Have a Great Thanksgiving Celebration
Psalms 121
121:1 I look up toward the hills.
From where does my help come?
121:2 My help comes from the Lord,
the Creator of heaven and earth!
121:3 May he not allow your foot to slip!
May your protector not sleep!
121:4 Look! Israel’s protector
does not sleep or slumber!
121:5 The Lord is your protector;
the Lord is the shade at your right hand.
121:6 The sun will not harm you by day,
or the moon by night.
121:7 The Lord will protect you from all harm;
he will protect your life.
121:8 The Lord will protect you in all you do,
now and forevermore.
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
Monday, November 17, 2008
Overcoming Fear
At a recent large gathering of followers of Jesus the altar call resulted in a couple hundred individuals responding for prayer and spiritual support. Afterwards it was reported (I do not know if this was accurate) that 98% of those coming forward needed prayer because of fear relating to personal issues, mostly finances. In recent conversations with both pastors and people in our churches, I have found the same reality. People are worried about their finances, the global economy, world events especially potential terrorism, and the future in general.
I understand the feeling! Thirty minutes into CNN or Fox News Network and I must remove myself from the tube and find something more edifying to occupy my mind. May I suggest a reprieve from the news? What would we miss if we did not watch the latest news reports, read the paper, or listen to the latest radio talk show. Can you do without the EIB Network for a week? Would you really be deprived if you gave up reading the newspaper or Internet news wire for a week?
You just might discover a refreshment occurring in your spirit. The anxiety may just subside as you take a little more time in the Word and listening to the voice of God. It is wonderful to live in an age of instant information and total connectedness with your neighbor, family, and the entire world of information. I am not opposed to that. However, the distraction can be insidious and dangerous when the voice of God becomes muffled or drowned out by the noise of the voices that clamor for our attention. Try it and see what happens. Then let me know what you discover.
I understand the feeling! Thirty minutes into CNN or Fox News Network and I must remove myself from the tube and find something more edifying to occupy my mind. May I suggest a reprieve from the news? What would we miss if we did not watch the latest news reports, read the paper, or listen to the latest radio talk show. Can you do without the EIB Network for a week? Would you really be deprived if you gave up reading the newspaper or Internet news wire for a week?
You just might discover a refreshment occurring in your spirit. The anxiety may just subside as you take a little more time in the Word and listening to the voice of God. It is wonderful to live in an age of instant information and total connectedness with your neighbor, family, and the entire world of information. I am not opposed to that. However, the distraction can be insidious and dangerous when the voice of God becomes muffled or drowned out by the noise of the voices that clamor for our attention. Try it and see what happens. Then let me know what you discover.
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
Elections and Voting
Voting in an election is a very American thing to do. We do it for national, state, and local government officials. Trade unions make this their means of choosing leadership as does the PTA, corporate presidents by the board of directors or those who own company stocks, and school board members. Even the church, in many organizations elect their leadership, including the AG. Today in America, a new president as well as many other offices will be filled through the casting of ballots.
The danger with democracy, is that we view the choosing of leaders as a human endeavor. We feel we have voted them in and we can also vote them out. While technically that may be true, we have a larger responsibility in the matter. First, Scripture reveals that the authorities that exist are placed there by God. This requires the those who wish to obey God's Word are to obey those authorities and give them respect for the office they hold. Second, we are to pray for those in authority. It is difficult to sincerely pray for those we are criticizing or rebelling against. Third, being followers of Jesus raises the standard by which we are to live in relationship to everyone around us, including the civic leaders with which we either agree or disagree. Our witness for Christ in our community is more important that our economic, social, or international preferences. Does that require us to agree with those in leadership? Certainly not. But it does require us to disagree agreeably.
By this time tomorrow, we should know (hopefully) the identity of our next President. No matter who that person may be, we will choose to support, love, respect, and pray for that person and the other people placed in positions of leadership. Jesus will still be Lord of the Church and the soon coming King to whom all authority and rule belongs. He is working out His will in our world. May the Church be who He has called us to be and live out the reality of His Lordship in all we do.
The danger with democracy, is that we view the choosing of leaders as a human endeavor. We feel we have voted them in and we can also vote them out. While technically that may be true, we have a larger responsibility in the matter. First, Scripture reveals that the authorities that exist are placed there by God. This requires the those who wish to obey God's Word are to obey those authorities and give them respect for the office they hold. Second, we are to pray for those in authority. It is difficult to sincerely pray for those we are criticizing or rebelling against. Third, being followers of Jesus raises the standard by which we are to live in relationship to everyone around us, including the civic leaders with which we either agree or disagree. Our witness for Christ in our community is more important that our economic, social, or international preferences. Does that require us to agree with those in leadership? Certainly not. But it does require us to disagree agreeably.
By this time tomorrow, we should know (hopefully) the identity of our next President. No matter who that person may be, we will choose to support, love, respect, and pray for that person and the other people placed in positions of leadership. Jesus will still be Lord of the Church and the soon coming King to whom all authority and rule belongs. He is working out His will in our world. May the Church be who He has called us to be and live out the reality of His Lordship in all we do.
Saturday, November 1, 2008
The Shack
The C3 group of which I am a part is reading The Shack by Wm. Paul Young for our upcoming meeting. I just finished reading it this evening. I found myself challenged, encouraged, in tears, and hungry for a deeper relationship with God. I am aware that some have criticized the book. Have you read it and how did you respond to it either positively or negatively. I have enjoyed the writings of C.S.Lewis both from a literary perspective as well as the pure enjoyment of his stories and thought provoking views of life, theology, and the Scriptures. Some have compared The Shack to Pilgrim's Progress. Would you agree or disagree?
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