From time to time, many Christians - self included here - seem to get a bit confused. While there are oodles of things to get confused about, the thing that comes to mind at the moment revolves around feelings.
Let me get to something right off the get go here - feelings are not sin. Now that tidbit may either make you nod and agree or stare at the screen like I am some kind of nut. But it is true, regardless of your reaction to that statement.
Now I know (and have known) people who think that, because you are saved, you have to walk around feeling happy all the time. While that does sound lovely, it is hardly realistic. For instance, what if a close family member has passed away suddenly? Are you to feel happy and bubbly during that time of great sorrow? Not bloody likely. And what if you were to go on a missions trip to some place that is in ruins (Haiti currently, for example)? Would you be feeling oh so happy with a big ol' grin on your face when you are surrounded by despair most devastating? Let me ask you this - do you think God smiles when He sees it?
Feelings have little, if anything to do with who we are spiritually speaking. And as I said before, they are not, of themselves, sin or sinful. Now they may be able to add a bit extra to temptation and lead you into sin, but they themselves are not.
Many who know the bible to any extent are familiar with David and they also know that God loved his heart, in spite of his actions. He was totally, openly dependent upon God's grace and mercy. That said, was he happy go lucky all the time? Not a chance! A quick example from Psalm 55 that I can personally relate to - verses 12-14: "If an enemy were insulting me, I could endure it; if a foe were raising himself against me, I could hide from him. But it is you, a man like myself, my companion, my close friend, with whom I once enjoyed sweet fellowship as we walked with the throng at the house of God." Now, I do not know about you, but that really does not sound like David is feeling overly 'chipper' at the moment. Since he is feeling hurt, betrayed, and yes, most likely mad, is he sinning? Short answer - no.
While there are numerous examples in the New Testament (lots with the pharisees), how about this one from Matthew 16:4 "A wicked and adulterous generation looks for a miraculous sign, but none will be given it except the sign of Jonah". Again in Luke 11:29 "..Jesus said, this is a wicked generation...". Now then, I do not think Jesus had a big happy grin on His face when He was saying those things. I also do not think He was feeling overly happy at that moment in time either. Matter of fact, He sounds like He might have been at least a bit ticked off. In Mark 11, we read where Jesus cleared out the temple. I strongly suspect He was not feeling blissful when He used the words "you have made it a den of robbers". John 11: 35 "Jesus wept." Pretty much self explanatory there.
Now then, Jesus was without sin, was He not.
Jesus obviously had a full range of feelings and emotions while on earth - happy, sad, hurt, mad, etc.
That said, how can anyone think that 1) Feelings are sinful and 2) that we are supposed to wander around this life happy and glowing all the time? Jesus didn't. How the heck do we think we can?
The example above from Psalm 55 is from David and is regarding Saul, who was pursuing him for no real reason as David had done nothing but good to and for him. Now David was not only a great king, but he was also a warrior. At one point, Saul is alone in a cave that David is in. David sneaks up and cuts off a part of his robe. Now then, all considered, do you think that it may have crossed his mind that he could end it all right now by driving his blade straight through Saul? Do you think that he felt happy as he sneaked up on him, or would it make more sense that he felt all the hurt, betrayal and anger seething through him with each step? Probably. The thing is though, did he act upon those feelings and slay Saul? No, he did not give in to them (reading beforehand, the initial idea was to kill Saul not just cut off a chunk of his robe)
More than once we read about God's anger with the rebellious nature of humanity. More than once we see where Jesus was less than pleased. Did He give in and wipe out the human race? Let's be honest, we deserve it after all. No. Obviously He did not act on those feelings.
There is our goal. To not act upon those feelings.
If you have had a horrid day and someone cuts you off in rush hour traffic, is it sinful for you to be ticked off about it? No. Is it sinful for you to try and ram them for doing it? Yes.
If you feel someone has betrayed you, is feeling hurt and betrayed sinful or unchristian? Nope. Is seeking to hurt them because they hurt you sinful? Yes it is.
Feelings by themselves, are not sinful. Feelings, by themselves, are not unchristian.
Far too many people set themselves up for a big fall because they, for some reason or another, believe that "feeling" is not Christian. They tell themselves that they should not feel hurt when someone betrays them. That they should not feel mad about something that is done to them. That they should not feel ... well, you can fill that in on your own, no doubt.
Feelings are normal. They are not sin. Having them does not make you less of a Christian or, somehow, substandard in the kingdom of God.
Someone does something less than nice to you and you feel hurt and mad about it. Congratulations, you're human!
It is our responses to those feelings that can get us in trouble and cause us to sin.
How does Jesus say we are to respond when someone tries to take something from us that they have no right to take? Let them. What about when we feel used by someone - are we to seek revenge or try and give them what they deserve? No, no we are not. We can feel hurt, mad, sad, betrayed, etc etc etc. What we are not supposed to do is act upon those feelings - to give in to the temptation to seek our own retribution.
If we try and lie to ourselves (and to God) and say we do not feel certain emotions - ever - then really, we are setting ourselves up for a pretty big fall when we get overwhelmed by them at some point. God knows you have feelings. He does too after all and He made us. Do not try and lie to yourself about having them. And definitely do not try and lie to God about them. Be honest with Him, and yourself.
Surely, we could go on and on about feelings and how they relate to truth, sin, and life in general as well as in the Christian walk, but for the moment, this bit will suffice. I would like to add, however, that we are talking about feelings as in emotional responses (mad, sad, happy, hurt, etc) as opposed to "urges" (like lust, for example).
Friday, February 11, 2011
Monday, February 7, 2011
Free Will
I know that some have an issue with something. That is, sovereign will of God vs. free will. Now to explain those terms for anyone who is not overly familiar with them.
The sovereign will of God refers to the fact that God has everything planned out. That everything has been preset as it were. He has plan A, period. There is no plan B. There is no subsection 172-F to handle what you did or did not do last week (and really, isn't it pretty arrogant to think that we, as mere human beings, can change God's plans?). Now there is a great freedom in that knowledge for those who choose to follow Him. Since He already has things preplanned and knows what is going to happen in our lives before we even do, there is no failing Him. Failing Him would mean that He had false expectations of what we could or could not do. Like in school for instance: if you had a physics exam and your teacher expected you to be capable of getting at least 60% and you instead, got 20%. In that instance, you have failed because more was expected of you than you were capable of giving. But in matters of one's walk with God, that false expectation does not exist. He knows when He asks you do something whether or not you will do it or not so you cannot fail. It is we, as people, who see things as failings.
Okay, so God has it all laid out for us. What about free will? That is, the fact that I can choose to go left or right, go or stay, start or stop, etc. If God has everything planned out, with no alternative plan of action required, how does free will factor into that? Almost seems contradictory, but it isn't.
There are two things to take into account:
1)God knows our hearts far better than we do. Things that we do not even realize are there, whether good or bad, He already knows all about all of it. He knows, what we will do in any given situation on any given day far more so than we do. If it were not the case, then whether believer or not, no one would ever have a regret about something they felt they should have done or not done.
2) Time. Time is for us. Frankly, we cannot, with our own limited understanding, understand things without it. For example, try to actually fathom eternal. Think as far in the future as you can, then think further ahead, and again, again. Now at the same time, think back as far as you can, and again, and again, etc. Do not forget to think about right here right now in this moment in time at the same exact time. Eternal is hard to fathom. So we have time. God is eternal. He does not need time, we do. (Although God's plan does appear to be event driven - when this happens then this will occur, etc).
Now something with time. We live time going forward. We cannot go backwards, only forwards. But is that how God has written out history? Did He start out writing it "In the beginning" and just playing it by ear from there? No. God is beyond time remember. We may live history forward, but He has written it in reverse. Writing the end result first then working back to the beginning He wanted.
Now think about that for a moment. If you were to write a novel and there was a place where you knew you wanted it to end at, would it not be easier to write backwards? You could have your characters make and choose decisions that would result in completely unexpected directions but that would all tie in together to reach the pre-written end of the book.
Writing forward would mean you would have to try and desperately meld things together in some sensible way to hopefully reach your goal without losing direction in the mix.
This brings us to free will within the sovereign plan of God Almighty.
Let us say that you go for a walk one day, and happen across the scene of a house fire. And let us also say that there is, within this house, a person trapped within. What do you do?
Most of us would like to say we would throw caution to the wind, run inside, and rescue the person or die trying. But the truth is, many would not run inside, would they.
Now let us say that in God's plan, He needs you to run in and rescue that person. But it is your choice right? But, as mentioned previously, He knows you better than you do. So what does He do?
God knows what circumstances and events would have to take place in your daily life to lead you to a place where you would, in fact, forget all fear and rescue that trapped person. And since He did not write your place in history front to back, but rather, back to front, He can easily put those things in place where you would use your own free will to choose to lead you in the direction needed for you to be in that selfless place He needs you to be in. Keep in mind, He knows what you will do with 100% accuracy in any, and all, situations in your life. While most of us would like to think we know with that same accuracy, in truth, at best we are probably around 50 or 60% for the most part.
So take a few minutes and digest all that. It may take a minute or two but when you get your mind around it, it is pretty easy to see how God uses our free will as part of His sovereign will. We do choose, but He knows what our choices will be every single time, without fail, so it easy for Him to place events in such a way as have us be where, and who, He wants us to be perfectly within His own perfect plan.
There you go, we do have free will but God is (thankfully) completely and totally in control - always.
Jeremiah 10:23 "..I know that people’s lives are not their own; it is not for them to direct their steps."
The sovereign will of God refers to the fact that God has everything planned out. That everything has been preset as it were. He has plan A, period. There is no plan B. There is no subsection 172-F to handle what you did or did not do last week (and really, isn't it pretty arrogant to think that we, as mere human beings, can change God's plans?). Now there is a great freedom in that knowledge for those who choose to follow Him. Since He already has things preplanned and knows what is going to happen in our lives before we even do, there is no failing Him. Failing Him would mean that He had false expectations of what we could or could not do. Like in school for instance: if you had a physics exam and your teacher expected you to be capable of getting at least 60% and you instead, got 20%. In that instance, you have failed because more was expected of you than you were capable of giving. But in matters of one's walk with God, that false expectation does not exist. He knows when He asks you do something whether or not you will do it or not so you cannot fail. It is we, as people, who see things as failings.
Okay, so God has it all laid out for us. What about free will? That is, the fact that I can choose to go left or right, go or stay, start or stop, etc. If God has everything planned out, with no alternative plan of action required, how does free will factor into that? Almost seems contradictory, but it isn't.
There are two things to take into account:
1)God knows our hearts far better than we do. Things that we do not even realize are there, whether good or bad, He already knows all about all of it. He knows, what we will do in any given situation on any given day far more so than we do. If it were not the case, then whether believer or not, no one would ever have a regret about something they felt they should have done or not done.
2) Time. Time is for us. Frankly, we cannot, with our own limited understanding, understand things without it. For example, try to actually fathom eternal. Think as far in the future as you can, then think further ahead, and again, again. Now at the same time, think back as far as you can, and again, and again, etc. Do not forget to think about right here right now in this moment in time at the same exact time. Eternal is hard to fathom. So we have time. God is eternal. He does not need time, we do. (Although God's plan does appear to be event driven - when this happens then this will occur, etc).
Now something with time. We live time going forward. We cannot go backwards, only forwards. But is that how God has written out history? Did He start out writing it "In the beginning" and just playing it by ear from there? No. God is beyond time remember. We may live history forward, but He has written it in reverse. Writing the end result first then working back to the beginning He wanted.
Now think about that for a moment. If you were to write a novel and there was a place where you knew you wanted it to end at, would it not be easier to write backwards? You could have your characters make and choose decisions that would result in completely unexpected directions but that would all tie in together to reach the pre-written end of the book.
Writing forward would mean you would have to try and desperately meld things together in some sensible way to hopefully reach your goal without losing direction in the mix.
This brings us to free will within the sovereign plan of God Almighty.
Let us say that you go for a walk one day, and happen across the scene of a house fire. And let us also say that there is, within this house, a person trapped within. What do you do?
Most of us would like to say we would throw caution to the wind, run inside, and rescue the person or die trying. But the truth is, many would not run inside, would they.
Now let us say that in God's plan, He needs you to run in and rescue that person. But it is your choice right? But, as mentioned previously, He knows you better than you do. So what does He do?
God knows what circumstances and events would have to take place in your daily life to lead you to a place where you would, in fact, forget all fear and rescue that trapped person. And since He did not write your place in history front to back, but rather, back to front, He can easily put those things in place where you would use your own free will to choose to lead you in the direction needed for you to be in that selfless place He needs you to be in. Keep in mind, He knows what you will do with 100% accuracy in any, and all, situations in your life. While most of us would like to think we know with that same accuracy, in truth, at best we are probably around 50 or 60% for the most part.
So take a few minutes and digest all that. It may take a minute or two but when you get your mind around it, it is pretty easy to see how God uses our free will as part of His sovereign will. We do choose, but He knows what our choices will be every single time, without fail, so it easy for Him to place events in such a way as have us be where, and who, He wants us to be perfectly within His own perfect plan.
There you go, we do have free will but God is (thankfully) completely and totally in control - always.
Jeremiah 10:23 "..I know that people’s lives are not their own; it is not for them to direct their steps."
Thursday, January 20, 2011
The Heavens Declare
You know, I think I can understand it a bit. I can understand how some people worship "created things", like the sun, moon or the earth itself.
When outside earlier this evening, the moon was big and bright. Not only that, but the way the light went through the clouds made a pillar of light shooting both up and down from it. It was gorgeous.
Personally speaking, I have always had a thing for sunsets and clouds. Some of the colors and designs are just, well, amazing. And while I am no fan of shoveling, I have to admit that a sunrise on a freshly fallen layer of snow is stunning. How amazing and beautiful this world can be. So yes, I can understand how some would worship that which they see. I should anyways, I used to myself years gone by. Although I find it almost funny how I never once considered worshiping the creator of those things.
Let's face it, the sun, the moon, the stars, even the earth itself are, in fact, created things. They are not eternal nor ever lasting. Those things upon the earth constantly change and fade away and the earth, as a whole, could as easily be gone tomorrow as not. No conspiracy theory stuff, just a fact.
So why in the world would anyone want to worship something that is so, well, finite? Does it not make more sense to worship the One who created it all. I mean, just look at what He made. Look around you and see the near limitless imagination of design - the stunning beauty hidden everywhere from a blazing sunrise to a single rose to the eyes of a newborn.
Psalm 19:1 "The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands."
How could you not see Him - see the work of His hands? How could I not have seen Him those years gone by? Perhaps I was a fool. Psalm 14:1 "The fool says in his heart, “There is no God.” I dare say I was, once upon a time. Now however, now I know there is a God for by His grace and mercy I have life.
If you are reading this and you worship those things which are merely creations (stunning as they may be), take a moment perhaps and consider their Creator and how amazing He must be to share such beauty with we whom I dare say, do not deserve it. Does it not make more sense to give your worship to Him? Take it from one who has been there, He will gladly accept it...and you.
When outside earlier this evening, the moon was big and bright. Not only that, but the way the light went through the clouds made a pillar of light shooting both up and down from it. It was gorgeous.
Personally speaking, I have always had a thing for sunsets and clouds. Some of the colors and designs are just, well, amazing. And while I am no fan of shoveling, I have to admit that a sunrise on a freshly fallen layer of snow is stunning. How amazing and beautiful this world can be. So yes, I can understand how some would worship that which they see. I should anyways, I used to myself years gone by. Although I find it almost funny how I never once considered worshiping the creator of those things.
Let's face it, the sun, the moon, the stars, even the earth itself are, in fact, created things. They are not eternal nor ever lasting. Those things upon the earth constantly change and fade away and the earth, as a whole, could as easily be gone tomorrow as not. No conspiracy theory stuff, just a fact.
So why in the world would anyone want to worship something that is so, well, finite? Does it not make more sense to worship the One who created it all. I mean, just look at what He made. Look around you and see the near limitless imagination of design - the stunning beauty hidden everywhere from a blazing sunrise to a single rose to the eyes of a newborn.
Psalm 19:1 "The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands."
How could you not see Him - see the work of His hands? How could I not have seen Him those years gone by? Perhaps I was a fool. Psalm 14:1 "The fool says in his heart, “There is no God.” I dare say I was, once upon a time. Now however, now I know there is a God for by His grace and mercy I have life.
If you are reading this and you worship those things which are merely creations (stunning as they may be), take a moment perhaps and consider their Creator and how amazing He must be to share such beauty with we whom I dare say, do not deserve it. Does it not make more sense to give your worship to Him? Take it from one who has been there, He will gladly accept it...and you.
Monday, January 17, 2011
Part Deux
As mentioned previously, there was another part to the post before the last one - a couple of tie ins to it. And as promised, I am sharing that now. The other part actually comes in the form of two separate pieces that came shortly after the original. So without further delay...
The first one came after a discussion with someone else:
A glimpse of the faithfulness and character of God: Judas.
He knew when He called Judas what he was going to do...He knew he would give in to temptation and betray Him to a horrible death..but still, He did call him. Not only that, but He did not treat Judas ANY differently than the other disciples...even though HE KNEW. He still taught him, cared for him, trusted him, protected him and loved him ... even though He knew. God cannot be any other way than He is.
========
Sort of a tie in with the "He Knew" message...
Have you ever had something revealed to you, by God, that you felt you were to either act or not act upon, but you choose the opposite for whatever reason. I know I have. One springs to mind fairly quickly and was the one which sprang to mind when this came to me.
When God showed you, or me, whatever it was, He already knew what we would do with it or not do with it. So does that mean, by our action or inaction that we have somehow changed God's plan? Is His plan laid out and has Plan A, subsection 128-7 to handle what we did or did not do? No. He has plan A...period. How superior do we think we are that our decision can change the plan that God has laid out for this world and everyone and everything on it? Do we think we are greater than He?
I will not go into the details of the example that comes to my mind. What I will say, is that it is something from the past. A time in which God revealed something to me about something other than me. I did not share this at the time. And things, well, they did not go in a way that I saw as being good (stressing the "as I saw"). And, I have kicked myself for some time about this. Thinking that IF I had of acted then things might have been different. But. But God knew when He allowed me to see that I would not have shared this with everyone concerned (did with one person, not all). So does my inaction mean that I changed God's plan? Of course not! While lots of passages from Job do come to mind, there is one other set of scripture that does so even more.
Esther 4:13-14 "he sent back this answer: "Do not think that because you are in the king's house you alone of all the Jews will escape. For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place"
God's plan does not have a Plan B or a subsection whatever. He sees beginning to end, end to beginning, and all in between and has all the details taken care of. So did my inaction change God's plan for the situation? No. If things were to go differently, they would have. Trust me here, He knows me and He would have known enough to "not put all His eggs in MY basket".
So I just want to encourage you a bit, if I may. If there has ever been something in your past that you have kicked yourself for because you keep that nagging thought around that "If I had of...then...", take heart...you are NOT CAPABLE of changing God's plan. He knew at the time what you would do or not do. His ways are above our ways, His thoughts above our thoughts.
I actually have another tidbit that is more recent (very, since it's not written yet) that ties into the last part here that may be coming shortly as well.
Yours in Christ
Troy
The first one came after a discussion with someone else:
A glimpse of the faithfulness and character of God: Judas.
He knew when He called Judas what he was going to do...He knew he would give in to temptation and betray Him to a horrible death..but still, He did call him. Not only that, but He did not treat Judas ANY differently than the other disciples...even though HE KNEW. He still taught him, cared for him, trusted him, protected him and loved him ... even though He knew. God cannot be any other way than He is.
========
Sort of a tie in with the "He Knew" message...
Have you ever had something revealed to you, by God, that you felt you were to either act or not act upon, but you choose the opposite for whatever reason. I know I have. One springs to mind fairly quickly and was the one which sprang to mind when this came to me.
When God showed you, or me, whatever it was, He already knew what we would do with it or not do with it. So does that mean, by our action or inaction that we have somehow changed God's plan? Is His plan laid out and has Plan A, subsection 128-7 to handle what we did or did not do? No. He has plan A...period. How superior do we think we are that our decision can change the plan that God has laid out for this world and everyone and everything on it? Do we think we are greater than He?
I will not go into the details of the example that comes to my mind. What I will say, is that it is something from the past. A time in which God revealed something to me about something other than me. I did not share this at the time. And things, well, they did not go in a way that I saw as being good (stressing the "as I saw"). And, I have kicked myself for some time about this. Thinking that IF I had of acted then things might have been different. But. But God knew when He allowed me to see that I would not have shared this with everyone concerned (did with one person, not all). So does my inaction mean that I changed God's plan? Of course not! While lots of passages from Job do come to mind, there is one other set of scripture that does so even more.
Esther 4:13-14 "he sent back this answer: "Do not think that because you are in the king's house you alone of all the Jews will escape. For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place"
God's plan does not have a Plan B or a subsection whatever. He sees beginning to end, end to beginning, and all in between and has all the details taken care of. So did my inaction change God's plan for the situation? No. If things were to go differently, they would have. Trust me here, He knows me and He would have known enough to "not put all His eggs in MY basket".
So I just want to encourage you a bit, if I may. If there has ever been something in your past that you have kicked yourself for because you keep that nagging thought around that "If I had of...then...", take heart...you are NOT CAPABLE of changing God's plan. He knew at the time what you would do or not do. His ways are above our ways, His thoughts above our thoughts.
I actually have another tidbit that is more recent (very, since it's not written yet) that ties into the last part here that may be coming shortly as well.
Yours in Christ
Troy
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
One Year After
While I do still intend to post the other part of "he knew", considering the date, I felt led to share this tidbit.
January 12th, 2011. It has been one year since Haiti was hit by that massive quake. One year since so many lives were lost. One year since a country was, for lack of a better word, destroyed. Although many would say that Haiti was destroyed even before the quake hit.
A year ago, all you saw on the news and in popular media was the plight of those in Haiti. Today, on the one year anniversary of that event, you will see some. But in between, there has been little interest. Except from the Church, that is.
Before the quake, there were many from the Church who were in Haiti trying to help the people there. After that day in 2010, there were even more, including those who were there before. The Church answered the call immediately. No long strands of red tape, or big talk with little action or empty promises that are still unfulfilled. No. Those who felt led and called answered and continue to answer. Many have never stopped going back and forth. Many still pledge every cent they can muster to aid for Haiti. And it should be noted that, for the most part, these members of the Body have paid their own ways.
There are many people who look at the Church and say things about it being just a "cash grab" or a "means of controlling". Some of these people are the same ones who ease their conscience by dropping the 17 cents change from their coffee in a Haitian relief box on the counter while they go on about their lives as self absorbed as ever (that is not to say that "all" outside the Church fall into that range). But to those who look at the Church in that light I would like to point out a few things.
1) The Christian Church on mass responded and continues to respond to the destruction in Haiti. They raise funds on their own or empty their bank accounts to go to that disaster zone.
2) Many who go leave with several bags and return with the clothes on their back having left everything behind with those who need it far more than they. The same can be said for any funds they had with them as they spend what they have taken down in an effort to help buy food and supplies for those who are broken.
3) For the most part, those who travel back and forth have families and lives here that they leave behind while they are gone. Considering the environment that they are going to, it takes a great deal for them to go sometimes.
4) Having known people who have gone and are still there, I know that many go down and work hard physical labor from sun up to dark, every day they are there. This is not what we tend to consider as hard labor, no this is a step well above that. And they do it for no pay, rather, they do it to help those who need it.
5) The Church is made up of people, and people are flawed. Sometimes there are people who do not have the best of intentions that go to Haiti under a church banner. Do not judge the Body based upon them. They are the exception, not the norm.
6) While popular media forgot all about Haiti after the "next big thing" came along, the Church did not and continues even today give whatever they can to help those in dire need.
7) Last but not least. Those of the Church (that is, the Body of Christ) who have gone and continue to go and give and serve selflessly do not (for the most part) do so to ease their conscience or to make themselves feel good or better. Nor do they go in an attempt to earn something or some kind of extra favor. They go because they feel led and called by God to do so. They go because God loves them and they want to share that love - not by spouting scripture at people but rather, by serving those in need. Not because of a matter of conscience, but because of a matter of faith.
*I would like to note that my reference to "the Church" is not a reference to a specific denomination nor is it to a building. It is to the "Body of Christ" - that is, those who believe and have put their faith in Christ Jesus.
For those of the Body who read, please keep all our Brothers and Sisters in prayer - both those who travel as well as those who live in Haiti.
January 12th, 2011. It has been one year since Haiti was hit by that massive quake. One year since so many lives were lost. One year since a country was, for lack of a better word, destroyed. Although many would say that Haiti was destroyed even before the quake hit.
A year ago, all you saw on the news and in popular media was the plight of those in Haiti. Today, on the one year anniversary of that event, you will see some. But in between, there has been little interest. Except from the Church, that is.
Before the quake, there were many from the Church who were in Haiti trying to help the people there. After that day in 2010, there were even more, including those who were there before. The Church answered the call immediately. No long strands of red tape, or big talk with little action or empty promises that are still unfulfilled. No. Those who felt led and called answered and continue to answer. Many have never stopped going back and forth. Many still pledge every cent they can muster to aid for Haiti. And it should be noted that, for the most part, these members of the Body have paid their own ways.
There are many people who look at the Church and say things about it being just a "cash grab" or a "means of controlling". Some of these people are the same ones who ease their conscience by dropping the 17 cents change from their coffee in a Haitian relief box on the counter while they go on about their lives as self absorbed as ever (that is not to say that "all" outside the Church fall into that range). But to those who look at the Church in that light I would like to point out a few things.
1) The Christian Church on mass responded and continues to respond to the destruction in Haiti. They raise funds on their own or empty their bank accounts to go to that disaster zone.
2) Many who go leave with several bags and return with the clothes on their back having left everything behind with those who need it far more than they. The same can be said for any funds they had with them as they spend what they have taken down in an effort to help buy food and supplies for those who are broken.
3) For the most part, those who travel back and forth have families and lives here that they leave behind while they are gone. Considering the environment that they are going to, it takes a great deal for them to go sometimes.
4) Having known people who have gone and are still there, I know that many go down and work hard physical labor from sun up to dark, every day they are there. This is not what we tend to consider as hard labor, no this is a step well above that. And they do it for no pay, rather, they do it to help those who need it.
5) The Church is made up of people, and people are flawed. Sometimes there are people who do not have the best of intentions that go to Haiti under a church banner. Do not judge the Body based upon them. They are the exception, not the norm.
6) While popular media forgot all about Haiti after the "next big thing" came along, the Church did not and continues even today give whatever they can to help those in dire need.
7) Last but not least. Those of the Church (that is, the Body of Christ) who have gone and continue to go and give and serve selflessly do not (for the most part) do so to ease their conscience or to make themselves feel good or better. Nor do they go in an attempt to earn something or some kind of extra favor. They go because they feel led and called by God to do so. They go because God loves them and they want to share that love - not by spouting scripture at people but rather, by serving those in need. Not because of a matter of conscience, but because of a matter of faith.
*I would like to note that my reference to "the Church" is not a reference to a specific denomination nor is it to a building. It is to the "Body of Christ" - that is, those who believe and have put their faith in Christ Jesus.
For those of the Body who read, please keep all our Brothers and Sisters in prayer - both those who travel as well as those who live in Haiti.
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
Older Post - He Knew
This post is something that God gave me some time ago - February of 2009 to be exact, but it still holds just as true today. And I find myself having to be reminded of it even now by times. That is true of much of what He shows and tells me to be honest. Rarely do I get it completely when He shows it to me the first time through. I have said before that I am merely the keyboard and that much of what I write is His - that is, I tend not to know it completely (sometimes, at all) myself, I merely write what He gives me.
That all said, here is the first part of it:
He Knew
Some things to consider:
Luke 5:10 "Then Jesus said to Simon, "Don't be afraid; from now on you will catch men"
Matthew 14:28-29
"Lord, if it's you," Peter replied, "tell me to come to you on the water."
"Come," he said.
Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus.
Matthew 14:30
But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, "Lord, save me!"
Luke 22:34
Jesus answered, "I tell you, Peter, before the rooster crows today, you will deny three times that you know me."
John 21:15-19
When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Simon son of John, do you truly love me more than these?"
"Yes, Lord," he said, "you know that I love you."
Jesus said, "Feed my lambs."
Again Jesus said, "Simon son of John, do you truly love me?"
He answered, "Yes, Lord, you know that I love you."
Jesus said, "Take care of my sheep."
The third time he said to him, "Simon son of John, do you love me?"
Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, "Do you love me?" He said, "Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you."
Jesus said, "Feed my sheep. I tell you the truth, when you were younger you dressed yourself and went where you wanted; but when you are old you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go." Jesus said this to indicate the kind of death by which Peter would glorify God. Then he said to him, "Follow me!"
Now then...
He knew.
He knew when He called to Peter that day on the water. He knew when He called Him to "come" that he would look away and sink. He knew Peter would be overcome by the fear of having to go through the pain he saw Christ going through and would deny Him, not once but three times.
He knew.
He knew when He first called him all the mistakes he would make along the way. He knew.
And still...
And still, He called him.
Even though He knew.
I have little doubt that Peter kicked himself over and over again after sinking in the water. Even less doubt that he kicked himself HARD after denying Jesus that day. I would imagine that he would have thought about what a disappointment he was ...how he had failed so terribly ... how God would turn away from him because of what he did.
But in order for him to have been a disappointment, or a failure, or for God to turn His face away from him would have meant that he would have had to do something that God did not know he was going to do when He first called to him that day on the lake.
but...
He knew.
He knew what Peter was going to do...He knew when it was going to happen...He knew why he would do it even if Peter himself did not fully understand.
He knew.
And if He knew...how could He consider Peter a disappointment or a failure? How could He decide to turn away from him?
He couldn't.
And He didn't.
Because He knew.
And He knew when He called each of us...self included...about all the mistakes we would make even AFTER we came to Him...after He called us...He knew and STILL HE CALLED US.
He knew.
That all said, here is the first part of it:
He Knew
Some things to consider:
Luke 5:10 "Then Jesus said to Simon, "Don't be afraid; from now on you will catch men"
Matthew 14:28-29
"Lord, if it's you," Peter replied, "tell me to come to you on the water."
"Come," he said.
Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus.
Matthew 14:30
But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, "Lord, save me!"
Luke 22:34
Jesus answered, "I tell you, Peter, before the rooster crows today, you will deny three times that you know me."
John 21:15-19
When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Simon son of John, do you truly love me more than these?"
"Yes, Lord," he said, "you know that I love you."
Jesus said, "Feed my lambs."
Again Jesus said, "Simon son of John, do you truly love me?"
He answered, "Yes, Lord, you know that I love you."
Jesus said, "Take care of my sheep."
The third time he said to him, "Simon son of John, do you love me?"
Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, "Do you love me?" He said, "Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you."
Jesus said, "Feed my sheep. I tell you the truth, when you were younger you dressed yourself and went where you wanted; but when you are old you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go." Jesus said this to indicate the kind of death by which Peter would glorify God. Then he said to him, "Follow me!"
Now then...
He knew.
He knew when He called to Peter that day on the water. He knew when He called Him to "come" that he would look away and sink. He knew Peter would be overcome by the fear of having to go through the pain he saw Christ going through and would deny Him, not once but three times.
He knew.
He knew when He first called him all the mistakes he would make along the way. He knew.
And still...
And still, He called him.
Even though He knew.
I have little doubt that Peter kicked himself over and over again after sinking in the water. Even less doubt that he kicked himself HARD after denying Jesus that day. I would imagine that he would have thought about what a disappointment he was ...how he had failed so terribly ... how God would turn away from him because of what he did.
But in order for him to have been a disappointment, or a failure, or for God to turn His face away from him would have meant that he would have had to do something that God did not know he was going to do when He first called to him that day on the lake.
but...
He knew.
He knew what Peter was going to do...He knew when it was going to happen...He knew why he would do it even if Peter himself did not fully understand.
He knew.
And if He knew...how could He consider Peter a disappointment or a failure? How could He decide to turn away from him?
He couldn't.
And He didn't.
Because He knew.
And He knew when He called each of us...self included...about all the mistakes we would make even AFTER we came to Him...after He called us...He knew and STILL HE CALLED US.
He knew.
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
A New Year
Well, here we are in 2011 - 2010 is now a thing of the past.
So what "was" 2010 anyways?
A pastoral friend of mine commented to me on Sunday that maybe 2011 would be better than 2010 was for me. I have to tell you, really, that does not sit the very best with me. Allow me to explain.
It is my suspicion that he was referring to a time of turmoil that occurred later in the year between myself and other members of the Body. Problem is, I do not see it as a bad thing. At least not now anyways.
In the last year, I got to see God glorified numerous times over. I had a chance to not only see the Body of Christ actually be the Body of Christ, but also to be a part of that on more than one occasion. A number of times I was also able to hear and respond to what He was calling me (and others) to do (considering how deaf I can be by times, that is a biggie). I saw friends get saved, sometimes even being used to help lead them home. I met new friends - new family members in God's family of believers.
Sure there were times that were less than pleasant at the time, but as promised, all works out for the best. Like that turmoil mentioned before for example. Unpleasant and painful at the time to be sure, but the changes from it cannot be ignored. For myself, things which I did not even realize still existed within me have been brought out into the light and have (at least started to) been changed. Old fears have been squashed. Changes in how I see things - a bit less of the old and a bit more of the new - have been brought about because of it. Not to mention being led by the Spirit into a place of repentance that, in all honesty, comes second only to the day I was first saved. So really, I do not see it as such a bad thing from here. Do not get me wrong - I cannot say I enjoy the Lord's discipline, but I have learned to greatly appreciate it. At least in hind sight.
There is oodles more that happened in 2010 that I am thankful for, but really, a lot of it would make little sense to you unless you were there for it. Suffice to say, it was quite a year and I am thankful for it all.
You know, it would be really, really easy to just look back at the "bad stuff" and say "oh whoa is me" as I hope desperately for a nice smooth year for 2011. Thank God that He has allowed me to see the blessings that were hidden in it all though. To see how at least some of those events changed me and others for the better. Now that is nothing of my own doing, I tend to see the bad if left to my own vision. Perhaps you can relate. Perhaps you too have been shown some of those hidden blessings amongst some storm(s) in 2010.
So now we are in 2011 and I have already seen His hand at work in my life, as well as others - and it is only the 4th day! Can hardly wait for the rest of it - it should be amazing.
So what "was" 2010 anyways?
A pastoral friend of mine commented to me on Sunday that maybe 2011 would be better than 2010 was for me. I have to tell you, really, that does not sit the very best with me. Allow me to explain.
It is my suspicion that he was referring to a time of turmoil that occurred later in the year between myself and other members of the Body. Problem is, I do not see it as a bad thing. At least not now anyways.
In the last year, I got to see God glorified numerous times over. I had a chance to not only see the Body of Christ actually be the Body of Christ, but also to be a part of that on more than one occasion. A number of times I was also able to hear and respond to what He was calling me (and others) to do (considering how deaf I can be by times, that is a biggie). I saw friends get saved, sometimes even being used to help lead them home. I met new friends - new family members in God's family of believers.
Sure there were times that were less than pleasant at the time, but as promised, all works out for the best. Like that turmoil mentioned before for example. Unpleasant and painful at the time to be sure, but the changes from it cannot be ignored. For myself, things which I did not even realize still existed within me have been brought out into the light and have (at least started to) been changed. Old fears have been squashed. Changes in how I see things - a bit less of the old and a bit more of the new - have been brought about because of it. Not to mention being led by the Spirit into a place of repentance that, in all honesty, comes second only to the day I was first saved. So really, I do not see it as such a bad thing from here. Do not get me wrong - I cannot say I enjoy the Lord's discipline, but I have learned to greatly appreciate it. At least in hind sight.
There is oodles more that happened in 2010 that I am thankful for, but really, a lot of it would make little sense to you unless you were there for it. Suffice to say, it was quite a year and I am thankful for it all.
You know, it would be really, really easy to just look back at the "bad stuff" and say "oh whoa is me" as I hope desperately for a nice smooth year for 2011. Thank God that He has allowed me to see the blessings that were hidden in it all though. To see how at least some of those events changed me and others for the better. Now that is nothing of my own doing, I tend to see the bad if left to my own vision. Perhaps you can relate. Perhaps you too have been shown some of those hidden blessings amongst some storm(s) in 2010.
So now we are in 2011 and I have already seen His hand at work in my life, as well as others - and it is only the 4th day! Can hardly wait for the rest of it - it should be amazing.
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