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