Religion of Convenience

"Even while these people were worshiping the Lord, they were serving their idols. To this day their children and grandchildren continue to do as their ancestors did." - 2 Kings 17:41

When I read that the other morning, I reflected on this current generation (including mine). We might even go to church on Sundays, but we can't leave the house without our "smart" phones. We're going to the beach right after and we've gotta post those pictures on social media of us in our swimsuits, hoisting a can of our favorite beverage, all adorned with our designer sunglasses and perfect teeth. Am I wrong?

Maybe I'm just a little disgruntled after watching the latest Packers game. But I think it's more than that. We are so accustomed to our "privilege" in this country. Think about it.

We like our food, of which we have plenty, but we just don't like having to wait for it. So, we invented the microwave oven. But that wasn't good enough. So, we came up with FAST food. We've liked that for several decades, but our schedules got too busy for even that. So, we paid people to pick up our food order and deliver it to our house. But sometimes we just can't wait even that long. So, we order our meals online and have them delivered to our house. We put them in the freezer and nuke 'em whenever we want. And we wonder why we're so obese. 🤔

Our religion can be like that too. We have the Bible. It contains everything that God wants us, and DOESN'T want us, to do. Yet that's too much to handle for many of us so we start eliminating the things we don't like. That's called "deconstruction." Kind of an ala carte Christianity.

The verse that always come back to is this one from Jesus.

“Why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say?" - Luke 6:46

And here's another.

"You were bought at a price; do not become slaves of human beings." - 1 Corinthians 7:23

Then, of course, we have on-line church services, drive through communion, polka worship music, trunk-or-treat, on and on it goes.

We all love our conveniences, but a time is coming when our "essentials" are going to become more and more scarce. You can see it beginning to happen already with oil, gas and meat. Inflation and war.

"And there was a great famine in Samaria; and indeed, they besieged it until a donkey’s head was sold for eighty shekels of silver, and one-fourth of a kab of dove droppings for five shekels of silver." - 2 Kings 6:25

Let's hope it doesn't get THAT bad, but it could. But let's get back to our once-great country. We have lost track of ourselves and ideals. We have forgotten to pass our knowledge down to our children. Instead, "children" are having their way in this country, and we are worse off for it. In my opinion.

"But I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first." - Revelation 2:4

Ain't THAT the truth. We need to repent and run to Jesus. We don't want to go through what's coming without the Holy Spirit within us. Otherwise . . .

"Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’" - Matthew 7:23

Sinners

Headline: "Sinners tops Easter weekend at US domestic box office."

Seriously? On Easter weekend? Come, Lord Jesus!

The Disc Golf Pro Tour also thought it was appropriate to schedule a tournament, concluding on Easter Sunday. I boycotted watching it. What's going on in our country?

I believe it is because we have forgotten God in our society. God is sinking further and further down the list of important things to do. He has been replaced by entertainment and games.

When does the National Football League hold their games? Sunday. But they're not taking up enough of our schedule with just one day and time. They expanded to Monday Night Football, then Thursday Night, and Sunday Night. And when college football is done, they take Saturday too!

But that's just one greedy company. WE are the consumers. If we weren't "consuming," they wouldn't be providing.

The hidden headline about the Sinners movie is "Christians flock to watch horror movie instead of worshipping God." Thankfully, things are not that extreme. Yet.

"This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it." - Joshua 1:8

God than goes on to tell Joshua that if he meditates on the words of His law, it will go well with him and he will prosper.

"For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success." - Joshua 1:9

We never learn.

Our grandson has his first little league baseball tournament of the season this coming weekend. Sunday. The first two games are scheduled for Sunday morning, during worship time at church. Add in the 45 minute drive each way and the morning is pretty full. Speaking of Joshua . . . 

"And if it is evil in your eyes to serve the LORD, choose this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your fathers served in the region beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.” - Joshua 24:15

The choice is ours. Whom will we worship? Is it OUR schedules, or the Lord's?

Light It Up

This time of year, when I get up, it is still dark outside. Cars drive by on their way to work. Their headlights light up the entire living room as they pass by. But soon it is dark again . . . and all is quiet.

It's the perfect time to pray. So, why don't I? I'm wrapped up in other things - scrolling through Facebook or writing one of these stories. I am missing out on what SHOULD be the best part of my day. What's wrong with me?

The room lights up again. Another car coming down the road? No. It's my phone! Someone sent me a message! How wonderful!!

And that's when I began to wonder, how does God feel when we pray? Does heaven light up when we pray? Does God's HEART light up?

When someone I love sends me a message, I know exactly how I feel. Does God feel the same way when we pray to him?

Of course, I don't have any answers to these questions. But I do know this. God loves us. It says so in His Word. Say it with me . . .

"For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life." - John 3:16

God sacrificed His Son, His ONLY Son, so that we might live. Of course He loves to hear from us!

I received a text message from someone this week. It truly made my heart light up. It was from a dear friend - a youth group kid from 16 years ago. Read it slowly. Does this sound like it's worthy of being a prayer?

"Good morning! I'm missing you a ton! Sorry that I haven't been in contact, it's been, a lot. I think of you often and I'm so grateful to have you in my life."

Gifts from God often come in unexpected ways. They are never what we expect them to be. But they are ALWAYS just what we need. And they are PRICELESS!

That message came from my friend Kortney (speaking of gifts from God). It's now been one month since she received a heart transplant and two new lungs.

Heavenly Father, how I long to see you coming in your glory, riding on the clouds. I love you and miss you so much. I'm sorry I haven't been praying as much as I should. The events in this world are just so distracting to me. There is so much hate in this world. But I do think of you throughout each day - whispered prayers of thanks and praise for all you do. I'm so grateful to have you in my life. My Lord and my Savior. And it is in your merciful name that I pray. Amen.

Martha! Martha!

“Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, 42 but few things are needed - or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.” - Luke 10:41-42

This is a great promise from God and an answer to many questions. First, in verse 42 Jesus tells Martha only one thing is needed in this life - Him!

The second thing He tells Martha is "it will not be taken from her (Mary)." What is the 'it'? Her faith? Jesus? Her salvation? I think it's the latter.

When doubt and insecurity creep into our thoughts we can begin to question everything. One big question that often gets asked is, "Am I truly saved"? Which begs another question, "How do I know if I am truly saved"?

Remember this: Martha knew who Jesus was. But she didn't REALLY know Him.

Let me ask you THIS question. Have you been changed? Do you have a 'before' and an 'after'? When people meet Jesus, they ALL become changed.

'Before I met Jesus' should be part of every testimony we have.

Before I met Jesus, I was very self-centered and self-absorbed. After I met Jesus, I changed. I am more concerned with others than I am with myself.

In the passage above, Martha is concerned with the things of this world. Mary's only concern is with Jesus.

Do we look at our busy lives and only concern ourselves with work, the next party or what's on television? Or is our primary focus on God and doing His will here on earth?

Do you remember that part of The Lord's Prayer where it says, "Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven"?

Well?

Be a 'Mary' in this world, not a 'Martha'. You will be blessed for it, and that blessing, Jesus and your salvation, will never be taken from you. Ever.

Stiff-Necked Children

A child's behavior can be quite telling. They can be easily distracted - blowing bubbles one minute, then chasing butterflies the next. It can be quite frustrating as a parent when you want them to do something and they're just not doing it. It can also become a lifelong problem if we let it be.

A prime example of a disobedient child is Israel, God's chosen people. His children. God actually called them "stiff-necked" because they refused to bow their heads and follow His instructions. That description also fits us pretty well. Nothing has really changed in our disobedient behavior.

There is much to distract us these days. Last night during dinner, for example, my wife asked, "Well, what are we going to watch tonight?" Screen time can become a MAJOR distraction.

If we were to make a list of the different things we do in a given day, what would we discover? For the most part we are all still children really. Instead of butterflies bubbles, we go after bigger things like Pinterest, Facebook and Twitter.

There are so many distractions being offered in today's world it's amazing that God can get any attention at all. Satan is smiling.

Deuteronomy 7, 8 and 9 contain an excellent review of a disobedient and distracted people. Deuteronomy 8 contains a brief lesson as God tells us what awaits for those who become distracted and wander off into the weeds.

"If you ever forget the Lord your God and follow other gods and worship and bow down to them, I testify against you today that you will surely be destroyed." - Deuteronomy 8:19

What are the "gods" that WE worship? Work? Television? Busyness?

Let us not become a stiff-necked people. Let us worship God by living our lives for Him. Read God's Word, learn from it, and apply it to our lives. Don't allow distractions to creep in and take over parts of our lives that are God's. If we do we "will surely be destroyed."

Spiritual Erosion

Water is a powerful thing. Take a trip to the Grand Canyon sometime. The process of creating the canyon is called erosion. Powerful. Spiritual erosion is just as powerful and has the power to destroy our very souls.

Satan loves to take our attention away from God and place it upon himself. Anytime we focus on ourselves and our desires rather than God, our faith is being eroded.

We can start off so excited about God in our faith but then gradually, slowly, Satan distracts us, he erodes our faith. If we are not careful we can become lost.

Look at the various preachers, teachers and priests who have been eroded and strayed and sinned and led whole flocks of God's children to destruction. It's not a pretty thing to watch and such a thing has eternal consequences.

"Do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, yet our inner self is being renewed day by day. 17For our light and momentary affliction is producing for us an eternal glory that is far beyond comparison. 18So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal." - 2 Corinthians 4:16

There are spiritual erosion control methods that we can use which will keep our faith strong. Reading God's Word, spending time in prayer, seeking God during struggles and times of trouble. He has promised never to leave us or forsake us. We must be the ones to lean on that promise and to remember it. Otherwise the erosion has already done its damage.

Roll With It

We've sure had a lot of disruptions in our lives lately, haven't we? Well, here's one more my wife and I are adding to the list. The Cardinal Family.

First we've had the Covid-19 thing, then the murder hornets, now people are rioting everywhere and there's talk about defunding the police. It's a crazy world!

It was made even crazier last month when mama cardinal built a nest right outside our living room window. My wife and I love our backyard birds. But these feathered friends of ours are really cramping our lifestyle.

We can't go outside the front garage service door because the nest is right there, so we go out the back door. That was proving tricky too because Mr. and Mrs. Robin built a nest on our back door light. Thankfully they moved to a bush on the other end of the house, by the dryer vent where everything spells April fresh.

How do we handle all the disruptions that life brings us? I guess we could complain about it. That's what everybody does on Facebook and Twitter. It doesn't seem to accomplish anything except making people mad.

I guess my wife and I could just use the garage door like we always did. Forget about those darned birds! But that would disturb our guests. Remember, we love our birds.

And there you have it. That's our story of disruption, AND society's answer. Did you catch it? It's love!

My wife and I chose to place the bird's needs above our own. We don't really NEED to use that door. We just take the long way around the garage when we go out. We chose to just roll with it. A lot of stuff can be minimized by simply rolling with it rather than complaining about it.

True, there's SOME stuff going on that we just can't "roll with" but no matter the situation, there is always an opportunity to love our neighbor. That is God's first and greatest command!

I kind of think God wants us to roll with most of life's things and turn to Him in prayer for the rest. Let HIM roll with it!

"Out of my distress I called on the Lord; the Lord answered me and set me free. The Lord is on my side; I will not fear. What can man do to me?" - Psalm 118:5-6

"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 has promised to those who love him." - James 1:12

"When the cares of my heart are many, your consolations cheer my soul." - Psalm 94:19

Roll With It - Stevie Winwood

My Delilah

I just got done reading the story of Samson and Delilah. Samson sure was a pitiful character. Kind of a wanty, needy fellow who liked his women and also liked killing Philistines. Everybody has to have a hobby I guess.

He seemed to me to be angry and never satisfied with his life. It was almost as if he was frustrated by it. Do you have times when you feel frustrated with the way things are going? Unsatisfied with the results in life? How do we fix that?

First off, I don't think we should be doing what Samson did. His life was filled with lusts of the flesh and killing. That doesn't seem like what a man, devoted to God since his birth, should be up to.

If we go back through the story I think we can find the problem. I think it was his parents. They weren't strict enough.

"Samson went down to Timnah and saw there a young Philistine woman. 2 When he returned, he said to his father and mother, “I have seen a Philistine woman in Timnah; now get her for me as my wife.”
3 His father and mother replied, “Isn’t there an acceptable woman among your relatives or among all our people? Must you go to the uncircumcised Philistines to get a wife?”

But Samson said to his father, “Get her for me. She’s the right one for me.” - Judges 14:1-3

Pretty demanding for someone devoted to the Lord. He is supposed to honor his father and mother yet he defied their wishes and disobeyed God's command not to marry outside his people. But then we read this . . .

"4 (His parents did not know that this was from the Lord, who was seeking an occasion to confront the Philistines; for at that time they were ruling over Israel.)" - Judges 14:4

God wanted Samson to do this? Confusing. Another question to ask when I get to heaven.

Later on in Samson's life he meets Delilah. Same song, different verse. Samson fell in love with someone who betrayed him. And that made me stop and reflect. Do I have a Delilah in my life?

It doesn't necessarily have to be a person. Is there something I love doing that distracts me from God's will for my life? What if it's eating things I shouldn't. I am a Type II diabetic. I shouldn't eat sweets, yet I do. We all struggle with things like that. They're called vices or addictions.

It could be gluttony, drinking, drugs, video games, sex, idolatry . . . there's all kinds of things distract us from God, yet we do them. Is that why we get frustrated? Frustrated like Samson did?

Since Adam and Eve Satan has been trying to keep us away from God. We ALL have something that does that for us. What is it in YOUR life? What is YOUR Delilah?

Delilah - Tom Jones

The Dangling Carrot

Do you find it difficult to concentrate when something exciting is coming your way? I sure do. Maybe it's a vacation you're looking forward to. For me it might be retirement. Maybe for you it's wanting your spouse to be something they're not. What should we do? The carrot is right there!

That person or thing is dangling out there in front of us and we can't wait to get to it. Distractions and temptations come at us every day. Television advertising, a restaurant menu, a shopping trip. "Dangling carrots" are everywhere.

Do YOU have a carrot in your life? What is it? I've seen people whose "carrot" is money. They never have enough. They never get the carrot. For some people it's fame. Fame is fleeting. No carrot their either.

Here's a question. Who do you think is holding that string?

The carrot, dangling at the end of a stick, is often used to entice a stubborn mule to do something it really doesn't want to do. In our case, perhaps it's an adulterous relationship. "She's nicer and more beautiful than our current spouse." Or maybe it's alcohol. "Just one more drink to deaden the pain."

It never works. In the end, it is never as fulfilling as doing what is right. Satan loves to distract us and tempt us to do something we shouldn't be doing by offering us something we really want.

"Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. ² And when He had fasted forty days and forty nights, afterward He was hungry. ³ Now when the tempter came to Him, he said, “If You are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread.”
 
⁴ But He answered and said, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.’” - Matthew 4:1-4

Jesus refused to stray from His obedience to God, even though He was really hungry and wanted to eat bread. Then why should we allow ourselves to stray? To be tempted by something we want that will lead us someplace we really shouldn't be going? Because we are really selfish and we REALLY want that carrot.

"9 Those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction." - 1 Timothy 6:9

"25 Do not let your heart turn to her ways or stray into her paths. 26 Many are the victims she has brought down; her slain are a mighty throng." - Proverbs 7:25-26

Let us not be distracted by the things we "want" in life. May we follow the only thing we need - Jesus Christ, our Lord.


Temptation Eyes - Grass Roots

Do The Work

Sometimes things don't go exactly like we think they will. Something unexpected comes up, new obstacles appear in our way. Seemingly overnight, relationships can change right before our eyes. Sometimes our lives get filled with so many distractions that we lose focus on the very thing we were trying to get accomplished in the first place.

A lot of behind the scenes stuff has been happening with my Tiny Home. Ordering materials, paperwork, forming an L.L.C., should we become a non-profit organization? Lots of questions. Answers are slow in coming.

After one frustrating day at work and then, coming home, and not being able to work on the Tiny House . .  again . . . I was getting frustrated. When I get frustrated, which isn't very often, I usually pick up my Bible and I read. Once again, God removed my frustrations as He spoke to me though His Word. Wow!

I was reading in 1st Chronicles. Not the most exciting book in the Bible. But this is what I read - David speaking to his son Solomon. Was God speaking to me as well this week when I read these words? I say YES!

^"9 “And you, my son Solomon, acknowledge the God of your father, and serve him with wholehearted devotion and with a willing mind, for the Lord searches every heart and understands every desire and every thought. If you seek him, he will be found by you; but if you forsake him, he will reject you forever. ¹⁰ Consider now, for the Lord has chosen you to build a house as the sanctuary. Be strong and do the work.” - 1 Chronicles 28:9-10

I am building a home. A Tiny House. It is going to be used as "a sanctuary" for displaced teens, homeless, and people who just need a place to stay.

"Be strong and do the work." I think God wants me to forget all the extraneous stuff and just focus on building the house. He'll take care of the rest.

Yesterday was Good Friday - the day we remember Jesus' sacrifice on the cross. Jesus did what HIS Father told Him. Jesus completed the work. And when He was done, hanging there on the cross, He said THIS to His Father.

^"30 When he had received the drink, Jesus said, “It is finished.” With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit." - John 19:30

Jesus obeyed His Father. He finished the work His Father had given Him to do. Can we say the same thing? Have we completed the work that God wanted us to do?

When I get to the end of my life I want to have completed what God wanted me to do here. If God wants me to build a house for Him to use, I'm going to build Him a house. I want to be able to say, "It is finished" just like Jesus did after He finished the job His Father had for HIM.

May each of us be able to say . . .

"Tetelestai!"

It is finished.
 
It Is Finished - An Animation feat. song by Caitelen Schneeberger

Busyness

This week work was been really busy. I was working on three projects all at once and guess what? They all had the same deadline. Yesterday. Isn't that wonderful? Needless to say, my Friday was rather full. Too full.

Don't get be wrong. Having work to do is a blessing. Having a job is a blessing. However, having three projects with the same deadline is . . . insane.

The problem with having too many things to do is that other things tend to take a back seat. Important things like family,  spouses . . . and God. Those who chose to sacrifice the important things I just mentioned in favor of work, I feel, are making a mistake. THEY are the insane ones.

I noticed a few things about myself this week during my work-a-thon. I came home depressed on a few nights. Anxious. I imagined what it might be like to have a heart attack. I didn't really want to find out. My stomach was been feeling out of sorts. In addition to these physical symptoms, I was also neglecting friends at work, my wife at home, and, most importantly, my time with God.

Wednesday night I spent time talking with a young friend from my youth group days. She has a 18-month old little girl who keeps her mommy and daddy very busy. As I listened to my friend tell me about her day I wondered, "I thought I was busy! How can this young mom find any time for God with all the things she is doing?" I should have taken my words as advice to myself this week. I'm such a Martha. Or maybe it should be Marty for us guys. Read this story about what it means to be a Martha in the Bible.

"38 Now as they went on their way, Jesus entered a village. And a woman named Martha welcomed him into her house. 39 And she had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord's feet and listened to his teaching. 40 But Martha was distracted with much serving. And she went up to him and said, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me.” 41 But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, 42 but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.” - Luke 10: 38-42

Jesus was "the good portion" in Mary's life. Service was the not so good portion in Martha's. May we never place our God in the back seat for anything.

During my prayers this week I spoke about my deciding to not working overtime, even though it was offered to me. I put my foot down at work and decided the lure of extra money wasn't worth the cost. It wasn't some statement coming from an old man thinking about retirement. It was from a follower of Jesus not wanting to diminish the importance of his King.

This life is short enough. It can be made even shorter by ignoring the important things in life. Our jobs are temporary. Our life with Jesus is eternal. Where do you think we should place OUR emphasis?

We are told in Colossians 3:23 to "work hard at our jobs, as if working for the Lord," but nowhere does it say that we should place our jobs above God or give more importance to them than we should. In fact, the Bible speaks against it.

²⁴ “No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon." - Matthew 6:24

Finally, I was reminded of a song as I wrote this. Here's a line from the chorus.

"It seems such a waste of time. If that's what it's all about. Mama if that's movin' up then I'm movin' out. I'm movin' out."

Moving Out - Billy Joel

Teenage Wasteland

I noticed something about us humans this Christmas. It was something that the people in the picture might have missed; glued to their phones as they are. The gift of TRUE relationships.

My wife and I sat down with some life-long friends yesterday. A couple from our parent's generation. What a wonderful visit!

We shared stories from each other's lives. We ate cookies, we laughed, we ate more cookies. It is so good sharing life together with people we love.

Maybe I am overly sensitive but I fear for this current generation, growing up in a technology-filled world which embraces electronic relationships instead of real" ones. People are becoming attached to their phones the way we older generations are attached to human relationships. But we weren't perfect either.

In the late 60's there was this really big rock concert called Woodstock. It was pretty big as concerts go - 400,000 people attended. There were probably just about as many people on drugs and alcohol as there were attendees! Many people tried altering who they were through chemicals and other means to become someone they weren't. That was MY generation. We were just as bad as this current generation. As ALL generations.

The rock group The Who wrote a song about Woodstock and all of the drug use they saw there. It was called Baba O'Rielly. I wonder if wasn't written about ALL generations? Whether we stare into our phones like zombies, waiting for the apocalypse, or alter our minds through drugs and alcohol, we are pretty pitiful examples of perfect relationships. Where are the "other-centered" relationships that Jesus speaks of - those that create life-long bonds? And what about our relationship with Christ Himself?

Relationships are not forged by electronic means. They are nurtured and grown through the application of love. And not from a distance either, but face to face. Love comes from the heart, not through the eyes. Let us love one another and Jesus first loved us. Then we will see REAL relationships based in truth and light. Those relationships lead only to joy and last an eternity.

^"24 And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, ²⁵ not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near." - Hebrews 10:24-25


Baba O'Riley - The Who

Focus

Trying to write a story for my blog during a Packer game is not the easiest thing to do, nor the smartest. It seems like just as I get an idea or a thought about what to write I get distracted, lose my focus, and end up watching the game.

If I were sitting here all by myself, the decision about what to do would be easy. I'd turn off the television and focus on the task at hand - writing. But I am sitting here with my wife - the Packer fan in the house. She is also a God-honoring recipient of my attention. What to do? That's easy. I spend time with my wife. And I type when I can. I'll be back later . . .

Jeopardy Theme

There, the game is over. My wife is ironing. We have eaten dinner. The Packers are 6-0. Life is good. Now what was I writing about? Oh, yeah . . . . staying focused. Oops.

This world we live in has so many things that distract us from God. I personally cannot go through a single day without something distracting me from reading my Bible . . . which I haven't done for two whole days now! Yard work, taking walks with my wife, those are a few GOOD distractions but there are other things that distract us more sinful ways. Television, movies, shopping, reading (books other than the bible). I struggle devoting enough time to God in my daily life and that bothers me. God should be my number one priority and so often God gets brushed aside in our lives. It should NOT be that way. It CANNOT be that way.

It is so hard to get this world we live in out of our lives. We are saturated by it. It is everywhere. It sticks to us as we walk through it and we simply cannot get rid of it.

Whoa. That's not exactly right. We CAN get rid of it, at least the power it has over us. We cannot get rid of it on our own but Jesus can help us loosen the chains by freeing us from sin. Thank God for Jesus!!!

If we think of who were are, who we were before placing our faith in Christ, there is really no need for despair. We have been chosen, hand-picked by God, to be one of His children. Yeah, we're misfits, broken, failures at being perfect. But guess what . . . :)

There is power in the name of Jesus. He heals the sick, He raises the dead, He can make the blind see and the lame walk. There is no other name by which we are saved! So rejoice!! Place your hope in Jesus. Keep your focus on the finish line and not on the crowd. Finish the race!

"When Jesus had finished instructing his twelve disciples, he went on from there to teach and preach in their cities.

2 Now when John heard in prison about the deeds of the Christ, he sent word by his disciples 3 and said to him, “Are you the one who is to come, or shall we look for another?” 4 And Jesus answered them, “Go and tell John what you hear and see: 5 the blind receive their sight and the lame walk, lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear, and the dead are raised up, and the poor have good news preached to them. 6 And blessed is the one who is not offended by me.” - Matthew 11:1-6

Name Of Jesus - Chris Tomlin

Fanatical Fanatics!

Duke beat the Wisconsin Badgers Monday night in the NCAA Basketball National Championship game. The Facebook posts prior to the game were varied. People were nervous, excited, confident, doubtful and enthusiastic. All the typical emotions of a fanatic - a fan.

I only watched a few minutes of the game. I had a Bible study scheduled for that night so I went to that. Nobody else showed up. It was pretty much me and the waitress at the restaurant. I gave her a $5 tip for my glass of water and left. No sense everybody's night being a total loss.

Well, it wasn't a TOTAL loss. I did go home and read two chapters in The Book of John. I was reading the account of the betrayal and death of Jesus and began to think about all the things Jesus gave up for me. For us.

He gave up His life . . . obviously. But that's not exactly true. He is alive today! Come to think of it, Jesus didn't really give up anything at all. He actually has everything He could have dreamed of. Hmm. I wonder. Does Jesus dream? If so, what does He dream about? But I'm off on a tangent.

God didn't really lose anything either. We are fond of saying that "God gave His only Son" but God's One and only Son is currently sitting right by His side. God didn't give up anything either.

For the Badger basketball team and their fans the night WAS a total loss. Some people spent thousands of dollars to travel to Indianapolis, rent hotel rooms, pay for dinner, tickets, taxi fares, tips. All to see their team lose. Of course, they might have won! But they didn't. Thousands of dollars lost, time lost for absolutely nothing. But that's past of the cost of being a fan.

After the game many Badger fans posted congratulatory messages for their Badgers. "Thanks for the season Badgers." "We'll get 'em next year." "Thanks Bucky!"

Always thinking about those Badgers (or whatever teams name you want to use). Which brings me to the point of this blog post.

I wonder . . . with all of the basketball games being played in March and now baseball starting up, how much time does the average sports fan have for Jesus?

Do you remember what Jesus said was the greatest commandment? Here's hint.

"36 “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?”

37 Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ 40 All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” - Matthew 22:36-40

I struggle with that command. It's not that I don't want to obey it. I can't!

Let's talk about the word "ALL" for a moment. All . . .  that kind of means everything, doesn't it? How many minutes are there in an hour? ALL the minutes. Every one. Well, there's 60 minutes in an hour.

How many minutes in a basket ball game? 40 minutes. That's the whole game. That's ALL of it.

We have no trouble thinking about basketball for 40 minutes but most of us can't think about God for 4 minutes, let alone 40 minutes.

Do we love God with ALL our hearts? Or do we save some of our hearts for the Badgers? See what I mean? God wants all of us and we refuse to let him have us. That's a problem.

So, how do we let God have all of us? We could start by getting rid of the extra stuff.

I probably spend too much time on the computer. I work on a computer at work drawings architectural plans. I also  write this blog on a computer. If I wanted to think about God all the time I would have to give up my job. Is that what God wants?

The question actually is do we LOVE God with all we have? My answer, sadly, is no. Do I love God more than I love my best friend? More than I love my wife? My kids? Myself? The answer MUST be yes!

Thank about that for a moment. Do you love God more than anything? Is YOUR answer yes? I want my answer to be yes, yet I still fail at living that out. It's probably the same for you. So what do we do? We stand back up and try again tomorrow. Our highest goal must be to please our God and when He wants us to give him our EVERYTHING, our ALL, We MUST be fanatical about doing that.

You Are My All In All - Hillsong Kids

Shipwrecked

When I was growing up, one of my most favorite movies was Swiss Family Robinson. There were so many things in that movie that young boys and girls could find entertaining. Adventure, romance, pirates, animals. It was a amazing movie. And it was rated G!!! But the coolest thing in the movie, by far, at least for me, was their tree house!

That house was the most amazing thing I had ever seen (at age 8). There was nothing I wanted more than to have a tree house exactly like the one in the movie. They had all the comforts of home, albeit extremely simplified. They were living in paradise. And in the end (spoiler alert) the mom and the dad decided to stay on the island, even though rescuers offered them a ride back to civilization. They had found their version of heaven, right here on earth. It was a wonderful family movie.

But if one remembers back to the beginning of the movie, things did not start out so well. There was an incredible storm and their entire family was shipwrecked on that remote, tropical island. But in the end their entire family weathered the storm, made it to the island, and lived happily ever after.

If you have your Bibles handy I'd like you to turn to the next to the last chapter in the Book of Acts (27). You can go here to read it. Verses 13-44.

The Apostle Paul was a prisoner of the Roman Empire. He was being transported to Rome on a ship. Their journey started off well with "a gentle south wind." But then things changed and the "gentle wind" turned into a massive hurricane. Things got worse in a hurry. Not good.

They had a lifeboat but couldn't make it secure (v16). They tied ropes around the ship to keep it from falling apart (v 17). They began to throw cargo overboard (v18). On the THIRD DAY (interesting) they threw more stuff overboard in an effort to save themselves (v19). They didn't see the sun or the stars for several days. All these things occurred to the point where they gave up any hope of being saved (v20).

Then something happened. Paul stood up and spoke.

"Men, you should have taken my advice . . . I urge you to keep up your courage." (v21)

"So keep up your courage man, for I have faith in God (v25). What amazing advice!

When we undergo a trial or are facing hardship, we must turn to God in our time of need. When everything is falling apart around us we could try to fix things ourselves. We could throw everything overboard . . . like our relationships. We could turn to other means of trying to fix things ourselves via drugs or alcohol or . . . you name it. But our rescue from what ever circumstance we find ourselves in is NOT FROM OURSELVES. It is from God.

The words of Paul and words that might as well have been spoken by God into our lives. "You should have listened to Me." Have we turned to God with our latest struggle? With our biggest problems? We need to listen to Jesus speaking into our lives through the Holy Scriptures. We need to find comfort in the Words spoken by God through the prophets. We need to heed the advice of the angels. Every time they were about to speak they always began their oratory with tremendous words of advice. "Fear not."

It may be hard to follow that command from the deck of a ship in trouble or from a hospital bed with a bunch of tubes stuck in you. But we have been commanded not to fear. And truly, through Christ, how can we EVER really be afraid.

When we are facing a "shipwreck" in our lives we need to listen to God's Word. He does not wish that ANYONE should perish but that we would have eternal life through Jesus. If we give HIM control over the "ship" that is our lives, we can weather even the mightiest of storm . . .

"When daylight came, they did not recognize the land, but they saw a bay with a sandy beach" (v39).

Paradise.

Swiss Family Robinson Tree house tour

Interupted

The other night I was lying, face down, on the living room floor . . . trying to think. My wife was watching one of her TV shows. I don't really remember which one. It doesn't matter. The point was, I couldn't concentrate on what I was doing with the television on.

Lowering my head onto my Bible, I said a prayer - a prayer interrupted by the voices filling the room - the voices coming from . . . the television.

Did you ever sit down and analyze the things this world throws at us? Whether it is through the television shows the networks feed us or through the movies that Hollywood offers, we are inundated with worldly, mind-numbing drivel. Can you tell I have an opinion?

I love my Bible dearly. I take it with me everywhere I go. After particularly moving times within it's 66 books, I have been known to kiss its cover upon completion of my reading. I treasure time spent exploring and discovering the hidden secrets, the foreshadowing of things to come, and the promises of a God who loves us enough to send His Son to die for OUR sins.

It's pretty easy to figure out what's happening here as we find ourselves slowly being entertained . . . to death.

The following lyrics are from a little-known song by Roger Waters (formerly of Pink Floyd). It perfectly describes where we are headed as a society if we continue devoting our time to ourselves - the television watchers and the movie goers. We will soon be amusing ourselves to death.

We watched the tragedy unfold
We did as we were told
We bought and sold
It was the greatest show on earth
But then it was over
We ooh-ed and ahh-ed
We drove our racing cars
We ate our last few jars of caviar
And somewhere out there in the stars
A keen-eyed look-out
Spied a flickering light
Our last hurrah
And when they found our shadows
Grouped around the TV sets
They ran down every lead
They repeated every test
They checked out all the data on their lists
And then the alien anthropologists
Admitted they were still perplexed
But on eliminating every other reason
For our sad demise
They logged the only explanation left
This species has amused itself to death
No tears to cry no feelings left
This species has amused itself to death

Satan is VERY good at what he does. He gives us everything we want, right when we want it. We hardly even notice the little breaches in the walls surrounding our souls. Slowly he picks away at us.

"Work a little later tonight."

"Oh, no one showed up for your Bible study? Too bad. You must be failing. You fail at a lot of things, don't you."

We've all heard the voices of doubt in our heads. We let those thoughts enter into our minds because we are a forgetful people. We tend to forget about how we have been given the power to resist such things. We were bought with a price, yet we forget about our intercessor, the one who paid our price to begin with.

My wife often says to me, as I am picking up my Bible and walking out of the TV zone . . .

"You're leaving me!"

It's not like I'm "leaving my wife." It hurts me a little every time she says that. But there is someone I love more than her. I must find time to invest in that relationship as well. I MUST find time in my daily schedule for God. I must find some time for my King. The one who stands in the gap for me.

"8 Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. 9 Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings. 10 And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. 11 To him be the power for ever and ever. Amen." - 1 Peter 5:8-11

Please watch this video by Pastor Eric Ludy of the Elerslie Bible Institute, Windsor, CO. See if Eric doesn't get us fired up for Jesus. :)

Intercession by Pastor Eric Ludy