Why don't we just cancel Christmas?

On November 20, NY Daily news reported that 45% of Americans wanted to “cancel Christmas”….

 

 

What if Christmas were cancelled?

No Christmas Songs or Carols

Silent Night, Joy to the World, O Holy Night, Away in a Manger, Hark the Herald Angels Sing - never inspired, never written, never sung. With no Christmas, the choirs are silenced, the carolers hushed, they are no more. More than that, they never were.

 

No Christmas Trees or Lights

Christmas Tree symbols like evergreen (eternal life in Jesus Christ), lights or candles (Jesus is the light of the world), boughs of holly with red berries and green leaves (Christ's shed blood at the cross and eternal life) and even the candy cane (the shepherd's crook speaks of Jesus as our Good Shepherd) all have a symbolism directly representing the Christian faith. The Christmas Tree actually originated in Christian Germany. It came from two Christian symbols found in homes at Christmastime. The first was a "paradise tree", an evergreen that was hung with apples which represented the tree of life in the Garden of Eden. The second symbol was a "Christmas pyramid." This was a triangular shelf holding Christmas figurines and decorated with a star. By about the 16th century these two symbols had been combined into the Christmas Tree.

 As a believer in Jesus Christ, if we decided to cancel "Christmas" or pretend it never happened we have some very serious consequences we would have to deal with:

1.       No Gift of Salvation

a.       ^16 “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life (Jn. 3:16) God gave us a gift, He gave it without expecting anything in return.  A gift we cannot earn, cannot buy, and cannot repay.  He gave it to us for one reason:  Simply because He loves you and I.

b.      ^8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— ^9 not by works, so that no one can boast (Eph. 2:8,9) The merciful kindness of God is where He could see that you and I had a problem, and He wanted to fix it.  The gift is given to us because we can't do it on our own, and If we could all we would do is brag about it.

2.       No Immanuel

a.       ^14 Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel (Is. 7:14) “God with us” or “with us is God”.  That's Immanel.  Every other religion is us trying to get to a god.  God wanted to be with us.

b.      ^5 Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: ^6 Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, ^7 but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. ^8 And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death— even death on a cross! (Phil. 2:5-8)

c.       ^12 But if it is preached that Christ has been raised from the dead, how can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? ^13 If there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised. ^14 And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith. ^15 More than that, we are then found to be false witnesses about God, for we have testified about God that he raised Christ from the dead. (1 Cor. 15:12-15)

3.       No Forgiveness of Sins (Matthew 1:21, 1 John 1:9)

a.       ^21 She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus,  because he will save his people from their sins.” (Mt. 1:21)  Jesus whole purpose of the reason He came was revealed to Mary:  to save his people from their sins.

b.      ^8 If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. ^9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. ^10 If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word has no place in our lives. (1 John 1:8-10) Here is our issue, we don't want to admit we need help.  We are stubborn.  We think we can do this on our own.  Let's face it, life is hard.  I need help, and you need help.  We need someone to eradicate us.

 

 

 

But Christmas Did happen, therefore It can’t be cancelled, Luke 2 cannot be denied, changed or ignored.  The majority of the 45% all said it was financial reasons they wanted to cancel Christmas.  More people go in debt November– end of December than any other time, so are we missing the point of Christmas? 

What is the point? 
What is the purpose?

Here is the point:  Three simple and yet profound words we use at Christmas that make the point.

a.       Hope - Defined: To cherish a desire with great anticipation (Websters).  Because Christmas DID happen you and I can have hope.  Hope that is found in the person of Jesus Christ.  Because of Him you and I can have desire and great anticipation.   “by the command of God our Savior and of Christ Jesus our hope (1 Ti 1:1)”

b.      Peace - Defined:  a state of tranquility or quiet: as, “calmness” (Websters).  Peace can only come through knowing that the creator of everything has us in the palm of His hands.  Therefore you and I can remain calm in the midst of trouble.   “79 to shine on those living in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the path of peace. (Lk 1:79)”

c.       Joy - Defined:  a source or cause of delight (Websters).  Happiness is based upon circumstances, aka if your teams with your happy if they don't your not.  Joy is not based upon circumstances.  Joy is what gives us stability.  Joy is what makes us keep going in the midst of bad circumstances.  Our Joy is found in the Person of Christ, He completes us.   “^4 We write this to make our joy complete. (1Jn. 1:4)

 

The next time you and I get frustrated about this time of year and throw our hands up and proclaim "let's just cancel Christmas", remember why it ever began.

 

Love to you all, and Merry Christmas.

 

Chris.

Loneliness

Loneliness 

Isolation

Helplessness 

The life of a leper.

A man with leprosy came to him and begged him on his knees, “If you are willing, you can make me clean.” Jesus was indignant. He reached out his hand and touched the man. “I am willing,” he said. “Be clean!” Immediately the leprosy left him and he was cleansed. (Mark 1:40-42 NIV)

Leprocy  was a death sentence, your body would rot and u will die.  At the very outset of a slight inclination of someone having leprosy they where immediately kicked out of their own home, abandoned by their loved ones, and having to depend on themselves.  Leprocy is a disease that still to this day there is no exact known reason as to how it is contracted (Wikipedia). 

So a leper has to lead this life of loneliness, isolation, and helplessness due to no fault of their own.

If the leper comes into the town for any reason they are to yell "unclean unclean", so people will run in the opposite direction.  Why? Because they don't want to be seen, associate, or contract.  Can you imagine how a leper feels if he has to go into his hometown and he sees the ones he loves, but instead of coming to his aid, finding out how he feels, or even acknowledge him they turn away and act as if they never knew him.  

Have you ever felt like the leper.  Lonely.  Isolated.  Helpless.  Scared.  Hopeless.

For this one leper the story doesn't end with those feelings.  He comes to Jesus.  Wait, he straight up walked to Jesus.  He fell at the feet of Jesus, and he asked to be healed.  We must pause to see Jesus reaction, he was indignant (better translated as full of compassion).  It's interesting to note here that it was not the ones closest to him that met the leper in his greatest time of need, it was Jesus.

When everyone else turned their back on him, Jesus faced him.  When everyone else would run the opposite direction, Jesus stayed.  When no one would listen to him, Jesus did. When he felt his loneliest, Jesus was there. In the hour of his greatest need, Jesus was there.  When no one one would associate with him, Jesus became his friend.  When he asked to be healed Jesus did.  When the leper needed someone to believe in him, Jesus did.

And when the rest had given up on him, Jesus didn't.

Sometimes we feel like a leper: lonely, isolated, helpless, scared, and hopeless.  

We must remember 

When everyone turns their backs on you, Jesus faces you

When they run Away, Jesus stays

When no one will listen, Jesus does

When you feel your loneliest, Jesus is there

When you are at the hour of greatest need, Jesus is there

When no one will associate with you, Jesus is your friend

When you need to be healed, Jesus will

When you need someone to believe in you, Jesus does

When everyone gives up on you, Jesus doesn't 

victory

Sunday I celebrated my spiritual birthday.  What is that you may ask?  on Sunday November 30, 1997, my life was forever changed.  On that day I asked Jesus to come into my life, I made Him my savior.

Some days, Some times, I lose site of that victory.  Some days, sometimes, things catch you or me off guard.  Some days some times things spin out of control.  It's these times, those days that we must remind ourselves, I have victory.  Some days are dark, dreary, and concerning.  Other days are beautiful, sunny, and encouraging.  Whether the days are dark, or the days are sunny the fact remains:  I have victory.

Not because of who we are, not because of some great and wonderful thing that we have done, but because His (God's) love goes far beyond what you and I could ever imagine.

"For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." (Romans 6:23, NIV)

I don't deserve the life I have right now, I don't deserve my family, I don't deserve my career, I don't deserve my friends, the fact of the matter is:  you don't either.  It is the gift of God.  That's powerful if you think about it.  Everything that we have, every person we know, and every breath we take is a gift from God.

It never ceases to amaze me when I read the Story of Jesus about what He was willing to do for me.  I wished every day I kept my eye on that but I don't.  Try as I may to keep that in the forefront of my pursuit of this life He gave me, we can all get distracted (squirrel)...

Sometimes we ask "Why me?", The response I usually get is, "why not".  Why shouldn't I have to deal with adversity, Jesus Did.  The gift, it came with a hefty price.  Jesus' life.  He knew the cost too, In Luke scripture tells that Jesus was so overcome with stress, grief, and anxiety that "He sweat drops of blood" (Luke 22:44).  I've been under unbelievable stress before, but never like that.  The gift.  He did that for me.

He suffered, died, and resurrected so I can LIVE.  That is what makes me victorious.  I may not always feel victorious, and you may not either.  The victory is not based upon you or me.  The victory is the gift of eternal life.

God, thank you for the victory...

expectations

I have been studying for the last couple of days about Moses.  When most people think of Moses they most always envision the character portraid by Charlton Heston in "The Ten Commandments".  A commanding strong individual.  However when you read the book of Exodus you will find this to not be.  You will find Moses as someone who did NOT want to lead.  Someone who had a ton of excuses when God shared with him that He would be the one to lead people out of slavery.  One part of the narrative is actually comical if you think about it.  As Moses and God are having this discourse and God is trying to convince Him to go back to Egypt, God instructs Moses to throw his staff upon the ground and when he does God transforms the staff into a snack.  Moses ran from it.  (Exodus 4:3).  I find humor in a man whom God is entrusting to lead a nation running from a snake....

Leading is not easy.  God had promised him all along the way that he would help him.  The issue was that Moses didn't "want" to.  God knew this was the man for the job though, he had been preparing him for many many years.

God expects a lot from his leaders. 

Not many of you should presume to be teachers, my brothers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly. (Jas 3:1., NIV)

We are judged differently, or God has higher expectations if you will.

I have often wondered, "what if I don't do what He asks?  What if I ignore?  what if I don't lead like I should"....

As harsh as it sounds in my reading this morning I found my answer:


^24 At a lodging place on the way, the Lord met Moses^ and was about to kill him. (Ex 4:24., NIV).

I have the read the Old Testament in its entirety many times, but yet for some reason, I did not recall this verse.  Funny how that works sometimes. 

To fill in some blanks as to what is happening.  Moses has answered the call (finally) to go back to Egypt, he packs up his wife and children, and begins the journey back.  Then verse 24 happens they stop for the night, and God is like "if your going to lead there is still this one thing you haven't done".  Apparently, one of Moses' sons had yet to be circumcised (requirement of God for Hebrews); some think that it may have been his wife (Zipporah) had talked him out of it when the son was born but we really don't know.  All we do know is this:  God expects His leaders to be obedient, so much so that right here, right now God stops Moses from going any further and is going to take his life for lack of obedience.

Zipporah in verse 25, immediately takes a flint knife and does the deed.

^26 So the Lord let him alone. (Exodus 4:26)

So here is the thing:

Yes God expects a higher standard from His leaders; however we are privileged to see Him work more.

Moses still had his own personal issues after this, however boy did God work amazingly through Him.  The parting of the red sea, God providing manna, and water from the rock.

I know this blog may sound jumbled but I'm still working it out in me....

hope something helped or spoke to you...

Chris

small victories

So yesterday I decided I was going to continue to push forward on my quest to gain distance to my runs.  I didn't tell anyone but I had determined that I was going to add a mile to my run.  My last run was 5 miles, so I had the mindset I was going to hit 6.  Was a pretty afternoon, wasn't too hot, and there was a little breeze.  I set my pace and held it.  Mile 1 felt good, mile 2 just as good, mile 3 even better, mile 4 not too bad, mile 5 I felt good.... in fact I felt like Rocky Balboa, I felt like pumping my fist up in the air because I was going to do this.  The last mile felt like forever, and then finally in my ear I heard "6 miles....", I couldn't hold it in I did do the Rocky fist pump then.... I felt victorious!!

^10 “Who despises the day of small things? (Zechariah 4:10)

A small victory.  Many may read this above and think "ok whats the big deal".

If you think about it life is full of "small victories" more than "large victories"

•   you wake up for work on time
• all green lights down patton ave (lol)
• you finish your work load with a little time to spare
• your child reads with little to no help
• your child does well on a test
• your child does a chore without being asked
• you lose a pound or two
• you gain a mile to your run
• you shave 30 sec off a mile
• a young person's attitude completely changes towards you
• your child memorizes a bible verse
• your child volunteers to pray
• you overcome a fear of praying in public

don't despise or overlook the small victories, those are the ones that will keep you going.

your not always going to

• get the job you want
• see your fav team win
• make 100 on tests
• find a killer deal on a house or car
• win an all expense paid vacation
• finish in 1st place
• lead a person to saving knowledge of Jesus Christ

if you rely only on the larger victories you will find yourself being discouraged.

When victory or accomplishments happen celebrate them whether large or small.....

Have a great weekend, Chris

I'm done...

 

"I'm done.."

I would venture to say every runner has said that to themselves.

For a couple of weeks I have been trying to psyche myself up to building endurance on my run, or adding mileage.  I have been at 3 to 3.5 miles for a year and I felt like now was the time to add more.  A week ago I added almost a mile and did 4.4.  This week I was like ok, I am doing 5.  So Tuesday came and I was ready.  I have to admit I actually prayed this before I ran, "God please give me the strength to make 5, amen.".  I very intentionally slowed my pace.  I am normally an 11 min mile, I slowed it to 12.5 to 13.  Mile 1 went well, mile 2 got a cramp in my calf, mile 3 was ok, then started into mile 4 and my legs got mad at me and my brain started to tell me to just quit, it's not worth it....

"I'm done..." I thought to myself.

Then I started arguing with myself, "it's only half a mile more than you did last week", "you can do this" "no I can't" "yes you can" "I'm tired" "my legs hurt" "your still a mile from your car, you might as well jog"

I walked for a minute or two, then even though my legs where screaming, my head was pounding, and I felt exhausted I still picked up the jog and finished out 5 miles.  It wasn't pretty, but I finished.  why?  because the end justified the means, the pain was worth hitting the goal.

I related a lot of things in life to running now, but obviously if you read me enough you know that.

Life is a lot like running. 

We try so hard to live life the way God would want us to, and yet it seems the harder we try the harder life gets.  It seems the more we try to be good and do the right things the more complicated life becomes.  The more we try to say "no", the more we find ourselves saying "yes" to things we shouldn't.

Then we get to a point where we start telling ourselves "I can't be good anymore" "I'm tired of fighting temptation" "I'm exhausted"  that's it...

I'm done...

^9 Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. (Ga 6:9., NIV)

Your not alone, we all face the same battle, although most will never admit it.

You can't give up, you shouldn't give up, and you won't give up.  There is a harvest God is waiting to do in your life.  If you give up, there is no harvest.

Your not done....
God's not done...

Take a deep breath, refocus, and remember why you started.

I couldn't have said that any better myself...

Chris

knocked down

Knocked down, sometimes we feel like it can't happen. 

Mike Tyson was a fighting machine, no one could touch him when his career began, let alone knock him down.  Then came James "Bonecrusher" Smith.  I remember watching Tyson fight and listening to his interviews.  He was good, really good, but it's inevitable that no matter how good you are, how quick you are, or how strong you are; you will get knocked down.

I have been going rounds with a fighter, my enemy....

^12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. (Eph 6:12., NIV)

I'm tired, I'm battered, I'm bruised; sometimes I feel like I CAN'T go one more round, I feel like I CAN'T get back up, I feel like I CAN'T take one more hit.  That's it, I'm down, I'm done, start the 10 count.

Then I hear the voice that reminds me:

^7 But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. ^8 We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; ^9 persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. ^10 We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. (2 Co 4:7-10., NIV)

and so I get back up again

You can too.  I know it's hard, I know your battle, and I also know that you and I have a coach that gives us power like no other.  Jesus is our advocate, He is our cheerleader, and He is your biggest fan.  When you get knocked down, you look to him.  He is your greatest source of energy.  He will give it to you, all you need is to ask.

Those of you who are knocked down and feel like your taking a beating, I pray for you and you pray for me.

Summer 2013 I met the man that knocked Tyson down for the first time:  James "bonecrusher" Smith.

Chris...

Broken

Broken:  adjective, damaged or made weak (Webster's)

Brokenhearted:  adjective, overcome by grief or despair (Webster's)

What do you do when you feel... broken....brokenhearted.  It's a tough place to be.  You feel damaged and overwhelmed, with no seeming solution to pull you out.  The harder you fight the deeper you sink.  The tougher you try to get the harder you fall, and nothing seems to help.  There seems to be no answers, and the solution seems no where in sight.

Who do you turn to?  what do you do?  Does anyone really care?  Will anyone listen, I mean really listen...  Is anyone out there?

Brokenhearted.

A wall goes up, no one gets in.

Broken.

Can't think straight.  Can't focus.

and then.....

^18 The Lord is close to the brokenhearted

and saves those who are crushed in spirit. (Ps 34:18., NIV)

Brokenhearted AND crushed, that is a tough place to be, no lets be honest it's a horrible place to be.

Even though we don't feel it, the LORD is close.  He is right there.  His arms are wrapped around us.  He is whispering "I love you" in your ear.  He wants you to know it will be ok.  He wants you to know even when it seems no one (and I mean no one) else is there.... HE IS.

^3 He heals the brokenhearted

and binds up their wounds.  (Ps 147:3., NIV)

Even better news:  He will heal.

Our question:  How long will it take to heal?  That my friend is a very good question.

The answer:  Depends on how deep the wound is, and how you take care of it.  Also consider this when you re-injure the same wound it takes longer to heal.

So how do we take care of it?  Go back to the basics.  Work on your relationship with God.  He ultimately is the ONLY one who can put back together a person that is broken, He is the only one who can put back together a heart that has been broken.  To work on your relationship is the most important thing.  Spend time getting to know Him all over again.  Read His love letter to you (the Bible), spend time in conversation with Him (prayer), focus on Him (worship), and have fun with Him (Fellowship).

Figure out what caused the wound.  Figure out what caused you to be broken.  Learn from it.

For the broken and the brokenhearted, God will clean and take care of the wound so be patient through the pain.

Chris

 

playing with a full deck

How many times have you said to yourself, "life's not fair", "if only I had this...", or "if only this would happen...".

My life, and your life, is it.  This is the hand you have been dealt.  There are things in life you and I cannot control.  My circumstances, or yours, are there and now we have to make a choice.  We either deal with it and flourish, or whine about it and drown in self pity.

In the book of Genesis we learn of a man named Joseph.  In chapter 37, we learn that his father favors him over his brothers, we also learn that he has dreams that clearly foreshadow him being leader over his brothers.  Joseph shared this with his brothers which makes them even more jealous.  Towards the end of the chapter his brothers are plotting to off him, but at the last minute his brother Judah talks his brothers into selling Him into slavery.  That is Card number 1.

While in slavery Joseph is sold to Potiphar (chapter 39), while there Potiphar's wife became fond of him and wanted to sleep with him.  Joseph refuses and she cries "rape".  Joseph is falsely accused and put in prison.  that is Card number 2.

While in prison (chapter 40) Joseph interprets dreams for a couple of men that worked for the Pharaoh, Joseph asked that in return that the chief cupbearer mention Joseph favorably to the king, to which he does not.  That is card number 3.

Three really bad cards that where dealt to Joseph:  Sold into slavery, falsely accused, imprisoned and forgotten about.

The interesting thing about each  and every situation is that in everything He did, He flourished at it:

Genesis 39:2, "the Lord gave him success in everything he did". (while he was a slave)
Genesis 39:23, "the Lord was with Joseph and gave him success in whatever he did".  (while in prison)
Genesis 41:39-40, "The Pharaoh said to Joseph, "Since God has made all this known to you, there is no one so discerning and wise as you.  You shall be in charge of my palace, and all my people are to submit to your orders.  Only with respect to the throne will I be greater than you." (when everyone had forgotten him)

Joseph story is not unique, we are all dealt with difficult circumstances.  How we deal with them shows our true identity and how strong our faith is.

Reality is in much of life we cannot change the cards we have been dealt, however we can change how we react and deal with them.

The choice is yours.

Confidence

 

How much confidence do you have IN God?

A couple of hours ago my answer to that question was different than what it is now.  let me explain...

Earlier today, I undoubtedly would have responded:  I have full confidence in God, I will do what ever He asks me to do knowing He will take care of me, and I would do it with no hesitation.

I would imagine if you have been a believer for any length of time your response would have been similar, very similar.

What made me change my mind, Genesis 22.

To fill in some blanks on what is going on in Genesis 22, it is as follows.  Abraham has waited his whole life to have a child (specifically a son).  He and Sarah are now at a very old age.  Then, God works and Sarah in her old age is able to conceive and give birth to a healthy boy that they name Isaac. You can imagine now that Abraham has that son, that he and Isaac are inseparable.  They probably hunted together, fished together, and played catch.  This was his boy, the one he had waited his entire life for. 

Then God tells Abraham:

^2 Then God said, “Take your son, your only son, Isaac, whom you love, and go to the region of Moriah. Sacrifice him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains I will tell you about.”
(Ge 22:2., NIV)

From that point with no hesitation, no question, and no second guessing Abraham packs up his son and two servants and heads out.  Even though Abraham would have known that God said in Deuteronomy 12:31 and 18:9-12 that human sacrifice was detestable in the eyes of God, he still did what God told him to.

Listen to what Abraham says, and you will see his FULL confidence in his God:

^5 He said to his servants, “Stay here with the donkey while I and the boy go over there. We will worship and then we will come back to you.”

^6 Abraham took the wood for the burnt offering and placed it on his son Isaac, and he himself carried the fire and the knife. As the two of them went on together, ^7 Isaac spoke up and said to his father Abraham, “Father?”

“Yes, my son?” Abraham replied.

“The fire and wood are here,” Isaac said, “but where is the lamb for the burnt offering?”

^8 Abraham answered, “God himself will provide the lamb for the burnt offering, my son.” And the two of them went on together.  (Ge 22:5-8., NIV)

Both times when Abraham spoke about it he had full confidence that they would BOTH be back, and that God would provide the sacrifice.  Not only that but the confidence that Abraham had in God he has passed down to Isaac.

^9 When they reached the place God had told him about, Abraham built an altar there and arranged the wood on it. He bound his son Isaac and laid him on the altar, on top of the wood. ^10 Then he reached out his hand and took the knife to slay his son.  (Ge 22:9-10., NIV).

Now I don't know about you but the moment that my dad would come at me with a crazy look in his eye, ropes to bind me, and a knife I'm going to fight him with all that I have got.  Isaac didn't.  He had full confidence in God, and in his father.

Back to the story, Abraham raises the knife and is about to bring it down...... God stops him.  Miraculously a ram appears with its horns caught in something and Abraham takes the ram and does the sacrifice instead of his son.


^12 “Do not lay a hand on the boy,” he said. “Do not do anything to him. Now I know that you fear God, because you have not withheld from me your son, your only son.”  (Ge 22:12., NIV)

That was the point, Abraham held nothing back.  He had full faith and full confidence in God.

Here is where I have trouble.  I love God.  There is no doubt that I do.

I have four daughters.  I love them.

I cannot answer positively that if God asked me to do what Abraham did that I would.

I would like to think I would, but I would be lying to myself.

So the answer is clear:  I don't have full confidence in God; at least not compared to Abraham.

Just something to think about, have a great day.... Chris

Regret

Regret: an expression of distressing emotion (as sorrow or disappointment) (Webster's)

 

I saw a tattoo the other day and have heard it said many times "live life with no regrets".  I couldn't help but wonder "is that even possible"?

 

I have regrets, if your honest you do as well.

 

Today's blog is not about my regrets, or yours for that matter.

 

Yesterday I was reading Genesis and I read something that really intrigued (or better yet scared me when I thought about it).

 

^5 The Lord saw how great man’s wickedness on the earth had become, and that every inclination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil all the time. ^6 The Lord was grieved (regretted) that he had made man on the earth, and his heart was filled with pain. (Ge 6:5-6., NIV)

 

Let me give you a scenario here, in Genesis 1:31 when God created man it says: "God saw all that he had made (man) and it was very good.  Did you catch that, yeah God made man and said not just that it was good, but very good. Then In Genesis 6, it says He was grieved (or regretted) that He had made man.  That stopped me in my tracks, how does man go from "very good" to "regret making".

 

Here is my thought process:

 

Man is created in the image of God, his heart leads him astray, and God regretted making man.  I am created in the image of God, my heart leads me astray, and God........, I don't want to type the rest.  It hurts to think about, but yet I'm left wondering:  Does God regret making me?  Has He ever?

 

Does God regret what He called me to do?  Does God regret giving me the life He has?  Does God regret giving me a second chance at life?

 

Now granite I understand that man had gone haywire in Noah's days, even to the point that there was constant thoughts of evil in their hearts.  God found some goodness in Noah, so He saved him and his family (plus the animals).

 

yet I'm left wondering again:  does He find some goodness in me like He did Noah?

 

God regretted making man AND he had His heart was filled with pain.

 

Pain.  intense emotional distress.

 

here I go wondering again:  Do I cause Him pain?

 

I know the answer, I know I have.

 

There is a flip side meaning to the word used for "regret", it also means to "have pity on" or to have "compassion".

 

That is the silver lining, God has pity on me.  He knows my shortfalls and yet He has pity on me and loves me anyway.

 

God may I live my life so that You have no regrets....

 

Chris

 

 

What to do when you don't know what to do

Have you ever found yourself at a crossroads or possibly an impasse.  Maybe to a point where you feel numb and really unsure of yourself.  Maybe even finding yourself at an intersection of heart, head, emotion, and God; to which none of them agree.  You find yourself standing there thinking to yourself:
what do I do, what do I do, WHAT DO I DO??????

Crossroads are never easy.  Every road seems the one to take, until you think about it...

road of the heart:  ^9 The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. (Je 17:9.)


road of the head: ^26 He who trusts in himself is a fool, but he who walks in wisdom is kept safe.  (Pr 28:26.)


road of emotions: ^17 For the sinful nature desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the sinful nature. They are in conflict with each other, so that you do not do what you want. (Ga.5:17.)


road of God: ^5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; ^6 in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight. (Pr 3:5-6.)
Here is the hardest part:  we want to follow our heart, we want to follow our head, and we want to follow our emotions.  "Lean not on your own understanding".  I have found that I know what this means.  When you think about this you are not really going to like it (because I didn't).  Don't trust yourself, or your judgment.  I know right, it sounds harsh.  However, seriously think about it.  If you are honest with yourself you will derive at the same decision.  If you think about any decision you made with only your heart, only your head, or only based upon emotion it was not a very good one.

Don't trust yourself.

I don't trust myself.

So if you can't trust yourself, who can or who do you trust:

^5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; ^6 in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight. (Pr 3:5-6.)
 
Trust is a hard thing, especially if you have trust issues like I do.  I envision trust this way:  it's like wearing a blindfold and allowing someone else to lead you.  You and I don't know the future, we don't know what is around the corner, the next day, the next month, or the next year.  God does.

^5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; ^6 in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight. (Pr 3:5-6.)
live for Him.  You are a walking billboard for Jesus Christ.  Need I say more?

^5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; ^6 in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight. (Pr 3:5-6.)
Trust Him, Live for Him, and then we learn that He will make the decision in the crossroads easier.  Now notice I didn't say actually taking the road would be easy, I said the decision to do so would be.  The next part is up to me, and up to you.  God made us people who choose our own way.  You can still choose to take the wrong road.  You can still choose to follow your heart, your head, or your emotion; however, don't blame God or others for your misery that will follow.  When you take the path God wants you to take I promise it won't be easy, but I also promise that God will never leave your side.  I find comfort in that.

So if you are reading this and find yourself at that crossroad of decision.... don't trust yourself, trust the Higher Authority...... God.

Have great weekend!

an uphill battle

Sometimes it seems life is such a steep up hill battle.  Let me restate that, life is a series of hard mountain climbs.  Climbing a mountain is hard, trying, and exhausting.

But the climb is worth it.

When you arrive at the peak we have the satisfaction of looking back at what you have accomplished along the way.  It's not just about arriving, It's about the journey to get there.  We can get so focused about getting to the top, climbing this mountain of adversity, that we miss the view along the way.  We are so consumed with the path up the mountain that we overlook the steps we took to get there.

Life is a series of mountains to climb.  As life progresses on, each mountain gets higher and harder.

There is the mountain of elementary school
there is the mountain of middle school
there is the mountain of high school
there is the mountain of college
there is the mountain of career
there is the mountain of family

there is also:

the mountain of finances
the mountain of illnesses
the mountain of self-doubt

there are also some no one expects:

the mountain of unemployment
the mountain of divorce
the mountain of cancer
the mountain of death

So how do you climb a mountain.....

one step at a time.  You can't stop, you can't give up, you cant give in or you will NEVER finish the climb.  You WILL get tired.  Rest.  Then take one step after another.  Steps of resilience, steps of courage, steps of patience, and steps of strength.

When you get to the top of that mountain, turn around and look how far you have come.  Look at the rest of the mountains you have climbed.  Celebrate, recover, and thank God for the ones that helped you climb.  Then get ready for the next mountain.

^13 I can do everything through him who gives me strength.  (Php 4:13., NIV)

I will climb this mountain, I will get to the top, and it will be by His strength.

stuck in a rut

You ever had this experience?  Stuck.  Caught.  Can't get out.

When I was in college I had a "low rider" Chevrolet pick up, when I say it was low... it was.  We called it "slammed".  It sat so low that you couldn't even get your foot under the front of it, seriously, it had 6" lowering blocks on the back.  It was the kind that you had to angle it in order to get across a speed bump, and no I'm not kidding.  One day when I was driving to the Birch building, my right rear wheel dropped into a pot hole.  Doesn't sound like much of a problem, however when the truck is not posi-traction, the u bolt is sitting on the pavement, and the drive wheel is in the hole not touching anything you are not going anywhere.  So I wasn't stuck in a rut, I was stuck in a pot hole.  It would not budge, wheel just spun in the hole.  I got out and tried to push or pick up the truck to get it to drop down so the wheel would touch.. nothing.  The harder I tried the more frustrated I got.  Here I was frustrated, tired, and alone.

Until, 4 guys came along and picked the truck up and scooted it over.

I feel like I'm in a rut.  Lets face it we have all been there.  The harder you try the worse it seems to get.  The more you work at it, the less it seems to get better.  The faster you spin your wheels the more you sink.  Then you get to the point that you throw your hands up in the air and give up.  Until out of no where someone comes to help you out. 

That is the thing about a rut, you can't get out on your own.  I can't get out of my own, we have to have someone lift us up.

^2 He lifted me out of the slimy pit,

out of the mud and mire;

he set my feet on a rock

and gave me a firm place to stand.

^3 He put a new song in my mouth,

a hymn of praise to our God.  (Ps 40:2-3., NIV)

 

 

I have a strong feeling I'm not the only one today in a rut.  He (being God) can lift me out of this rut, and you as well.  Then we will be out of the rut, and singing praise to Him.  I'm ready...

 

 

How I want to be remembered...

 

A good name is more desirable than great riches;

to be esteemed is better than silver or gold.  (Pr 22:1., NIV)

 

When I think of how I want to be remembered, when I think of what my spouse will say when I'm gone, what my children will say when I'm gone, what my students will say, my co-workers, and those that I am around.....  I wonder what they would say?

 

would they say:

 

He was fun

He was smart

He was silly

He was faithful

He was talented

He was patient

He was kind

He was a jerk

He was ill-tempered

He was uncaring

He was stubborn

He was inpatient

He was unforgiving

He was boring

He was unstable

He was uncaring

He was lovable

He was harsh

He was selfish

He was lazy

He was Chris

 

I can be all those things and more...

 

I am so sorry from the bottom of my heart if I was one of the negative ones on the list, I try my hardest to be the positive person.  I find myself in this struggle of the negative me and the positive me.  This is the battle I face, this is the burden I bear, and I feel I am not alone.

 

I try the hardest to be all things to all people, to be the best person, son, brother, uncle, husband, father, son-in-law, brother-in-law, minister, friend, mentor, and leader I can be.  I had a college professor once tell me "You can please some of the people some of the time, but not all of the people all of the time".  I want to be the one who pleases all of the people all of the time, and when I can't (which is quite regularly) I feel defeated.

I want to be remembered as "a good man".  I want to be remembered by the things I did right, instead of the things I do wrong.  I want to be remembered as one who made a difference in people's lives, verses one who accomplished nothing.

I want to live my life in such a way that when my Creator, Sustainer, and Redeemer looks upon what I've done in the time He gave, He will be able to say, "Well done my good and faithful servant."

I want to be remembered as the person in the picture, someone that stood for their faith, and stood in the shadow of the cross.

Right now I am not even close, but I want to be.....

Chris

Diversity

A couple of years ago a new cutting edge contemporary satellite church was coming into our zip code.  The church community's reaction was mixed.  Some where welcoming and prayerful, while others where not as welcoming and afraid of losing "their members" to this church.

Question:  What do you think Jesus thinks about it?

Answer:  Luke 9:49-50

^49 “Master,” said John, “we saw a man driving out demons in your name and we tried to stop him, because he is not one of us.”

^50 “Do not stop him,” Jesus said, “for whoever is not against you is for you.” (Lk 9:49-50., NIV)

 

interesting, the disciples responded:  "we tried to stop him because he was NOT one of US"

 

Don't misunderstand me when I say this because I am thankful to be part of "organized religion"; however, one of the biggest mistakes "churches" or "organized religion" makes is when we try to stop an organization because they are "not one of us".

 

When we say "one of us" are we saying because they are not a Southern Baptist Church or are we saying they are not a "born again believer in Jesus".  There is a substantial difference, let me remind you of something:

 

for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” Ro 10:13., NIV

 

Everyone, period.  Not based on denomination or style, based on those who call on the name of the Lord.

 

Jesus response was simple, do not stop them.  You may not like they way they do it, you may not like they way they talk, you may not like the way they dress, and you may not like the music; but its not for you anyway....

 

So keep in mind, as long as they teach Jesus, Him crucified, rising on the third day to save us from sin, don't stop them....

 

we need:

the traditional church

the contemporary church

the liturgical church

the Hispanic church

the African-American church

the cowboy church

the biker church

the big-box mega church

the small church

the medium church

the screaming hollering pastor church

the laid back teaching pastor church

the Korean church

the whatever you don't like church

 

Let's face it, we need each other.  Think about how much more we can accomplish together, than apart.  You and I are not in competition with each other, we have the same goals and are trying to help people see their need for Christ.  Isn't that what we are here for....

 

Have great weekend, Chris