So a slightly different variety of post today, although not quite sure that I have a normal variety to begin with.
"My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me."~2 Cor.12:9
Weakness. We tend to have so much trouble admitting that we have any - even with ourselves.
Allow me to introduce myself...
My given name is Troy...and I do have weaknesses.
I have not always been a Christian, since no one is born saved. Even if you are brought up a in a Christian home, you still need to make that choice on your own - you cannot inherit salvation.
Since I have not always been saved, and the fact that I was well into my life on this globe when I did get saved, I have lived a life before knowing Christ. So I share a few tidbits about that life from before.
I know what it feels like to be addicted. To have a substance control me rather than me controlling it. To feel helpless against it even if I tried to fight it with all I had. To lose that battle again and again.
I know what it is to be in trouble for trying to be something I am not. To suffer the consequences, whatever those may be, for my actions as I attempted to fit in where, really, I never belonged.
I know what it feels like to be cruel. To use and hurt people for my own benefit, whether that was done intentionally or not doesn't matter - although it has been done both ways.
I know what it is like to not believe there is a God - at least the God of the bible that is. I know what it is like to actively worship other gods, things, and yes, even the enemy. I know what it is like to try and argue a believer OUT of their faith.
I know and have known fear, doubt, selfish ambitions, pride, jealousy, envy and pretty much anything else you can think of to add to that list.
I know these things because I have lived them - because I have been to those places - have dwelt within the darkness of the void and saw no way out.
I would so love at this point to tell you how that was then and this is now. But I will not lie in here, as I have said before.
While indeed, much is gone, much of the old remains. I do still have fears. There are times in which I do not trust God anywhere near as much as I should. There are times in which I sit in judgement of another, even though I have learned, that many times what I see in another is recognized easily because it is with me as well. There are times in which my own ambitions and plans for whatever are focussed upon primarily when it should be God's which are.
I am so very, very far from perfect.
I still make far more mistakes than I would like to.
Yes, I - Troy - have weaknesses. Oodles upon oodles actually.
That said, if there is any truth in the pages of this blog; if there is any knowledge or wisdom of any kind that you may find written within these pages - rest assured, it does not come from me. All that I have, all the knowledge I have ever learned or whatever false wisdom this life has led me to believe I ever had...is worthless. Any that may come onto these pages or from my lips is from God and for His glory alone - so praise God (never me).
I may not know all (most) of the answers, but I do know where to find them - that is, who has them.
There is so much more I would love to share with you. But I will leave you with this final tidbit: if you find yourself in the void; if you do not know where to go or how to find the way out; if you seek answers or guidance or direction - I know where to go for I have been there.
"Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you." ~ Matthew 7:7
Turn to God. Turn to the One whom He sent - Jesus. Ask. Seek. Find.
What do you have to lose? Nothing you want to keep. What do you have to gain? Everything.
To God Almighty and Christ Jesus go all the praise and glory.
Amen. Amen.
Wednesday, August 10, 2011
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
Don't forget your change
Your change sir?
"Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows."~James 1:17
I once heard it said that the biggest obstacle to what God is doing today, are those who were on fire for what He was doing yesterday. I dare say that there is, indeed, a measure of wisdom in that statement.
God does NOT change. He will always be there for us - never leaving us all alone in this world. He will always love us, no matter what we do - whether we perceive it as good or bad.
“Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.”~Hebrews 13:5
And again:
"...no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand."~John 10:28,29
God is God. He is not double-minded or fickle like we human beings tend to be far to often.
He is the same holy, righteous, loving God He has always been and always will be.
But that is God Himself. What He is doing on the other hand - His plan for all of creation of which we are a part of - that is in constant forward motion.
Take you own life for example: have you changed since the day you came to actually know Jesus as Lord and Savior? Even if it happened yesterday that answer will be yes I am willing to wager.
In my own life, there have been many changes over time. Changes within myself that I did not even realize that God had made. Changes to how I think and feel, act and react. There have been changes in what areas He has chosen to use me in. Some of those have taken me completely off guard, I may add. Sounds all good so far, right? But sometimes, while change does feel and look good, sometimes it is hardly a pleasant experience in the midst of it. And let's be honest with ourselves for a moment or two, we tend not to be the fondest of change - we do tend to be "creatures of habit", as it were.
For my own life, there have been some pretty big changes since this time last year. People whom I was quite close to are no longer near as close to me in my life. Where I was physically has changed. Ministry and service that I was involved in has changed. The future I thought I could see is now a far different view.
I would just love to tell you that all of those changes went smoothly and easily, but I do not tend to lie on here so not about to start now. Some were hard. Some painful. Some terrifying. Hardly easy. I do know that most were things that God had showed me were to change, but I was stubborn - comfortable where I was at. He did tell me and give me numerous chances to move on my own - although honestly, He knew I was not about to the same as I knew it. So He pushed the issue and events unfolded as they had to in order for Him to get me where He needed me to be. There have been changes made. Some pretty big ones but in looking back at where I was to where I am now, I am thankful that He cared enough about me to give me the solid kick I needed.
Does this all mean that the next time I feel led to change that I am going to jump at the chance? Maybe, maybe not. It would be nice to think I would but I know myself well enough to know I am stubborn by times (remember, may be saved but am still human). But I do know that change happens. It has to happen. But there is good news:
".. we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him.."~Romans 8:28
Do not be afraid of change. It is going to happen. It will happen in your own life, in your walk with God, in your "church", in you as a person - well, everywhere really.
"If God is for us, who can be against us?"~Romans 8:31
Thankfully - even if not until hindsight - changes happen, and even more thankfully, God does not change.
So if you find yourself in the midst of change or seeing it as it approaches on the horizon, take heart. Do not be afraid. Trust God. He is with you and He will see you through to the other side, safe and sound.
"Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows."~James 1:17
I once heard it said that the biggest obstacle to what God is doing today, are those who were on fire for what He was doing yesterday. I dare say that there is, indeed, a measure of wisdom in that statement.
God does NOT change. He will always be there for us - never leaving us all alone in this world. He will always love us, no matter what we do - whether we perceive it as good or bad.
“Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.”~Hebrews 13:5
And again:
"...no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand."~John 10:28,29
God is God. He is not double-minded or fickle like we human beings tend to be far to often.
He is the same holy, righteous, loving God He has always been and always will be.
But that is God Himself. What He is doing on the other hand - His plan for all of creation of which we are a part of - that is in constant forward motion.
Take you own life for example: have you changed since the day you came to actually know Jesus as Lord and Savior? Even if it happened yesterday that answer will be yes I am willing to wager.
In my own life, there have been many changes over time. Changes within myself that I did not even realize that God had made. Changes to how I think and feel, act and react. There have been changes in what areas He has chosen to use me in. Some of those have taken me completely off guard, I may add. Sounds all good so far, right? But sometimes, while change does feel and look good, sometimes it is hardly a pleasant experience in the midst of it. And let's be honest with ourselves for a moment or two, we tend not to be the fondest of change - we do tend to be "creatures of habit", as it were.
For my own life, there have been some pretty big changes since this time last year. People whom I was quite close to are no longer near as close to me in my life. Where I was physically has changed. Ministry and service that I was involved in has changed. The future I thought I could see is now a far different view.
I would just love to tell you that all of those changes went smoothly and easily, but I do not tend to lie on here so not about to start now. Some were hard. Some painful. Some terrifying. Hardly easy. I do know that most were things that God had showed me were to change, but I was stubborn - comfortable where I was at. He did tell me and give me numerous chances to move on my own - although honestly, He knew I was not about to the same as I knew it. So He pushed the issue and events unfolded as they had to in order for Him to get me where He needed me to be. There have been changes made. Some pretty big ones but in looking back at where I was to where I am now, I am thankful that He cared enough about me to give me the solid kick I needed.
Does this all mean that the next time I feel led to change that I am going to jump at the chance? Maybe, maybe not. It would be nice to think I would but I know myself well enough to know I am stubborn by times (remember, may be saved but am still human). But I do know that change happens. It has to happen. But there is good news:
".. we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him.."~Romans 8:28
Do not be afraid of change. It is going to happen. It will happen in your own life, in your walk with God, in your "church", in you as a person - well, everywhere really.
"If God is for us, who can be against us?"~Romans 8:31
Thankfully - even if not until hindsight - changes happen, and even more thankfully, God does not change.
So if you find yourself in the midst of change or seeing it as it approaches on the horizon, take heart. Do not be afraid. Trust God. He is with you and He will see you through to the other side, safe and sound.
Tuesday, July 5, 2011
Moose Meese?
One goose, two geese
One Moose, two meese?
No - two moose
One mouse, two mice
One house, two hice?
Two houses
Sometimes the english language just does not seem to make a ton of sense. Like I remember learning to read and thinking that knife must have been something other than, well, a knife since obviously what I knew to be a knife must start with an N not a silent K. I have little doubt that you can come up with oodles of your own beyond that or the two at the top of the page.
Although, seeing as one of the gifts that God has seen fit to give me is with regards to the written word, those words can become quite important - in particular, their meanings.
More than once He has led me to explore the meaning of a particular word. As a rule, this has been a word that I have used many times but maybe just never fully, really understood. I do have to admit that I have found these little explorations helpful. That said, am going to share a couple with you. Perhaps you may find them helpful as well.
We, as believers, tend to use a number of words with regards to our faith. I have heard the phrase "talking Christianese" more than once, and really, it fits. But do we "really" know what we are saying when we use them. Just because we can use them in the proper context does not mean we actually know what they mean or can explain them without using the word itself. Personally, I find examples or analogies to be helpful in understanding things (which, if you have been following this for any length of time, should come as no surprise to you). So without further delay...
Grace and Mercy.
You can have grace without mercy but you cannot have mercy without grace. Grace is a necessary part of mercy. I know many use those terms almost synonymous with each but they are different.
I am walking through the park and I have a bag of yummy, home made chocolate chip cookies with me. I see you sitting at a bench, minding your own business. I walk over and give you a cookie.
That is grace. You did nothing to earn it. I gave it to you "just because" I could do so. "Just because" is not a bad way to think of grace really. God offers us salvation "just because" He can do so - nothing to do with anything we do - grace not works, right.
Same scenario as above - basically. Difference being, I have seen you throughout the week/day and you have done everything you could think of to tick me off or get under my skin. You hardly deserve a cookie. More like you deserve to watch me eat the whole bag alone or share with your friends and not you. Instead, though, I give you a cookie.
Mercy - contains grace but takes it a step further again. Not only did you not earn it but you actually deserve something else - something not so pleasant as a rule.
God's mercies are new for us each day. We hardly deserve the good we get, but we do still get it "just because" He can give it to us.
I know that may seem overly simple but really, sometimes we make things more complicated than they need to be.
Now three more:
Love, Hate and Forgive.
Simplest way to define love is with the word "selflessness" - thinking of what another wants/needs above and beyond what you want or need - basically forgetting the word "I" in your vocabulary. I know I have heard it referred to as an emotion, but that is not completely correct.
It is 2am. You need to get up for work at 6am. Your new born child in the other room has just woken up, screaming at the top of their lungs. You NEED your sleep. Do you roll over, cover your head with a pillow, turn of the baby monitor and ignore them? Probably not. You get up, pick them up, try everything you can think of before you end up just holding them and walking around until 3:30am when they finally fall back to sleep.
That is love. You may need and want your sleep, but you put what your child needs over your own. Jesus was the sanest person, by far, who ever walked this earth. You think He wanted to get betrayed, mocked, tortured then executed in the most painful way possible in His day? Not bloody likely. But we NEEDED Him to pay that price for us, since we could not do so ourselves. Our NEED came first. Love.
What of the emotional thought though? Something to consider: you cannot have two different emotions at the same, exact time. Sure you can switch back and forth pretty quickly, but you cannot feel happy and angry and the exact same time.
Little Timmy has been a total pain today. From the time he awoke he has been trying to find new ways to drive you out of your mind - and he has been pretty successful. He shaved an inverse mohawk into his sisters head. Painted the cat with nail polish before letting them run wild all over the new living room set. Pretty much everything imaginable and it is only 11am. You lose it. You lose your temper (not viciously or anything of the like) and yell at him to go to his room. You are angry with him at the moment. If love is an emotion, and you cannot have two at once, then does that mean when you got angry with Timmy that you no longer loved him at that time? Nonsense. Of course you still love him. the fact that you love him is part of the reason you got angry - part of why you sent him to his room - he needs to to settle down.
God has gotten angry a time or two with us. He was angry with Israel in the OT more than once. Jesus was angry when He cleared out the temple courts when people had set up, basically, a mini-mall there. If love were merely an emotion, then at those times God did not love us - which is not possible considering who He is.
Hate. By definition, hate is to be actively opposed to someone or something.
In the tv show "The Simpsons", there is one episode in which Homers' next door neighbor Ned opens up "The Leftorium" - a shop that carries left handed versions of common right handed items. Good idea. Ned puts everything he has into the store, but things are not going well. No one comes in to buy anything. Even the local "hooligans" do not bother shop lifting there. Ned is losing everything - quickly. As the show goes on, we see Homer going through his day. He sits in his boss' office and listens to him complain about having to try and use a right handed can opener. he starts to speak, then decides to not do so. At the local bar, the bartender complains about a right handed corkscrew. Again, Homer says nothing. Homer is actively working against Ned by not saying anything - by not helping him with his need. By the end, however, Homer does give in and tell everyone he knows about Ned's store and Ned's home and life are saved.
Before the end of the show when he turns it around, Homer is "hating" Ned. Sure there may be some emotions involved, but hate by itself is not an emotion.
Forgive. Big word for us who believe, isn't it? After all, we are forgiven. We are also told to forgive others - not just people we like either.
I would say that, for the most part, we know that to forgive is to not hold whatever against whomever. But what does that look like really? It is easy to say, but doing and saying tend to be somewhat different. Let's go back to kids for this one (I love kids).
If you are a parent and have at least one child over the age of say 8, then there is a good chance that at some point your child has been mad at you and/or taken a temper tantrum. While it is hardly a regular thing, sometimes when your little bundle of joy is seriously ticked - usually because they have heard the word "no" when they did not want to - they will look you straight in the eye and say those three, unpleasant, little words: "I hate you".
If you are a parent and you have heard those three words at some point, you know how your heart feels in that moment. It is devastating. Even if they do not really know what it is that they are saying - they do not understand the meaning fully - it still hurts big time.
So in your moment of pain, what is your reaction? Not only immediately but afterward. Later on do you tell your child that they cannot have desert because they hate you? No hug or kiss for you - you hate me remember? I don't want you to sit on my knee - you hate me. Not likely. While it does in fact hurt that they said it, you do not act any differently towards them after the fact. even though you do remember their actions and words and the feelings within, you still act and react to them with love - never working against them in spite of hurt feelings.
That would be a picture of forgiveness.
Perhaps you are thinking "but it is different when it is something bigger and more adult than that". Not true. We, again, are the ones whom make things bigger. God does not tell us to forgive only the little things, but everything. He does not say to forgive only when we feel better or we no longer feel or recall the pain - He just says forgive. Not only forgive those whom we like but everyone. In spite of how WE feel, we are to forgive. After all, what is it if we can only forgive people we like for little things - cannot pretty much anyone do that already?
Have you noticed that the last three words have a common thread? It is what they are, as opposed to what they are not. If one had to label them, the best label would be "choice". Not an emotional state, although all three can be influenced and bring out emotions for certain. We choose to love - we choose to hate - we choose to forgive.
Perhaps these definitions and examples are bit simplistic (I could probably have rambled on about word origins and whatnot pretty easily - like charis for example), but as I have said before, sometimes simple is easier than complex (makes sense really).
I leave you with one final word: forsake.
"...the Lord, your God goes with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you"~Deut.31:6
(Among other places as well)
Leave we understand, but do you know forsake? Allow me a quick translation:
the Lord your God goes with you; He will never leave you, He will never give you up
He will never leave you
He will never Give.You.Up
Lot of comfort in that thought, isn't there?
PS: if you are not saved and you are reading through this, take note of grace: no matter how much bad you feel you have done in your lifetime, salvation is still freely (by grace) offered from God. No one who has done a lot of "good" can ean their way into heaven or into good standing with God. It is freely offered - just because He can.
Forgive the length please - may God grant you great mercy, by His grace alone.
One Moose, two meese?
No - two moose
One mouse, two mice
One house, two hice?
Two houses
Sometimes the english language just does not seem to make a ton of sense. Like I remember learning to read and thinking that knife must have been something other than, well, a knife since obviously what I knew to be a knife must start with an N not a silent K. I have little doubt that you can come up with oodles of your own beyond that or the two at the top of the page.
Although, seeing as one of the gifts that God has seen fit to give me is with regards to the written word, those words can become quite important - in particular, their meanings.
More than once He has led me to explore the meaning of a particular word. As a rule, this has been a word that I have used many times but maybe just never fully, really understood. I do have to admit that I have found these little explorations helpful. That said, am going to share a couple with you. Perhaps you may find them helpful as well.
We, as believers, tend to use a number of words with regards to our faith. I have heard the phrase "talking Christianese" more than once, and really, it fits. But do we "really" know what we are saying when we use them. Just because we can use them in the proper context does not mean we actually know what they mean or can explain them without using the word itself. Personally, I find examples or analogies to be helpful in understanding things (which, if you have been following this for any length of time, should come as no surprise to you). So without further delay...
Grace and Mercy.
You can have grace without mercy but you cannot have mercy without grace. Grace is a necessary part of mercy. I know many use those terms almost synonymous with each but they are different.
I am walking through the park and I have a bag of yummy, home made chocolate chip cookies with me. I see you sitting at a bench, minding your own business. I walk over and give you a cookie.
That is grace. You did nothing to earn it. I gave it to you "just because" I could do so. "Just because" is not a bad way to think of grace really. God offers us salvation "just because" He can do so - nothing to do with anything we do - grace not works, right.
Same scenario as above - basically. Difference being, I have seen you throughout the week/day and you have done everything you could think of to tick me off or get under my skin. You hardly deserve a cookie. More like you deserve to watch me eat the whole bag alone or share with your friends and not you. Instead, though, I give you a cookie.
Mercy - contains grace but takes it a step further again. Not only did you not earn it but you actually deserve something else - something not so pleasant as a rule.
God's mercies are new for us each day. We hardly deserve the good we get, but we do still get it "just because" He can give it to us.
I know that may seem overly simple but really, sometimes we make things more complicated than they need to be.
Now three more:
Love, Hate and Forgive.
Simplest way to define love is with the word "selflessness" - thinking of what another wants/needs above and beyond what you want or need - basically forgetting the word "I" in your vocabulary. I know I have heard it referred to as an emotion, but that is not completely correct.
It is 2am. You need to get up for work at 6am. Your new born child in the other room has just woken up, screaming at the top of their lungs. You NEED your sleep. Do you roll over, cover your head with a pillow, turn of the baby monitor and ignore them? Probably not. You get up, pick them up, try everything you can think of before you end up just holding them and walking around until 3:30am when they finally fall back to sleep.
That is love. You may need and want your sleep, but you put what your child needs over your own. Jesus was the sanest person, by far, who ever walked this earth. You think He wanted to get betrayed, mocked, tortured then executed in the most painful way possible in His day? Not bloody likely. But we NEEDED Him to pay that price for us, since we could not do so ourselves. Our NEED came first. Love.
What of the emotional thought though? Something to consider: you cannot have two different emotions at the same, exact time. Sure you can switch back and forth pretty quickly, but you cannot feel happy and angry and the exact same time.
Little Timmy has been a total pain today. From the time he awoke he has been trying to find new ways to drive you out of your mind - and he has been pretty successful. He shaved an inverse mohawk into his sisters head. Painted the cat with nail polish before letting them run wild all over the new living room set. Pretty much everything imaginable and it is only 11am. You lose it. You lose your temper (not viciously or anything of the like) and yell at him to go to his room. You are angry with him at the moment. If love is an emotion, and you cannot have two at once, then does that mean when you got angry with Timmy that you no longer loved him at that time? Nonsense. Of course you still love him. the fact that you love him is part of the reason you got angry - part of why you sent him to his room - he needs to to settle down.
God has gotten angry a time or two with us. He was angry with Israel in the OT more than once. Jesus was angry when He cleared out the temple courts when people had set up, basically, a mini-mall there. If love were merely an emotion, then at those times God did not love us - which is not possible considering who He is.
Hate. By definition, hate is to be actively opposed to someone or something.
In the tv show "The Simpsons", there is one episode in which Homers' next door neighbor Ned opens up "The Leftorium" - a shop that carries left handed versions of common right handed items. Good idea. Ned puts everything he has into the store, but things are not going well. No one comes in to buy anything. Even the local "hooligans" do not bother shop lifting there. Ned is losing everything - quickly. As the show goes on, we see Homer going through his day. He sits in his boss' office and listens to him complain about having to try and use a right handed can opener. he starts to speak, then decides to not do so. At the local bar, the bartender complains about a right handed corkscrew. Again, Homer says nothing. Homer is actively working against Ned by not saying anything - by not helping him with his need. By the end, however, Homer does give in and tell everyone he knows about Ned's store and Ned's home and life are saved.
Before the end of the show when he turns it around, Homer is "hating" Ned. Sure there may be some emotions involved, but hate by itself is not an emotion.
Forgive. Big word for us who believe, isn't it? After all, we are forgiven. We are also told to forgive others - not just people we like either.
I would say that, for the most part, we know that to forgive is to not hold whatever against whomever. But what does that look like really? It is easy to say, but doing and saying tend to be somewhat different. Let's go back to kids for this one (I love kids).
If you are a parent and have at least one child over the age of say 8, then there is a good chance that at some point your child has been mad at you and/or taken a temper tantrum. While it is hardly a regular thing, sometimes when your little bundle of joy is seriously ticked - usually because they have heard the word "no" when they did not want to - they will look you straight in the eye and say those three, unpleasant, little words: "I hate you".
If you are a parent and you have heard those three words at some point, you know how your heart feels in that moment. It is devastating. Even if they do not really know what it is that they are saying - they do not understand the meaning fully - it still hurts big time.
So in your moment of pain, what is your reaction? Not only immediately but afterward. Later on do you tell your child that they cannot have desert because they hate you? No hug or kiss for you - you hate me remember? I don't want you to sit on my knee - you hate me. Not likely. While it does in fact hurt that they said it, you do not act any differently towards them after the fact. even though you do remember their actions and words and the feelings within, you still act and react to them with love - never working against them in spite of hurt feelings.
That would be a picture of forgiveness.
Perhaps you are thinking "but it is different when it is something bigger and more adult than that". Not true. We, again, are the ones whom make things bigger. God does not tell us to forgive only the little things, but everything. He does not say to forgive only when we feel better or we no longer feel or recall the pain - He just says forgive. Not only forgive those whom we like but everyone. In spite of how WE feel, we are to forgive. After all, what is it if we can only forgive people we like for little things - cannot pretty much anyone do that already?
Have you noticed that the last three words have a common thread? It is what they are, as opposed to what they are not. If one had to label them, the best label would be "choice". Not an emotional state, although all three can be influenced and bring out emotions for certain. We choose to love - we choose to hate - we choose to forgive.
Perhaps these definitions and examples are bit simplistic (I could probably have rambled on about word origins and whatnot pretty easily - like charis for example), but as I have said before, sometimes simple is easier than complex (makes sense really).
I leave you with one final word: forsake.
"...the Lord, your God goes with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you"~Deut.31:6
(Among other places as well)
Leave we understand, but do you know forsake? Allow me a quick translation:
the Lord your God goes with you; He will never leave you, He will never give you up
He will never leave you
He will never Give.You.Up
Lot of comfort in that thought, isn't there?
PS: if you are not saved and you are reading through this, take note of grace: no matter how much bad you feel you have done in your lifetime, salvation is still freely (by grace) offered from God. No one who has done a lot of "good" can ean their way into heaven or into good standing with God. It is freely offered - just because He can.
Forgive the length please - may God grant you great mercy, by His grace alone.
Tuesday, June 28, 2011
Work Ethic
Have you ever worked on a farm, especially during the harvesting season? How about gone to one of those "U-pick" operations where you get to pick your own strawberries, apples, or whatever produce they happen to be growing? If you have, then you know that it is hard work.
Take the farm worker for example. Now we are talking "by hand" harvesting not mechanical, although no doubt that is a bit tiring as well.
When harvesting a crop by hand, the worker starts early in the day - sunrise (or even a bit before) and works the whole day through. The crops do not leap off the vine or dig themselves out of the ground. The worker spends no small time on their knees in the dirt. Banging their knees off of rocks here and there. Digging into the earth for root crops (potatoes, for instance) and carefully pulling off of vines others (tomatoes for example). It is hard, tiring, dirty work. By the end of the day, you "know" you have worked a full day. If the sun is shining you are hot, sweaty and dirty. If it is damp, then you are wet and muddy as well. Makes one see why mechanical means were invented, does it not.
But at the end of that long day, you get to look at the fruits of your labor. You see all the crop you have harvested and it makes it all worth it.
It has not been too many years since that was the normal routine. Mechanical harvesting is hardly ancient, although harvesting crops goes far, far back into our history.
Luke 10:2~ "The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few."
I find it odd that some people, and churches, seem to think that if they wait around long enough, people will just throw themselves at their feet, begging to be led towards the path of salvation. How some whole churches seem to think that hoards of unsaved people are going to storm their doors like some kind of desperate stampede. Granted, like any other believer, I would like to see that happen. A full on sovereign move of the Almighty God in a true revival that makes the initial day of Pentecost pale in comparison. But whether or not that ever comes to pass in our viewing or not, only God knows that answer.
The "harvest"...but the "workers"...
Keeping in mind that harvest is work, having workers makes sense. I am sure that the worker in the field would love to have the crops just leap into their baskets, but that is not likely to happen anytime soon. So they WORK.
So must we. We are not told to sit around and wait. The occasional person who wanders into a church seeking or comes with someone else is rare compared to the hundreds and thousands who wander right on past.
But are they really seeking?
Consider the number of religions that others turn to. Pretty much anything you can dream of really and there always seems to be something new popping up to help ease a persons conscience and fill that ache within. Then are those who, unable to find anything REAL to believe in, just give up altogether and settle in the stance of "life ends and we're eaten by works - it is all for nothing". NOTHING! How horrible a thought, how bleak a future.
I dare say, YES, those who wander past are seeking - they just may not realize what - or I should say, WHO - they are seeking for.
"The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few"
Do not oversleep. Do not miss the work day. Wake up! Soon the sun will set and you will have missed it all. And there is far more than just your need for sleep at stake here - far more.
Take the farm worker for example. Now we are talking "by hand" harvesting not mechanical, although no doubt that is a bit tiring as well.
When harvesting a crop by hand, the worker starts early in the day - sunrise (or even a bit before) and works the whole day through. The crops do not leap off the vine or dig themselves out of the ground. The worker spends no small time on their knees in the dirt. Banging their knees off of rocks here and there. Digging into the earth for root crops (potatoes, for instance) and carefully pulling off of vines others (tomatoes for example). It is hard, tiring, dirty work. By the end of the day, you "know" you have worked a full day. If the sun is shining you are hot, sweaty and dirty. If it is damp, then you are wet and muddy as well. Makes one see why mechanical means were invented, does it not.
But at the end of that long day, you get to look at the fruits of your labor. You see all the crop you have harvested and it makes it all worth it.
It has not been too many years since that was the normal routine. Mechanical harvesting is hardly ancient, although harvesting crops goes far, far back into our history.
Luke 10:2~ "The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few."
I find it odd that some people, and churches, seem to think that if they wait around long enough, people will just throw themselves at their feet, begging to be led towards the path of salvation. How some whole churches seem to think that hoards of unsaved people are going to storm their doors like some kind of desperate stampede. Granted, like any other believer, I would like to see that happen. A full on sovereign move of the Almighty God in a true revival that makes the initial day of Pentecost pale in comparison. But whether or not that ever comes to pass in our viewing or not, only God knows that answer.
The "harvest"...but the "workers"...
Keeping in mind that harvest is work, having workers makes sense. I am sure that the worker in the field would love to have the crops just leap into their baskets, but that is not likely to happen anytime soon. So they WORK.
So must we. We are not told to sit around and wait. The occasional person who wanders into a church seeking or comes with someone else is rare compared to the hundreds and thousands who wander right on past.
But are they really seeking?
Consider the number of religions that others turn to. Pretty much anything you can dream of really and there always seems to be something new popping up to help ease a persons conscience and fill that ache within. Then are those who, unable to find anything REAL to believe in, just give up altogether and settle in the stance of "life ends and we're eaten by works - it is all for nothing". NOTHING! How horrible a thought, how bleak a future.
I dare say, YES, those who wander past are seeking - they just may not realize what - or I should say, WHO - they are seeking for.
"The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few"
Do not oversleep. Do not miss the work day. Wake up! Soon the sun will set and you will have missed it all. And there is far more than just your need for sleep at stake here - far more.
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
The cup
So as I re-read the pages of this page, I notice that something is not here that I previously thought had been - "the cup". Now some who know me may know what I mean, but others, well, guess will have to explain a bit.
Some time ago, I used to make a point of going to a local park in the early morning when there were few, to no, people around. It was always a nice time of just "hanging" with God as I walked, talked and listened. Many a time He has shown me things in our time together there.
One day as I walked along a trail, I saw - just on the other side of the railing - a cup on the ground, just slightly over the bank. It was a disposable one from a local coffee shop . It looked very out of place there in that place. So I reached through the railing and picked it up. There was no garbage nearby, so I carried it a little ways and dropped it in when I came to one. Then God spoke to me.
The scene that played out was this:
Some walking along, never noticing the cup. Some noticing but pretending not to. Others seeing and complaining about how people should not toss things around like that - as they walk by. Still others complaining that "someone" should do something about that - as they walk by. Others walking and complaining about this or that - again, as they walk past it laying there. Lastly, the one who sees it, reaches slightly out of their way without a complaint, picks it up and puts it where it should go.
He was not talking about litter in a park.
He was talking about NEED.
James 2: 15,16 "Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to them "Go in peace; keep warm and well fed," but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it?"
How often do we see a need and just walk on past as if we see nothing. How often do we see need and complain that someone should do something, or that people should know better, or the government should step in or the church or....
Want to know something? God allows you to see a need because He wants YOU to do something about it. Not wander around complaining like so many others do - exactly what good does that do for those in need?
But you may say "I have nothing to offer, nothing major to contribute to the needs of the poor".
First, not all the needy are those living in boxes or dumpsters or in disaster zones. The woman trying to juggle 3 small children as she tries to load groceries into her car considers herself pretty needy. The well off (financially) man whose wife of twenty years just left him for his best friend is very much "in need". Not all need is with regards to material things, although there is much of that around. Sometimes the need is merely to have someone - anyone sometimes - willing to listen and not pass judgement (like Job's friends for instance - "you know what your problem is" mentality).
Maybe the need you see is a material one. I tell you the truth, the $5 you have in your pocket may mean far more to the homeless man with the cup of small change that it will to the business you are buying your coffee from. Oh, I know what you are thinking - "he is just going to take it and spend it on 'whatever' rather than food". What is that to you, exactly? Do they question where you spend your money at? Does God ask you to pass judgment on those in need or just respond? Fairly certain you know the answer to that one.
Isaiah 58:7,8 "Is it not to share your food with the hungry and provide the poor wander with shelter - when you see the naked, to clothe them, and not turn away from your own flesh and blood? Then your light will break forth like the dawn, and your healing will quickly appear; then your righteousness will go before you, and the glory of the Lord will be your rear guard."
Does not say to give shelter or clothing to those whom have common beliefs as you, does it? Or those that are living in ways you personally approve of? The lives of the needy - just as yours - belong to God alone and He alone may judge.
Matthew 5:45 "He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and unrighteous"
God's job, not yours (ours).
But maybe you do not have any material means of your own. Perhaps however, you know where to find such means and can put the right people together. Perhaps, you say, you can "only" pray.
ONLY pray? How odd a statement is that? For those who are saved, when you (we) pray, we are taking "whatever" directly to the foot of the very throne of the Lord of all creation, who not only listens to us, but responds. Hardly counts as an "only" thing. So regardless of your response, definitely pray.
I could easily go on and on on this topic, but I think you get the general idea.
If you see a need - regardless of what it is or whom has it - then perhaps it is because God wants you to do something about it. After all, many do not see things right in front of them far too often - you may be the ONLY one who can see that need.
May the grace of our Lord God keep you well.
Some time ago, I used to make a point of going to a local park in the early morning when there were few, to no, people around. It was always a nice time of just "hanging" with God as I walked, talked and listened. Many a time He has shown me things in our time together there.
One day as I walked along a trail, I saw - just on the other side of the railing - a cup on the ground, just slightly over the bank. It was a disposable one from a local coffee shop . It looked very out of place there in that place. So I reached through the railing and picked it up. There was no garbage nearby, so I carried it a little ways and dropped it in when I came to one. Then God spoke to me.
The scene that played out was this:
Some walking along, never noticing the cup. Some noticing but pretending not to. Others seeing and complaining about how people should not toss things around like that - as they walk by. Still others complaining that "someone" should do something about that - as they walk by. Others walking and complaining about this or that - again, as they walk past it laying there. Lastly, the one who sees it, reaches slightly out of their way without a complaint, picks it up and puts it where it should go.
He was not talking about litter in a park.
He was talking about NEED.
James 2: 15,16 "Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to them "Go in peace; keep warm and well fed," but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it?"
How often do we see a need and just walk on past as if we see nothing. How often do we see need and complain that someone should do something, or that people should know better, or the government should step in or the church or....
Want to know something? God allows you to see a need because He wants YOU to do something about it. Not wander around complaining like so many others do - exactly what good does that do for those in need?
But you may say "I have nothing to offer, nothing major to contribute to the needs of the poor".
First, not all the needy are those living in boxes or dumpsters or in disaster zones. The woman trying to juggle 3 small children as she tries to load groceries into her car considers herself pretty needy. The well off (financially) man whose wife of twenty years just left him for his best friend is very much "in need". Not all need is with regards to material things, although there is much of that around. Sometimes the need is merely to have someone - anyone sometimes - willing to listen and not pass judgement (like Job's friends for instance - "you know what your problem is" mentality).
Maybe the need you see is a material one. I tell you the truth, the $5 you have in your pocket may mean far more to the homeless man with the cup of small change that it will to the business you are buying your coffee from. Oh, I know what you are thinking - "he is just going to take it and spend it on 'whatever' rather than food". What is that to you, exactly? Do they question where you spend your money at? Does God ask you to pass judgment on those in need or just respond? Fairly certain you know the answer to that one.
Isaiah 58:7,8 "Is it not to share your food with the hungry and provide the poor wander with shelter - when you see the naked, to clothe them, and not turn away from your own flesh and blood? Then your light will break forth like the dawn, and your healing will quickly appear; then your righteousness will go before you, and the glory of the Lord will be your rear guard."
Does not say to give shelter or clothing to those whom have common beliefs as you, does it? Or those that are living in ways you personally approve of? The lives of the needy - just as yours - belong to God alone and He alone may judge.
Matthew 5:45 "He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and unrighteous"
God's job, not yours (ours).
But maybe you do not have any material means of your own. Perhaps however, you know where to find such means and can put the right people together. Perhaps, you say, you can "only" pray.
ONLY pray? How odd a statement is that? For those who are saved, when you (we) pray, we are taking "whatever" directly to the foot of the very throne of the Lord of all creation, who not only listens to us, but responds. Hardly counts as an "only" thing. So regardless of your response, definitely pray.
I could easily go on and on on this topic, but I think you get the general idea.
If you see a need - regardless of what it is or whom has it - then perhaps it is because God wants you to do something about it. After all, many do not see things right in front of them far too often - you may be the ONLY one who can see that need.
May the grace of our Lord God keep you well.
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
So who's controlling whom?
He never lets go.
He promised never to let go.
That's why we have too - it's why we can.
John 3:30~"He must become greater; I must become less."
So often, when we do acknowledge the Spirit in our lives, it is more for guidance of OUR decisions and actions than anything else. But we are not our own anymore, are we? No we are not no more than we are ALONE. Never are we alone. Never will the Spirit leave us. Never will God let go. But we hang on, don't we. We acknowledge Him when we want something - even if that something is Him, it is still OUR want.
How far has your own spirit taken you? How grand and glorious a life has it led you into? How much pain and misery has come from following yourself may be a better question.
Let us be honest. We are SCARED to let go. The thought of completely letting go of that which we identify as being that which makes us us, terrifies us to our core. But why? Really why? We who have been chosen by God to be heirs - His heirs - are not alone in these frail, temporary frames. That part of us that makes us us is not the only spirit within us any longer. No! God Himself is within us. He does not desire us to merely come for advice or direction like some kind of internal GPS as we drive through this lifetime hoping to get lucky. No. He desires complete control and that cannot happen if we hold onto our own spirit - our own self. Two spirits cannot guide and control us, only one can. Only One can.
We have to let go. Die to self completely.
But is a scary thought though. We tend to want to avoid losing control. But the truth is, if we are the ones guiding ourselves, we ARE out of control. If not for God's intervention on our behalf, we would make a terrible mess of things constantly. Taking that into consideration, we must relinquish control of this frame and life - knowing that He is not only with us but PROMISES to never let go of us.
"He must become greater; I must become less."
Let go. Really let go. Let the love and mercy of our Lord conquer the fear that attempts to hold us back. Let go and let the world see Him, not us.
He promised never to let go.
That's why we have too - it's why we can.
John 3:30~"He must become greater; I must become less."
So often, when we do acknowledge the Spirit in our lives, it is more for guidance of OUR decisions and actions than anything else. But we are not our own anymore, are we? No we are not no more than we are ALONE. Never are we alone. Never will the Spirit leave us. Never will God let go. But we hang on, don't we. We acknowledge Him when we want something - even if that something is Him, it is still OUR want.
How far has your own spirit taken you? How grand and glorious a life has it led you into? How much pain and misery has come from following yourself may be a better question.
Let us be honest. We are SCARED to let go. The thought of completely letting go of that which we identify as being that which makes us us, terrifies us to our core. But why? Really why? We who have been chosen by God to be heirs - His heirs - are not alone in these frail, temporary frames. That part of us that makes us us is not the only spirit within us any longer. No! God Himself is within us. He does not desire us to merely come for advice or direction like some kind of internal GPS as we drive through this lifetime hoping to get lucky. No. He desires complete control and that cannot happen if we hold onto our own spirit - our own self. Two spirits cannot guide and control us, only one can. Only One can.
We have to let go. Die to self completely.
But is a scary thought though. We tend to want to avoid losing control. But the truth is, if we are the ones guiding ourselves, we ARE out of control. If not for God's intervention on our behalf, we would make a terrible mess of things constantly. Taking that into consideration, we must relinquish control of this frame and life - knowing that He is not only with us but PROMISES to never let go of us.
"He must become greater; I must become less."
Let go. Really let go. Let the love and mercy of our Lord conquer the fear that attempts to hold us back. Let go and let the world see Him, not us.
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
Welcome...
I would like to take this opportunity to welcome you to the race.
We read in the bible that our walk with Christ is likened to a running a race (Philippians 3) - that we are striving towards the goal.
This is NOT the race I am referring to however.
I would like to welcome you all to the "human race".
Now before you start to think I have finally snapped, allow me a few moments of your time.
So many think or feel that, because they are saved by the grace of Almighty God, that there are things they should not think or feel or whatever - that somehow, they are in no part, human any longer. So I would like to show you a few people in scripture that you may have a few things in common with.
The apostle Peter. Not only did he deny even knowing Jesus, not once but three times in a row, but he also played the role of the hypocrite (see Galatians 2). Why did he deny knowing our Lord? Fear perhaps. Pain of loss. Confusion. Probably a few other things as well.
James and John. These two, after being shunned by a Samarian village take a (for lack of a better term) temper tantrum and decide they should call down "fire from heaven" to incinerate them (Luke 9). Pretty serious tantrum if you ask me. Luckily for that village, our Lord was there to stop them from doing anything "stupid".
Paul. Who can forget the verse from Romans 7 "For I do not do the good I want to do, but the evil I do not want to do - this I keep on doing". It would make no sense for him to write that if he were doing all he thought he should be doing or not doing those things which he did not feel he should do. The "struggle" we face constantly here in this world was quite alive and well for Paul.
How about in the OT? Anyone in there of note?
How about all of Israel who, on a regular basis, turned away from who they KNEW was the one true God for all kinds of reasons - none of which in hindsight were good ones (not that there could there ever be a good reason).
The prophet Elijah who, feeling afraid and completely unworthy, prayed for God to take his life from him. Ever hit that point yourself? I will admit I have more than I care to think about.
Then we have David. The man whose heart God loved so much. Consider, if you will, this that he wrote in Psalms 13, verses 2 and 3 "How long must I wrestle with my thoughts and day after day, have sorrow in my heart? How long will my enemy triumph over me? Look on me and answer, Lord my God. Give light to my eyes, or I will sleep in death". On a side note, he lived after writing this. But he hardly seemed to "have it altogether" now did he?
The long and short of it is, that we are indeed saved and we are a new creation, but the old is still here as well. We are, in fact, still human. As such, we feel pain, sorrow, anger, fear, failure, defeated, etc, etc etc. We are no less saved or set aside by God for the way we feel or the fact that we do not always react the way we think we should. Sin is still there after all, even if the penalty for it is not held against us. Something I heard once: "It is not committing sin that makes us a sinner, it is the fact that we are sinners that we commit sin". Handy info to remember sometimes.
Perhaps you feel this does not apply to you at. Perhaps you are one of those who feel that you are totally free from sin. Not free from the price of it, but actually sinless. You find yourself looking at others and thinking or saying things like "Ugh. Look at what a they are doing. I am so glad I am not like those people" or something similar. Well, do not fear for you too are mentioned in the pages of scripture.
Specifically, in the teachers, leaders and pharisees who led my Lord and Savior before Pilate so long ago to be tortured and killed in a most horrific manner - crucifixion.
Cannot speak for you, but personally, I would rather be in the first grouping - human.
We read in the bible that our walk with Christ is likened to a running a race (Philippians 3) - that we are striving towards the goal.
This is NOT the race I am referring to however.
I would like to welcome you all to the "human race".
Now before you start to think I have finally snapped, allow me a few moments of your time.
So many think or feel that, because they are saved by the grace of Almighty God, that there are things they should not think or feel or whatever - that somehow, they are in no part, human any longer. So I would like to show you a few people in scripture that you may have a few things in common with.
The apostle Peter. Not only did he deny even knowing Jesus, not once but three times in a row, but he also played the role of the hypocrite (see Galatians 2). Why did he deny knowing our Lord? Fear perhaps. Pain of loss. Confusion. Probably a few other things as well.
James and John. These two, after being shunned by a Samarian village take a (for lack of a better term) temper tantrum and decide they should call down "fire from heaven" to incinerate them (Luke 9). Pretty serious tantrum if you ask me. Luckily for that village, our Lord was there to stop them from doing anything "stupid".
Paul. Who can forget the verse from Romans 7 "For I do not do the good I want to do, but the evil I do not want to do - this I keep on doing". It would make no sense for him to write that if he were doing all he thought he should be doing or not doing those things which he did not feel he should do. The "struggle" we face constantly here in this world was quite alive and well for Paul.
How about in the OT? Anyone in there of note?
How about all of Israel who, on a regular basis, turned away from who they KNEW was the one true God for all kinds of reasons - none of which in hindsight were good ones (not that there could there ever be a good reason).
The prophet Elijah who, feeling afraid and completely unworthy, prayed for God to take his life from him. Ever hit that point yourself? I will admit I have more than I care to think about.
Then we have David. The man whose heart God loved so much. Consider, if you will, this that he wrote in Psalms 13, verses 2 and 3 "How long must I wrestle with my thoughts and day after day, have sorrow in my heart? How long will my enemy triumph over me? Look on me and answer, Lord my God. Give light to my eyes, or I will sleep in death". On a side note, he lived after writing this. But he hardly seemed to "have it altogether" now did he?
The long and short of it is, that we are indeed saved and we are a new creation, but the old is still here as well. We are, in fact, still human. As such, we feel pain, sorrow, anger, fear, failure, defeated, etc, etc etc. We are no less saved or set aside by God for the way we feel or the fact that we do not always react the way we think we should. Sin is still there after all, even if the penalty for it is not held against us. Something I heard once: "It is not committing sin that makes us a sinner, it is the fact that we are sinners that we commit sin". Handy info to remember sometimes.
Perhaps you feel this does not apply to you at. Perhaps you are one of those who feel that you are totally free from sin. Not free from the price of it, but actually sinless. You find yourself looking at others and thinking or saying things like "Ugh. Look at what a they are doing. I am so glad I am not like those people" or something similar. Well, do not fear for you too are mentioned in the pages of scripture.
Specifically, in the teachers, leaders and pharisees who led my Lord and Savior before Pilate so long ago to be tortured and killed in a most horrific manner - crucifixion.
Cannot speak for you, but personally, I would rather be in the first grouping - human.
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