This morning I was thinking about God and how He sometimes intervenes...but other times He remains strangely silent. I say strange, because oftentimes we don't understand why God allows some things but intervenes in other instances. Have you ever wondered that? I have.
So I thought and I prayed. Sometimes I get answers, or at least partial answers. Other times I get silence. Today was a "partial answer" day. I say partial because how can I know all of God's reasonings? But one thought I had was based on the question... "Why is it that God allowed certain things in cultures throughout time that are abhorrent to us today"?
When I have questions like that, I tell myself "I may not understand now...for that matter I may not ever understand - but I do know that God is loving, knows all things past and present, lives outside of time, wants our best, and is at the same time a righteous God who hates sin and will not tolerate it." Only God can have all those attributes and more and somehow work them all together for our good. That brings us back to the question, "Why does God intervene sometimes and not other times?"
Thoughts.
1) God allows things or finds it necessary to intervene if it is what He understands is best. I emphasize He Like it or not, God lives outside of time, knows us completely, understands what it will take to deliver different people from the same bondage. He knows. We think we do. If you are His child you must accept that reality whether you like it or not. That is, you will accept it if you want to become better as opposed to bitter.
2) God will not push Himself on us or our culture. That would be interference. For the most part, God chooses to work on people's hearts when they have opened themselves to Him. Yes, sometimes He does miracles that are outside our every day experience. But I would say the majority of the time, He focuses on the condition of the heart. That would be intervention. What kind of experience will be necessary in order to ensure that their hard heart will soften?
What must I allow this person to go through temporarily in order for him to have the best future? Those are some questions I imagine God would ask Himself if He were to express His thoughts in our limited vocabulary.
Yes, throughout time there have been cultural "things" that we, today, find unacceptable. But God chose to work in the hearts of the people and let them eventually change the culture when they were ready. Example: More than one wife. Slavery, etc.
I actually know many people that seem to understand that concept. I'm grateful to call them my friends; they understand the importance of using God as an example when they desire to help people and wisely ask themselves if what they are doing is an...
Intervention or Interference?
Friday, November 5, 2010
Thursday, November 4, 2010
What Spoils Your Soil?
I was listening to Miles McPherson the other day. He was talking about some trees he planted several years ago. They were all the same type of tree. Same size. All planted the same day on the same property. All of them grew underneath the same sun. They experienced the same amount of water. Same. Same. Same. But wait! Now, all these years later we discover that they are all different sizes? Why?!
I'll tell you. The soil. Yes, they were planted on the same property...but the soil varied from the front yard to the back yard as well as the side of the house. The only thing these trees did not have in common was the soil.
So what is it about soil that is conducive to growth? Maybe an easier question to answer is, "What is it about soil that inhibits growth? Well, one thing is if it is rocky. It is difficult for a plant to take root in those circumstances, since there is no depth of rich soil with needed nutrients. Thorns are another problem. Thorns and weeds. They choke the plant. Definitely not helpful. Those are just a couple of "inhibitors".
What about you and me? How have we grown? Are we like spiritual babies in an adult body? Are there things in our lives that prevent us from "taking root"? Could we be allowing certain things in our lives to "choke out" the Word of God? Ask yourself...
What Spoils Your Soil?
I'll tell you. The soil. Yes, they were planted on the same property...but the soil varied from the front yard to the back yard as well as the side of the house. The only thing these trees did not have in common was the soil.
So what is it about soil that is conducive to growth? Maybe an easier question to answer is, "What is it about soil that inhibits growth? Well, one thing is if it is rocky. It is difficult for a plant to take root in those circumstances, since there is no depth of rich soil with needed nutrients. Thorns are another problem. Thorns and weeds. They choke the plant. Definitely not helpful. Those are just a couple of "inhibitors".
What about you and me? How have we grown? Are we like spiritual babies in an adult body? Are there things in our lives that prevent us from "taking root"? Could we be allowing certain things in our lives to "choke out" the Word of God? Ask yourself...
What Spoils Your Soil?
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
Dilemma Delimitation
What!? Dilemma Delimitation? And what, pray tell, is that? Well, I'll tell you.
1) It's a catchy phrase. Hey, it got your attention didn't it?
2) To delimitate is to mark or prescribe the limits or boundaries of something.
Hence, the title: Dilemma Delimitation. The limitations set on a dilemma. How do you set limits on a dilemma? Well, first acknowledge it, then seek out a solution that will prevent the dilemma from controlling you. How?
For the average American, the solution is sought out vigorously. We hate pain and will do whatever we can to eliminate it from our lives as quickly as possible. We:
1) Make more money and rely on materialism to bring us relief. It works, too. For a while. But only for a while.
2) You have undoubtedly heard the expression: "If you don't have your health, you don't have anything". So, we focus on our health. Nothing wrong with that. Unfortunately, even a healthy person will eventually find life meaningless.
3) Make a name for ourselves. Contribute to society, etc. Again, are you really going to care that somebody put your name on a hospital - when you're dead? Sorry...It isn't my intention to be morbid, but facts are facts. I mean, do you know of anybody in all of history that has not died? I didn't think so. Well, there is one person. He died...but He rose again. His name is Jesus. If you know Him, you will also know that He is the answer to our problems.
Are His solutions quick fixes? Rarely. He uses time, circumstances, experiences and all manner of people, in His solutions that are tailor made for each of His children.
Do we know what those solutions are? Usually not. More often than not we are put in a position where we have to do what the world thinks is ridiculous. We have to have faith and trust in Him to take care of our needs. Faith is key, so God allows situations in our lives that will require our faith to expand. Then, once our faith has expanded...it turns out that it is very much needed. But God, who lives outside of time, already knew that. That's only one reason why we can trust Him. Because we can trust Him, He is the solution to our...
Dilemma Delimitation.
1) It's a catchy phrase. Hey, it got your attention didn't it?
2) To delimitate is to mark or prescribe the limits or boundaries of something.
Hence, the title: Dilemma Delimitation. The limitations set on a dilemma. How do you set limits on a dilemma? Well, first acknowledge it, then seek out a solution that will prevent the dilemma from controlling you. How?
For the average American, the solution is sought out vigorously. We hate pain and will do whatever we can to eliminate it from our lives as quickly as possible. We:
1) Make more money and rely on materialism to bring us relief. It works, too. For a while. But only for a while.
2) You have undoubtedly heard the expression: "If you don't have your health, you don't have anything". So, we focus on our health. Nothing wrong with that. Unfortunately, even a healthy person will eventually find life meaningless.
3) Make a name for ourselves. Contribute to society, etc. Again, are you really going to care that somebody put your name on a hospital - when you're dead? Sorry...It isn't my intention to be morbid, but facts are facts. I mean, do you know of anybody in all of history that has not died? I didn't think so. Well, there is one person. He died...but He rose again. His name is Jesus. If you know Him, you will also know that He is the answer to our problems.
Are His solutions quick fixes? Rarely. He uses time, circumstances, experiences and all manner of people, in His solutions that are tailor made for each of His children.
Do we know what those solutions are? Usually not. More often than not we are put in a position where we have to do what the world thinks is ridiculous. We have to have faith and trust in Him to take care of our needs. Faith is key, so God allows situations in our lives that will require our faith to expand. Then, once our faith has expanded...it turns out that it is very much needed. But God, who lives outside of time, already knew that. That's only one reason why we can trust Him. Because we can trust Him, He is the solution to our...
Dilemma Delimitation.
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
Dangerous Dilemma
When you think about it...since when is a dilemma not dangerous? Yes, there are various degrees of "dilemanation" - I'll grant cha that captain! So, hey, do you like my new word? Either changing meanings of existing words or coming up with new ones altogether is apparently all the rage these days. Dilemanation: Noun or verb. 1) The condition or state of being in a dilemma...as in, "Their dilemantion was a result of the dilemma they found themselves in.
2) The overwhelming dilemmas experienced in this country result in a "Dilemmanation". 3) verb: the act of causing a dilemma. "The dilemmantion of the country was deliberate.
Okay, okay... I had my silly fun for the day. But on the serious side. (Sometimes I hate that side) Anyway. I just thought I'd share with you the dangerous dilemma I find myself in. Well, here goes.
I'm overwhelmed by so much. My frozen shoulder can now be referred to as my frozen shoulders...as in both arms. I can't even get relief when I go to sleep at night. The mild case of poison oak has not gotten better. No, it's worse. Now I itch all over. It hurts to simply sit, because my neck is in pain. Hey I didn't say I was the pain in my neck...simply that I have a pain in my neck and it is non-stop. What else? Oh, I have been betrayed by many people. I won't say more on that. More? I don't want to bore you with more. But it is there. Believe me.
The point I want to make is that, speaking for myself, it is good to be vulnerable - but it is dangerous to live vulnerably. What I mean is that being vulnerable is good...but where do you draw the line between being vulnerable and being a victim? We'll talk about that in a future post. But for now, I want to acknowledge that when we are vulnerable it lets other people know they aren't alone...and that's a good thing. But it isn't an answer to any problem. What is? Tomorrow, we will talk about the solution to the...
Dangerous Dilemma
2) The overwhelming dilemmas experienced in this country result in a "Dilemmanation". 3) verb: the act of causing a dilemma. "The dilemmantion of the country was deliberate.
Okay, okay... I had my silly fun for the day. But on the serious side. (Sometimes I hate that side) Anyway. I just thought I'd share with you the dangerous dilemma I find myself in. Well, here goes.
I'm overwhelmed by so much. My frozen shoulder can now be referred to as my frozen shoulders...as in both arms. I can't even get relief when I go to sleep at night. The mild case of poison oak has not gotten better. No, it's worse. Now I itch all over. It hurts to simply sit, because my neck is in pain. Hey I didn't say I was the pain in my neck...simply that I have a pain in my neck and it is non-stop. What else? Oh, I have been betrayed by many people. I won't say more on that. More? I don't want to bore you with more. But it is there. Believe me.
The point I want to make is that, speaking for myself, it is good to be vulnerable - but it is dangerous to live vulnerably. What I mean is that being vulnerable is good...but where do you draw the line between being vulnerable and being a victim? We'll talk about that in a future post. But for now, I want to acknowledge that when we are vulnerable it lets other people know they aren't alone...and that's a good thing. But it isn't an answer to any problem. What is? Tomorrow, we will talk about the solution to the...
Dangerous Dilemma
Monday, November 1, 2010
The Intolerant "Tolerant"
I accepted Christ almost 34 years ago. I have not regretted that decision. Do I expect all other people to make the same choice as I did? No, obviously not. People have a will of their own - myself included. It would be arrogant and patronizing of me to assume all people should believe what I believe and think what I think. How ridiculous. How intolerant.
Years ago when people started making an issue of intolerance - I wholeheartedly agreed with them. Sure, there are some things civil people are intolerant of. People are intolerant of what they perceive as immoral behavior...like murder, for example. However, aside from criminal activity, I certainly would hope people would be tolerant of others. The definition? "In general usage, intolerance is a fair, objective, and permissive attitude toward those whose beliefs or personal characteristics (race, religion, nationality, etc.),differ from one's own." We are talking about being permissive towards people - even if we disagree with their thinking or actions...and dare I say it? Their beliefs.
I know many people who have different views than I do- whether it be religion, politics or clothing preferences. We get along well. They are tolerant of me and I of them. It truly is not an issue. However, over the years the definition of intolerance (for some people,anyway) seems to be: "Support and full acceptance of my views -irregardless of yours"...and if you don't support and fully condone my views then you are judging me. To be sure, not everybody falls into this category. It is my opinion that those who do are extreme and radical.
I am not nor have I ever been in a place to judge anybody. That is God's jurisdiction. If you don't believe that God exists...then you shouldn't have a problem with this. You can simply feel sorry for me and go on with your life. However, not all people feel that way. Their judgement of me and other Christians is all too clear. Frankly I find that behavior repugnant, disappointing and, yes, intolerant.
The very people who pride themselves in being "tolerant" don't seem to know the meaning of the word. They are, in my estimation...
The Intolerant "Tolerant"
Years ago when people started making an issue of intolerance - I wholeheartedly agreed with them. Sure, there are some things civil people are intolerant of. People are intolerant of what they perceive as immoral behavior...like murder, for example. However, aside from criminal activity, I certainly would hope people would be tolerant of others. The definition? "In general usage, intolerance is a fair, objective, and permissive attitude toward those whose beliefs or personal characteristics (race, religion, nationality, etc.),differ from one's own." We are talking about being permissive towards people - even if we disagree with their thinking or actions...and dare I say it? Their beliefs.
I know many people who have different views than I do- whether it be religion, politics or clothing preferences. We get along well. They are tolerant of me and I of them. It truly is not an issue. However, over the years the definition of intolerance (for some people,anyway) seems to be: "Support and full acceptance of my views -irregardless of yours"...and if you don't support and fully condone my views then you are judging me. To be sure, not everybody falls into this category. It is my opinion that those who do are extreme and radical.
I am not nor have I ever been in a place to judge anybody. That is God's jurisdiction. If you don't believe that God exists...then you shouldn't have a problem with this. You can simply feel sorry for me and go on with your life. However, not all people feel that way. Their judgement of me and other Christians is all too clear. Frankly I find that behavior repugnant, disappointing and, yes, intolerant.
The very people who pride themselves in being "tolerant" don't seem to know the meaning of the word. They are, in my estimation...
The Intolerant "Tolerant"
Saturday, October 30, 2010
Death of a Church
A new minister in a small Oklahoma town spent the first four days desperately calling on the membership, begging them to come to his first services . . . He failed.
He placed a notice in the local newspapers, stating that as the church was dead, it was his duty to give it a decent Christian burial. The funeral would be held the following Sunday afternoon, the notice said.
Morbidly curious the whole town turned out. In front of the pulpit, they saw a high coffin, smothered in flowers. The minister read the obituary and delivered a eulogy; he then invited his congregation to step forward and pay their respects to the dearly beloved who had departed.
The long line filed by. Each mourner peeped into the coffin and then turned away with a guilty, sheepish look. For in the coffin, tilted at the correct angle, was a large mirror. Everyone saw himself.
"Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another -- and all the more as you see the Day approaching." (Hebrews 10:25 NIV)
By: Anonymous
He placed a notice in the local newspapers, stating that as the church was dead, it was his duty to give it a decent Christian burial. The funeral would be held the following Sunday afternoon, the notice said.
Morbidly curious the whole town turned out. In front of the pulpit, they saw a high coffin, smothered in flowers. The minister read the obituary and delivered a eulogy; he then invited his congregation to step forward and pay their respects to the dearly beloved who had departed.
The long line filed by. Each mourner peeped into the coffin and then turned away with a guilty, sheepish look. For in the coffin, tilted at the correct angle, was a large mirror. Everyone saw himself.
"Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another -- and all the more as you see the Day approaching." (Hebrews 10:25 NIV)
By: Anonymous
Friday, October 29, 2010
More Dangerous Than Ever...
You are walking along, minding your own business when...oh, look at that cute dog. Where is the owner? You don't want to leave it wandering around aimlessly, so... being the good person you are you decide to add another boarder to your home until you can find the owner. You choose to give him a name...after you realize it is a "him" of course. Let's see. He's a shy little guy. How about "Bashy" since that is easier to say than "Bashful"? You are not aware that this pup has rabies. You can, however, see that a wash is in order. Okay, let's face it. You want to be a good Samaritan to this dog, so the little guy gets a "makeover"... courtesy of "you". Everybody falls in love with this cute, cuddly canine. There is only one problem. You see, when he was a scruffy stray a person might have noticed that something was a little off. An experienced eye would see his skittishness. Could that behavior be normal? If a dog catcher was called he would have verified that the dog had rabies.
Rabies is a disease caused by a virus that can affect the central nervous system (brain and spinal cord) of any kind of mammal, including humans.
It's not always easy to detect rabies, since infected animals spread the disease through their saliva or brain matter. (Yuk) People may be exposed to rabies when they are bitten by an infected wild or domestic animal. Fortunately for us, because of widespread animal vaccination programs, people in North America aren't exposed very often to rabies; it's more common in developing nations.
Signs of rabies in animals may include having excessive saliva or sometimes foaming at the mouth, paralysis, or behavioral changes in your pet (such as shyness when the pet was friendly) or no fear of humans in a wild animal.
A rabies infection in humans begins with vague symptoms such as fever, cough, or sore throat followed in several days by more serious and rapidly progressing symptoms such as restlessness, hallucinations, and seizures. The final stage is coma and death.
Rabies is nearly always fatal if not treated before the appearance of symptoms.
Now that this little guy has been "cleaned up" on the outside, it will be much more difficult to detect a problem...and because of that, he is...
More Dangerous Than Ever...
Rabies is a disease caused by a virus that can affect the central nervous system (brain and spinal cord) of any kind of mammal, including humans.
It's not always easy to detect rabies, since infected animals spread the disease through their saliva or brain matter. (Yuk) People may be exposed to rabies when they are bitten by an infected wild or domestic animal. Fortunately for us, because of widespread animal vaccination programs, people in North America aren't exposed very often to rabies; it's more common in developing nations.
Signs of rabies in animals may include having excessive saliva or sometimes foaming at the mouth, paralysis, or behavioral changes in your pet (such as shyness when the pet was friendly) or no fear of humans in a wild animal.
A rabies infection in humans begins with vague symptoms such as fever, cough, or sore throat followed in several days by more serious and rapidly progressing symptoms such as restlessness, hallucinations, and seizures. The final stage is coma and death.
Rabies is nearly always fatal if not treated before the appearance of symptoms.
Now that this little guy has been "cleaned up" on the outside, it will be much more difficult to detect a problem...and because of that, he is...
More Dangerous Than Ever...
Thursday, October 28, 2010
Christian Chameleons
Seems like a lot of good pastors enjoy the "Discovery Channel" or "Animal Kingdom"... things along those lines. I have to admit, I can understand why they enjoy it so much. There are so many analogies that can be drawn from interesting facts of life.
Take the chameleon. I always thought the main reason a chameleon changed color was to protect itself-via-camouflage. Well, there are many countless varieties of those cute little lizards... some of which many people would say were not so cute and not that little. Personally, I think they are cute. But, hey, that's me. Important random note: I love that little green gecko on the commercials. You know - the one with an accent? Sorry. I digress...
Back to chameleons. The word is out that scientist are re-assessing their original belief that the species primarily changed color for protection reasons. I want you to know I was shocked when I heard that. Anyway, scientist have now come to the conclusion that our lizard friends actually change their color in response to light exposure and temperature, as well as to express their mood.
Even emotions and attraction of a mate can induce the color changes. It is also a way to communicate. Oh! And did I tell you that the change of appearance can occur in only 20 seconds?!
What does this have to do with Christians? I was just thinking it was interesting to note that when a Christian lives in God's Light... his appearance or demeanor, transforms him. When surroundings or circumstances "heat up" - change takes place again. When we let our emotions take over... "Control-Shift". Just looking at Christians - or any "transparent" person is like looking at a mood ring. Our appearance changes as our body language takes over. And the change can be very quick. It looks like all of us have the tendency to allow ourselves to become...
Christian Chameleons
Take the chameleon. I always thought the main reason a chameleon changed color was to protect itself-via-camouflage. Well, there are many countless varieties of those cute little lizards... some of which many people would say were not so cute and not that little. Personally, I think they are cute. But, hey, that's me. Important random note: I love that little green gecko on the commercials. You know - the one with an accent? Sorry. I digress...
Back to chameleons. The word is out that scientist are re-assessing their original belief that the species primarily changed color for protection reasons. I want you to know I was shocked when I heard that. Anyway, scientist have now come to the conclusion that our lizard friends actually change their color in response to light exposure and temperature, as well as to express their mood.
Even emotions and attraction of a mate can induce the color changes. It is also a way to communicate. Oh! And did I tell you that the change of appearance can occur in only 20 seconds?!
What does this have to do with Christians? I was just thinking it was interesting to note that when a Christian lives in God's Light... his appearance or demeanor, transforms him. When surroundings or circumstances "heat up" - change takes place again. When we let our emotions take over... "Control-Shift". Just looking at Christians - or any "transparent" person is like looking at a mood ring. Our appearance changes as our body language takes over. And the change can be very quick. It looks like all of us have the tendency to allow ourselves to become...
Christian Chameleons
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
We've Got A Problem Houston...
It's like this. Here we all are, going about our business and thinking we are okay. Then, circumstances get difficult if not impossible... and after a period of "stress out" time, anger gets the best of us. It could take the form of depression, passive aggressiveness, or even blatant anger at the world. Perhaps you yell at the person you love most - because you know they'll "take" it. Regardless, it becomes apparent to all - including yourself - that "loving others" is not something you are embracing at the moment.
People are watching us; expecting us to be "perfect" because we are Christians. I hate it when that happens. Yes, I know. "Hate" is a strong word. Well, I feel strongly about this. The fact of the matter is that literally all people who have asked Jesus to be the Lord of their lives are people. Yes, you heard me make that amazingly profound statement. I'll say it again. They are people. Human beings that have a body of flesh and blood. You see, though we have died to sin...sin hasn't died in us. When we became Christians, it didn't automatically turn us into supersaints. Wherever did people get that idea, anyway? Aarrgghh!!!
The fact of the matter is, at the time we decided to believe in Jesus and follow Him, we were adopted into His family. God immediately acknowledged a special change in us - but only He could see it. He saw our salvation and our lives in the future. He is not bound by time, so He knew what we would become. He knew our hurts. Our hearts. Our pains. Our past. He knew and knows things about us that we don't remember about ourselves.
But as far as every day life goes, sin is alive and well. We are surrounded by it just as much as anyone. Sin is still around. No, it doesn't have to have dominion over us anymore - but chances are good that it will take a while to "weed out". Bottom line? Well, until we learn and grow it will look to the rest of the world that...
We've Got A Problem Houston.
People are watching us; expecting us to be "perfect" because we are Christians. I hate it when that happens. Yes, I know. "Hate" is a strong word. Well, I feel strongly about this. The fact of the matter is that literally all people who have asked Jesus to be the Lord of their lives are people. Yes, you heard me make that amazingly profound statement. I'll say it again. They are people. Human beings that have a body of flesh and blood. You see, though we have died to sin...sin hasn't died in us. When we became Christians, it didn't automatically turn us into supersaints. Wherever did people get that idea, anyway? Aarrgghh!!!
The fact of the matter is, at the time we decided to believe in Jesus and follow Him, we were adopted into His family. God immediately acknowledged a special change in us - but only He could see it. He saw our salvation and our lives in the future. He is not bound by time, so He knew what we would become. He knew our hurts. Our hearts. Our pains. Our past. He knew and knows things about us that we don't remember about ourselves.
But as far as every day life goes, sin is alive and well. We are surrounded by it just as much as anyone. Sin is still around. No, it doesn't have to have dominion over us anymore - but chances are good that it will take a while to "weed out". Bottom line? Well, until we learn and grow it will look to the rest of the world that...
We've Got A Problem Houston.
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