESV)

Remember the last time you were really struggling with an issue and someone came beside you to help you or encourage you?  Remember how great that felt?  That's why the Bible tells us to bear each other's burdens because when we do that we're showing directly Christ's love to another.  Just as Jesus took the burden of sin off our shoulders and bore all the weight of our mistakes so too do we take the weight from our brothers and sisters when we show that kind of love and compassion. 

I know that sometimes it can seem like it's a burden to you to do this.  I know sometimes it seems some people you know just never get out from under the weight of their burdens and no matter how many times you come beside them they never move forward.  Just realize that Jesus didn't say we're to come alongside them once or twice.  This is a process that continues and sometimes it can take a person a few weeks, a few months or even a few years to completely give up a burden that's weighing on them.  (Death of a child or a divorce come to mind as burdens that could take quite a while to fade.)  Don't give up on those people just as Christ does not give up on you.

When you look at the Newsboys' song and see the imagery they use of getting rid of burdens there's a real feeling of lightness.  Raindrops falling around you are light caresses on the skin.  (I know, a hurricane wouldn't be, but we're talking your light summer shower in this song!)  The ticker tape from a parade gently floating to the ground.  When you cast off that handful of confetti it floats away freely and lightly. The ash that flies from a bonfire after you've tossed something into it. There's another burden upon you that floats the same way...

"For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” - Matthew 11:30 (ESV)

Jesus' burden.  Easy and light.  Ultimately, isn't Jesus' burden the burden we want to carry?  Isn't striving to be like Christ the call we're all placed to have in our lives?  When we let the worries of the word and the focuses of those burdens be the central focus of life we can't carry the easy yoke of the call of Christ.

Take today and lay down your burdens while being open to helping bear the burden of others.  In this, we can grow together to be more like Christ. 

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I'm having surgery in about four hours from the time I'm typing this blog...around 12:30pm central time.   (Minor eye surgery...it should be a simple procedure but you know any time you have something done it could end up with complications.)  I'm not a big fan of doctors and medical procedures in the first place so to say I'm more than a little on edge this morning is an understatement.  I had this same surgery about a year ago and they had to hit me twice with the Valium just to get me to calm down.  (And to be honest...two really didn't get the job done!)

I'm telling you this because it would be very easy for me type out a blog today pretending to be Super Spiritual Christian where I'd say "I trust only in the Lord and I walk into this surgery today with total confidence that everything is going to be fine.  I have no fear!  I have no anxiety!  I will walk into the room and speak Scripture into the room and pray over the doctor and every single nurse!"  I'm not going to do those things. 

Will I be praying as I walk in there?  Yes...just not out loud and in a manner that screams "HEY!  LOOK AT ME!  I'M PRAYING!!!"  Will I be praying through the whole surgery?  Yes...I did it last time too!  Do I have confidence that whatever happens in there it's going to be used for the goodness of God?  Yes, I do.  In that I have total peace.

"And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose." - Romans 8:28 (ESV)

This means that I know even if I walk out of that room unable to see anything again that God is going to take it and use it for His purposes.  Will that mean I'm going to be calm and happy about the whole situation should complications arise?  Nope.  I know that it would take a time of adjustment but it does mean that I know God isn't going to abandon me or allow me to be put to shame because of the situation. 

There is nothing wrong with you have the human feelings of nervousness, anxiety or fear when you go into a situation like I'm facing today.  The Lord knows you are human and that you will have these feelings.  The place where you sin is where you put those fears and anxieties ahead of the Lord and stop believing that He will be walking away from you.  Yes, bad things happen to us on this Earth that is not God's will.  That is a side effect of free will and the fact the earth is the realm of the prince of this world.  That doesn't mean God doesn't have complete power to solve the situation in any way that He chooses to do it.  As long as you remember that God is the ultimate power and don't allow fear or anxiety to take your eyes off Him then you'll be just fine.

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In your Christian walk have you run across the Super Spiritual Christian?  The kind of person who always has to jump into a discussion to "bring home" the spiritual message that you obviously failed to discuss because you're a poor Christian? 

They are the kind of people who just look for opportunities to show "Spiritual" and "wise" they are regardless of whether or not it's actually a part of what's being discussed at the time.  They might hear two Christians talking about an issue regarding denominational doctrine being preached instead of the word of God.  One Christian will say "yeah, it's a real pet peeve of mine when someone puts their denominational doctrine ahead of the Word of God."  That's when Super Spiritual Christian rushes in to say to that person "well, you need to let go of your pet peeve because Jesus Christ never had a pet peeve and you're supposed to be like Jesus!!!" 

They didn't bother to listen to the context of the conversation to see their view is not only irrelevant to what's being discussed but also in this case completely wrong!  Do you honestly believe that Jesus would have a problem with a man or woman who has an issue with a church or anyone else putting man created doctrine ahead of the Word of God itself?  Jesus would never do that!  Yet here comes Super Spiritual Christian to run in and snap at another believer for not being "Christ-like."

"An intelligent heart acquires knowledge, and the ear of the wise seeks knowledge." - Proverbs 18:15 (ESV)

I think the way to avoid becoming Super Spiritual Christian and be in a place where you irritate other believers to the point your witness is diluted is by listening.  When you feel the urge to jump into a conversation or even a debate in your Bible study make sure you understand the subject of the discussion.  Strive to have the "ear of the wise" and seek knowledge before you talk.  This way you'll avoid a situation where you have everyone looking at you before someone says "that's all well and good but we're talking about this..."

It makes you look like a fool when you do things like the Super Spiritual Christian and it puts you in a place where you can cause more harm than good.

"There is one whose rash words are like sword thrusts, but the tongue of the wise brings healing." - Proverbs 12:18 (ESV)

I could go on and on about this verse but I'll just leave you with a question to ponder on it.  How often when you make a knee-jerk reaction to a spiritual issue do the words you use cut the other person more than heal them?

Listen with the ear of the wise and speak with the tongue of the wise.  That means listen and understand before you share your views or opinions.  Pray and ask God if you're even supposed to speak in that situation!  The more you turn to Him for guidance on these issues the less you'll be like Super Spiritual Christian and the more you'll be like Christ.

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I have a feeling today's blog won't be carried on the front page of some of the websites that usually highlight my blog.  There's going to be some serious content of a sensitive nature.

Are you ever called intolerant when you stand up for the truth of Jesus Christ?  If you've ever stood for the truth in the political arena or social arena on issues like abortion or gay "rights" then you very likely have been called intolerant or a bigot.  For today's discussion, let's look at the definition of a few words courtesy of the Merriam-Webster dictionary:

Bigot : one who regards or treats the members of a group with hatred and intolerance

Intolerant: unwilling to grant or share social, political, or professional rights

Right : being in accordance with what is just, good, or proper; conforming to facts or truth

When the debate comes around to gay "rights" those who stand for Christ and those who stand for truth are called bigots or intolerant and told that we're about denying the "rights" of those who brand themselves with the label of being "gay."  We get called agents of hate and people try to dismiss us and our views because we disagree with them on that basis.

"Do not be surprised, brothers, that the world hates you." - 1 John 3:13 (ESV)

"“Blessed are you when people hate you and when they exclude you and revile you and spurn your name as evil, on account of the Son of Man!" - Luke 6:22 (ESV)

"For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed." - John 3:20 (ESV)

I participate on a forum for fantasy baseball fans where we have a section to discuss issues unrelated to baseball like the gay "rights" issue.  In this forum, we have people who label themselves as gay who've made openly hate filled comments toward me regarding my faith, my personal life and even my children because of the hate that fills their hearts concerning Christians who don't just agree with everything related to the myth of gay "rights."  They have their supporters who just jump in the slander of another person just because they think it's fine to slam Christians and Christianity.  Then you even have the Christians who refuse to stand up for a fellow believer that's standing on the Word because they're more interested in getting along with people by denying Christ than actually living out their faith.  Yet the person who disagrees with them on the gay "rights" issue is the intolerant, bigoted and hateful person?  (Again, look at the definitions of the words intolerant and bigot.)

Let's be clear...there is no right to be "gay."  The concept of gay "rights" is nothing more than an attempt by a group of people inside a subculture of sinful activity to try and force their sinful activities upon society as a whole.  These people self-define themselves by the sin within their lives and then try to make it appear that if you disagree with the sin they're committing you're slamming them personally.  Why?  It's because that's the way American society has turned in the last 30 years.  Everyone has to be "tolerant" and that means not insulting the person or attacking the person. 

As a Christian, I agree with the concept of tolerance of the person.  We're not to hate a person in any way.  We're to show them the love of Christ and be there for every human being regardless of their lifestyle, their views on religion or Christ or even their hair style.  (Yeah...some people still have an issue with guys having long hair...)  However, this doesn't extend to behaviors and actions that a person takes and that is where the distortion of bigotry and intolerance comes into play. 

Those who are within the "gay" lifestyle and flaunting their sin don't want anyone to point out to them that their actions are wrong.  Just like Jesus said in John, people who are in sin hate it when their sinful life is brought into the light.  No one likes to be told they're wrong or shown that something they feel is fun is actually harmful to themselves and to others.  In the case of the gay "rights" movement, it's easier to try and force people to think it's a "right" they should have and therefore it's acceptable and perfectly fine.  What better way to get a sin ignored than to try and force a society to say that it's not wrong?

"Now we know that ^the law is good, if one uses it lawfully, understanding this, that the law is not laid down for the just but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and sinners, for the unholy and profane, for those who strike their fathers and mothers, for murderers, the sexually immoral, men who practice homosexuality, enslavers, liars, perjurers, and whatever else is contrary to sound  doctrine, in accordance with the glorious gospel of ^the blessed God ^with which I have been entrusted." - 1 Timothy 1:8-11 (ESV)

The Bible is very clear that homosexuality is a sin and wrong.  No miles of protest marches, no amount of letters to the editor, no amount of political speeches is going to change the truth of Jesus Christ.  Just because you don't like what Christ said doesn't mean it's not the truth.  Truth can't just shift around because you want to keep doing a sinful activity.

And if you look at the Timothy passage, you'll see that those who are genuinely intolerant and bigoted are also sinners just the same as those they wish to condemn.  Those who follow the doctrine of those like Fred Phelps (the "God Hates Fags" guy) are just as disobedient to the instructions of Christ as those who are in the gay lifestyle that Fred takes great lengths to condemn.

In fact, the Fred Phelpses of the world give the fuel to create the atmosphere that Christians as a whole are intolerant and bigoted because you don't agree with those pushing gay "rights."  Fred is intolerant.  Fred defines a person by the sin they commit and condemns them for it.  That's not what Christ called us to do.  Christ called us to condemn the SIN and not the sinner.  When you see a situation where the sinner is being condemned....or the sinner tries to spin a situation to make it appear that way and no one calls them on their attempted deception...you get a place where people gain a negative view of Christianity and the truth of Jesus Christ. 

So where is the true intolerance in the debate over gay "rights"?  If you look at the situation dispassionately you'll see the real intolerance is coming from those who are trying to indoctrinate people into thinking there is such a thing as gay rights.  While I'm not going to brand all of those who are gay "rights" supporters as intolerant and bigoted you'll see that many who support that cause are quick to throw the terms "intolerant" and "bigot" onto Christians who disagree with them on this issue.  They will not debate the merits of the issue, they aren't the least little bit open to honest discussion but rather throw out the terms because it's been accepted by the media to brand people that way and also because a lot of people are more afraid of social condemnation than they are to stand up for what's right.

The quickest way to end discussion on issues is to brand someone a bigot or intolerant.  At that point, the focus shifts from the real issue...the myth of gay rights...to a new issue of someone claiming they're being condemned and attacked and that someone is trying to destroy them as a person.  In today's society, that accusation is considered so powerful in some circles that it doesn't matter what the truth is concerning the accusation.  If you're accused, then it's the truth...especially by those who are on that side of the debate. 

And what are you doing when you take someone with whom you disagree on an issue and brand them with a label so you can dismiss them?  When you take your hatred of those who are not giving a blanket approval to the sin you want to force upon society and condemn them as a person? 

By definition, you're being intolerant and you're being a bigot. 

Christians, it's time to stop backing down just because people are throwing false accusations at you when you stand for Jesus' truth.  The world is going to hate you for taking your stand on what God says in the Word.  You're not going to be overly popular.  You're not going to win many elections and you're going to be derided in the media and in social circles.  You'll find people will attack you literally and in some cases your spouse and your children.  A large group of people crying out for "tolerance" have actual hate for Jesus Christ and that hate spills over onto you. 

Resist the temptation to get back at them for their actions.  Show love to them and treat them just like you would any other person.  Don't agree with them when they to push their agenda upon you and don't tell them that you think their behavior is acceptable when asked about it.  If you're in a position where you have to take a stand for your beliefs then take that stand and be prepared for the negative response you're going to receive.  Don't pick the fights...don't run up to friends and condemn their actions all the time.  Let God open the opportunities to share the truth and then take those opportunities.

There are a handful of Christians who are intolerant.  Any time you have a large group of people you'll have a fringe element (like Fred Phelps) who are what those pushing an agenda claim about their opposition.  However, that intolerance in the Christian area is nowhere near as large as those pushing the gay "rights" agenda want people to believe.  It's time for Christians to stand up and speak the truth in love.  It's time to call out the true intolerance and bigotry and stop allowing those pushing a sinful agenda to define the debate and terms.

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I was watching something on television last night and was saddened to see a group of people who don't have the integrity to stand up for their faith.  (Well, there were some who obviously didn't have any faith in something other than themselves but a few claimed to have a faith in Christ.)  I'm always saddened when I see people who are in a position to stand up for the truth of Jesus Christ but instead deny Him to make themselves look good to other human beings.  I'm always amazed at people who seem to think faith in Christ is something you can just turn off when it's not easy for your agenda.  

Do you see how silly that is?  Dismissing Christ when it doesn't benefit YOU?

The whole point of believing in Christ is surrendering your life to Him and to His calling in your life.  When you accept Christ it's something that has to be the focal point of EVERYTHING you do.  When you deny Christ for the sake of making yourself look better to a group of people you are in essence saying that your faith is nothing more than window dressing.  How can you expect someone else to take you seriously when you decide it's witnessing time?  When it's time for you to get a few of your Sunday morning buddies and go about the business of "saving lost souls"?  

"if we endure, we will also reign with him; if we deny him, he also will deny us" - 2 Timothy 2:12 (ESV)

The Bible is not the least bit vague about what will happen if you deny Christ.   Do any of us want Him denying us?  I know that I don't want that!  

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

Denying the Son is more than just saying Jesus isn't the Son of God.  You can deny the Son by not following through on living your life in a manner that is pleasing to Him and following the commands that He has given us.   All Christians deny Jesus every day in the sins that we commit and the times we don't measure up to our calling as a believer.  However, there's a world of difference between doing it because we're human and delibrately choosing to deny Christ.  Deliberately denying Christ isn't something that you can say was an accident or a simple mistake.  You knew going into it that you wouldn't be standing up for your faith and that's a world of difference.

The Word is very clear.  Deny Him and He will deny you.  You cannot turn off your belief in Him and His word before walking into work, into school, into your friends houses or into the voting booth.  You're either a believer in Christ or you're not a believer in Christ.  Which one are you?

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There are few things harder than truly forgiving someone who doesn't deserve to have forgiveness given to them.  You know the people...the ones who show absolutely no repentance for what they've done and honestly don't understand that they were in the wrong to either you, someone you know or someone that you've seen in your life.  It's hard to give forgiveness to that person because we as human beings want so badly to see "JUSTICE!"   We feel that if we give that forgiveness to someone else then they're not going to be held accountable for their actions and that they're going to get away with whatever evil they've wrought on other lives.

Unfortunately as Christians we don't have a choice in the matter.  Well, I guess that's not entirely right.  We DO have a choice in the matter but if we want to grow in Christ and get closer to Him we have only one choice to make and that is to show forgiveness to others for the things they do.

"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 want God to forgive my sins.  I make so many mistakes through the course of my day that if it wasn't for God's grace and mercy and forgiveness I'd be a complete basket case.  If you're honest with yourself you'll admit you'd be in the same boat as me.  Even if we don't intend to do sinful things during our day we'll still end up doing SOMETHING that rises to the level of sin.  Even if it's an unkind word toward the idiot driving 25 in a 55 mile per hour zone on a two lane highway with no passing zones.  There's going to be something you for which you need to be forgiven.

Remember too from that passage that it's not saying God can't forgive you for anything you do.  It's saying that if you refuse to give the forgiveness to others that God is going to return to you the same measure.  That means you have to show the same forgiveness to that ex-wife/ex-husband, corrupt boss, overbearing step-mother/step-father, loud & obnoxious neighbor, etc. that you wish to have given to you.  It's not a fun thing to do but it's the only option that's given to us.

Above and beyond that forgiveness, we're called to bless those who fall into those situations!

"Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them." - Romans 12:14 (ESV)

Persecute has upon it the connotation that it's an active choice of the person causing harm to you but it can be something inadvertent as well.  Anything that causes harm upon you either physically, financially or emotionally can be persecution by the purest term.  Essentially, this is any situation where you are put in a place that you need to forgive another person for their actions.

Realize that just giving them forgiveness can be blessing this person.  I'm not telling you to take someone who's abused you and shows no repentance and run right back into the same situation to have the tar pounded out of you again.  However, if you have someone who's truly repentant and seeking your forgiveness the act of saying "I forgive you" and meaning it can be a blessing beyond measure to that person.  That doesn't mean you have to see, speak or be involved with that person again but it does mean you can bless them one last time.

Try not to think of "blessing" in the terms by which it's defined by many Christians.  Blessing isn't just the major items that make everyone in the world stand up and take notice.  It can be as simple as a ride to the grocery store, a package of Pez on a day you're feeling low or a simple "I forgive you" when you've done something wrong to someone else and the guilt is eating away at your spirit.  Look beyond the big when it comes to blessing and you'll see many ways to follow the instructions of Romans.

Now, it's likely when you read this blog someone came to your mind.  My pastor talked about this issue today in church and said that would happen although to be honest I didn't have anyone pop into my head.  (I don't know what that means.)  If you had someone come up, take the time now to truly forgive them and release them to God.  You'll find that you will feel a lot better about yourself and the stress and anger that's been dominating your emotions will lose their power.

If, by God's will, you're placed in a situation where you can bless that person then take the opportunity to do it.  You'll be surprised how the act of blessing someone who's persecuting you can end up changing you for the better.



P.S.  I want to thank everyone who's sent me notes since my announcement on Friday that I'm engaged.  Amy is a real blessing straight from God and I can't believe He's blessed me with her!

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Some of you may need your steel toed boots today.

Living in Springfield, Missouri, I'm surrounded by a particular denomination that still holds to the doctrine that unless you speak in tongues you are not really a Christian and have not truly received salvation.  There is no Biblical basis for this if you look at the scriptures themselves but that's what man has built in many denominations and their denominational doctrine has been placed ahead of the Word of God in importance.

"But BB," you say, "I've seen the verses they mention and it shows you speak in tongues if you have the Holy Spirit."  Well...no...it really doesn't but it could be spun that way.  However, let me show you the actual verses that is commonly used as the basis for claiming you have to speak in tongues and show you from the actual word of God where they are incorrect in their claims. 

"And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance." - Acts 2:4 (ESV)

"Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of service, but ^the same Lord; and there are varieties of activities, but it is ^the same God who empowers them all in everyone. To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. To one is given through the Spirit the utterance of ^wisdom, and to another the utterance of ^knowledge according to the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, to another ^the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another ^the ability to distinguish between spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, to another  the interpretation of tongues." - 1 Corinthians 12:4-10 (ESV)

"And ^God has appointed in the church first ^apostles, second ^prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then ^gifts of healing, helping, administrating, and various kinds of tongues." -1 Corinthians 12:28 (ESV)

Let's start at the Acts passage.  What was happening at this time?  It was the apostles together on the Day of Pentecost.  The Spirit came down upon them and when the Spirit hit them they began to speak in all kinds of tongues to reach the people who were sitting around them with the Gospel of God in their own languages.   Because of their situation...the wide variety of people who were there that day...it was necessary for God to allow these men to speak in the languages of the people there so the church could essentially be birthed. 

If you look at the entire passage in Acts, not once does it say "and at this point the apostles became true followers of Jesus Christ" or any other kind of statement that says they were not entering the Kingdom of Heaven until that moment.  In fact, just before the Holy Spirit was poured out as tongues of fire upon the apostles, they met to discuss their ministry and to appoint an apostle to replace Judas!  Why would they be discussing their ministry...let alone appointing someone else to do it...if they weren't believers in Christ who were following God and showing the fruits of that devotion? 

If you don't want to accept that, then let's look at 1 Corinthians 12:4-10.  In that passage, the actual word of God says that speaking in tongues is a gift and that Holy Spirit gives a variety of gifts to different believers.  It does not say even once that every believer is given the same gifts by God.  These verses, when quoted like I showed above as done by those who want to say you have to speak in tongues to be saved, takes the verses out of context from the passage surrounding it.  The actual passage is talking about the body of Christ and how all the parts are necessary for the body to function completely and wholly. 

That leads us to the last passage mentioned by those who demand speaking in tongues for salvation.  If you look at the 1 Corinthians 12:28 passage just by itself you can clearly see that God has appointed different people within the church with different gifts.  It doesn't say that God first gave everyone the gift of tongues then appointed pastors, etc.  The case for saying you must speak in tongues is further weakened when you look at the next few verses along with 12:28:

"Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles?  Do all possess gifts of healing? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret?  But ^earnestly desire the higher gifts." - 1 Corinthians 12:29-31 (ESV)

Taken in context and taken together, Paul is showing that not everyone is given the same spiritual gifts but that it's good to desire that you receive all of them.  I don't disagree at all with Paul...I think it's fine to desire that you can speak in tongues to the Lord.  It's a gift, it's Biblical and God can give or take that gift has He wishes to do.  However, it's not a requirement for salvation!  It's not required to show that you were gifted with the Holy Spirit.

Now, as I wrap up, I want to be clear that I'm not saying at all that speaking in tongues is not Biblical.  Clearly it is.  However, it's a gift given by God and it's not a gift that's promised to every person in scripture.  Could it be given to everyone?  Surely it could because God can do whatever He wants to do and He could give that gift to everyone if it serves His purposes for any given time.  However, the fact that He COULD do it doesn't mean He HAS to do it.  I think that's something too many Christians don't understand and as a result cause a lot of unintentional damage to the body of Christ by insisting you must speak in tongues to be truly saved.

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(Begin impression of the late, great Barry White)

This one goes out to all the ladies.... 

(/end impression of the late, great Barry White)

I don't know why when I hear the phrase "this one goes out to all the ladies" I hear the deep, soulful voice of Barry White but it's just something that seems to fit the phrase.  I guess it's one of those jealousy things where I think "man...I'd love to have a voice like that guy!"  It's also something where I think a majority of Barry's songs were about loving a woman as an entire woman and not just looking at the outside package and wanting to do things to that like we hear in most contemporary music.  I think that music, however, is a by-product of our society that has placed such a premium on looks that what really matters becomes secondary.

"^?Do not let your adorning be external—the braiding of hair, the wearing of gold, or the putting on of clothing— but let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God's sight is very precious." - 1 Peter 3:3-4 (ESV)

While I was wrapping up some work around midnight last night I flipped TV channels and "The Devil Wears Prada" was on HBO.  A large part of that movie revolves around people making fashion their God and how looks were so much more important than anything else in the world.  Anne Hathaway's character was given a makeover from an average looking girl into a fashion model in the latest clothing and after that happened she was suddenly on the way to success. 

As I watched a little of the film I was struck by how that mindset is really dominating the world we live in.  Women are bombarded every day with images in magazines or on television of thin women wearing the latest $2,000 dress from some designer with a purse that costs more than my car.  The impression left is that if you don't have all these outside adornments that you will be worthless and somehow less of a woman.  If you're not in on the cutting edge of what's hot then you're not someone who's worth the time or the effort.

It makes me sick.

We need to focus on what God thinks is important and not what the world thinks is important.  Ladies, look at what Peter wrote in the quoted verses.  It's not about your outside adornments, it's not about your hair, it's not about your makeup, it's not about your clothes, it's not about any portions of your anatomy that you have surgically enlarged.  It's about the person inside.  It's about what you believe and how you stand on your convictions.  It's about intelligence.  It's about a gentle spirit that is pleasant to be around and can lift someone else's spirit by just being around them.

Does that mean you'll be going against the "conventional wisdom" (also known as "crud that really doesn't matter but society wants you to think it does")?  Absolutely!  More than likely you'll have to deal with being left out of the top "social circles" and perhaps even endure some ridicule for your stance.  It's not going to be easy to say the opinion of your peers (no matter your age) doesn't matter because it's all about what God wants yet it's your mission to do exactly that. 

And guys...if you kept reading...you have a lot of responsibility here as well.  You need to stop giving praise to women continually just on their appearance.  That means quit drooling over the cheerleaders at football games, quit watching the Victoria's Secret special on TV every year, quit telling your wife/girlfriend/any woman with ears about what you'd want to do to the latest hot young actress and absolutely stop watching, purchasing or downloading any kind of pornography.  When you do any of those things you just reinforce the notion that it's all about the outside package and if a woman's not firm in all the right places she's somehow less of a person. 

Now, that doesn't mean if your wife/girlfriend dresses up in a special manner and takes the time to really have a beautiful outside appearance you don't praise her for it and tell her how much you appreciate it.  Of course we're to show how much we love them and their efforts.  Just don't make it the basis for your relationship...who she is inside is a thousand times sexier than anything she could look like on the outside.  Don't put her in a place where she thinks unless her makeup is right and she's walking around half-naked all the time she's somehow not worthy of your love.

Finally...ladies...if you have a guy who does what I just yelled at them about in the last paragraph and they refuse to turn from that then if you're not married you need to kick them to curb.  If they can't respect you now then they certainly can't respect you in the future after you're married.  If you're already married, pray for them and encourage them to turn from those things.  Yeah, you'll probably get called a nag but deep down he knows you're right.

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If you've never struggled with your weight then perhaps today's blog won't have the impact it would otherwise have on you. 

If you have struggled with your weight then you know that struggle sometimes isn't strong enough a word for the situation.

I was thinking this morning about weight and how hard it can be to lose weight.  I've been on a diet for about sixteen weeks now and I seem to have hit a really hard stall at the 67 pound mark.  It's been about four weeks since I've lost more than a few pounds and no matter how much exercise I do I'm still around that same weight loss level.  It can really get discouraging and frustrating to be doing all the work you need to do along with eating the way you're supposed to eat and yet not lose a single pound.  The temptations come along to be even more strict in the diet or to eat even less or to work out even more which can cause more harm than good to your body.

As I looked into the mirror and still saw a big fat guy looking back at me I had a comforting thought roll around and it even made me laugh at loud.  It took me years to get to the point where I needed to drop all that weight.  It's going to take a lot of time to get down to where I want to be (although I am the lowest I've been since 1988.)  Just like anything that's worth having it's going to be a while before I get to where I want to be and during that time period I'll be in a place where I hold steady for a while.

Our spiritual walk is a lot like that as well.  The Bible makes many references to our walk with Christ as a growing period and those references make clear that we're not going to jump from not knowing God to being the best Christian ever in one night.

"Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, ^from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love." - Ephesians 4:15-16 (ESV)

"Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up to salvation..." - 1 Peter 2:2 (ESV)

I know I've said many times when looking at my children that they "grow up so fast."  Yet, is it really fast?   We may say it's fast because we remember when they were first born and about 1/20th the size they are right now but it can be years until they reach the point we start making the "grow up so fast" statements.  If we're really honest, five years is a long time even if it seems to have gone by in the blink of an eye.  The growth in that time is really in very small increments even though years later we look back and are stunned at the overall growth.

It's important also to have the growth happen in the right way.  If we do not feed our bodies with good, healthy foods we will not grow in the best way.  We won't be as tall or as strong or as smart or as healthy as if we took care of our bodies.  Our spiritual walk is described in the same manner in the Ephesians passage.."when each part is working properly."  The only way for each part to work properly is to take care of it and have it grow from the "good food" of the Word of God.  Only then can we really grow within Him and reach maturity.

I've chatted recently with some believers who are struggling in their walk and feel like they're going nowhere.  They've been talking about what they can do to try and "jump start" their walk with God and get back to the point where they can actually see growth or great results happening.  I want to encourage them...and you if you're feeling that way...to keep going on the path God has provided.  Just like with my weight loss efforts, where I know if I keep up the regimen of exercise and healthy eating I will eventually reach my goal, so too will you reach your goals spiritually if you stay focused on God's will for you.

Realize that this "stall" you're experiencing might just be a time where God wants you to rest and build strength for a challenge that's coming in the future.  You might be in a place where you need to shake some sin out of your life or you need to refocus your efforts in a place that God is leading.  Just because you don't see tremendous results at this moment doesn't mean you're not exactly where God wants you to be and that you're not impacting lives for Him.  Don't allow yourself to get caught up in the numbers game...i.e.  the number of converts for the church, the number at Sunday School, the number of kids in the youth group, the number of people "you've won" for Christ.  It's not about the numbers.  It's about serving God and living as He calls you to live.  Sometimes that means a season of stall.

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I remember a line from Frank Herbert's "Dune" where he wrote:  "Fear is the mind-killer."  I often think of this line because the simple truth it in rings very loudly.  When we are afraid of something we usually have that instinctive "fight or flight" mentality where we stand our ground and attack like a rabid mongoose hopped up on energy drinks or we run like a politician asked to give a direct answer. 

No matter which of the two responses we face, we'll end up reacting rather than thinking about the situation because fear has essentially paralyzed our minds.  We say things we don't realize have been said or we do something that later we look back and really regret & can't repair even with all the effort we can muster.

"The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?" - Psalm 27:1 (ESV)

Is there anything on Earth that we should fear?  NO!  David says it so clearly in Psalm 27 by asking the rhetorical question regarding in whom we should fear.  There is no one on Earth who can supercede God.  Even if someone were to kill you and take away your physical life here on Earth God still wins because you'll be in heaven with Him.

I know it's not an easy thing to face fears of any kind.  I know that I still struggle with an intense fear of heights.  (Well, OK..not heights.  Falling from a large height and splattering on the ground below scares me.)  Is it something I should fear?  No.  However, the verse was talking about more than just physical fears...it applies to fears in a mental way like not being sure where you will find a job or where you will obtain your next meal.  No matter the situation, you need to trust in the Lord.

There's only one person you need to fear. 

"Blessed is the one who fears the Lord always, but whoever hardens his heart will fall into calamity." - Proverbs 28:14 (ESV)

Fear the Lord...and that's not meaning trembling in fear where you can't move or can't do anything rather a healthy respect for His incredible power, love and mercy.  Knowing that He can do anything and that you cannot do anything to make God move, judge or rebuke. 

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Many times in the blog I've written about how we are called to stand firm for the truth of Christ even in the face of people condemning us or calling us every name in the book.  I've made the comparison between social discourse in America to a giant junior high school locker room and I still think it's an apt comparison.  It's to the point that if someone disagrees with you on a particular issue the temptation is very strong just to brand them with an insulting name so you can dismiss the person and just move on.  (A common example is those in the homosexual agenda.  If you disagree with them, you're automatically a homophobe and bigot...by doing this, they can avoid any discussion that exposes the flaws in their arguments.  They're not the only ones who do it but that's one example.)

I've had a few Christians at MySpace and other places where the blog is posted take issue with me on this point.  They say that they're called to live at peace with everyone no matter what and that Jesus did the same thing.  That's only partially correct and I really think any church or teacher who leaves that impression on their congregation is distorting the Word of the Lord.

The Bible's passages on peace are always in groups like this:

"Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord. See to it that no one fails to obtain the grace of God; that no  "root of bitterness" springs up and causes trouble, and by it many become defiled; that no one is sexually immoral or unholy like Esau, who sold his birthright for a single meal." - Hebrews 12: 14-16 (ESV)

If you teach someone only the "strive for peace with everyone" you leave the false impression that Jesus was some milquetoast who came to Earth and brought everyone into a big group hug.  Yes, He showed love and compassion far beyond that which we as regular humans can do.  However, He didn't just sit by and let people continue sinning without so much as a word of disagreement concerning their actions.

L:ook at the passage...it says to make sure that no "root of bitterness" springs up (i.e. issues like gossip that cause division within the church body.)  It says to make sure no one is sexually immoral.  It says to make sure that no one is unholy.  If you're called to do those things there's no way you can be at peace with everyone because the truth of Christ will convict some who are not ready to repent and turn to Him.  If you try to speak to someone about their sexual immorality or their spreading gossip most likely they'll fire back at you with the "who are you to judge?" routine they think will justify themselves.  If you're from a church that teaches the "always live in peace" doctrine alone you'll more than likely stop trying to help your brother or sister in Christ and just sit silently by as they continue their path to destruction.

Silence is over, folks.  Those of us who profess that we are believers in Christ can no longer just sit on the sidelines in silence because we "want to be at peace" with everyone.  Realize the simple truth that it's impossible in a world that's focused on sin and desire to be at peace with everyone if you're standing firm on God's truth.  So stand up, speak up and make a difference!

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