Month: March 2015

“Where Do I Start?”

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Not being a man of high intelligence or extreme complex thought I usually try to stick to what I understand best and will at times shy away from those things that I find too complicated or difficult for my brain to digest.  This does not mean I am not willing to learn, it simply means that I choose to live my life my way as long as it falls within the confines of what God has planned for me.

In the quest for a fairly simple life I have attempted to follow God in the best way I know how, but with all the self-proclaimed Christian denominations out there I find it difficult to discern which one I am supposed to follow or none at all. One funny thing though; I have recently learned of Theonomy and find it a curious perspective that has caused me to dive even deeper into my bible  There are many well-educated authors on the subject which also leaves me a very long reading list to tackle!

Discouraging at best is probably the best way to describe my experiences and none more discouraging than the lack of fellowship.  This is a difficult subject because at our jobs we are to keep those subjects hushed, but I never thought that as a Christian I would consider myself lonely as one. I am also not naive enough to think that I am the only person seeking knowledge and fellowship in Christ, so don’t assume that this my version of a pity party as it is not pity that I seek.

Through these searches and during this time of difficulty I am still thankful to God for the opportunity to learn more about Him and myself. I will also count it to joy for any amount of time I have to be in prayer and in God’s Word; through these I consider myself not wanting for anything.

So in summary what I am experiencing is nothing compared to those on the other side of the world being persecuted and killed for their Christian beliefs which leaves me in a position to be nothing less than thankful.  I am however, left with the task of prayer for them to have strength in love and perseverance through faith.

“A Perspective of Salvation”

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Today the world took another spin as we attempted to keep up with the momentum of time.  Each of us sees that rotation in many varying ways, which make us the unique species on this planet.

So are we that unique?  Well I think the answer is pretty obvious; we have a soul.  Even for those who say they don’t do and according to what we know in God’s Word to us, we are held responsible for the care and welfare of this planet. That should makes us qualified to carry out God’s wishes along with His ordnances.

This might be a point of disagreement and that is okay if it is, but our lives as Christians should not be to only wait patiently for Christ’s return or even death to carry us away to Heaven.  Actually we should be very busy to take care of Christ’s Kingdom here on earth as we were left as its caretakers until His return; whenever that may be.  Christ never tells us when; only to be ready.

So if we are to be busy prior to Christ’s return, then what exactly are we supposed to be doing?  We know that we are not saved by works, so then I must assume that we are “Saved for works” as stated by Dr. Joel McDurmon.  Knowing that Dr. McDurmon is a Theonomist makes my point more interesting.

Dr McDurmon comes from the idea that God’s Law must also be the civil law and we know that it is also the basis for our moral law.  This law also tells us that we are to care for God’s Kingdom along with its inhabitants.  We already know that the laws of God are just, but some may view them as “old”, “Jewish” or “no longer applicable”.  With the degraded society we live in that claims to be “modern”, “well-rounded” or even “fair”, for those descriptions I will simply disagree.

God’s Laws were and are fairly simple; yet difficult for even the best Jew to follow.  Considering the best and perfect Jew was Jesus Christ; perfection does not fall on any human being’s resume.  With this I am simply trying to understand how I as a Christian can be a better one and a proper steward of Christ’s Kingdom here on earth.

I greatly respect those whose knowledge of God far surpasses mine and for them I am grateful to God.  From these our faith is measured in how well we receive and discern their words concerning their interpretation of God’s Word, its meaning and symbolism.  Whatever God has wished me to glean from their teaching I will use it to strengthen my faith and my stance for Christ’s Kingdom.

As there are too many to mention I will thank Jeff Durbin, Dr Joel McDurmon and my current pastor for their teaching; they bring my soul the freshness and nearness of God each time I hear them speak.

“Can I Borrow Your Hammer and Saw?”

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“Hey neighbor! Can I borrow that brand new table saw sitting in your garage?  It sure is a nice one and I could really use something like that to finish that bookshelf for my wife.”

Now this might sound familiar if you live next to “the neighbor” who always needs to use something you own and usually doesn’t return it for months.  This could also be a situation where you live next to a very good friend and have no problem with borrowing him any tool in your garage.

The real question here is not how you gauge your neighbors, but rather how we as men determine friendships based on the tools we borrow out of our garage.  For some men it might be as simple as “I don’t borrow out my tools for anyone” or it might be that “I have an extra set of tools just for lending purposes.”

Whatever our tool set situation, we still tend to hesitate for just that quick moment to determine if or at what level I plan to borrow out my tools.  For many men their tool sets are a passage of manhood that says to the world that “I am a man and I own my own set of tools!”  For those who do not own them, but constantly borrow them, this connection is not made, thus the extended stay for other’s tools at their house.

The real question must now be answered; do I gauge my friends by the tools that I borrow or do not borrow them?  I say that the answer is yes, because if they are our friends we know them and know about when we expect to see the tools again.

However, there is also the man who cares not about the tools, but the ability of their friend to complete their project and then it can be said; “because of my set of tools, my friend built that.”  This where the story of Jesus Christ comes in.  “But Jesus did not have a set of tools” you say?

He gave His disciples a Tape Measure; I John 4:1-3; Beloved, do not believe every spirit…which you have heard was coming, and is now already in the world.”

He gave them a Compass; John 8:14 -19; Jesus answered and said to them…Jesus answered. “You neither Me nor My Father… If you had known Me, you would have known My Father also.”

He gave them a set of Keys; John 8:31-32; Then Jesus said to those…and the truth shall make you free.”

He gave them a Broom; Matthew 21: 12 -13; Then Jesus went into the temple of God…but you have made it a ‘den of thieves.’

So as we can see, Jesus gave us many tools and without regard to each of us as a friend, neighbor or other.  He sets the perfect example of not only leadership and sacrifice, but one also of supreme trust.  He knew that He would leave this world behind in our care.  Now the question we must ask ourselves is this; in what condition will the tools we were borrowed be returned in?

“It’s Just a Flower”

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For my beautiful daughter on her birthday.  I love you more than my simple words could ever say.  You are a pillar of strength, yet as gentle as the drops of dew held on the petals of a flower in the morning sun.

 

“It’s Just a Flower”

 

Slowly the sun opens the day with warmth that causes the flowers to blush,

The birds awake and sing to the sun as it moves upward with no rush.

 

A breeze begins to flutter some leaves as they lean towards the light,

But it is the flower so frail that stands tall after the cool night.

 

The world offers nothing as perfect as the flower with its colors and design,

The stems are thin and the petals frail, with a color only God can define.

 

Pounding and pushing, even the rain and the wind bow to its reign,

Though drooping and soaked the flower does not feign.

 

Although humble in its features and form, beauty and grace will continue to stay,

Covering the land in color and motion, nothing like it is found in all of God’s display.

 

Although all are alike, none are the same, each one a pillar of perfection,

It has always been the flower enduring the worst, always giving its best, never needing direction.

 

D.E. Jones

“As the Sun Sets”

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As the world turns yet again for another day and the sun goes under the horizon, my mind takes me into a place where everything and everyone I see I must give thanks. This might sound easy on the surface, but I also have to be thankful to those who were not necessarily nice to me or worth, in my mind, giving thanks to.

This might be the thoughts of others as well; not sure.  To give thanks or even forgiveness is not always easy, as human nature dictates that these two things can be considered as optional. However it works for any of us is, well…, up to us. But is it really?

We say that we have “free will”, but do we really? If sin is controlling certain aspects of our lives, do we truly have enough control to say that the decisions we make are actually free from anything, other than the sin that permeates our total being?  The only way to let these go is to not only give our sins up to God, but we have to remember forgiving others must be done first before we approach God with the burden we want lifted from us.

Jesus speaks in the parable of the Unforgiving Servant about forgiving others first. Matthew 18:32″Then his master, after he had called him, said to him, ‘You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you begged me. 33. Should you not also have had compassion on your fellow servant, just as I had pity on you? 34. And his master was angry, and delivered him to the torturers until he should pay all that was due to him. 35. ‘So My heavenly Father also will do to you if each of you, from his heart, does not forgive his brother his trespasses.”

As we go through our day as Christians, we know that not everyone we encounter believes what we do. Although this wall does exist, thankfulness and forgiveness are still understood by non-Christians.  Living for God is not easy and I too struggle with the secular challenges, so with that being said I do know that the days of not forgiving and keeping Jesus Christ under a rug of social acceptability are over.

So as the sun sets at the end of each day, take a moment to think about how to best thank someone or give forgiveness if needed. God’s judgements may sound harsh concerning forgiveness, but in reality the potential pain we can cause others by not following through with what God expects of us could actually be our last chance to do so since none of us are guaranteed tomorrow, but being judged before His seat is.

Matthew 16: 24,25;  “Then Jesus said to His disciples, ‘If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. 25. For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it.”

“A Piece of My Heart They Shall Forever Have”

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Many of us have walked through stores and seen employees who live with limitations and must work harder than anyone else in the store to come up to what most of us consider normal or average.

For some people it is a momentary passing and a fleeting thought that appears or some of us think of how good it is that they are working and trying to be part of society and not a burden.  And then there those of us who either know are a family member to them.

For me as a father of a young adult with limitations, not only do I have thoughts into their trials in life, it is my heart that pulls so hard that it could come out of my chest because of the love I have for all of them.

I want to be their knight, their crusader, and their shield.  But there are also times I wish to carry their sword.  These can be one of the toughest times for a Christian when we have to choose between forgiveness and correction for those who forget that people with limitations are not to be discriminated against.  We are our brother’s keeper and must know that for those who cannot always speak for themselves we must.

If it were not an important issue we would not have laws in this country to protect those who are not able to do for themselves the things we take for granted every day.  There is a reason the laws God gave, Moses communicated and Jesus fulfilled were created and they were for the good of all humans, not just for a privileged few.  I believe for us it is a matter of task that we try to take them seriously and not just let bad things happen without somehow enforcing them where possible.  If not the laws, then at least the idea they represent must somehow be presented.

So the next time we see a person with limitations working in the stores we frequent, take a moment, tell them they are appreciated and are doing a great job.  Know that they are always giving their best, just as we should always give them ours.

“Finding Your Humble”

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There might be times in our lives when God places people or things in our path to help us in “finding our humble”.  For me, today it happened when I sat down to start working on the next blog I wanted to write today.

To start my work I normally turn to my Bible for some inspiration that connects to my day.  Today I picked up a hymnal first and opened the book near the middle and it opened to a hymn numbered #496 and named “I Asked…God Answered”.  It was written by an Unknown Confederate Soldier.

“I asked God for strength, that I might achieve; I was made weak, that I might learn humbly to obey.

I asked for health, that I might do greater things; I was given infirmity that I might do better things.

I asked for riches, that I might be happy; I was given poverty, that I might be wise.

I asked for power, that I might have the praise of men; I was given weakness, that I might feel the need of God.

I asked for all things, that I might enjoy life; I was given life, that I might enjoy all things.

I got nothing that I asked for – but everything I had hoped for.

Almost despite myself, my unspoken prayers were answered.

I am, among all men, most richly blessed” (Schrader,2003. p.496).

After the day I had on Monday and Tuesday I thought I needed to be uplifted rather than being reminded of being humble.  After reading the above hymn I am convinced that it is being humble that makes me the most happy.  I will admit that there are times when I am in a low place when it happens, but in this case I was actually quite the opposite.

I find it very motivating that I found this hymn just by opening the book.  Not a single page was turned to search for anything else. The message was clear and understood.  I am thankful for what it contains for me, but I am also grateful that I am able to share with someone else who might also need it help them on their walk with God.

So if you didn’t find it here; get out there and go “find your humble!”

 

 

Reference

Schrader, Jack. (2003). “Sing Joyfully”. Tabernacle Publishing Company. Carol Stream, Illinois, 60188.

“Said the Grape to the Raisin”

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The soul can be that very thing in each of us that has the ability to guide us, warn us and teach us.  When the soul begins to work in each of us it knows our heart, just as God does.  The only thing that the soul has to contend with is our “free will”.

In the spirit of not pointing fingers I will begin with saying that I too have felt that my soul felt like a raisin rather than a grape.  With that being said we know that the best wine comes from the best grapes and we also know that a lot of work goes into ensuring that the yield is only of the highest quality.

Some days I will admit that if my soul were used to make wine, I might actually end up with a glass of vinegar.  Now I know there are some out there who will say that wine can be made from raisins, but I have had it and it is just not the same.  Either way looking into my own soul is not an easy task; especially when it is asking me to.

How we choose to seek out our soul is up to the individual and I am not here to tell you how, but rather to go ahead and do it.  God is seeking a relationship with you here on earth long before your days are done here. Find a way to search it and realize what God has waiting for you.  If you are a Christian you know that it as simple as asking Jesus Christ to help you find what you need or to take away a burden that is keeping you from finding truth.  If you are not a Christian, then it is as simple as asking Jesus Christ into your heart, ask Him to take your sins and claim Him as your Lord and Saviour.

To help understand how the soul can be filled, turn to the music that God has inspired through the ages.  The hymns we sing in church are designed by God to awaken our souls and turn them from a raisin to a grape, filled with the rich essence of the fruit that pleases and nourishes.  Together we become the wine or simple grape juice that fulfills the thirst our soul has when it seeks that relationship with God.

One hymn that I like among so many is “Where the Spirit of the Lord Is”.  It is very short, but gets right to the point of having a spiritual relationship with Jesus.

So, will you be a raisin or a grape?

Not Peace that the World Gives

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Through God is truly the only way to peace. For Isreal and the United States it is a matter of God, not religion that will determine our destiny. No other way will do.

itsawonderfilledlife

Did you hear about the visit and speech to the U.S. congress, by Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, which focused on the risk that Iran plays in regards to world peace? Have you heard about the murder of Russian opposition leader, Boris Nemtsov? How about news regarding the three British sisters, missing and rumored to have headed to Syria with the goal of joining ISIS?

All three of those news stories (newspapers, TV, online) have been featured in just the past week, and all three of those news stories have something in common, they all remind us of instability, of threat, of fear.

Fear, birthed in the horrors of our sin-filled world, can make us yearn for a savior. A fearful world can make us wonder who might be in the right place, at the right time, to bring peace.

Just this week (Wednesday evening until Thursday evening) was the Jewish holiday…

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“Feel the Burn!”

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Words from Sergeants who lovingly punished us during our physical training sessions, from the personal trainer who gets a kick out of watching you sweat and strain, from the latest and greatest workout video you bought through an infomercial.

Some days I wish those were some of the things I was encountering.  Lately it has been some pretty intense back pain that no only permeates my physical body, but also my mental state.  With the pain comes the challenge of keeping up the smiles and an image of “everything is A-OK”.

Some might say that this would be the time you need to turn to God and ask Him to help you deal with the pain.  I can agree with this up to a certain point.  As we are human we do have emotions and do feel the pain at differing levels.

So of course I am going to pose a question and it is this; “How am I supposed to approach God as it pertains to pain?”  Just when I think of asking God for help with the pain I think back to what the Bible tells us about what Jesus went through.  How can I possibly ask God for relief when he gave His own son for me in the most painful way possible?

I am in no way saying that we should not ask God for help in these situations, but should the request be more about thanks, than relief?  What I know from the Gospel is that through our suffering and sacrifice good things will come.  For whatever God’s reason I must go through this and through this I will learn or someone else will benefit.  My prayer is to simply be obedient.

Ultimately, I do believe that God’s plan is at work and where I fit in will be revealed to me when it is my time to fulfil my part.  Until then, it will be prayer, meditation in the Word and trying share Christ whenever and wherever possible.  Always forward…