abundant thoughts

Are You Contagious?

noreply@blogger.com (PG) — Wed, 14 Mar 2012 11:25:00 -0700

Are You Contagious?

Contagiousness. That's a word, a thought that is very lonely. When the cold and flu season is upon us and you've got that cough you might as well shout, "Unclean, unclean!". Nobody wants to be around you then. Why? They don't want what you've got! You're contagious.

You've got to stay in a room by yourself and only those with protective masks and rubber gloves have the courage to come in to see you, and mothers of course. (mothers are impervious to everything!) No one wants to talk to you, touch you or breathe the same air you breath. You're contagious.

Now, what if you're contagious with something everyone else wants? Wouldn't that have the opposite effect? Suddenly, everyone wants to be around you! They can't stay away! They come looking for you! You can't find a quiet place unless it is the middle of the night while everyone else is sleeping. Everyone wants to touch you, talk to you, and invite you to their homes. They can't get enough of you, you're contagious!

Jesus was that kind of contagious person. Just read the gospels. He couldn't even move at times, the crowds were so great. They didn't necessarily know what it was that he had but they knew that when Jesus was around they loved it. Maybe it was a healing. Sometimes it was his words. The kids couldn't stay off of him. The only private time he got was when he escaped into the night while Israel slept. Jesus was contagious.

When Jesus poured out the Holy Spirit on the disciples in the book of Acts, they became contagious too. Thousands wanted to be a part of this amazing thing they called the church. Even those who shied away secretly wanted to be with this bunch. This early church was contagious.

Sure, this kind of things brings its share of problems. Persecution did rise up from those in competition for the attention of the masses, but what a small price to pay for that kind of contagious life.

Are you contagious?
Are we, as a church, contagious?
Do people seek us out like they did Jesus and the Acts church?
If not, why not?

On Sunday March 25 and April 1, I am going to preach 2 messages on "Becoming a Contagious Christian." If you think about it, that title is redundant. "Contagious Christian" is saying the same thing twice. We are Christians therefore contagious.

Be ready to change! Be ready to be a carrier! Be ready to be all that God intended you to be! Be ready to be contagious!

You are loved!

In His grip,

Greg

Marriage, Family and LIfe by the Seat of Your Pants; Part 4 Balance

noreply@blogger.com (PG) — Mon, 2 May 2011 09:55:00 -0700

Sandra, my wife, is an audiologist. That's a person who knows A LOT about your hearing and how the ear works. It's amazing to me that if a little fluid is not right in your inner ear it can really make your life miserable. You will lose total balance - seriously, falling down, like drunken stupor type stuff if your inner ear doesn't work right. Such a little part of the body makes such a BIG difference.

In family life, balance is REALLY important and that balance is maintained by a whole bunch of little and some not so little things. When you're living life by the seat of your pants, let me tell you, balance is HUGE!

For me the biggest balance was between being fun and being the disciplinarian.

In our family, I like to be the fun one. Hey somebody has got to be!! What I've learned though, is a healthy balance between the two keeps the child safe. Kids WANT boundaries! They are scared, especially when they go through the puberty years and they want to know SOMEONE is driving this thing! They also want to enjoy you and I know you want to enjoy them. So balance is necessary.

There is nothing better than getting on the floor with your kids, romping, laughing, tickling, wrestling - until someone gets hurt which has to happen! If no one gets hurt it wasn't a good game! When the kids were little that was a nightly routine! Loved it!! It still happens now as they are young adults, it's just me that gets hurt now!

The balance comes in when the kids start to misunderstand your fun. They will quickly think you're one of their buds and forget that you are to be respected and honored too. That's the balance. The honor and respect must remain while you're having fun. You do that by holding your lines on principles and confronting immediately and firmly when lines have been crossed.

I remember standing in the foyer of our church talking to a father of a 7 year old boy. We were having a good chat when from out of our periphery this little ninja comes soaring in and throws a flying kick to his dad's hip. I mean this kid let him have it. I expected Newton's Laws of Motion to take effect - with every action there is an equal and opposite reaction - and watch this little Jackie Chan get flung against the nearest wall. My mouth hung open as the dad regained his balance and with a proud pat on Jackie's head said, "Wow, nice kick son!" Huh? wha...? This dad wanted to be the fun playful dad and you could see they had some good times together as the son felt the freedom to display. What he did not have was the respect to control his behavior in an inappropriate time and place. There was no balance. Kids don't understand boundaries, they need to be taught. Without them they will throw themselves head or feet first into some really unhealthy directions.

The kids will learn a great lesson about authority and about God with this balance. God is our loving, wonderful Father who is with us and for us always. He is also the holy God who cannot be taken lightly. This balance strengthens both of those important sides of our relationship. The child will learn self control and the discernment when and where they can be free with some behaviors and when the time and place is inappropriate. They realize that the fun isn't bad but the context is everything!

I hope you'll all have wonderful fun with your kids and teach them the balance necessary for them to be fun adults too.

In His grip,

Greg

Marriage, Family and Life by the Seat of Your Pants: Part 3 BE CONSISTENT!

noreply@blogger.com (PG) — Wed, 2 Feb 2011 13:55:00 -0800

In the last entry on the first 5 years I talked about a lot of things briefly. In this part I want to touch one of those a little more in depth; being consistent!

I am not sure how much weight is appropriate for this one but it seems to be somewhere in the neighborhood of a gazillion pound boulder!! Being CONSISTENT is HUGE! There is nothing that confuses, breeds frustration, anger, apathy, even rebellion faster than inconsistency.

When a parent is inconsistent with ANYTHING, affection, discipline, time, guidance, words, it forces the child to guess and try to anticipate with expectations that when they aren't met cause the child to distrust the parent which in later years is devastating.

Discipline

When it comes to discipline consistency is paramount to get the desired result otherwise the child will keep trying the unwanted behavior like a craps game. Hey, sometimes the dice roll a lucky number and they get away with it, sometimes they crap out! Why not give it a shot? Consistency in discipline gives them the same result EVERY time so they know they have hit a dead end with that one. As they grow they learn it's more about principles than specific behaviors. Parental consistency then gives them a track to make decisions without you because you've ingrained in them a powerful regularity. You must break the unwanted behavior without breaking the child. Consistency does that...more on this topic in part 48 or something like that.

Affection

Consistency in affection is also crucial. The child needs to learn that they are loved no matter what and at any and all times of the day. Consistent hugs, kisses, playful times, words are a constant reinforcement in the relationship so that even when discipline is necessary they have learned that you love them even in the midst of being displeased with the behavior. When they know you are loving them even when you're disciplining them, you have won a TREMENDOUS victory!

This area is especially crucial as kids grow up. I remember when our girls were moving into those developmental years. Sandra had me read an article that I think preserved my relationship with the girls through these awkward years.

We had ALWAYS played and wrestled together but it was getting a bit strange as these little girls were becoming women and well, it was just strange. You know what I mean. The article said, "Make sure, as the father, you do not change anything about how you show affection toward your girls in this special time. They are already feeling strange and awkward and they need you to be consistent. If you act differently toward them it will confirm in their minds that they really are abnormal."

That made total sense to me. So all through the strange years, we continued to wrestle, hug, hold hands, play, sit on laps, chase etc...all the stuff we always did. It worked. The other consistency stuff helped too but we avoided making out daughters feel like freak because they knew with mom and dad they were the same as they always had been.

Words

Be consistent with your words. I write letters to all three kids. I started years ago and I won't stop. Sometimes for special occasions, sometimes when they've done something I noticed was cool, sometimes just because. I tell them I love them, am proud of them and I am specific about that. Not just in letter form but verbally too. I like them to have the letters though as a lasting record of my affection.

Personal Consistency

Your own life must be consistent too. Nothing makes a kid more crazy than a hypocritical parent. "DO as i say not as I do!" Are you kidding me? That's a recipe for a really awful family stew. Your words and your actions must match. Do not tell them to do something you will not do. Do not forbid them to do something you freely do. OF course there are some limits of age. Some things are not meant for children that adults are fine to do. But that must be explained to them so they know you're not inconsistent, you're just making them wait until they are more mature.

Treat your spouse consistently too. Kids love you both. You'll really mess their heads up by mistreating each other in front of them. If you're going to fight, do it behind closed doors.

Hold your temper too. Let them know that they don't have to fear your volcanic eruptions. Be even, consistent so their focus will be on the behavior, not their fear of you.

Spiritually

Your child will learn how to follow Jesus by how you follow Him. It's our choice! How do you want them to follow? Consistently or inconsistently? Church was and is not an option. Prayer time? Not an option. Biblical guidelines for life? Not an option. Everything is based on God's Word, your life and theirs. If you're inconsistent you are teaching them it's not a big deal. How tragic.

Consistency is so important and will solve so many problems as your kids age.
The other day we were talking to one of the kids and it was said, "I really wanted to do (such and such) but I didn't." "Why didn't you ask?" "Because I already knew what the answer would be!!" Perfect. It was true. Consistency had taught them so clearly that they knew what was good, bad, compromising etc just by the constant response to that and similar issues. They had learned and it was so nice to know that some dramas were being avoided because they already knew the answer.

I think you'll enjoy being YOU more too when your life is consistent. Enjoy!

In His grip,

Greg

Marriage, Family and LIfe by the Seat of Your Pants Part 2: The First 5 Years of Parenting

noreply@blogger.com (PG) — Fri, 21 Jan 2011 11:33:00 -0800

Last time I checked in I talked about the importance of prayer when you're raising kids. It's a must because who of us knows what the heck we're doing? In this part, of how ever many there will be, I want to take us back to the beginning and focus on the importance of training your kids well in their first 5 years. I'm convinced that if you build strong habits and boundaries when they are little, when they are older they will already have those things in them instead of trying to teach them then.

Part 2 The First 5 years

Proverbs says, "Train up a child in the way they should go and when they are older they will not depart from it."

I know for some of you this is a, "Great! It's a little too late for that! The alien forces have already taken my child and replaced her with this 15 year old invader!" It is WAY harder to try and apply solid principles later in the game though not hopeless. I'll talk about that in a future entry. But for those of you who can start now while your little lovers are young it's so much better.

Erik was maybe 8 months old and you could see it in him; s-t-u-b-b-o-r-n-e-s-s!!! One morning I was getting ready for church and I was polishing my shoes. He saw what I was doing and crawled over intent on getting into the black shoe polish. I gently picked him up and tucked him a few feet away with a "No, no, son." He looked at me with not so much defiance but with what seemed like a, "Really? Are you serious dad?" Like I didn't get it. Immediately upon his hands and knees hitting the floor he turboed right back to the shoe polish. This time I grabbed him a little more forcefully to show him I meant business and used a little firmer tone. "No Erik. Don't touch." I might as well have been Charlie Brown's mother's voice on the phone to him....wah, wah, wah wah waaaaahhhh. Boom, he hit the ground and right back to the polish.

Now I was half laughing inside but I knew we were at a critical place. Was he going to learn that with enough persistence he could wear me down or was I going to teach him that when I say "No" I mean it and no amount of effort will change my mind? I knew that I must teach him that I can outlast him and nothing he does will make me bend.

He reached out for the polish again, smack, little tap on the back of his hand but hard enough to make him feel it. He was SHOCKED! He looked up at me with eyes that said, "Wha..wha..dude? Don't you see I want the polish??" He reached out again, smack. A little harder now to let him know I meant business. He started to cry. Oh I hate when they push you to actually make them cry but the battle was in full force now and I couldn't back down.

This next time he didn't look at the polish but WHILE HE WAS STARING INTO MY EYES he reached out for it again. He was trying to intimidate me at 8 months!!! He got the same results...smack on the back of the hand. This went on for maybe 8 or 9 tries, big alligator tears running down his cheeks yet he still reached out again and again always with the same result from me. Until I took him in my arms and told him "no" once again and carted him out of the room.

You might ask, "Why didn't you just take him out at the beginning and avoid the whole scene?" I could have but I didn't even know it WAS a conflict until we were in it and then I was beyond the point of no return. He had to be taught that he cannot push me to the place where I will give in to his will.

The girls had similar battles whether it was bed time, waking up at night, temper tantrums, bickering, you name it! All the stuff that kids do that we, as parents, are given the responsibility to train out of them. I'm happy to say that while the kids are not perfect at all we never really had the crazy teenage years with any of our kids. They never really went wild with rebellion or anything like that. I'm convinced today that it is because we worked so hard building strong principles and structure into them in those first 5 years.

Here are a few things we learned that I think are absolutes:

1. Be CONSISTENT!

There is nothing that will confuse and frustrate your child more than inconsistency. They need to know where their boundaries are and that they are not movable or negotiable. Let your yes be yes and your no be no every time! Do NOT e weak on this! Remember you're the parent and they need you!

2. Say it one time and then follow through.

I have never understood the thing where parents tell their kids something and then when they don't obey the parent starts counting, "1, 2,..." then somewhere between 2 and 3 the kid obeys. WHAT IN THE WORLD? Why would we teach our children that it is OK to disobey 3 times (at initial ask, at 1 and at 2) before they finally obey?
Tell them what you want. Demand immediate obedience. If obedience is not given, follow through with consequences AT ONCE and do not compromise. Your children MUST learn that your word is unbreakable and if they violate it they will pay. It's their choice. Oh and when possible, discipline them in private. Don't humiliate them but let them know you don't like what they did but you respect their feelings.

3. Spend lots and lots of time having fun and laughing.

We always wanted our kids to obey, but not because it was demanded but because they didn't want to mess up the relationship. For that to happen you have to have a relationship. Everyday when those guys were little and even still with a 20 year old, 19 year old and 15 year old I still do it. We wrestle, laugh, tickle (the older they get they hate this but I don't care!), roll on the floor, hide and seek in the house, go to the park, go to the beach. We played a LOT and laughed a LOT! Bed time was so fun with piggy back rides, laughing, fun and prayer. The love is deep and they, now and then, feel the greatest pain is not from punishment but from violating the wonderful love we share.

4. Dinner time.

We read somewhere that one of the key things to developing healthy family and healthy kids was the time to touch base and talk daily. Dinner time was that key time. We always had family meal time and used that time to laugh, discuss, be together. Now as they are older and their lives are busy it's tougher but we try still.

5. Car rides.

I know it's way easier. Put on the DVD in the car while on a road trip and we get peace and quite. Well, I'd rather have chaos than have kids who never learn to get along. Car rides are great for talk, giggling, game playing, questions etc. A lot of times the kids don't remember the destination but the car rides and how much they enjoyed them.

6. When you have to discipline, tell them why and then love lots after ward.

It hurts when you have to discipline your child but some of the best times are the long hugs, kisses and "I love yous" that follow. Let them know it is their behavior that you had to punish but you will never stop loving them.

7. Be affectionate.

John Trent in his book "The Blessing" touches on this key point. Hold them a lot. Kiss them a lot. Cuddle them. Tell them you love them. Physical and verbal touches are healthy nutrients to a soul. Today my teenage daughter still holds my hand, IN PUBLIC! I still kiss my 19 year old son...yea the shoe polish kid! It's a blessing that God has given and it starts young!

8. Do not compromise spiritual things even at young ages.

Night time prayers, Bible memory games, church etc etc. Teach the kids that everything you do is because God guides us this way. Let nothing be left up to opinion. Give them a foundation that is greater than yourself. My kids don't even like going on vacation now because it means they have to miss church. Great problem.

I think there are more things to talk about here but I'm going to stop for now. For all of you with young children or those planning on having them, these principles will work but it takes EFFORT! Parenting is not for the lazy or the cowardly. I can tell you from experience, if you fight for them while they are young you will be less likely to fight with them when they are older.

In His grip,

Greg

Marriage, Kids and Life by the Seat of My Pants Part 1: Prayer is the KEY!

noreply@blogger.com (PG) — Tue, 11 Jan 2011 12:37:00 -0800

It's a little less than 6 months away. Hard to believe but it's coming and I can't fight it. I'm not afraid of it. I'm not intimidated. I actually am kind of excited which is rather warped if you want to know the truth but I can't stop it so why not embrace it.

"IT"? My 50Th birthday. Yep. Crazy, I know. Except for all of you who have already passed the milestone and are rolling your eyes or chuckling to yourselves. To you it's not crazy at all. You've gotten very accustomed to AARP notices, flomax and the Doc's receptionist on a first named basis. Well, I'm close to being in the club and figured a few thoughts were due at this time of life.

As I look at 50 years from this vantage point there is one thing, no two things that excite me more than any other. Those are compliments on my kids and on my marriage. No, life is not perfect but I can't think of anything that makes me want to jump for joy more than that, except I'm afraid to strain something....

Anyway, I thought, since life and God have been very good to us regarding family, that I would take some time to write about some of the things we did that have been effective to give us (our family) the love and closeness that we really enjoy. It's important to note that I could never have written this stuff even a few years ago because I didn't know anything. I don't claim to know anything now except to say living life by the seat of your pants while trusting God is scary, exciting and more fun than a person should be able to have and on the way you learn stuff as you go. So here we go...Part 1 of who knows how many parts.....

Step 1: Prayer, prayer and more prayer

I was always afraid that when our children were born one would be handicapped. Not that we would have loved a challenged child any less but I didn't know if I had in me what it would take to be a good father to a child with a disability. Families with those challenges are heroes to me. So when Laura, our first, was born - not to mention she gave me a fright when I saw her head crown and her umbilical cord was wrapped over her head making her look like Klingon! - she was perfect in every way that I could tell and my heart, in a matter of milliseconds, was irreparably and wonderfully ruined by her.

They spanked her butt - twice because she stubbornly refused to cry the first time - they cleaned her up and then whoosh, took her away!! My mind said, "Heck no!!" and I gave chase into the little weighing and measuring room. They laid her on this freezing stainless steel trough/scale and stepped away to do something leaving me there momentarily mesmerized by this new creation.

At that moment emotion and thankfulness to God rolled over me like a wave breaking on the beach. I didn't care who was there or who saw. I got on my knees beside that little table, tears streaming down my face and I thanked God for what He had done and cried for His help to not mess this little life up. She'll be 21 next month, a Bible College student studying for the ministry and I'm as proud as ever but I am still praying.

We did the same for Erik and Audrey as they were born and as they grew we prayed together many times throughout the day; when they left for school, at meal time, at bed time, when there was discipline, when they were sick, we prayed a lot. Erik loves the Lord and is serving Him as is Audrey.

I have a prayer list that is almost illegible because it is so worn. Their names are on the top of the list. Every morning when I get up to go to pray, I pray for my family. It's the thing most often forgotten by parents but the most important thing we can give to our kids or our spouse.

Pray. Always pray. Never stop praying. Teach them to pray. Pray with them. Pray for them. Pray quietly. Pray out loud. Pray in the morning. Pray at night. Pray when they need something. Pray just to thank Him. Let them see you pray. Pray when you go out. Pray when you come in. Forgetting all else, one thing you cannot forget and that is to pray!!

Step number 1 when raising kids by the seat of your pants....get off your seat, get on your knees and pray!!!!!

In His grip,

Greg

What Makes Relationships Work?

noreply@blogger.com (PG) — Wed, 3 Nov 2010 14:08:00 -0700

I was reading in John 1 the other day and came upon some thoughts about what makes relationships work. It seems so easy yet so hard. I'll explain.

First the context. Jesus is just beginning His earthly ministry and starts showing himself around about town. He gets baptized and the whole voice from heaven and dove landing on Him thing sure started people talking. John announces that He is the Savior they have been waiting for. But how do you, like, start a conversation and hopefully a friendship with a guy like this? Jesus actually gives a blueprint in verses 35-51 that is pretty practical. There are 4 steps and it works!!

1. Ask questions - When the guys came to Jesus he simply asked them, "What do you want?" I've found that the best conversations I have are the result of good questions. Jesus took interest and asked them a question drawing them in. The best place to start when you meet someone new or to keep the fire hot in familiar relationships is to ask questions!!!

Examples of good questions:
What was it like for you growing up?
What did you most enjoy doing as a child?
What was the best vacation you ever had?
How would you define your best day?
Tell me about what you love to do.

Then LISTEN!!!

2. Invitation - when Jesus asked the guys what they wanted they got a bit tongue tied and didn't really know what to say. Of all the things they could have asked the Son of God, they said, "Where are you staying?". Jesus gets this though. He knows they are nervous. He eases their tension and invites them into His world. He simply says, "Come and you will see." Jesus invites them into His life.

Are you an invitor of do you often wait to be invited? There is a WONDERFULLY freeing moment that happens in life when we're hanging in relationship limbo like a new elementary school kid on a strange playground, and someone says, "Hey, wanna come?". Invite someone to come along. For a meal, a game, a drive, an evening in the back yard chatting....even if they can't come, the invitation is there and it's freeing!

3. Add personal value - as they spent time together Jesus speaks to Simon and one of the first things He does is give Him a nick name. He actually changes his name from Simon to "Peter" which means Rock. Jesus was adding value to him. "You might think you're a fisherman and that you don't have a lot to offer but I see a ROCK!!"

This is not to be confused with flattery which is complimenting someone for one's own selfish purposes. But instead add value. Notice something good, important, interesting, pleasant, talented about the person and tell them what you see! Be generous with your words, they are life changing!

Examples might be:
You have the greatest laugh, smile etc.
You really handled that situation well. I admire that about you.
I noticed how you helped that person over there. Thank you for being so kind.
You really are good at ___________ I'm blessed to see you in action.

Add value to people. You'll never be short of friends!

4. Be open - Jesus added value to Peter but a little later He also added value to Nathanael. He said, "Here is a man and there is nothing false about him." Nathanael pressed in to that. He was welcomed and felt valued. Then Jesus opened Himself up to him. "You shall see greater things that this. You'll see heaven and earth opened up and you'll see the angels ascend and descend on me." WOW, He never said that before. He was opening up to him.

Don't be afraid of revealing yourself. It says to people, "I trust you with knowing me. I feel safe with you and I want you to know me." What an honor to have someone allow you to know them.

This is not to say that you must open up your deepest darkest on first introduction but as you grow deeper the revelation can be deeper. Letting someone know you is the greatest of compliments.

These 4 steps can really make your relationships work:

1. Learn to ask honest and sincere questions. Then listen.
2. Invite people into your world.
3. Add value to them.
4. Be open with them.

You'll make new friends and the ones you have will go deeper!

Enjoy your friends!!

In His grip,

Greg

What I believe....so far......

noreply@blogger.com (PG) — Tue, 28 Sep 2010 15:12:00 -0700

What I believe…..so far…..

I believe…

• God is in control so I never need to worry. Worry is a sin.
• God trusts me to accomplish His work and depends on me.
• In the Bible to change lives. Truth cannot be compromised or manipulated,
ever.
• In prayer to change me and change others and circumstances.
• In the Holy Spirit and His work to sanctify me, teach me and guide me. I
never have to guess, ever.
• That a dynamic Sunday experience/corporate encounter with God changes lives.
• That small groups build relationships best and facilitate and maintain
spiritual growth the best.
• In training leaders and setting them free.
• Cheering on those who surpass you. It is your life in them. Their
excellence should be my greatest joy.
• In missions
• Giving is the key. Always be generous with everything. Money, words, time,
love.
• In grace and patience to heal.
• In being a life-long learner.
• The learning power of a mistake.
• Love is never greater than when it confronts. Lack of confrontation = self
preservation and that is not Godly.
• Fear is our worst enemy. Laziness is the 2nd. Ungodliness encompasses both.
• In pushing outside of comfort in order to grow. The comfort zone is a no
growth zone.
• Treating workers well.
• Calculated risks.
• Acceptance of all.
• Love building others up is the key to healthy church.
• Changed lives change lives.
• In team and strong leadership.
• Honest evaluation to get the best out of people.
• An environment of total acceptance is necessary for successful evaluation.
• In coaching not dictating.
• In self starters
• That effective ministry does not cost a lot of money.
• People will go through the fire for you if they know you love them. A key
to loving them is letting them know you. Vulnerability is a key to loving
them.
• In family priority and healthy boundaries.
• In the 1st ask.
• In calling back.
• Selfless servants make the best teammates.
• Faithful with a little = faithful with much.
• Nothing is insignificant. Everything great started small.
• Doing what you said you would do.
• In being polite.
• In preferring others. Your most urgent needs are most important to you, not
them. Deal with that and don’t get hurt when their enthusiasm doesn’t match
yours.
• Living so that the needs of others ARE REALLY more important than my own.
• In the power of position. I am a Pastor and that is important to people.
• In honoring authority.
• That no one does it alone. You stand on someone else’s shoulders.
• Taking someone with you.
• Small things change lives.
• In the power of words.
• In modeling and the ripple effect.
• People change lives but common events/tasks bring people together.
• There is no greater bonding experience than a shared trial.
• The long journey.

Bungee Jumping and Spiritual Truth

noreply@blogger.com (PG) — Thu, 2 Sep 2010 16:15:00 -0700

There is something really wrong with paying $80 to scare the livin fizz out of yourself. Worse than that I paid $160 so my son could do it to himself too!!! That's not only whacked, that's abuse! But we did it and strangely enough I actually learned a few things. Let me tell you about it.

Seven of us had just finished 10 days in the Congo working on a Bible School project. On the way home we wanted to do something fun. So we stopped over in Uganda and had a wonderful white water rafting escape on the Nile River! Really cool! How many people do you know have rafted level 5 rapids on the Nile??? Well, you'd think that would satisfy the the craving for adventure, but noooooo! They also have a bungee jump tower right over the river. That baby is 145 feet high! That's the equivalent of a 15 story building!!!! But there it was and there we were and by some strange magnetic force 4 of us rocket scientists decided to jump off of it!

I have to admit that I was ECSTATIC when on the afternoon we were supposed to jump, my son said that he couldn't because of a nasty sunburn. Of course I said, "Oh that's too bad, Erik! It's OK. Hopefully you'll feel better tomorrow." While inside I was praising Jesus for the blessings we had received in this painful package! But morning came, the burn spray did the trick and there was NO WAY if the others were going that I was going to wimp out. Although everything in me wanted to.

So up the tower we climbed. Erik wanted the honor of going first. Well or course! He's only 18! What the heck do 18 year-olds know? I would go second and my buddy Jim would go last. I didn't want to go last because I didn't want to watch TWO guys die before I did. I wanted to get it over with without stealing Erik's honor. They belted his ankles together, hooked up the bungee cable to him and reassured him that no one had ever died there and it was perfectly safe. Just jump off as far as you can in a swan dive position and the ride will be really smooth. I was impressed. He didn't hesitate at all. He looked over with an excited look. They counted down 3-2-1 BUNGEE and he launched himself off the platform....and I never saw him again....no not really. He gracefully sailed down and then bounced back up and actually looked like he was having fun. That's when I had this really deceptive thought, this isn't so bad. I don't think I'll be afraid at all! What a LIE that was!!

It was my turn and my stomach was in knots. Jim was waiting over on the ramp all calm and cool. Erik was already unhooked and looking up with excitement. I had the sudden urge to fain insanity and foam at the mouth in hopes they had some rule about crazy people jumping off the thing. I fought off that temptation and after being hooked up, waddled to the plank. They tell you to hang your toes over the edge. I think I got my little one to stretch out and over maybe by the nail. They tell you to focus on the lodge across the water and pretend you are jumping on top of it. For some silly reason that made sense to me. I didn't want to look down and I figured that if I just looked out and focused all my attention on that one spot I might not even feel the fall. It made sense....until.....3-2-1 Bungee....and I jumped...swan dive position, eyes straight ahead....my stomach crawled up into my throat enough to choke off any screams but the most amazing thing happened. I can't remember. It's true. I remember staring at the top of the lodge, eyes fixed. I remember jumping and feeling the first of the fall, but I don't remember anything else until the chord gently bounced me back up almost to the top again and by that time it was pure fun!

When I got to the rescue boat at the bottom the guys praised me for a really nice dive. "But", they said, "You forgot one thing! You were only about 12 inches from the water! You needed to reach out and touch the water!" "Oh, I was that close?" I said. I told you. I don't remember that at all! I didn't even SEE the water. I was so focused on my reference point! Then the overwhelming sense of joy rushed in. All I could think of was, "THAT WAS AWESOME! E, Let's do that again!!!!" Seriously, I can't wait to do it again!!

OK, enough of the story, because there are some spiritual lessons that I've learned through this and they are really important. Hebrews 2:15 says that we are held in slavery by fear. I can vouch for that. Fear totally had it's grip on me at the top of the tower and enough on the way down that I lost the joy of the moment. Fear does that to us. It steals what otherwise could be amazing times in our lives or incredible learning experiences and it paralyzes us. Hebrews talks about the slavery of the fear of death. I wonder how different life would be if we didn't fear death? But it's really any fear that robs us of life. Fear is a slave master.

When I focused on my reference point I honestly do not remember waht I was so afraid of but I do remember in clear detail the lodge. The Bible says that we must "fix our eyes on Jesus". He is our reference point. When we're afraid and don't know what to do, He is our "lodge" our hiding place, the reference point that we can lock onto. When we do that, we will remember HIM in the midst of the situation and the fearful trial grows strangely dim.

Once I got to the bottom and realized that my fear was unfounded, I wanted to do it over and over again and THIS time I wanted to enjoy the ride and not be so scared. That's just like it is with Jesus. We can't go through death and come back again to do it over a second time and this time without fear but He did go through it and says to us, "Don't worry! I have walked through the Valley of the Shadow of Death! Don't fear!" I think it's kind of cool that the Bible says, "Fear not" 365 times. That's one "fear not" for every day of the year.

So I'm ready to jump again! This time take me higher! I'm ready! Better than that, I learned that all fear is the same and can be handled the same. Fear of confrontation, fear of the future, fear of problems, fear of death....fear is fear. But if we keep our eyes focused on the fixed point, our Lord Jesus and trust Him as we jump, we'll find that He will fill our minds and when it's over we'll rejoice!

Happy jumping!

Greg

God Sees Us!

noreply@blogger.com (PG) — Thu, 5 Aug 2010 11:10:00 -0700

For years they have prayed. Yet nothing happens. At least it seems nothing happens. But they still pray.

The people of the DR Congo, where our team of 7 spent three weeks, have been praying. They've been praying for years. When the genocide of the past decade was raging out of control; when their families were chased from their homes in order to escape with their lives; when they wouldn't or couldn't run and were massacred by the thousands...they prayed. Pastors with no Bible School training were/are leading churches. For that matter, Pastors with no BIBLES were teaching people the Bible. Only 4 years ago, of the 150 Pastors in the province of Maniema, there were 3 Bibles and only 1 Pastor with Bible School training.

We knew we had to go. These people, this part of the world, needs Jesus and the best way is to train the local people in God's Word in a Bible School. We funded the building of the first phase and prepared the team to go. But there were questions.

We questioned the safety of the trip. It's a volatile area. Could we guarantee the safety of the team? The obvious but unsettling response was "no" even though the war has been over for 5-6 years. We left our ladies at home to remove any potential issues in this area that has never in it's history had a "white" team come. We prayed much.

We questioned the expense of the trip. For the price of our team we could almost fund the completion of a building. Wouldn't it be better just to send the money and let the locals build?

In the end we felt it was the Lord's leading for us to go and visit this place where "nobody goes." We soon realized why God had opened the door. We realized that money is an incredible help to this people but our presence made it clear to them that God had heard their cries.

We were met at the small airport, the main connection to the outside world since you cannot get in and out of Kindu except to fly, by a suited delegation of church leaders. I'll never forget them standing in a row, with ties and jackets in the intense heat, to welcome the delegation of Americans in our dockers, t-shirts, and me in shorts. What a contrast. We came as a work crew. They saw us as God's answer.

I knew we would be appreciated and even be a bit of a spectacle. What I didn't expect was to be the answer to their prayers. Not that we did anything special, we didn't. We worked, we helped, we served, we preached, we did what any team would do. But this is Kindu, the place where nobody goes. It wasn't what we did that mattered but that were were there!

"We have lost much and sacrificed much. We have prayed and prayed but no help ever comes. Nobody comes here. No one knows where we are. We began to wonder if God knew that we were here. Did God see us? Now that you have come we know that God sees us If people from America know we're here, God certainly knows we are here."

We enjoyed the time with the people of Kindu. Pastors were encouraged, people met Jesus, a Bible School building has a foundation and excitement came through the wazungu (white men) just by being there.

I wonder if people in our home towns are praying. I wonder if they might realize that God sees them because you or I came into their lives.

Congo 2010

noreply@blogger.com (PG) — Mon, 12 Jul 2010 08:39:00 -0700

Today 7 of us leave for the DR Congo. It's an exciting opportunity to make a significant difference in a place desperate for positive change. The Congo has been war torn and unstable for decades. If anything can bring change it is the story and reality of Jesus. We will start the building of a Bible School in the city of Kindu in the Maniema Province. There are over 150 churches in the province with only 1 trained pastor. The people of ALAG sent the first $50,000 to buy the materials for the first of 4 buildings. It's a special privilege to partner with Todd and Amy Churchhill, our missionaries to the region.

Please pray for our team as we go:

John Burnham is the senior member and an experienced traveler. He's a guy in his late 60's but most of us struggle to keep up with the marathon runner. For over 12 years John has prayed with me every morning. I look forward to seeing him every day. He has been to Africa with me many times and loves an adventure. He's a tremendous asset to any team. Pray for his wife, daughter in law and 5 grand kids here at home.

Pastor Jim Thompson is another Africa vet. He's preparing to go to Africa full time as a missionary, with his wife LeeAnn, in the next few years. Jimmy has been with me for over 20 years. Just about every significant happening I have had in my ministry has included Jim. He's a life partner in ministry. LeeAnn is my right hand in missions who has done ALL the planning and prep for this trip. Pray for her and their 3 kids too.

Michael Cox is another adventure vet. He's been many places around the world including Africa twice before. He's a hard worker with a huge passion for people. I want Michael on any team I lead. He's always calm and always willing to anything that needs to be done. He takes great pictures too! Pray for him a little extra as he has a wife and infant daughter at home and this is his first time away from her.

Jerry Freitas is a first timer. New to ALAG as of December, Jerry has traveled the world but never on a missions team. Jerry is energetic and sensitive to the Lord's leading. He felt the Lord's leading to go this time but didn't know how he'd come up with the money. His discernment was proved correct when all of his support was provided. Pray for his wife and three kids while he's away.

Jason Skarbek is also a newb to missions trips. Also new to ALAG Jason has a tremendous desire to make a difference. He's single but has a wonderful family (parents and 3 brothers with their wives) that are behind him all the way. Jason's attitude during our prep times is always, "Let's do it!" I need guys like that around me. Jason is a hard worker not shy to take on a task like this one.

Erik Wendschlag is my son. I could not be more proud of him. He has a passion for people, for serving and is one of the best workers I have around me. If he weren't my own I would still choose him any and every time I travel. I want him with me always. He's the baby of the group at 18 but is mature beyond those years. Pray for Sandra and the girls while we are away. That would be a blessing.

I love these adventures and especially in Africa. My heart was ignited for the continent a decade ago and just gets stronger with each project. At 49 some guys are thinking about slowing down. That never made much sense to me. We've only got so many years to do everything we can. I want to run on the red line until it's time to go home.

Thanks friends and family for all your prayers! We love you all!! Follow us on twitter at alagmissions

In His grip,

Greg

Forgiven but not forgotten

noreply@blogger.com (PG) — Mon, 21 Jun 2010 10:19:00 -0700

"Forgive and forget."

That's a nice thought if it were possible. People say it but is it true? I don't think it is. I've never been able to forgive and forget. I have forgiven much but it is IMPOSSIBLE to forget! I remember stuff from elementary school, Jr. High, High School, in marriage...on and on and those things are forgiven. Well, mostly. I'm still ticked a Robbie Guitierez. When I was 13 that punk had the nerve to....ah, never mind. I've gotten over it but those moments are permanently etched into my psyche. I can't forget. As a matter of fact, the more I TRY to forget the more I remember. The more I TRY to put those past memories out of my mind the more I think about them. I can't win!!

How is this supposed to work then? How can I forgive without forgetting? I think it's tied up in the very nature of forgiveness itself. Does forgiveness demand forgetfulness? Or is forgiveness even more powerful when the memory is still engaged?

Does God forgive and forget? How can He? He's God! He can't forget anything, yet He forgives! Psalm 103:11-12 says that He loves me as far as the heavens are above the earth! THAT'S FAR! THAT'S A LOT OF LOVE!! It also says that He separates my sin from me as far as the east is from the west. THAT'S FAR TOO! So wait a minute. The Bible doesn't say God forgets my sin but He does separate it from me AND He loves me infinitely?? Pretty cool stuff.

So what I think this all means is, God doesn't forget. He sees me as I am every moment of every day and knows what a jerk I am. He knows what a jerk I was yesterday. He remembers the times I have betrayed Him and not once but over and over and over again. He doesn't forget that. But He does love me in a HUGE way and He forgives me too. That is POWERFUL! That is the power of true forgiveness. It would be easy to love me if He were forgetful. All those filthy actions of my past (even yesterday) aren't even in His mind. He forgot! He just sees me today and today I was not a jerk, I don't think. But He doesn't forget. When He looks at me He sees me as I really am and He remembers...EVERYTHING! But He still loves me in spite of all of that. He loves me knowing what I have the capability of doing and with the certainty that I will turn on Him again. Yet, He still loves me as far as the heavens are above the earth. That is true forgiveness and it is REAL!

I don't know if I can forgive like that but I want to learn how. I want to forgive knowing that I can't forget. I'll never forget. But the power of forgiveness is in the knowing not the forgetting and choosing to love anyway. Thanks God for having a great memory and loving me anyway.

The Best is Yet to Come!!

noreply@blogger.com (PG) — Mon, 12 Apr 2010 10:47:00 -0700

I read something in a book last week. I've read it before, this idea, but it never affected me the way it did this time. Maybe it's because I'm getting older but still as competitive as ever! But maybe it's not competitive but real. I think the later is actually true.

The book is called "Simple Church". Great read for Pastors and leaders. I highly recommend it. The author said that what keeps life and energy in a church is the constant new people that come to Jesus. I have always agreed with that. There is nothing like the passion of a person experiencing new life in Christ and the joy of being free. I love being around people who are living the joy of new found salvation. But something rang off key in my spirit this time.

I asked myself, "Why, if the more we know Jesus, the closer we get to Him and the more intimate we become with Him would we not have MORE life and energy and passion? If Jesus is love, joy, peace, life and all the rest, then why are the new followers the most full of life? Have we become like old dogs lying on the porch watching life go by when the puppies are romping all over the yard? I don't want to be an old dog! With God, my joy, my wisdom, my depth, my passion should INCREASE the older I get!"

Does this make sense to you? Yeah, I get all the ideas about newness and the thrill of being fresh into this new life and all of that. But God is infinite and an endless reservoir of wisdom, understanding, love and grace. It's not as if we love and enjoy Him but soon exhaust the supply that He is and reach the bottom of Him like some carton of favorite ice cream. He is a NEVER ENDING SUPPLY! His mercies are NEW every morning! He is doing a NEW thing! He is always fresh and creative and surprising! Why then do the newbees have all the joy????

This has inspired me. I have a freshness in my mind and spirit that is renewed. I know Him much more than when I did 34 years ago when I met Him. I know His Word much better now. I know His ways much better now. Do I know all? Are you kidding me? I have not even sipped one drop of the ocean of who God is and that is precisely the point!! He is BIG. He is limitless. He is full and no matter how long I've walked with Him there will always be something better, deeper, newer to find. He has something FRESH for me today! Of course He does. He's God!

I find myself so full of anticipation this morning. I am convinced of this one thing, older Christians should be the most joyful, the most passionate, the most worry-free, the most fearless, the most aggressive, the most daring, the most loving, the most peaceful, the most joyful people on the planet. Why? They're closer to God than they have ever been! I want to rewrite the books. I want the the book written about my church to say, "You want to bring life and joy and passion to your world? Make sure there are a bunch of gray haired, wrinkly, slightly paunchy, glasses wearing, hearing aid adjusting, knee creaking, back aching, older Christians around. They are the most passionate lovers of Jesus!"

The best is yet to come!!

In His grip,

Greg

My friend Ronda

noreply@blogger.com (PG) — Wed, 31 Mar 2010 14:43:00 -0700

I have a friend. Her name is Ronda. She's married to a great guy, has two wonderful kids who are grown up and out of the house. She lives in a beautiful home in town. She has a good life. We love this family. She is blonde, maybe 5'2" (maybe :-)), petite and feisty. Just ask the soccer referee's when they make a less than pleasing call!! She also has a huge heart.

I met Ronda about 15 years ago. We were both coaching under 8 girls soccer teams at the time. Her family is really into soccer and so am I. So through coaching and league meetings and organizing the local teams we became friends. Whenever I was in trouble she seemed to show up. Being new to the league and how things were supposed to work, I constantly found myself self on the wrong end of some logistical mess. I'd forget the field permit, Ronda would show up unannounced and have one with her. I didn't know how to arrange my players paperwork for the leauge reigstrar, Ronda would appear from somewhere with an organizer. This happened so frequently I started to call her my soccer fairy. She was a wonderful blessing. Her family started coming to Abundant Life where I pastor about 10 years ago. That was a great day as my worlds connected.

A few months ago Ronda was driving by a familiar part of Mt. View when she saw a man, a homeless man with his sign and a dog named Penny. His name is Andre'. Andre' is an older black man with no friends or family but with a past. He's been in trouble many times and because of his choices and life problems has landed in this lonely, homeless place. Ronda felt the nudging of Jesus to stop and offer some help. She did and gave him a little something. She left him after a brief interchange but the moment lingered in her heart. A few days later she went back again and spent a little more time getting to know Andre'. She gave him some more help too. Her visits became more and more frequent as she felt her heart saying, "Jesus said we ARE the church where ever we are, we don't just go to church. I think Jesus would love this person and be his friend. So that is what I am going to do." Ronda became Andre's friend.

She began to meet Andre' regularly. She would go by his corner and talk to him. She'd bring him things. Just like she was a soccer fairy to me, she was being Jesus to Andre'. They were becoming the strangest of friends brought together by a single act of kindness and a determination to not simply toss some religion at him to appease her own conscience but to actually make a difference.

Andre' got picked up on some drug dealing charges and is no longer on his corner but is spending his days in jail for a while. She was in the courtroom as his only support when he was charged. But what will happen to Penny??? She's all he's got! Penny lives at Ronda's house now. Ronda has given a home to the only friend a homeless man has. She has a dog already and really didn't want another one but she decided that this is what Jesus would do so she is doing it. She feeds and bathes and walks and sits with Andre's dog until he gets out of prison. She visits him in prison too. She and her husband go regularly because they are the church, they don't go to church.

Why is she doing all of this?? He doesn't deserve it! He's a drug dealer! Well, Ronda figures that when Jesus said, "When you visited the prisoner you visited me." that these guys had done some bad stuff too and still deserved love. I mean, Jesus said that doing it for them was doing it for Him so she wants to do it for Jesus.

Andre' has written some letters to her. Funny thing, those letters are changing in tone as their friendship grows. He's thankful. He's appreciative and he talks about God. This man who a few months ago had nothing, now has something more precious than gold. He has a friend and he is getting to know Jesus.

I read in 1 Thessalonians a couple days ago where it says, "We gave you the Gospel but we loved you so much we gave you our lives as well." Ronda is giving much more than the Gospel, she's giving her life as well which is the verification of the Gospel. She's showing Andre' the Gospel not just telling him about it.

It's a long way from the soccer field to the county jail but it now is clear that heaven is a lot closer to a homeless man's street corner than we ever thought.

I Don't Care What Anyone Else Thinks....Except Dad!!

noreply@blogger.com (PG) — Mon, 22 Mar 2010 16:31:00 -0700

Aren't 15 year old daughters and fathers supposed to be like oil and water? Aren't dads of 15 year old girls supposed to be hopelessly out of it and completely unable to relate to anything in the little diva's life? I mean all dads of 15 year old girls wear socks with their flip flops, tuck in their shirts with the tail hanging out of the fly and do the comb over their bald heads....don't they? Aren't 15 year old daughters supposed to be helplessly concerned with their bangs, hopelessly emotional about the way "that girl looked at me" and haplessly concerned about fitting in with all of the other little freaked out chicks?

That's what "they" say but I just had the most wonderful day with my 15 year old. She's bright. She's fun. She's beautiful. She loves me. She didn't always love me. When she was born, her first six months of life were spent doing what babies do AND wailing bloody murder every time I came near. Something inside her little infant psyche was totally freaked by the sight of me. That didn't last long though, thankfully. She's been daddies girl ever since. It does help that I don't wear socks with my flip flops too.

Anyway, she got some birthday money this year and I told her I would be willing to take her shopping. That was a risky offer because what the heck do I know about SubUrban Outriggers and Abbott and Costello and Fitch and leggings and all that stuff? But I wanted to be with her and to my surprise she said yes and even appeared to be mildly excited about it too.

She had the money, always a plus! We had the plan and it was a gorgeous day. We looked at summer dresses and shorts outfits, fun t-shirts and jumpers. We looked at tank tops (very modest ones!!), skirts and high waisted belts. She actually tried on some of the things that I picked out AND LIKED THEM!!! I AM THE MAN!! One of my favorite comments of the day was, "Dad, I don't care what anyone thinks about what I wear. I just want to wear what I like and have fun!!" I loved that.

The most fun was the dressing room. I waited outside the door with an arm full of clothes, waiting and watching as other 15's preened in front of the mirrors hoping they were choosing the things that would make them lovable. I had to shift into my James Bond dad mode because the clerk said no more than 6 items in the room and I had enough tops and bottoms for three rooms easy! But, then she'd slide open the door and stand there with that look. It's easy to see it. It's that hopeful look, that slightly nervous look that says, "Daddy, do you like this? Do you think I'm pretty?" And that translates to, "Daddy, do you approve of me? Do you love me?" With each change of outfit I got more and more captured by the connection between us. I told her how beautiful she was and how much I loved her. I could have shopped all day.

It was obviously clear, she didn't care what anybody else thought about what she was wearing but she cared about what I thought. If I cared no one else mattered.

God talked to me about that shopping day this morning. He said to my heart as I prayed, "Son, do you care about what I think so much so that it doesn't matter what anyone else thinks?" It was a tough question. I wanted to say yes but I admit that sometimes what people think often carries more weight than what my heavenly Father thinks. If my daughter had treated me that way, I would have been devastated. I realized that if I care what the Father thinks more than anything else, then I won't care what others think. I won't bother with reputation or status, impressions or conformity. I'll just be free to enjoy life because after all, my Father thinks I am amazing. How incredible is that? The Creator of the galaxies thinks I'm amazing. He should, He made me.

I learned a little about shopping that Saturday. I learned about accessorizing and mixing colors and what should NEVER be worn in public EVER! I learned that 15 year olds really do care about what their dads think. I learned that if I care about what my heavenly Father thinks, then nothing else matters.

I think I'd like to go shopping again this weekend and this time I'm buying.

In His grip,

Greg

Cretans! You're all evil!!

noreply@blogger.com (PG) — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 10:01:00 -0700

"If you get that tattoo, you're going to hell as sure as the sun comes up!"

"Only dope heads and rebels wear their hair like that. Are you one of them??"

"Kid's these days don't care about nothin. None of 'em are any good."

"Why don't they go back to their own country where they belong instead of wrecking ours?"

"This country is going to hell in a handbasket....."

There all Cretans!!

I've heard these statements in the last year, some of them more than once. Well, except for the Cretan line but I read that one in the Bible.

Paul's letter to Titus, a minister, says in chapter 1:10-12 that people are no different today than they were 2000 years ago. People will always want things their way, always want to decide what's right based on their own opinions and will lump people into their own defined categories.

Here's what Paul wrote, "For there are many rebellious people, mere talkers and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision group. They must be silenced because they are ruining whole households by teaching things they ought not to teach - and that for the sake of dishonest gain. Even one of their prophets has said, "Cretans are always liars, evil brutes, lazy gluttons."

Doesn't sound much dfferent than today does it?

I wonder if more people would reach out to Jesus if they didn't have the impression that we Christians thought they were all Cretans?

Why is it that we will tolerate back biting, gossip, coarse talk and get easily offended in the body of Christ but we label an unbeliever evil if he acts like, well, an unbeliever? Let me get this straight. We'll not call out a Christian for acting like he's NOT supposed to but we'll call out a unbeliever for acting like he's SUPPOSED to. Anybody else confused?

Then to make the pile even higher, we believers get bent out of shape when WE get criticised by unbelievers and then we call the prayer chain for strength because we're being persecuted.

Criticism is an ugly word. A few verses later in his letter to Titus, Paul writes, "To the pure, all things are pure, but to those who are corrupted and do not believe, nothing is pure." 1:15

What that verse says is that pure people see the pure in whatever they see. Corrupted people see nothing pure in what they see. Does that mean that EVERYTHING IS PURE? No, of course not. What it does mean is that the pure person focuses on that which is pure in everyone. The corrupted person focses on that which is impure in everyone because that is all he can see.

I wonder how people in our city would react if instead of criticising them we actually began to see what was pure in them? There's something to appreciate in everyone. Yes, maybe we will have to dig under some pretty crusty stuff to get to the pure, but it's there. How do I know? Because God made us all in His image. Before we were conceived, we were in the mind of God. We are the passion of His heart, the joy of His desire. God is pure and behind all the failure, the muck, the stain and filth, he sees what is pure. To the pure all things are pure.

I can evaluate the condition of my heart with this understanding. If I see the pure in people I'm displaying the pure heart of God, when I'm critical I'm not. Sounds simple but so true.

Today as you go about your day you'll probably run into a few Cretans along the way. Remember, don't criticise. To the pure all things are pure. Besides it's most likely that you're a Cretan to someone else!

Dating Q and A: I'm ready to take the next step!!

noreply@blogger.com (PG) — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 14:13:00 -0700

This is the second entry on the subject of dating and how to find the person for you, GOD'S WAY!

The question often comes up: "What if I am at the place where I am ready to start courting a person? What do I do? How do I do that when I haven't dated them? How do I get to know the person better and move from that friendship stage to the romantic stage?

I'd like to defer to Josh Harris' book, "I kissed dating goodbye." He does an excellent job at laying out some steps on how to take the next step.

1. Remember your relationship responsibilities.

At this stage it is important that your thinking is not on you but on the other person. Remember in any relationship you're involving 3 distinct relationships; you and the person you're interested in, you and the people around you, you and God. Make sure you take into account every relationship before moving forward.

Ask yourself:

What's your relationship with this person? They are a child of God

What's your responsibility to this person? My responsibility is to enhance and not detract from what God is doing in his/her life.

What's your responsibility to the people around you? My responsibility is to portray Christ-likeness in everything I do especially my relationships.

What is your responsibility to God? I am responsible to keep my way pure and serve Him and love Him with all of my heart.

2. Seek a deeper friendship.

It's a mistake to think that developing a romantic, exclusive relationship means you've deepened. The sooner you release your romantic feelings your objectivity will begin to fade.
The next step in moving closer to marriage is to deepen the friendship.

How do I develop a deeper friendship. Here are some ideas:
Look for ways to include each other in your regular daily lives. You want to see them and for them to see you in life as it really is, not in some false, disguised dating life.
Serve together. Invite to spend time at home with your family. Do a ministry together. All the while not to let your romantic feelings take the reigns.
Avoid doing things that will fuel the romantic feelings. Avoid talking about how you feel about each other, how you miss each other or how your future might look. Just focus on the friendship.
It will take patience and self control but if the relationship does not progress you've preserved a friend.

3. Watch, wait and pray.

This is a confusing and stressful time, this time of moving beyond friendship. It will take great patience and lots of prayer. I always say, "You can NEVER go too slow." Don't rush in, fools do that. Watch and wait and pray.

See the counsel of a few older, trusted, mature Christian friends. Spend time and get their take on the relationship. There is wisdom in seeking counsel from an objective source. These friends should include your parents, pastors, mentors and friends.

Ask yourself, "Is this person of the quality that I would marry? Am I ready to make that commitment?"

You can answer the questions of readiness this way:

a. Does this relationship agree with God's Word? Is the other person a Christian?
b. Are you ready for the responsibilities of marriage financially, emotional, mentally and spiritually?
c. Do you have the approval of the above mentioned friends and family?
d. Do you have a peace from God in your heart that this is right?

4. Define the purpose of marriage.

As you're moving closer you must revisit the whole reason for marrying in the first place.
Make sure you understand God's roles for the male and female according to God's Word. Make sure you are clear about direction and the priority of your lives as believers.

Finally then state your purpose. Guys, this is your time to step up. Have the boldness to state your intentions to win her heart. Make your plans known to her and ladies make your response to him perfectly honest! This is no time to be coy. He is going out on a limb and must have honesty. If both agree then the next step.

5. Honor your parents.

Show respect to the people responsible for each of you. Go to your parents together and include them in the courtship now established. Then go to your pastors and get their covering and guidance for you. Ask those you are seeking approval from to ask you pointed questions and to scrutinize your intentions and thoughts.

No matter what response you get from parents and pastors, be prepared to honor them. As you honor the authorities in your life, you are honoring God.

6. Test and build the relationship in real life settings.

Now it's time to start the exciting time of building the intimacy in the relationship but now this process has a purpose vs the random pursuit of infatuation most common in relationships without direction. This closer intimacy should be purposeful in it's pursuit of marriage, protected against sexual temptation and accountable to parents and pastors.

Spend more time together and begin the process of getting to know the real person by conversation, practical life activities and ministry service. Engage in activities that will allow you to learn about each other in a deeper way.

7. Engagement

The period of intimacy building should last only as long as it takes for the couple to be certain that they are ready to be married. This moment comes when the times of observing, mentoring and praying are satisfied. All lights are green and God has blessed you with peace in your hearts. It's time to pop the question.

Now you must, more than ever, keep a close watch on your physical relationship. Intimacy has grown, your hearts are connected and your desires for each other will be STRONG! You must keep accountability and your boundaries secure lest you make it so far and then violate one anothers trust just before the finish line. When you are married you will be blessed with the purity of enjoying each other for a lifetime. Hold out a little longer and the greater prize is yours!

Thanks Josh for those great ideas. This is a powerful time in your life and honestly very hard to walk because of the pressure our culture places on people. Always remember, do things God's way and you'll never be disappointed!

You're all loved!

Q & A on Dating and Relationships

noreply@blogger.com (PG) — Fri, 15 Aug 2008 15:42:00 -0700

On August 3rd I spoke a message titles, "Why I Don't Believe in Dating". I anticipated questions, some confusion and most likely some resistance to the concepts that counter our culture. In the next few blog entries I want to address various questions that I have received in hopes of helping parents, teens, young adults and anyone else in a dating situation wade through these tricky and often turbulent waters.

Does not dating mean I can never like someone? If I do what do I do with those feelings?

This question typically comes from a teenager who sees his or her friends pairing off and presumably enjoying a good, healthy relationship with another person. During those teen years the sexual drive is revving up and the interest in the opposite sex is coming alive. Feelings are real and they do happen. The important this is to realize that the feelings are normal and expected. What we do with those feelings is an entirely different thing.

1. The feelings are normal. For parents and teens alike it is crucial that you have open communication with each other so you can talk about these feelings when they come up. I know my children and it was not difficult to see a change in one of them when a certain person was around. The feelings were obvious by the change in behavior. These feelings are not sinful nor should they be rebuked or punished. The key issue at this stage is managing those feelings.

The Bible says that the fruit of the Spirit is self control. (Gal. 5:22) The Bible also says that God has given us power, love and a sound mind or a mind that is controlled. (2 Tim. 1:7) This time of adolescent feelings provides the perfect opportunity for a young person to begin to learn, with the help, support and guidance of parents and youth pastors, how to practice self control.

In the Song of Solomon, the wise king writes three times, "Don't awaken love until it so desires." A young teen or even an older teen or young twenties person is not ready for love to be awakened because they are not yet ready to make a life commitment.

2. Communicate. As mentioned above, communication, good communication is essential at this time. You have to be able to talk honestly if you're going to walk with your child through this season. This season will last until they marry so be ready to be in it for the long haul. However, once you have successfully navigated the first few crushes I hope your child will be able to make some wise decisions on their own. But you must talk, talk and talk some more.

Feelings can deceive and control too. So you must have a clear understanding that you will excercise the freedom to look at emails, facebook, text messages etc. This is not an attempt to snoop not is it born out of mistrust. It is just a simple fact, when you're infatuated with someone, those feelings are powerful and will draw the person into all kinds of secrecy and dishonesty. Help your kids by keeping the communication open.

Feel free to talk with your child and the other person too. Talk about the importance of keeping your feelings under control and how God wants to preserve them both. Help them by leading them with a positive caring example.

3. Encourage healthy relationships in the family. If there is a mutual affection between your child and another and they are of the "dating" age help them remain friends by inviting the relationship to be lived out honestly with your family. Shunning the person when feelings arise has not been a strategy that I've seen work well to preserve a friendship once the crush wears off. My wife and I encouraged our kid's friends to come over any time and be with us. It made it easier to help if that was needed and gave us the opportunity to get to know the king of person our kids have affection for. When the time comes, my blessing will be required on any relationship that leads to marriage. Better to start the education process early by being involved in the love lives of your kids.

4. Pray. Pray for wisdom. Pray for discernment. Pray for protection. Pray for purity. Pray for your kids. Pray with your kids. There isn't a lot to comment on here because it is just that simple. Pray and pray a lot for your kids and ask God for supernatural wisdom in dealing with these relationships.

5. Be clear and consistent with expectations and boundaries. It's important that in your communication you show your child and their friend what a non-dating friendship looks like. Be very clear what is in bounds and out of bounds. Then be prepared to hold them to it without compromise. This is no time to be flexible. The heart of your child is involved. You want to keep them safe? Be clear and consistent. If they need to be pulled back then pull them back. It's hard but it's better than the alternative of them losing their heart and suffering real hurt.

6. Spend a lot of time with your child. I found that one of the greatest joys of parenting is growing with my kids. I learn from them a lot. They learn from me too. It's a myth that the teen years must be hard. They don't need to be. They can be a joy. Be involved. Spend a lot of time with them. Enjoy them.

Next post I'll talk about some specific steps to take when you feel you have met the right person and now you want to move toward marriage....I'll be praying for you.

In His grip,

Greg

“Infinity Times One”

noreply@blogger.com (PG) — Wed, 19 Mar 2008 11:54:00 -0700

One is so insignificant in the minds of most people. We think nothing of losing a penny. We won’t even waste our time picking one up as we walk. The effort it would take to do so wouldn’t be worth the gain of the cent. Even the single dollar bill has begun to suffer this fate as it loses its value. We say, “It’s only a buck. Why not….buy it…get one…”.

When multiplying or dividing by one, whatever that number is stays the same. Even zero has a tremendous impact. One does nothing.

One cookie before dinner won’t ruin the meal.
One more minute before bedtime is not a major request.
One bite won’t wreck my diet.

We don’t give one a lot of credit. God does.

Jesus was always interested in the one. He always took the time to stop what he was doing to touch the one. Zaccheaus, the woman at the well, the woman caught in adultery, the repentant thief on the cross, each disciple; Jesus was always interested in the one.

In the Gospel of Luke chapter 15 Jesus tells of the shepherd who left the ninety nine safe sheep to go out and find the one lost lamb. The most famous verse in the Bible, John 3:16, says that “whosoever” may have eternal life. Any one of us may come.

Jesus knows that one drink may turn into alcoholism.
Jesus knows that one affair will ruin a marriage.
Jesus knows that one night of passion may bring a disease.
Jesus knows that one harsh word may hurt for a lifetime.

Jesus knows that one cry for repentance brings forgiveness.
Jesus knows that one encouraging word can build a foundation.
Jesus knows that one teenager can turn out to be Billy Graham.

I thank God that He thought enough of a 5’2” 115 lb. teenage boy to love him, nurture him and make a Pastor out of him. I thank God that He is still with me now as He was then. He cares about me. He cares about you. He cares about one.

Jesus lived His life without fanfare, without parade, without marketing, without a media event. He just went from place to place loving and caring for the people one at a time. Two thousand years later His one life is still touching others.

You may think no one cares. You may think you can't make a difference. Neither of those thoughts are true. There is a God who cares for “whosoever” and there is a Holy Spirit in every believer willing to use him to touch one.

By ourselves we are only one. The God in you is infinite. With you and God, no matter if you divide or multiply, it comes out the same – infinity.

We can make a difference in our world. It will be one at a time as each one of you with an infinite God inside of you reaches out and touches one.

Touch one today and everyday.“Infinity Times One”

The Moods of Jesus

noreply@blogger.com (PG) — Mon, 17 Mar 2008 19:14:00 -0700

Jesus was the man of sorrows. Jesus was the man of joy. Jesus wept. Jesus called the Pharisees "white washed tombs" and a "brood of vipers". Jesus was gentle. Jesus spoke softly. Jesus shouted. Jesus was abrasive.

Jesus was moody!

No? Do you think, "Get behind me, Satan!" is not abrasive? Go ahead. Next time someone disagrees with you say, "Get behind me, Satan!" and see how that works! When your kids are fighting, stomp into the room and scream, "YOU BROOD OF VIPERS!!!" As a matter of fact I think I hear that slithering sound right now....just kidding kids!

Jesus was one of those people that you wanted to stay on his good side or else you might end up like some fruitless fig tree. The lesson there? Don't tick Jesus off! He'll curse your lazy carcass and leave you for the vultures.

I was reading Luke 19 the other day and realized that Jesus displayed three different moods when interacting with three different groups of people. He was kind, patient and accepting with the little tax collector Zacchaeus. He wept over the city of Jerusalem at his "triumphal entry". Then he was angered and over threw the vendors out the temple. One chapter three different moods.

What I find very interesting about this passage however, is if I place myself in Jesus' shoes I probably would not display the same moods. I'd be angry at Zacchaeus, the little thief! I'd be on top of the world if a whole city were praising me, looking over my shoulder for when my boys would bring the barrell of gatorade. I am the MAN!!! I'd be patient with folks in the temple. I mean, yeah, they were not supposed to be making a profit in the temple but hey, if it's a good fundraiser who can argue.

Here is the real problem. We Christians are quick to judge, scold and reject a sinner like Zacchaeus. We're quick to over look the heart that is decaying when everything on the outside seems like a success. In the church we are quick to look the other way when it comes to holding each other accountable. Jesus was just the opposite.

Zacchaeus was a thieving, lying, manipulative man. We know that. He admitted it. After Jesus forgave him he confessed that he would give back up to 4 times the amount that he had stolen. Yet Jesus ate with Zacchaeus. Jesus laughed and spent time with him. He became his friend. He didn't rebuke, scold or reject him. He wasn't afraid of getting any of Zacchaeus on him. Instead he was thinking how he might get some of himself on Zacchaeus. Here is a man that most churches would preach to stay away from at all costs because he is an example of all that is currupt and filthy and ungodly in the world....yet Jesus loved him and a soul was saved.

The crowds cheered, they waved palm branches welcoming the Savior, the Messiah, the KING!!! Instead of reveling in the glory of the praise he initiated, he wept. Jesus wasn't fooled by temporary, worldly success. He wouldn't settle for anything but the heart. We measure church success with numbers, building amount and size, bank accounts, programs, radio and t.v. time and name recognition. Jesus would never settle for that if the heart was wrong. Would he weep in some of the churches that we consider to be the most blessed? He measured success by a very different set of criteria than we do.

Those in the temple angered him. These were the religious ones. These were the "holy" and "God fearing". Jesus was angry with them and threw them out of the temple calling them thieves. Why is it that we will look the other way calling sin a "struggle" or a "discipline we need to work on" rather than what it is.....sin? We tend to be really soft on each other and on the occaision we confront someone, the offense that is the result divides the fellowship as if going to a brother in love was the sin.

The Bible says that judgment begins in the house of the Lord. Why do we judge the world by a Biblical standard that they have not agreed to follow and coddle the church that HAS agreed to the standard? It seems if we really want to see transformation happen in our communities we would instead start treating "sinners" with love, respect and kindness leading them to Jesus and start holding each other accountable for the things that cause the world to cry out "HYPOCRITE!" It seems to me that if we'd measure our churches by how much we love, give, care and reach out to each other rather than how good we look on t.v. we'd have a far better reputation in the eyes of people.

Jesus wasn't really moody. He always displayed the proper mood to the appropriate situation. If he were in my world he'd be spending lots of time making friends with unbelieving people, teaching people how to love and care for others and making sure that his church was spotless in and out.

If Jesus was moody, I want to be moody too.

The Room

noreply@blogger.com (PG) — Wed, 30 Jan 2008 10:18:00 -0800

THE ROOM
By Josh Harris
From the book "I Kissed Dating Goodbye"

In that place between wakefulness and dreams, I found myself in the room. There were no distinguishing features except for the one wall covered with small index card files. They were like the ones in libraries that list titles by author or subject in alphabetical order.

But these files, which stretched from floor to ceiling and seemingly endless in either direction, had very different headings. As I drew near the wall of files, the first to catch my attention was one that read "Girls I have liked." I opened it and began flipping through the cards. I quickly shut it, shocked to realize that I recognized the names written on each one. And then without being told, I knew exactly where I was.

This lifeless room with its small files was a crude catalog system for my life. Here were written the actions of my every moment, big and small, in a detail my memory couldn't match. A sense of wonder and curiosity, coupled with horror, stirred within me as I began randomly opening files and exploring their content. Some brought joy and sweet memories; others a sense of shame and regret so intense that I would look over my shoulder to see if anyone was watching.

A file named "Friends" was next to one marked "Friends I have betrayed." The titles ranged from the mundane to the outright weird. "Books I Have Read," "Lies I Have Told," "Comfort I have Given," "Jokes I Have Laughed at." Some were almost hilarious in their exactness: "Things I've yelled at my brothers." Others I couldn't laugh at: "Things I Have Done in My Anger", "Things I Have Muttered Under My Breath at My Parents." I never ceased to be surprised by the contents.

Often there were many more cards than I expected. Sometimes fewer than I hoped. I was overwhelmed by the sheer volume of the life I had lived. Could it be possible that I had the time in my years to fill each of these thousands or even millions of cards? But each card confirmed this truth. Each was written in my own handwriting. Each signed with my signature.

When I pulled out the file marked "TV Shows I have watched," I realized the files grew to contain their contents. The cards were packed tightly and yet after two or three yards, I hadn't found the end of the file. I shut it, shamed, not so much by the quality of shows but more by the vast time I knew that file represented.

When I came to a file marked "Lustful Thoughts," I felt a chill run through my body. I pulled the file out only an inch, not willing to test its size and drew out a card. I shuddered at its detailed content. I felt sick to think that such a moment had been recorded.

An almost animal rage broke on me. One thought dominated my mind: No one must ever see these cards! No one must ever see this room! I have to destroy them!" In insane frenzy I yanked the file out. Its size didn't matter now. I had to empty it and burn the cards. But as I took it at one end and began pounding it on the floor, I could not dislodge a single card. I became desperate and pulled out a card, only to find it as strong as steel when I tried to tear it. Defeated and utterly helpless, I returned the file to its slot. Leaning my forehead against the wall, I let out a long, self-pitying sigh.

And then I saw it.. The title bore "People I Have Shared the Gospel With."The handle was brighter than those around it, newer, almost unused. He pulled on its handle and a small box not more than three inches long fell into my hands. I could count the cards it contained on one hand. And then the tears came. I began to weep. Sobs so deep that they hurt. They started in my stomach and shook through me. I fell on my knees and cried. I cried out of shame, from the overwhelming shame of it all. The rows of file shelves swirled in my tear-filled eyes. No one must ever, ever know of this room. I must lock it up and hide the key. But then as I pushed away the tears, I saw Him. No, please not Him. Not here! Oh, anyone but Jesus.

I watched helplessly as He began to open the files and read the cards. I couldn't bear to watch His response. And in the moments I could bring myself to look at His face, I saw a sorrow deeper than my own. He seemed to intuitively go to the worst boxes. Why did He have to read every one? Finally He turned and looked at me from across the room. He looked at me with pity in His eyes. But this was a pity that didn't anger me. I dropped my head, covered my face with my hands and began to cry again. He walked over and put His arm around me. He could have said so many things. But He didn't say a word. He just cried with me.

Then He got up and walked back to the wall of files. Starting at one end of the room, He took out a file and, one by one, began to sign His name over mine on each card. "No!" I shouted rushing to Him. All I could find to say was "No, no," as I pulled the card from Him. His name shouldn't be on these cards. But there it was, written in red so rich, so dark, so alive. The name of Jesus covered mine. It was written with His blood. He gently took the card back He smiled a sad smile and began to sign the cards. I don't think I'll ever understand how He did it so quickly, but the next instant it seemed I heard Him close the last file and walk back to my side. He placed His hand on my shoulder and said, "It is finished." I stood up, and He led me out of the room.

There was no lock on its door. There were still cards to be written."I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."-Phil. 4:13 "For God so loved the world that He gave His only son, thatwhoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life."

Thankful for Mary

noreply@blogger.com (PG) — Mon, 24 Dec 2007 07:23:00 -0800

Merry Christmas to you all!!

It's Christmas Eve. It's a bit chilly. Lights are up. Tins of cookies are all over our counter top and the window where we hang Christmas cards received is packed with warm wishes. Tonight people will gather at the church to sing songs, light candles and remember that God came to earth. Tomorrow we'll celebrate the birth of our Lord.....

There are so many things to be thankful for. But today I'm thankful for Mary. I know, you're thinking MARY, the virgin, the young girl chosen by God to bear the savior of the world. I'm thankful for her, but I'm really thankful for another Mary.

I have a friend. She is a faithful lady in our church. Her name is Mary. Mary loves Jesus with all of her heart. I can tell. It's easy to tell when someone really loves Jesus because they have His attitude. They have His demeanor. They talk like Him, gently. They smile a lot because they are at peace. They help a lot because that's what Jesus would do. Mary is like this. Mary is a lot like Jesus.

People who really love Jesus love people, like Jesus loves them. Jesus said that the reason He came to earth was to seek out people and save them. We all need saving. Jesus came to save us all. People who love Jesus are people who are very concerned about others coming to know Jesus. I know Mary loves Jesus because she wants other to know Him.

Mary works out at a local gym. While she works out she meets people and gets to know them. One person Mary got to know was a woman named Lisa. Mary is a black woman in her 50's. Lisa is an asian woman in her 30's. It doesn't matter what color or age you are, when you love Jesus, you love and accept everybody. Mary and Lisa became friends.

I don't know exactly how it all played out but what I do know is that on November 18th, just about 6 weeks ago, Mary brought Lisa to church. I only know that because Lisa filled out one of our first time guest "Welcome" cards and wrote on it that she was the guest of her friend, Mary.

As I always do, I wrote Lisa a note thanking her for visiting with us and inviting her back again and to please introduce herself to me next time she came. The next Sunday, November 25th, Mary brought Lisa again and this time Mary brought her friend to meet me. It was really nice. Mary looked pleased and Lisa looked a bit bashful but her smile was engaging. She said she was glad to be here and that she really enjoyed the church. She was thankful that Mary had invited her to come. I told her that it was nice to meet her and that I hope we could get to know each other better. Mary smiled. They left together.

That was the last time I saw Lisa....

A few days later a violent man took Lisa's life. I don't know what led up to the horrible event or why it happened. It didn't take investigators long to capture the man responsible and locate Lisa's body.

I had only met Lisa one time and for only about 3-4 minutes but I'm thankful for Mary. Mary had invested herself into Lisa and had taken the time to do for her the most important thing any person can do for any other person, introduce them to Jesus. Mary said that at one of those 2 services, either November 18th or 25th, Lisa gave her life to Jesus and accepted Him as her Lord and Savior.

For Lisa's family, this Christmas will be very hard. The grief is as deep as any grief can be. For Lisa, this Christmas is beyond belief. She is being held in the arms of the Savior, her new friend, Mary's friend. His name is Jesus.

I can't help but think of all the scenarios that could have occured. What if Mary hadn't taken the time to befriend Lisa? What if Mary had been too nervous to ask Lisa to come to church with her? What if, what if, what if.......How many people do I pass by because I'm too busy about my own life?

I don't know the answers to all of those questions. Here's what I do know; a woman who loves Jesus made a friend. She introduced that new friend to her very best friend, her Lord Jesus. Today, Lisa knows Jesus in a way Mary hopes for.

This Christmas, I'm thankful for Mary.

George Washington's Thanksgiving Proclamation - 1789

noreply@blogger.com (PG) — Wed, 21 Nov 2007 17:08:00 -0800

President George Washington’s Thanksgiving Proclamation--1789

WHEREAS it is the duty of all nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey His will, to be grateful for His benefits, and humbly to implore His protection and favour; and Whereas both Houses of Congress have, by their joint committee, requested me "to recommend to the people of the United States a DAY OF PUBLICK THANSGIVING and PRAYER, to be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many and signal favors of Almighty God, especially by affording them an opportunity peaceably to establish a form of government for their safety and happiness:"

NOW THEREFORE, I do recommend and assign THURSDAY, the TWENTY-SIXTH DAY of NOVEMBER next, to be devoted by the people of these States to the service of that great and glorious Being who is the beneficent author of all the good that was, that is, or that will be; that we may then all unite in rendering unto Him our sincere and humble thanks for His kind care and protection of the people of this country previous to their becoming a nation; for the signal and manifold mercies and the favorable interpositions of His providence in the course and conclusion of the late war; for the great degree of tranquility, union, and plenty which we have since enjoyed;-- for the peaceable and rational manner in which we have been enable to establish Constitutions of government for our safety and happiness, and particularly the national one now lately instituted;-- for the civil and religious liberty with which we are blessed, and the means we have of acquiring and diffusing useful knowledge;-- and, in general, for all the great and various favours which He has been pleased to confer upon us.

And also, that we may then unite in most humbly offering our prayers and supplications to the great Lord and Ruler of Nations and beseech Him to pardon our national and other transgressions;-- to enable us all, whether in publick or private stations, to perform our several and relative duties properly and punctually; to render our National Government a blessing to all the people by constantly being a Government of wise, just, and constitutional laws, discreetly and faithfully executed and obeyed; to protect and guide all sovereigns and nations (especially such as have shewn kindness unto us); and to bless them with good governments, peace, and concord; to promote the knowledge and practice of true religion and virtue, and the increase of science among them and us; and, generally to grant unto all mankind such a degree of temporal prosperity as He alone knows to be best.

Being a Thankful Person

noreply@blogger.com (PG) — Wed, 21 Nov 2007 12:27:00 -0800

Tomorrow is Thanksgiving. I like the holiday. It comes with no pressure or expectation. I wake up in the morning and think, "Ahhhh, it's Thanksgiving! I am going to enjoy family, food, some football, play some cards or board games, laugh a lot and then look forward to another day off tomorrow!!!"

For me, Thanksgiving brings back tons of memories. I know everyone has different traditions. I learned of a family recently that goes paintballing on Thanksgiving and enjoys the loving tradition of blasting the daylights out of each other! I like it!! Hey, they are thankful they HAVE family they can nuke!! Come to think of it.....nah....

My Thanksgiving traditions are not so dramatic but it's just not the holiday without my mom's cream of mushroom soup green beans with onion rings. I still am tempted to put the black olives on the end of each finger and eat them off. And by all means don't forget the rolls. No rolls, no holiday! After dinner, do some dishes and start a water fight and then a little "cheat and argue". "Cheat and Argue" that's the nick name for a card game my brother in law refuses to play. Hey, some people shoot each other, we cheat and argue. It's THANKSGIVING!!

I've heard people say that we ought to be thankful EVERY day and maybe just set aside one day for complaining. What a day that would be! One day when you can get together with family and friends for the express purpose of griping about anything you want to! You can bash the price of gas, the lame football teams in the bay area, home prices, global warming, gripe about whatever you want and do it with a frown. You can! It's your holiday!! I have a feeling though, that if you really were thankful for 364 days of the year, you'd never celebrate "Whinersday" or whatever you'd want to call it!

That really is my point. If you are a person who gives thanks constantly it's not because every thing is going so great that you have a daily supply of wonderful events to be thankful for. That's not life. When life happens it's usually a pretty good mix if good and lousy. The person who gives thanks often, does so because he/she is a thankful person. It's that simple. Thankful people give thanks a lot. Thankful people are less angry, less stressed, less whiney and they smile a lot more! As a matter of fact, thankful people have more "good days" than unthankful people because they feel thankful for things that unthankful people don't recognize. A thankful person may have unfortunate things happen all day but will focus on the one thing that is worth thanks. Better yet, a thankful person seems to be able to find a reason to give thanks even when there is no redeeming quality to a situation.

I remember watching the movie, "The Hiding Place." It's about a Christian family in WWII Holland that prepared a secret room in their home to hide Jewish people during the holocaust. They ultimately got caught, the father and other family members were killed and the two sisters were sent to the concentration camps. The girls, Corrie and Betsy, were malnourished, beaten, abused and put to hard labor. Yet they held to their faith. They began to share Jesus in small Bible studies in the barracks but the guards would stop them and threaten them if they continued. However, the conditions got worse and worse. A horrible lice infestation broke out which at first discouraged them all. However, they discovered that because of the lice, the guards would no longer enter the barracks thus allowing the girls to have their Bible study. They learned to give thanks for even the lice!!

Thankful people can always find good in something somewhere. A lot of situations look hopeless but if we take time to look and be thankful we'll find it's not as bad we once thought. People who give thanks will have good days and bad days because life is sometimes rosy and sometimes full of problems. Thankful people seem to have rosy days more often than everyone else. Why? They are thankful even for the lice! You can take the thankful quality out of a situation but you can't take the thanks out of a person. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 says. "Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. "

Now pass the stuffing, the gravy, some olives and don't forget the rolls!!

The Motive Behind Being Like God

noreply@blogger.com (PG) — Fri, 2 Nov 2007 09:13:00 -0700

God's too smart for us. Yeah, yeah. Where did THAT brainstorm come from? Before you act so surprised, think about how we live. We juke left and then go right on Him but He doesn't bite on the fake. We try all sorts of spiritual misdirection but it never works. He's smarter than us.

Here is the real deal. We DO stuff. God looks at WHY we do stuff. Even if the outcome is identical for two different actions the one with the pure motive will be pleasing to God and the one without a pure motive will be worthless.

Prayer is a good example. The religious leaders in Jesus' day prayed a lot. Good thing, right? BUT their prayer was a show. It was an attempt to impress other people with their spiritual intensity. Prayer is good, but the motive behind the prayer can render it powerless.

I have to watch this all the time as I pastor my church. Why do I care for certain people or give some specfic attention? How do I act in certain situations and for what end? Are my actions a pure, guileless love or is there a personal agenda involved? When I speak is there any hint of, "I hope the people like my preaching." When I sing or play do I internally want the people to say, "Wow, our pastor is good!" When I encourage someone is it for their sole benefit or is there a desire for them to appreciate me or be impressed by my "wisdom"? Motives, when revealed make nice behaviors really ugly.

Have you ever done a really nice thing and inside wished someone else saw you do it so an impression would be made? Have you ever given of yourself sacrificially but soured afterward when no one thanked you? What was the motive? Motive makes the difference in everything we do.

This is never more clear than the motive behind the desire to be like God. Follow this train of thought. The Devil wanted to be like God and got kicked out of heaven. Adam and Eve wanted to be like God and got kicked out of the Garden of Eden. Then God throws us a nasty New Testament curveball and says, "My goal for you is to be like Me." WHAT???? Explain please!!

Isaiah 14 and Ezekiel 28 teach us in the midst of some prophetic revelations, that the reason Satan was cast away from God was because he wanted to be like God. His aspirations were for God's power, God's position and God's glory. When Satan tempted Eve in the garden he appealed to her by saying, "You'll be like God, knowing good and evil." In Romans 8:29, God says He has predestined us to be conformed the likeness of Jesus.....in other words, to be like God. 1 John 3:2 goes further when it says, "When we see Him we will be like Him for we will see Him as He is." God WANTS us to be like Him! Then why did Satan and original man and woman get disciplined?

Motive. That's the difference.

Why did Satan want to be like God? He wanted to be almighty. He wanted to call the shots. He wanted for his beauty and his name praised and glorified. Sorry, wrong answer.

Why did Eve buy the lie and take the fruit? She felt like there might be something true in Satan's words. Is God really taking advantage of me and keeping me down? I want to know what He knows. He's holding out on me. I don't think He is being straight with me. I want to take charge of my own destiny. Swing and a miss.

Notice the motives. I want. My pleasure. My glory. I deserve. My power. My freedom. I need. My goals. My desires. I am somebody!!!!

I, I, I, I, I.....my, my, my, my, my......this is called pride: a preoccupation with self.

In the New Testament it's all about losing the self not promoting self. "If you lose your life you'll save it." "Deny yourself." "I must decrease." "The least will be the greatest." "When I am weakest His strength is made perfect."

When it comes to my relationship with God, my focus must be on God: Serving God, honoring God, pleasing God, glorifying God, loving God. This is called humility: thinking of yourself less.

Why do you do what you do? Self gratification? Self advancement? Self service? Personal glory? You may get some of that but you'll never be like God. Self sacrifice? Self denial? Self control? God's glory? He will transform you into the likeness of His Son.

Satan, Adam and Eve, you and I, even God wants us to be like Him, but only with the right motive. Today, don't just DO stuff, think about WHY you are doing it. Motive makes all the differnce.

In His grip,

Greg

Wanna play?

noreply@blogger.com (PG) — Wed, 17 Oct 2007 16:14:00 -0700

Children are fascinating. I like to watch them. I like to watch them as an observer, a learner.
Children say what is on their minds. Children make friends quickly and forget wrongs fast. Children trust willingly and believe outlandish things innocently. Jesus said if we want to follow Him we must become like little children. I want to follow Jesus. I can learn lessons from children.

Children are even more fascinating when they do something that I can remember doing but for some reason now, as an adult, I won't do anymore. In some cases that's good. I don't shoot spit wads at people in restaurants anymore. Not that I'm not tempted occaisionally but I fight off those urges to protect the reputation of my church and family. I don't sneak from table to table in those same restaurants stealing all the creamers and downing them like shots either. But there are other things I remember doing that I wish I still did and wonder why I don't.

I was watching some kids the other day at a park play yard and noticed an obviously new kid that was a bit anxious because he didn't know anybody. He wanted to play and kind of hung around the outskirts of the small group playing on the bars. Who wants to play alone anyway? He moved in a little closer to express his interest. Soon the others recognized the new kid and one said, "Hi! Wanna play?" This little guy's face looked like the night sky on the 4th of July. It exploded in delight. He dashed into the group. Within seconds his newness vanished. He was IN!

Watching that whole scene I thought to myself, "Why don't I do that anymore? What is it about kids that accept others, new people, so easily but adults struggle with that? Why do I think twice about reaching out to someone?"

I think I know the "adult" answer. Of course! You don't know what kind of person that is! They could be a wacko or a pervert or any sort of undesireable! Kids don't think that way but adults do. That's because we're smarter than kids. We're WAY more wise! Right?

I thought some more. I don't really think all new people are wackos and perverts. But what I do mull over in my head are things like this: "Are they my type?" "Are they likable?" "Are they fun?" The biggest and maybe most disturbing question might be, "What will I benefit from accepting this person into my life?" I have to ask myself, "Are those questions a child would ask?"

Children don't ask those questions, they just say, "Wanna play?" Why do I first put a person through a series of personal litmus tests before I'll extend an invitation of acceptance?

Little children and Jesus are a lot alike in this way. Jesus accepted everyone, even wackos and perverts. He didn't approve of their behavior all the time but He knew to keep first things first. Accepted people are much more likely to make behavior changes than non-accepted people. Jesus knew that. He practiced that. Most of us adults want people to change into something we can accept before we ask them to come play.

I just finished a book about the 1947 baseball season. This was Jackie Robinson's rookie season with the Brooklyn Dodgers. The book told the story of the abuse Robinson took as the first black man in baseball. The racial slurs were hateful. The taunting, inhuman. The prejudice and bigotry, vile. Those things ate him up inside but he didn't have much recourse in a white dominated environment. He just wanted to play.

On one afternoon in Philadelphia, the taunts from the crowd were beyond what any human being should have to tolerate. They shouted and mocked and cursed and threw things. Even from the opposing teams dugout came the hateful taunts. Pee Wee Reese was one of the most beloved ball players at the time. He played shortstop for the Dodgers. He hadn't done much to welcome Robinson himself but what he saw and heard was just too much. He jogged across the infield from his shortstop position to Jackie at first base and put his arm around him and whispered something to him. The sight of their hero, Pee Wee Reese, with his arm around the black Jackie Robinson quieted the crowd in an instant. It was almost eerie how the action on the field dictated the emotions in the crowd. Then cheers. Probably cheers from those who were as appalled at his mistreatment as Reese was but cheers none the less. What was happening? Simple, there was a man on the outside that for whatever reason no body wanted to play with. One man stepped out of himself, denied his own interests and said, "Wanna play?"

Things don't change over night and neither did baseball or culture. But we're farther along than we used to be. Race really isn't the issue here. It's Jesus words that are the issue, "Love each other as I have loved you." Love doesn't demand that you be anything before you are loved. Acceptance does not demand that you meet a standard before you are accepted.

I want to be like a kid again. Yeah, in more ways than one I suppose. But I really want to be the kind of child that Jesus says I need to be. The kind that accepts people first and then worries about all that other "adult" stuff later. I want to accept people like Jesus does.....wanna play?