Just a Thought... by Cary Edwards

Put your Prayer life on HOLD (well just for a minute anyway).

2025-12-18T18:00:00.000-08:00

It became pretty clear to me after about 2 minutes that something was seriously wrong.

It was May 18th, 2013, when my close friend and pastor asked me if I could come down to the church to meet with him. At the time, I was going through a very difficult time health wise. Because of that, I had just stepped down from the position of Chairman of the Deacons board at that same church. It wasn't an easy choice to make, as a matter of fact, the deacons board with the approval of the pastors and elders, had just re-elected me to continue to fill that position.

Prior to my health issues, it had seemed that my spiritual usefulness for Christ was developing in ways I never really anticipated. I was taking on the task and responsibilities of the Chairman and had been asked to speak on several occasions for church activities (quite honestly, against anything I ever remotely desired to do) and was involved in many ways that I never really thought I would be doing.

So, on that spring day, I had expected the pastors were asking me to come down so that they could possible discuss how they could help and maybe set up a plan moving forward until my health was back, and resolve ways to support me and my family. The fact of the matter was, when I had stepped down from the chairman's position, the head pastor had commented to me that he would like for me to someday to step back into that position.

As we sat down to speak, I was the first to say something. I told them how I appreciated their friendship, and taking the time to meet with me. And here it came, like the pastoral version of 737s flying into your life, I will never forget. "Well Cary, I must say, you have been a horrible friend and you have damaged our church." For the next hour and a half, I got lambasted by not one pastor but two. Both, I considered close friends, and both predetermined to be on the opposing team against me, and I had no idea where this was coming from.

During our "chat" a verse went through my mind, Proverbs 29:11 "A fool speaks his mind, but a wise man holdeth his tongue until the full truth may be revealed". So, I sat taking it in, mostly in disbelief, but also knowing that any response would have been quickly dismissed. As I left that meeting, the words "Faithful are the wounds of a friend, we'll be praying for you" hit me in the back as I walked towards the door. "Et tu, Brute?"

It's now over 5 years later, and I can with all honest say that to this date, I still have no idea what they were making those accusation for. How I "damaged their church", or how I was a "horrible friend" was never explained (amongst many other things). Or where that spirit of destruction came from.

Over the years I sent a couple of letters to the elders' board at the church to get clarification and maybe move toward reconciliation. But each attempt was meet with negative responses and refusals to meet with me and my family. But each time it ended with the words "we will continue to pray for you". What? You haven't even taken the time to sit down and talk with me or listen to "my side". You haven't even kept up with my health issues. What are you praying for?

I often hear the words in church circles "I'll remember to pray for you". But I often think to myself, do we? We run into situations where we don't know exactly what to say, so that just seems the "right" thing to say. Sometimes, maybe it's a way to end a conversation, or a way to make someone feel "cared" for.

But in those cases, it's hypocritical to say that. The Word of God says in John 4:24, "We worship Him in spirit and TRUTH." How can someone come before the Almighty Maker in prayer, if we don't desire to know truth?

Now don't get me wrong, I'm not talking about those times when we are sharing something which is confidential, or situations where it may not be beneficial to know the whole story. Certainly, God does truly know when we pray for those "unspoken" requests.

I'm talking about when, as what happened in my situation. The words were said in an authoritative, self-righteous and condemning way. As if having some foreknowledge or inside line into the issues the person we are conversing with has. Essentially saying, "you're wrong, so I'll pray for you."

It can be real easy today, as we hustle and bustle around to throw the "IPFY" (I'll Pray for You) comment out. But really, if we say it, then we don't do it we are not honoring and worshiping God in truth. Furthermore, if we use our prayer sessions as a time to tattle to God about something He "needs to know about", we dishonor His omniscience and we place Him into a nice little box that fits conveniently under our foot. We diminish who He is, and we certainly are not searching for His will.

Just a thought...

I hope you enjoyed this. If you did, please "Share". Thank you.

Click Here to Follow "Just a Thought" on Facebook

Click Here to see all "Just a Thought" Blogs
Click Here to be notified by email of New Articles

Judgement fallacy

2018-01-14T15:30:00.001-08:00

I'll admit, I have this "love, hate" relationship. It's on twitter.

I was never a big twitter fan until the election year of 2016. It's definitely a place of strong opinion, which can be unnerving and infuriating at times. But over time I have developed a respect for one person who has been able to keep conversations respectful even though we are clearly at the opposite end of viewpoints (which is extremely rare). This persons name is Travis.

I don't write a lot of blogs, because it seems my own email get plugged with notifications of unread blogs. So I try to write about more "timeless" topics rather than daily nuances. Hopefully if you read it in ten years, its still as applicable and relevant as today.

Well in the process of tweeting today, Travis asked two questions that were deeper than 280 characters. I told him I would respond, so here it is, and you get to read it too!

The first question he asked was in regards to the current moral climate in politics, with regards and moral equivalency to the Clinton presidency, "So you were, in principle then, against the investigation into the Lewinsky affair?" OK, Don't stop reading...

Here's my answer. No, I wasn't against the "investigation" into the affair. But not maybe how you think. We live in a climate of genderism and the charge of females of not being treated fairly with regards to their aspirations. This has been a battle cry of the left for decades.

Yes, an investigation of Clinton's use of his office to take advantage of a subordinate intern should have been investigated. What caused it, what political, and national damage may have been done AND for her benefit or protection. But, the affair is not the issue though, and it shouldn't have been.

As Christians, often we use our own moral captivity to judge those who have not given themselves over to the same.

The Bible (sorry to get all "Christian" on you Travis) makes it clear there are two sets of laws Christians are to observe. The laws of man (or government), and the laws of God. The Bible says "render unto Caesar that which is Caesar's and unto God, that which is God's".

So it's not my place to "judge" and convict Clinton for his actions of the affair. There was nothing technically illegal about it. On the other hand, if I was aware of Bill's personal "testimony" of how he became a Christian then I have the right to judge him at the level of Christian standards.

I hear it now, "but the Bible says "judge not"". Well, actually, the rest of the verse says "unless you be judged". That verse means, don't judge others, unless you are willing to be judged by the same standards. As a matter of fact in 1 Corinthians Chapter 6, the Bible says clearly that we are to, and will judge one another (meaning fellow Christians). But not for sake of knocking them down or building us up.

So in relation to the current political atmosphere, It is not fair to judge the Trump based upon his past sordid affairs or accusations of them regardless of my political belief. He hasn't broken man's laws, and I'm not aware of his personal testimony that allows me the right to judge him against God's standards.

God's laws are different. He created some of them to be ABSOLUTE. If you break them, you (everyone)will be punished. For example, gravity. If you attempt to break it, be sure to keep bandages near by. The laws of nourishment, water, oxygen cant be broken for long before payment IS required.

But there are other laws, and fortunately God is a very patient God. Kind of like a moral speed limit. Yah we can speed many times (breaking His laws) and not get caught. But eventually His patience runs out and the proverbial police officer, behind that billboard, is ready to smack us. He demonstrated that repeatedly and continuously in the Bible. How many times did the Israelites deserve a Godly smackdown, but God chose to be patient with them? But these are laws that Christians submit themselves to.

So the second question Travis made was "Doesn't he (Trump) offend your moral sensibilities?"

Well lets be fair, do you want my sensibilities to be the standard of what does or doesn't offend someone? I don't want that job.

My sensibilities must be tempered by what the Bible says. It's not my (or any other Christians) responsibility to judge the actions of a non Christian, unless we are judging against the standards of the non Christians, or our laws. This is why Gods forgiveness applies to everyone who will accept it. The laws they have broken, are laws set up by man.

If Trump or Clinton (or any other person) came out and said, "I am a Christian, here is when I decided to follow Jesus", well then that person moves THEMSELVES into a different classification of judgment of right or wrong. That would definitely offend my moral sensibilities, and I would then consider the hypocrisy of that person.

So Travis, (and anyone else) I hope that makes reason and sense to you. Oh, and for you moralistic super geniuses, I know its over simplified. Writing a thesis was not my intent here. I'm sure Travis will continue the conversation there.

BTW if you want to follow me on twitter, I'd love to see you there (but keep in mind, its much more politically oriented). Just look me up at @OneRogueSource .

Follow Me on Facebook
Receive E-mail notifications of new blogs
Read more of my blogs

Things I’ve Learned...

2017-11-02T20:37:00.000-07:00

...Lessons I have learned in life:

My wife is the second best thing that has ever happened to me.
The crust is not the best part of a pie. No one makes a crust pie.
Tape measure proof or not, I am hogging the bed.
Sometimes I really don’t like my kids.
Yes, I do have half the closet space!
She squeezes the toothpaste from the middle so I will have something to fix.
Toilet paper roll holders are female resistant.
Noah didn’t make sure the ants got on the ark, so never assume you’re to small for God to care about or use.
Always be prepared for the bathroom door to come back and hit me because of the pile of clothes my wife stores behind it.
NEVER, ever dry my wife’s pants ... ever.
Corgis are the funniest dogs ever.
My last nerve was gone a long time ago.
Better pillows are just a rumor.
My politics are like my wife’s collection of cooking oils, we should never try to cross understand them.
Cats instigate stuff.
Pastors have the worst jobs. They spend their time teaching people stuff they should already know, and could learn on their own.
If you want a clean refrigerator, you’re gonna need to find one that’s non magnetic.
A popcorn kernel can survive between your tooth an gum apparently forever.
The rattle in the car perfectly blends with my wife’s music style.
Dog whistles are inaudible to people, but not dogs. Strange noises coming from under the car hood are inaudible to women, but not men.
Golf is a sport that requires you to learn to do everything your body doesn’t want to.
Pastors never get to spend a whole Christmas with their families.
Rats can be good pets.
At night, the staircase has one more step than it does during the day.
I can mow a 1/4 acre of grass twice before my wife can get her hair trimmed.
Hair color is much more important to budget than lawn fertilizer.
The extra sock is always the cleanest. It just keeps getting washed over and over.
Even something done wrong, is something that’s done.
Don’t try to understand how my wife organizes the kitchen.
Polar bear fur is not white. It’s clear.
I’m the guy who’s grass is on the other side of the fence!
Sometimes it is better to ask forgiveness than permission (like when buying fertilizer)
I can order something from Amazon and have Christmas anytime I want.
I better notice when my wife cuts her hair, but she will never see the perfectly straight lines in the carpet I made with the vacuum cleaner.
The color of paint at the store, is always 4 shades darker when it gets home.
The picture doesn’t matter, it’s the memories it brings that does.
Even when I don’t like my kids, I’ll kick your butt if you say you don’t.
Don’t rake the leaves, just mow them into tiny pieces.
Home is always a safe place, regardless of how bad the rest of the world gets.
Doing the right thing, isn’t nearly as hard as fixing the wrong thing.
If you’re feeling sad, google “Corgi pictures”.
My wife can buy the wrong eyeliner 5 times and hate them. But don’t ask her why she doesn’t throw them out.
If your wife tells you to tell her if something makes her look bad, don’t.
“Just keep going to church” is the best thing I ever kept telling myself.
Life is not a beach, sometimes it’s a dark alley at nighttime.
Regardless of the poem, Jesus doesn’t want to carry us, He wants us to want to carry each other.

Hope you enjoyed my list,

Just a Thought.

Even me! (I wrote this 4 years ago, and it's still relevant for today)

2016-11-09T11:00:00.000-08:00

(Written Nov 2012)

This morning, once again, at 4:15 AM I was so rudely interrupted from my sleeping bliss by the last (I hope) of the smoke alarms in my house, taunting me that it is smarter than I, reminding me that I need to replace it’s backup source of power. Ironically in doing so, that blasted circular plastic hound dog depleted any backup energy source that I was attempting to take advantage of... sleep.

Well, anyway being 44 yrs old now, I have found that once I’m awakened in the morning, it’s nearly impossible to go back to sleep as my mind begins to undertake the daily process of life, husband, father, business owner, boss, deacon, friend, etc.

Then it struck me, last night was election night and this morning is "Obamaday". Then, worry and disappointment set in. R74 passing, Marijuana legalization now passing, basically everything I voted for, going down in a blaze and left smoldering for me to ponder. Why? Can’t we just get a break?

I've often heard the line, "if you don’t vote, then don’t complain about who wins." Well, once again I voted, and so that certainly gives me the right to complain!!! Right? Well, I’m not so sure about that. The Bible teaches us that God places all authorities over us (Romans 13:1) and that each authority is under Him and is specifically there for doing His will and purpose. Furthermore the apparent passing of R74 (and others) caused me to think about the bloodied hands and feet of Christ as He hung on the cross.

The very feet that walked this sin filled earth. Every step must have been in agony, like walking on shards of razor sharp glass, as His holy and sinless feet touched the earth that we so damned to hell in our own selfishness and pride...

...from which He so selflessly and humbly came to save us.

Also of His holy pure hands that reached out and healed so many people, and performed so many signs and miracles while He was here if each were written about would not be contained by all of the books ever written (Jn 21:25).

Those same hands touched and healed the sick and poor and filthy sinners, as love poured out of them as Christ Himself passionately begged for us to just believe. Each of us, all of us, every last one of us, liars, thieves, boasters, cheaters, idolaters, coveters, and yes, even the pot heads and gays. All of us. But in return what we did was take those holy hands and feet and drive spikes through each of them and showed Him what we thought of His love.

Surely God could love someone like me, but how dare He love someone as filthy as my neighbor, or that guy down the street, or that transient on the corner.

And today, each time I have that attitude, I drive that nail just a bit deeper, as Christ hangs there thrusting Himself up in agony and pain, scraping his bloodied raw beaten back against the splinters of the cross, just trying to grasp a breath so he can say… “I still Love you, I still care for you…all of you, each and every one of you!”(Matt 6:26). Even Me!

I take the spear and thrust it deeper into his side as the razor sharp point of it touches and pierces the heart that is so filled with love for all of us, as He says “this blood is shed for you, all of you, each and every one of you”…Even me!

So as I laid there trying to manipulate myself to fall back asleep, and determined to avoid thinking of this and choosing to deal with it later, it struck me. The words,” If you didn't vote, you don’t have the right to complain” gradually changed in to...

...“if you’re not committed to pray daily for those God put in charge over us, then you don’t have the right to try and guess you understand God’s plan”.

If you don’t have the passion and compassion to say “How do I know Christ died for you, and loves you? Well, because Christ died for me and loves me, and I am just as sick and foul and sinful as you are.”

As Christ followers, we need to be prepared. New laws are going to change our lives as we know them. Encounters with sinful depraved people will still be there, but they will be more prominently and boldly put in our faces every day. And it’s not going to get better. But somehow each of us needs to realize, God’s love is for them also. Each drop of blood was shed with love as it touched the blood stained hill of Golgotha.

Each breath was breathed out mixing in the winds to touch the hearts of everyone. Gay, drug addict, coveter, idolater, cheater, boaster and poor wretched pastor’s son.

We can’t forget, we don’t fully understand, but God still loves them, and we need to prayerfully ask God to help us understand his plan, and each of our purposes in it. Isaiah 53:6 “All we like sheep have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way, and the Lord has laid on Him the iniquities of us all", each of us, … me.

[YOUR NAME] the plumber. (This may be the most important thing you ever read)

2016-10-26T11:23:00.000-07:00

I'm not sure where we are today as a society of Christ followers, the Church. We are seemingly, constantly under attack from every angle. Often times an attack on Christianity as whole disguises itself, and then manifest as attacks on the individual believer.

Making it worse, many churches today have focused massive efforts on countering and defending attacks directed toward the "religion", but are woefully neglecting and missing the needs of the individual in their flock.

I Peter 3:15 says, each of us should "always be prepared to give a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope in you."

Now if you're like me, that verse conjures up a feeling inside of needing to prepare myself for a flanking from unbelievers each time I walk out a door. I feel uneasy at the least.

Where the heck am I going to come up with the defense of; why did God "allow" slavery or war, why does God allow bad things to happen to good people, and why do babies die? I've got to be able to give scripture and verse for each of these things at the drop of a hat?

2 Timothy 2:15 is another of those passages I've heard "translated" from the behind the lecterns, "Each of you should study God's word everyday and all night, putting behind everything else in life. And if you do that, God will approve you, and He will mail a check to your mortgage company and put food on your tables." (BTW, that's not what it says) But, it seems many passages in the Bible like these seem to get pounded down our throats by well meaning and dedicated pastors.

Have you ever felt like me? Leaving church just feeling like "there is just no way possible I can do that." The burden of family, bills and life have just wrecked any ability of ever being able to make God, or heck, even your pastor happy. The monastery opportunity passed long ago, I just can't do it, and I feel guilty that I can't. It's so much easier to just let my Pastor deal with those things. He can study the Bible all the time, after all isn't that what we pay him for?

About 4 years ago, as chairman of our church deacon board, I was sitting on my deck with my pastor (at the time) and commented to him, "I am blessed I am to have a wife like I do. We very seldom argue, she supports me, and she's a great mother." Well it was like Satan himself was sitting on the deck there with us, listening to those very words.

Within a month, without any warning, I got very sick. Depression and anxiety (which I had never dealt with before) came on and everything was turned upside down in my life. Doctor's had no clue what was happening, and actually unknowingly did things to make my condition worse.

That very same pastor I sat on my deck with, said my condition "was because of unconfessed sin in my life". Huh??? They didn't even want to support my wife and told me "they wouldn't". As you can imagine, we left that church. We had been attending there for years, but on top of being sick, I didn't need to be recklessly and wrongfully judged too!
I was barely able to work a 4 hour day. My previously strong carpenters hands couldn't even use a screwdriver to help hang a curtain in my sons room, as scared tears blurred my vision and rolled down my face.

Over the next 2+ long years, our marriage was put to the test. And to throw gas on the fire, members of that church came to us telling us they were told, the reason we left was because one of us had an affair (that must have been the "unconfessed sin" they were referring to).

Day after long day, the battle wore on and on. I prayed every day for God to heal me, just so I could go back to feeling "normal". I just wanted to be the guy, father, husband I was. We found ourselves alone, no church family, nothing. Just where Satan wants us.

There's a reason for telling you this. If you've every suffered with depression, you know, it's not like you can go out and tell people about it. You may not even be sure you have it. With diabetes, or cancer, or broken bones, you can say something and a church will rally around you and your family. But, depression is more like the believers' plague.

In 2008 during the re-election campaign of President Obama, a man , Joe Wurzelbacher, stood up and asked a simple question that got Obama into a whirlpool of explaining and back tracking on the answer he gave to Joe. It was one of the most devastating hits to Obama's poling numbers.

The thing is, high powered televised debates were all prepared for and expected. And even if there was a gaff, it could be explained away. But a simple question from Joe the plumber, on what should have been an easily forgettable campaign stop had Obama stumbling, bad. Impromptu events like that are the biggest fear of anyone on a campaign trail.

Earlier I said, "It's so much easier to just let my pastor deal with that. After all isn't that what we pay him for?" Sure, we pay our pastors to teach and shepherd churches. But frankly, just like a televised debate, don't you think Satan is prepared for attacks from Graham, MacArthur, Warren, and yeah even your pastor? If your pastor is doing his job, he certainly is already on Satan's short list.

What he cannot be prepared for is "each of us being prepared to share the hope that Christ has given us" as the situations arise. We don't need to have the worry of failing to have passage and verse memorized for each and every situation. We just need to be committed believers and loving examples. Simply prepared to share why we have the hope and how we found it.

When God brings the occasion to you from a neighbor, or co-worker, or stranger in an airplane, just tell your story. Your story is unique to you, and God knows who to bring to you. The person you meet may have God's primer installed, ready to be struck by the story of your hope.

It doesn't take someone specially prepared, it takes a devastated head deacon to write from his heart (by the way, I never wrote a single blog before all that happened to me, shows huh?). It takes a simple plumber, (or whatever you do) to be at the right place at the right time, sharing the Hope of Jesus. It takes simple "you" to just be a person ready to "give the reason for the hope you have, with gentleness."

I hope this is the most important thing someone will read today, I hope it changes one persons life. I hope it gives someone the courage to share their story to one person they may not have before. I hope this grace absorbing ex-deacon, wrote something, that brings one person to realize the gift God has waiting for them. And if that happens, the almost 3 years of torment I went through, with my family, will have been well worth it.

You may also enjoy reading...

Follow Me on Facebook

Receive E-mail notifications of new blogs

Read more of my blogs

ChurcHurt II

2016-08-16T16:00:00.001-07:00

When I wrote the original ChurcHurt blog my focus was on individuals with hurts they have gone through in their church(s) or previous churches. But as I wrote it, a lot of information ended up getting cut out so it wouldn't go from a blog into a thesis. But the truth is there is so much information which is relevant to the church also.

The more I thought about it, the more I wanted to write this too. I am hoping some of this information could be helpful in picking a church which is healthy and also equipped for healing. Also maybe a nudge for church leaders (pastors, elders, etc.) to evaluate their church bodies.

It became abundantly clear to me after reading emails and responses I received, this issue is unfortunately not so uncommon. I think part of that stems from church leaders placing focus on so-called "troubled" individuals over the "troubled" health of the church body as a whole.

The other thing I noticed is that people who related to the ChurcHurt blog, often also related to my Betrayal blog. Which suggests, often their hurt was related to some kind of betrayal.

I also wanted to acknowledge those who contacted me and shared their stories. I appreciate the time you spent writing to me, and in many occasions my heart wept for your situation(s). I also truly appreciated those who "shared" the blog(s) on their walls and to their friends. Thank you

Sometimes (like the church in Sardis or Laodicea in Revelation) churches that were once healthy vibrant churches become stagnant, loveless churches. They may even be multiple service and "standing room only". But they are led by pastors who are too head strong to understand the raised stages their pulpits are on, are built on the lifeless and injured members of the past.

In ChurcHurt I referenced the passage in Galatians to show how a mature, healthy church will be evident by the fruit it produces. Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, etc. (Gal 5:22). Practicing and producing those fruits would be "self-healing" for a church, which would also be a healing place for those who may have been previously church hurt.

So, with that in mind, can I take you back to the book of Acts? ("Wait,,, what?" you are probably asking. Please bear with me, I'll bring it together)

In Acts, Jesus told His disciples, shortly after He left to be with the Father in heaven, He would send another comforter. This would be the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit came to establish the church, not only in Israel, but in the entire world.

Historically, the nation of Israel has always looked for "signs". Signs from God for reasons to trust and or obey God. For example, (and there are many) a pillar of cloud by day, and fire by night. A wet cloth on a dry day, and a dry cloth on a wet day. John the Baptist was another sign for Israel, and on and on. Ironically, many times Israel just disregarded the signs.

In Acts, when the Holy Spirit came, He gave the newly formed church special "gifts". Often called spiritual gifts, or maybe even better, "sign gifts". Once again, these (often supernatural) gifts were to be powerful "signs" to the nation of Israel that Jesus was in fact the Messiah. These gifts were also designed to establish or "seed" the infant church.

In I Cor 12, (about 20 to 25 years after the events of Acts) Paul mentions the gifts of the Spirit; wisdom, faith, healing, miracles, speaking in tongues, prophecy, wisdom, and others (you can read the list). But Paul concludes to the Church in Corinth who was fixated on the gifts by saying, "Hey, sure these gifts are great, but guess what? It's time to move onto something much better. It's time to mature."

Chapter 13 starts by Paul by emphatically stating, "Hey look, you can have ALL of these gifts and even use them like a well-trained spiritual gift ninja. But if you don't have love, you're the same as a noisy gong, or clanging cymbal." (my translation again)

Just think of that illustration for a minute. Other than the obvious ability to be an annoyance or irritating sound, these sounds were often used as a call to attention, or a beginning of something. Since a starter's pistol hadn't been invented yet, a gong or a cymbal was used to start a race, or an event. So Paul is talking in terms they understood, "why do you desire to keep firing the starters pistol?"

Interestingly enough in Galatians 5, Paul (who also authored I Corinthians) gave the church in Galatia a new list, the fruit of the Spirit, not the gifts of the Spirit. They don't match. Why?

Now I'm not a farmer, but I think if you plant an apple seed, a mature healthy tree should produce apples. Right? So then why doesn't Paul say the fruit of the Spirit is prophesy, healing, miracles, tongues, heck, not even wisdom like the gifts of the Spirit? Well, simply because those were not supposed to be the signs of a healthy church, nor should they be the desired crop of the church either.

Ok, so I said I'd tie this all together. Here goes.

What Paul is saying is a healthy church is focused on producing the fruits of the Spirit, love joy, peace, gentleness, etc. If you're in a church that places its importance on the gifts of the Spirit, it's at best a noisy irritant. Furthermore, since believers make up the church, the same applies to each of us individually.

Now I know the push for many churches has been to teach its members to discover what their individual spiritual gift is, I say, although understanding what your spiritual gift is important, your spiritual gift is not as important as the fruits you produce. The fruits we produce are not optional, (remember the fig tree in Mark 11?) but on the other hand your spiritual gift can and often times changes. Heck, sometimes you may even find your spiritual gift is something you may not enjoy. But the fruit of the spirit is not a "should".

For example, a common gift many churches seek for today is "wisdom". Churches often search for a pastor who is educated, and from the elite of Bible institutions. While, I'm not saying this is a bad thing, what I am saying is, it's not one of the fruits we are to be focused on. A church which pursues the fruits of the Spirit will ultimately develop the gift of wisdom. Remember what James 1 says?

So, if you're searching for a new church, look for one producing the fruit of the Spirit. If you’re in a church already, ask yourself what is your church pursuing? If you're a pastor or a church leader, ask is my flock producing and demonstrating the fruits of the Spirit?

ChurcHurt can often be a result of defending a gift that should be let go. Church maturity can only be measured by the nurturing, application, and production of the fruits of the Spirit. This is how ChurcHurt changes into ChurcHealing.

You may also enjoy reading...

Follow Me on Facebook
Receive E-mail notifications of new blogs
Read more of my blogs

Are you ChurcHurt?

2016-07-17T14:30:00.001-07:00

We live in a strange world today. The very leaders we entrust to keep us safe, are often the same people pushing ideologies which result in inflaming the very cause they are "against". I don't want to get into actual issues, but I'm sure you can think of several, easily.

Unfortunately, these events are not isolated to just the secular world, quite often they reach into our relationships, families and even our churches. This was evident when a recent blog I wrote "Healing from Betrayal" quickly became the number one read and commented on blog I've written.

In a perfect world, there would be no such thing as being hurt. But the truth is, (if you haven't figured it out yet) we don't live in a perfect world. I might assume, possibly, the very reason you chose to read this blog might stem from being "church hurt" or knowing someone who has been. Maybe, you're a pastor / church leader curios for ideas for an existing problem, or ideas on how to prevent it.

Life's hard enough, right? We "expect" to find struggles at work, and we anticipate it in our daily lives. But when it stems from our churches, then what's the point? Often (just like a politician pushing an ideology) the hurt goes even deeper when in self-righteousness, the person who has been hurt, actually becomes the point of blame or the scapegoat. "They never really got involved", or "They're just church hopping".

Well, that record has been spun many times, so let me put my vinyl on and spin it for you.

The Bible often compares the Church to the human body (Rom:12, I Cor 12). Each church member, like parts of a human body, is a part and has a function to do. Just like our legs, arms and eyes have specific jobs to do and are critical to one another, none being more important than the other.

Likewise the Church when functioning properly, like the human body, is a beautiful fascinating living thing. Like a trained athlete striding down a track and easily sailing over hurdles.

Our human bodies can endure many things, illness, injury, chemical imbalances, etc. When functioning properly the body will attack, heal, or re-balance all of these things. A cut in the flesh is met by a flurry of blood clotting agents and white blood cells to fight infection off.

When a wound happens, somehow, each cell knows exactly what it's job is to do, and does it with amazing efficiency. Like a well trained military force, finding the shortest possible way to the wound, to knowing and attacking the specific "enemy" it was created for, and facilitating the healing process as quickly as possible.

The comparison of the Church to the human body is significant. Just like the human body, the Church was given the tools or "healing cells" by the Holy Spirit to "self heal". Which, when you think about it, by default means the Holy Spirit actually anticipated we would have troubles. But healthy churches are designed by the Spirit to be "self healing" churches.

Occasionally things will happen in a church which, like a hurdle, will trip it up and wound individuals or even an entire church body. Sometimes, severely. Maybe in your case the injury became "church fatal", and you've decided to stop going all together. Like I said earlier, you may feel "what's the point?"

I can tell you, if you're still hurting, I am not here to say you are at fault. I for one, have personally been there. I was a pastor's son for 30+ years, went to Christian schools and college, and studied under well know Christian doctors and professors. So, if I can get to that point, I understand, anyone can get there.

Believe it or not, no matter how many "degrees" or "signed wall plaques" a pastor, elder, or whoever has, they can be sinfully wrong and hurtful too (intentionally or unintentionally). Church bodies can be stagnant and uncaring too (although this often is a symptom of sinful leadership). Constantly ignoring the "healing cells" the Holy Spirit gave us.

"What healing cells?" you ask. Well, thanks for asking!

In Galatians chapter 5, a warning and a list of "illnesses" is given. Strife, jealousy, dissension, rivalries, envy and many more. Read it, I'll bet you'll find what caused or contributed to your church hurt. (if not, I'll refund your money). These are "Satan's hurdles".

Fortunately, as scriptures do, we aren't left there without hope. That same chapter goes on to tell us what the cure is, for individual and corporate hurts. The application of the "Fruits of the Spirit"; love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self control, humility, not provoking or envying.

Often we hear Galatians 5 referenced as a list of characteristic we "individually" should have. While that is true, think about it. Since the Holy Spirit was sent to establish the church in Acts, these are the attributes which Holy Spirit informs us are the salve of a healthy and self healing Church. And as much as a church consists of many important parts, like a body, it doesn't discriminate on which parts it will or will not apply healing to. Every part is important from smallest to largest, strongest to weakest. This is why I said earlier, if you're still hurting, it's very likely you are not at fault.

http://edwardscary.blogspot.com/2016/05/healing-from-betrayal.html

So, if you are church hurt, and even stopped going to church, (Yeah, it's possible that maybe it was your cause, but that's between you and the Holy Spirit) man, I get it, and I hurt for you. Because it should never have happen. But let me suggest, healing comes from, well, finding and going to a healthy church that actively practices and demonstrates the fruits of the Spirit. Why? Because, like in the human body, your wounds will quickly become the target of the healing "cells" of love, patience, gentleness, kindness, peace, and joy. This is the sign of a healthy church, capable and desirous to "self heal". And truly, this is where the Holy Spirit wants you to be.

If you're a pastor, and you're preparing your message for Sunday, maybe stop and contemplate, "How does my church represent each of these areas?" Are there areas or signs of neglect? Sure, your church maybe able to recite the even numbered verses of every chapter in the New Testament, but if they are lacking in these, you may as well be an out of tune piccolo (you thought I was going to say "a noisy cymbal" right? 1 Cor 13). Noisy, and useless. Focus on what your fruits are.

Church hurt? When your heart is broken keep your eyes set on Him. He is the Great Healer and knows and cares about every one of your hurts.

Matter of the Heart.

2016-07-09T13:12:00.001-07:00

It's truly a matter of the heart.

I could have a garage FULL of AR-15s, weapons, explosives, bullet proof vests, stockpiles of ammo and anything "horrible" you could think of. Heck, I could even leave the garage door open with a sign pointing to my weapons for anyone to take. Not a single one of those weapons will kill anyone.

It's not, nor has it ever been about weapons, it's about the evil that is in man's heart that makes those "tools" into weapons.

All we need to do is get to the story of Cain and Abel in the Bible to see that. The heart is desperately wicked. It can turn anything, even words, into deadly weapons.

Let's not loose a proper focus on the Truth.

Follow Me on Facebook
Receive E-mail notifications of new blogs
Read more of my blogs

The Success of a Father...

2016-06-19T13:11:00.001-07:00

It seems to me that the job of a father isn't to ensure that his children are winners, but rather that they courageously take the baton and run with it, whether they succeed, trip, or loose and pass it on with the integrity, love and convictions just as you gave it to them.

Healing from Betrayal

2016-05-22T15:19:00.004-07:00

Betrayal is one of those things none of us ever wants to experience, and very few will admit having done to someone else. If you've never been betrayed I can tell you, those of US who have been, envy you, and I for one can say you are blessed.

There are many ways a person can be betrayed, but they all come down to one thing. The abuse of trust. Webster defines it as; "to hurt (someone who trusts you, such as a friend or relative) by not giving help or by doing something morally wrong"

Betrayal is much deeper than a friend showing up late to an appointment when you trusted them to be there on time. It's taking the very core of one's reasonable expectations and disregarding them without concern for their needs, feelings, or emotions, and very often at one's own personal gain at one level or another.

Truly understanding betrayal is an experiential thing like, well, a migraine. You really cannot truly understand it, unless you've experienced it yourself. Yeah, you may endure headaches, but if you haven't experienced the light piercing, paralyzing, nausea inducing pain of a migraine, there is no possible way to truly understand what the other person is going through.

On the other hand, you also may recognize when someone consoling you has experienced it. The understanding and empathy they have can be much deeper, and their advice or encouragement may be more tailored. Even so much, at times, he or she may go through moments of re-opening healed wounds (no matter how far removed).

Betrayal is virtually always thought out (which could either be by plan or by a willing ignorance).

Betrayal has the valleys and ridges of Satan's fingerprints all over it.

Since betrayal roots so deep into the soil of sin, Satan uses the fertilizer of pride to blind and influence the betrayer into ignoring empathy while, at the very same time bathing ones self in a cesspool of deception or even self righteousness.

Am I being too tough here? No! Not in the least. And if you've ever been betrayed, you'll likely agree with me.

The truth is, once Satan gets the barbed vice of his fingers into the actions or the tongue, (James 3) he will manipulate, by denial and deception, the damage and destruction done to it's fullest. Therefore, resolving scars of betrayal takes significantly more than the forgiving efforts of a good hearted person, or a simple "Whoops, my bad" by the offender.

More often than not, betrayal is never resolved. I may be the first to tell you this, but really that's okay (does that surprise you?). But if you are the betrayer, it most certainly is NOT okay.

Why do I say it's okay if a betrayal is not resolved?

Many people, (myself included) have a desire to know the reason why something happens. We want to know why there's a rattle in the car and where it's coming from, not because we want to dwell on it, but because we simply want to fix it. Similarly, we want a chance to rebut the words or actions that were taken against us to fix it.

An example would be the relationship between Jesus and Judas. Judas, one of Christ closest, trusted followers, betrayed Jesus. Ultimately this betrayal led to Jesus' undeserved punishment and death.

As we know, there was never an earthly resolution of that betrayal. Even though Jesus certainly would have been willing and able to forgive him. Nevertheless, an act of selfish power turned to cowardice (which is the well worn path of betrayal) and ultimately ended in Judas hanging himself rather than seeking restoration.

God's word makes it very clear that we should always strive to resolve conflicts BUT at the same time betrayal is sin. So, sometimes resolution is not going to be an option unless prideful heart of the betrayer is humbled first.

So what do you do in a situation when you have been betrayed?

I for one can tell you that if you are a person with a beating heart, there is no way one can just turn off the light switch of hurt and pain and resume down the road of happiness and flowery fields.

Psalms 55 is a passage of scripture God included just for us betrayed. Take a minute to read it. It's just a few verses.

First, accept that betrayal can happen to anyone, even if you are doing everything right. Satan is invested in the stock market of destroying relationships, and inciting isolation. So, until we enter Glory, it IS going to happen. And if it has happened to you,(whether recently or long ago) let me say, I am sorry for your pain.

Second, take a concise, honest, prayerful evaluation of yourself to see if there is some underlying issue in your life which may be contributing to the circumstances. Concise is important. Look, if you honestly ask the Holy Spirit to reveal a fault you've ignored, or forgotten, it's not gonna take Him long to convict you of it. David said "Search me God, and see if there be any wicked way in me, and help me to understanding."

Don't dwell on your personal "what ifs".

Remember, Satan is the great accuser, and he will guilt you of anything and everything he can. So many people take on the burden of what is not rightfully theirs to bare, and by over analyzing they end up blaming themselves for anything they find. "It's my fault because if I hadn't _______this would never have happened".

Third, don't "take on" what isn't yours. Yeah, this kinda blends with above point. But it's so true. Some people, believers, even pastors and those that you are instructed to honor, can be used or manipulated by Satan to betray. Remember, betrayal is an abuse of trust, and trust is a reasonable expectation given to those people in places of authority. Being highly educated and in a position of honor doesn't mean you're exempt from being a betrayer. Read Luke 10:25-37.

Fourth, give healing a chance to happen. Yeah I know it hurts, and you probably want to get a shot or take a pill and make it go away. But that's not going to happen. As much as it is important to take a quick look at one's self, it's just as important to give healing time. During this time do not neglect God. As much as it's important to not take the blame for something that is not your fault, do not place the blame on God. Betrayal is never the work of God. As a matter of fact, the Psalms 56:8 makes it clear that every single tear you shed is captured by God. He feels and knows the pain we go through.

Fifth, don't isolate yourself. When I was betrayed by two close "friends", I kept hearing from God, "whatever you do, keep going to church". Hopefully in your case, you're not forced to find another church like I was, but those are truly the people you need to be around, and those are truly the people who should want to be around you. (read my blog, Isolation is not an option) If you break your leg, you're not going to go to a plumber, you're going to go to a doctor. If there is anything that can aid in curing betrayal, it's the medicine of love.

Sixth, go to the promises of God. Understand and trust God will not ever leave us or forsake us. Knowing that you are included in of the promises of God will greatly battle the feelings of bitterness and resentment. This may be an incredible, valuable live changing lesson for you, which may be the priceless tool of wisdom that one day God may use to help others. Read James 1, God uses trials to help us gain wisdom about Him. What good is wisdom, if we don't share it? So grasp onto the promises of God.

Finally, if you know someone who has been betrayed, help them. The Bible commands us to bare one anothers burdens. Or, if you are the betrayed, allow others to help. Betrayal is a wicked tool of Satan, he isolates God's children to rip them away and attack them. Simple actions of encouragement and love often send Satan off to an easier target.

I pray that if you have been betrayed, healing has begun and is / will be complete. If you have been the betrayer, I cannot use words strong enough, today is the day to seek the road to restoration. Start with humility, and prayer, and see where that leads.

They're ours, let's reach them where they are.

2016-04-06T11:28:00.000-07:00

We own a 1 year old Corgi named Larry. It's probably one of the best dogs I have had. He has his own Facebook page, and last I looked he has more friends than I do. Go figure. He loves to play, FRAP (look it up) and torment our cats. But Corgi's have special needs and requirements that as an owner, you must be aware of.

No it's not like they have bad bones, skin conditions, or special dietary requirements. As a matter of fact, they're overall pretty healthy dogs. But you have to be aware of their special needs or owning one will frustrate both the dog and the owner.

Often people say to us, "I've been thinking of getting a Corgi." It would be easy to say, "Go for it, they're awesome" but both my wife and I don't. We almost always say, "Corgi's are great dogs, but before you even think about getting one, learn, learn, learn, about them."

The Corgi is bred as a herding dog. Believe it or not, our 15 inch tall, 20 pound dog instinctually herds cattle. Yep, this little dog, has it in his very nature to herd animals that easily outweigh him by 100 times or more. You don't have to train him to do it, he just does. We don't own cattle, but you should see him put our cats under his control, and its effortless for him. Yes, he does in fact "herd cats".

This is why our dog has special needs. To get cattle moving where they want them, they will run between their legs, bark and nip at their ankles. This is in his nature. If an owner doesn't understand this about a Corgi, it will often frustrate an owner, and they will "give up" on the Corgi. You will never be able to fully take these things out of his mannerisms, but by understanding them, you can help him learn how to control them and at the same time save your own sanity and gain a great friend (not to mention, a real comedian)

Last week as I was driving to work, listening to the radio, the news reporter said recent studies have shown the church is rapidly loosing it's next generation. Young adults between the ages of 16 and 30 are going to church less than ever before. The numbers aren't down a little, they are down a lot. Honestly, it's been happening for a while, and it's baffling many church organizations as they try to figure out why and what to do about it.

Over the last 15 years or so our young churched people have gone through a time of change like we've never seen before. Technology is now available at Star Trek levels to virtually all of them. Things we only imagined of between 3pm and 6pm on TV before our parents came home from work, they now have in their pockets.

Today, our young people communicate in 144 characters or less. They post images for their friends to see literally as it happens, while we waited a week for our film to be developed to see if we happened to capture any "good shots". They love to see their "like" or "share" numbers multiply faster than we could stick our photos into photo albums. They download the latest songs in seconds, as many churches seem stuck to hymnals as if they were the second inspiration of God. They download entire feature length movies faster then Jonah slid down the flannel board in our Sunday school classes.

I believe many of our church bodies, and church members are stuck in a virtual "state of denial", longing for that tall church bell "call to church". Why? I guess it's because "this is how we did it". And if you ask them, they will probably tell you it's scriptural somehow, although they don't quite know where in the Bible Sunday School was instructed to start at 9:45.

One of the first things we really need to get a grasp on is, the use of technology is not a sign that we are turning our backs on God. Also we need to be very careful to not be subtly condemning technology for fear of, by association, condemning the generation that is using it. For example, How many times have you heard in a church, speakers talk about the destruction of the family by our mobile devices. Well right or wrong, what our youth are hearing is, "you are responsible for destroying your family and you need to deal with this sin." And, what parents are hearing is, "you failed in properly training your children, and it's time to crank up the restrictions". While the rest are nodding their head, and saying "amen preacher, you tell it", even though they don't know the difference between an BTW and a BLT.

Unlike before, the advancements in technology have moved faster than ever. Personally I think we need to grasp it to reel in the generation that is moving away.

For example, be honest here. Does it frustrate you that your child is spending so much time reading on their mobile device? Look, the device isn't the issue, and very possibly, there is no issue at all. Let me ask, how many of you would put restrictions on your kids for spending hours reading a book? See, it's not the device that's the issue. If your child was reading a book, you'd probably ask "Watcha reading?" So, we need to be putting an interest into what they are reading, or doing. That opens up communication, and by default an expectation of responsibility on their part. And it's not all garbage (as we may have been told), not even close. Yesterday my son asked "Hey dad, what's up with these Panama papers?" Seriously, at his age, I couldn't explain how the Panama canal worked, but he read about it on his phone.

Maybe your concerned about the amount of texting they are doing with their friends. Well, if we go down that rabbit trail, we better be willing to cut the wires to our rotary dials. Heck, maybe even put the pony express back to pasture. It's just a form of communication and like anything else, we need to encourage responsibility when using it. But at the same time, don't discount the reality of them developing long lasting relationships that we never had the ability to. And, there's possibly a blessing in disguise here if we know how to nurture it. Outreach.

Look, one thing that certainly hasn't changed is that our youth still look to us for direction, (as much as they will refuse to admit it). They still check up on what their parents are doing. For example, today I changed my Facebook picture, and within 5 minutes my 24 year old daughter "liked" it. What are our "re-posts" and "likes" telling them about our faith? Or, what are we telling them when our social media pages are mysteriously silent of "re-post" and "likes" of things we certainly could and should? Our silence can also quietly scream as loud as hypocrisy.

Furthermore it's vital for us to keep in mind that what our youth see from us is far more important than what we are concerned our "friends" at work may see. So my challenge to you is this; when you read something online that has a message of faith, hope, or a message that touches us or may touch our youth, don't just read it and move on. "Share" it, or maybe forward it to your kids. "Hey here's a link to something I read that you or maybe some of your friends might enjoy". And maybe if they "like" it, they will repost it. Now the message has reached their friends and so on. But honestly, so many of us are too concerned to hit that "share" button because of what others may think about us. "Oh, he's one of those crazy Christian." Well if your life represents it, you should see that as a complement, not a criticism. It constantly amazes me when I hear from one of my kids that one of their friends read my blog, or one of their friends likes one of my posts. My concern is, what is it that I am representing to them. Personally, I want to be the dad that clearly loves God and his family (and is cool too).

There are so many ways, if we use them, we can reach out to the next generation and pull them back into a desire to want to know more about God. At some point we need to stop fishing on the wrong side of the boat. If we listen carefully, we may just hear "Hey, cast your nets on the other side of the boat". The opportunity is there, we just need to be brave enough to know that our risk of failure is easily offset by God's faithfulness. He is just as faithful in the 21st century as he was to the disciples in that boat 2000 yeas ago. So "share" "share" "share"!

As churches, certainly, we can find ways to reach the next generation on their side of the boat. Stop asking for street addresses. Start asking for email addresses or text numbers. "Friend" them on social media pages or find out what way to reach them the best. Use these tools to send out short global text messages RIGHT FROM OUR PASTORS TO THEM, encourage them, or remind them of times of events. Give them a dedicated church number to text prayer requests to. Encourage youth directors to write blogs for them to read that can either be circumstance appropriate, or reinforcing of Sundays message. Our worship leaders can send them links to songs, or even pre inform them with a link to a new song we may start singing at church. Nothing like watching a group of young people sing a new song with their hands and hearts out to God during services.

One thing we have done in our family on occasion is to send out a text to see who will be the first person to respond. It's amazing how fast kids will come up with the right answer to a complicated question for a Frappuccino. Reach them where they are. Just like our Corgi, if we take the time to learn about them, we will begin to understand what they need. Watch those frustrations and concerns of hopelessness become opportunities to teach and develop characteristic of strength (and they don't even know its happening). It can and will also encourage us.

It's not wrong to use the tools we have, but it is wrong to continue to allow the next generation of church members disappear right before our eyes. And the reason it's happening, is because we aren't willing to go where they are. It seems to me I heard about someone that went to where the people were once before... who was that????

Follow Me on Facebook
Receive E-mail notifications of new blogs
Read more of my blogs

Well, Obviously God didn't see this coming...

2016-03-27T17:16:00.000-07:00

Occasionally we all have tough weeks, but not tough like hurt or disappointment tough. Maybe more like lifting weights, or running a marathon tough. The kind of tough that challenges you to stretch your "limits" a bit.

I enjoy a spirited thought provoking discussion with people, it kinda runs in my family. I realized that when I was young, when I discovered that my parents and siblings were almost always wrong. (OK that's said tongue in cheek of course, but,,,, they were. LOL).

This week has been one of those weeks, where it seems mental challenges have come from several directions, from the right to build "the wall" between us and Mexico, to a discussion with a Christian author and "Professor of Theology" about being pro LGBT. Don't get me wrong though, I enjoy the mental stretching of ideas and convictions as long as it stays civil and not degrading.

Aside from the other discussions of the week, the LGBT one challenged more than my ideals, it challenged my convictions, and spiritual values from another person who seemingly should share the same Biblical understandings, but didn't.

As you may know, LGBT discussions usual go from 0 to supersonic in about 4 seconds flat, as comments like "Homosexuals will not inherit the kingdom of God", or "God has given them over to a reprobate mind", or "you will all burn just like Sodom and Gomorrah" arguments are used.

Well, knowing this, I hoped to approach the discussion by removing specific "LGBT" references out of the discussion. As I dialogued with the author, (who had some not so quiet supporters and a following, who at times tried to force the discussion into a "hypothetically" impossible corner) it was interesting to me is how the author kept trying to put "LGBT" specifically back into the discussion and began to rationalize it to sins which were "worse". (as if a worse sin, makes a not so bad sin okay)

Comments like "what would you do if the only way for God to love you is if you had to have homosexual relationships for the rest of your life?" (a completely irrational arguement). The more the discussion continued the more the idea of a new "owner approved" kind of sin developed. A sin that isn't "really" a sin, because God made me this way. So, the LGBT person has no choice in their attractions, therefore, homosexual attractions must be natural.

You know what? I agree, the LGBT person does not have a choice on their natural attractions. I agree, many (not all) of them are in fact "born that way." But I don't agree that I need a "new enlightened 21st century religious experience" or a shift in religious convictions to understand the issue.

After reading the authors comments and careful argument of the "proof" where God intended homosexuality to be natural, and stating how a change in heart has brought about an endorsement and acceptance of the lifestyle, I asked, "would you write this exact same article for a murderer, or a child molester, an alcoholic, or a glutton?"

The response back at me was quick and defiant of my premise, "Being a child molester, murderer, or a glutton is not the same as someone who is lovingly attracted to the same gender! These people love each other, and I refuse to put my friends in those categories. They are doing nothing that is hurting themselves or anyone else." The author went on to say to me that eventually "you will be proved to be on the wrong side of history, just like Bob Jones, and slave owners". Wait what?

This was my answer. All sin, whether it is a "little white lie", or a murder, or a child molester, or a homosexual relationship comes from giving into the attraction of temptation. The child molester is "attracted" to children, a murderer is "attracted" to vengeance, or hate, the liar is "attracted" to deception, the alcoholic is "attracted" to alcohol, the glutton is "attracted" to food. So then, why is it so odd for some to accept the homosexual is "attracted" to the same gender? This is how one honestly can say "we love the sinner, but hate the sin".

I told the author, "the LGBT issue is absolutely nothing new". That's something they generally do not want to hear. It destroys the homosexuals idea of uniqueness, and their "higher tolerance and understanding" if they accept it. It's not a issue that God didn't see coming. It's the same issue that has plagued all of mankind since the fall. Each of us have our fleshy attractions, alcohol, pornography, anger, jealousy, food, laziness, and on and on. When we give into these temptations / fleshy attractions it becomes sin. We all do in one way or another. So why do we view homosexuality differently?

During the discussion, amongst their arguments, there were two basic flawed, but integrated, premises I saw by the author (and growing group of supporters).

1) God made me this way.

2) Since God made me this way, there's nothing I can do about it so it's ok.

Truthfully, anyone can wrongly apply those premises for any sin. But to the first. God did not make you this way. Can, I be more clear? He didn't. God created man and woman to have a natural attraction to the opposite gender, and as a result to marry one man to one woman.

Wait, keep your laptop open, please. Do not place the blame of homosexuality on God's shoulders. God didn't cause weeds, thorns or painful childbirth either. We caused it. We gave into our disobedient attraction in the Garden of Eden. Mankind caused the Hoover Dam sinful attraction breach. So, why do many Christians believe homosexuals are some 8th day devious creation of Satan, not an old nature sinful attraction? That's like saying a glutton chooses to eat as a challenge to see when he'll explode.

For some reason, similar to what the homosexual does, Christians try to put homosexuality into a "new sin classification" also. They assume, "those people" woke up one day and said "damn the world, I'm going to be gay today". Could that happen? Well, sure, just like a normally sane person can wake up one day and drive his car down a crowed sidewalk. But regardless, gluttony, murderer, alcoholism, or homosexuality all come down to yielding to our sinful nature, giving into the attractions towards those prohibited luscious fruits. The blame lays squarely on our shoulders, not God's. We made ourselves "this way" and yes we are all "born that way". Through one man's trespass, judgment came to all men, for by one man's disobedience all were made sinners. Romans 5:19.

So then, secondly, "there's nothing I can do about it". Well the truth is, yes you can. The Bible says, No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful, He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, He will also provide a way out so that you can endure it. I Cor 10:13.

So there is the proof, because of sin, a person can / will be "born that way", a homosexual, a person can be born with pornographic impulses, a person can be born with a wrong viewpoint of nourishment, etc.. We are ALL born with sinful attractions. But the way we endure these fleshy desires is through the faithfulness of God, and His promise to provide a way out. God will never put us into a temptational Pandora's box. It's our prideful disobedience which causes us to ignore God's deliverance, and continue down the path of that attraction, what ever it is. And if a homosexual, alcoholic, glutton or whatever is honest, they will tell you, "Yeah there was a way out, I just chose to ignore it". It may not be the way out we want or even the easy way, but there is a perfect way out if we just trust God, and it will ultimately be what is best for us.

The truth is, God did see this coming. Nothing takes Him by surprise and we don't need a new "enlightened Biblical understanding" for it. This is so important, because if we have faith that nothing takes God by surprise, we have a better understanding of why the cross does not have a disclaimer. And, if the cross does not have a disclaimer, the homosexual is no different than the ill tempered person, or drug addict, or liar, a person who gave into the attraction to sin. You see, it's not the attraction that is the sin (whether it's an attraction to have "just one more" or an attraction to the same gender), it's the willingness to think God will approve of our "better way" when we partake of it.

Like I said earlier, and to that author, there is absolutely nothing new here at all. Man sins, and tries to justify it. Man sins, and blames it on God, Man sins and blames it on someone else. God sends Jesus to die for man, man confesses, God forgives. Problem? Problem solved.

Our attempts to make a "new classification of sin" to which God imposes additional redemption for, or overlooks because somehow it fits better into our finite minds, is wrong.

Follow Me on Facebook
Receive E-mail notifications of new blogs
Read more of my blogs

Don't miss this, it's not too late...

2016-03-20T14:10:00.004-07:00

Last Sunday in church our pastor gave a beautiful message in the series "Cross Encounters" we have been going through. During the sermon he painted a very clear and impactful message of the week leading up to the crucifixion of Christ on the Cross. Often called the "Passion Week".

In our church we have a few pastors, and each of them has their own unique way of speaking. But pastor Kurt, (whose last name spell checks to Bubba ;-) ) has a very unique way of speaking in a way that helps the listener understand that he's more than a person on a platform, but rather a person who cares about where you are, and invites you to a closer walk with the Lord.

I could probably give the characteristic uniqueness of each of our pastors, but that would be a blog (or more) in itself, and since a good portion of you aren't local, it probably would have little effect on your life.

I very much respect Kurt, because he helped me and my family through a very difficult period. Not that he held my hand and carried me through it, but he let me know he was aware, and encouraged me to trust God through it. I'm sure there are many other stories others could tell you of how he has responded in the same way or differently to them.

But last week as he spoke, he described (as well as one can in the brief traditional church time allotment) the pain and agony that Jesus endured as He was whipped and punished for the accusations which were presented against Him. Recently their have been big screen movies which have depicted clear visual messages of the torture, as flesh was ripped from His back, blood dripping on the ground, tears falling from His face, thorns being pressed into His head, and so much more.

Even through the grotesqueness of the physical pain, the agony of betrayal and aloneness He endured must have been unbearable. Then He was forced to carry His own cross through the city and up a hill to the place where He was crucified for our sins. A hill call Golgotha.

Every step of His holy feet must have felt like stepping on shards of broken glass as they touched the sin filled soil of this planet we so selfishly destroyed. This hill, previously bloodstained by the criminals of that days society, as many other hills in the area were littered with crosses.

Christ was never meant to be on that cross. The Roman officials in all of their judicious authority, more than once, tried to keep Him off that cross. The torture was to satisfy the greedy hearts of the crowds. The Roman authorities found no fault in Him, and hoped a good beating would silence the hateful desires of His accusers. A good lashing and humiliation certainly should have been enough to disgrace Him and disband His followers.

But only by the persistence of the onlookers, and by the hysteria whipped up by the Jewish religious leaders, a trade was made.

The cross Jesus carried, wasn't His, it wasn't even made for Him to be on. The craftsmen got up that day and assembled the cross for a guilty criminal. I'm sure proper measurements of this man were provided to make sure it was adequate to put as much agony as possible on the life form that was to be hung there. This cross was for a man named Barabbas. Barabbas wasn't just a "run of the mill" pick pocket. He was a very well known thorn in the side of the Romans, and this time he was tried and convicted of a crime worthy of death. The worst kind of death. The Roman cross.

Roman crosses were displayed prominently across the land, as bodies of the guilty hung on them for days as a constant reminder of the power of the Roman government. But, it absolutely wasn't the place for someone who had done nothing wrong. The Romans new that. But yet, Jesus found Himself carrying on His flesh torn back, the cross of another man. A cross not made or intended for Him.

But last week in Kurt's sermon he said something that wasn't totally correct that caught my ear. I'm certain he didn't even realize he said it. But regardless I am certain, he'll agree with my assessment.

During his message, Kurt spoke of the two criminals who, now famously, hung on the crosses next to Jesus. Kurt painted a beautiful image of Jesus, an how through all of His agony and pain as He responded to one of the men's acknowledgment and defense of Jesus, as the man simply said "Lord, please remember me when you enter paradise"

Jesus' response was, "today, you will be with me in paradise." Probably one of the most moving passages in the whole Bible. Jesus wrapping His exhausted arms around another sinner, and providing an eternity in paradise in the presence of God with Him. But what Kurt said as he was assuring anyone who had not yet accepted Christ was "Jesus died for you too, and He will forgive you, just as He forgave the criminal on the cross even right up until He took His last breath." Well there it was, Kurt was right, but at the same time wrong (sorry Kurt). Let me explain.

Jewish law dictated that all those hung onto a cross be removed before the beginning of the Sabbath. The Romans were worried about this, because death on the cross was not a quick thing. It often lasted for days, before the criminal eventually suffocated as pressure was placed on their lungs while hanging with out stretched arms. For each breath, they had to lift themselves up to breath. After a while, exhaustion would take over, and breathing would become impossible. Bleeding to death, wasn't the issue, nor was it meant to be.

So to insure that no one was still on the cross during the Sabbath, the Roman guards would have to expedite the death. They were instructed to break the legs of the criminals, so they could no longer left themselves up for the next breath. So while Jesus hung on the cross, the Roman guards proceeded to break the legs of the men next to Him, but when they came to Jesus they found He was already deceased. They even thrust a spear into His side to make sure. His lifeless body didn't flinch as the tip of that spear pieced into His heart. Jesus was already dead.

And there's my point, (did you miss it?) Jesus took on His sinless back, our punishment. He carried our cross, a cross which was not made for Him up to Golgotha. And He lovingly forgave us for our sins, just as He did on the cross for the men next to Him. But He not only forgives us until His very last breath, He forgives us, no matter what we have done, no matter how bad we have been, no matter what cross has been made for us to bare, until our very last breath. We truly don't know if the second criminal ever accepted the forgiveness of Christ, but I am certain that even as Christ's lifeless body hung on the cross, if he asked, Jesus would have forgave Him as lovingly as He forgave the first.

I know for certain that's what pastor Kurt would tell you today, but Kurt would also say, if you don't know Christ, do it now. Why, because you have no possible way to know when that last breath will be. So, really what are you waiting for? Do you blame yourself, and think God cannot love you or forgive you, may it never be. Maybe you think you don't need him, well that's quite possibly what the other criminal thought as he breathed his last. Jesus is saying to you, let Me carry the cross that was made for you, all I ask is that you believe in Me.

If your not sure what to do, or how to do it. Just find a Bible, or Google these verses.

Romans 3:23

Romans 3:10

Romans 6:23

Romans 5:8

Romans 10:9 -10

Romans 5:1

Romans 8:38-39

Today could be the day your next breath could actually be your very first one in your new life. Christ is truly waiting.

Follow Me on Facebook
Receive E-mail notifications of new blogs
Read more of my blogs

Do you know their fruit?

2016-03-19T15:30:00.000-07:00

Today, I read a blog from an "evangelical pastor" who asked the question "What if you're wrong? A letter to pastors, Christians and other anti-gay people." As I read it part of me got more and more angy as he began to substantiate his case on how believers need to re-evaluate their positions on the gay and lesbian life styles.

What particularly caught my ire was his "supporting evidence" of Paul's apparent acceptance of the G&L lifestyles. He argued that since Paul said that it was un-natural for his new nature (becoming a believer in Christ) to do what was right, it is therefore ok for men to be sexually attracted to men, and women to women.

It was interesting (and somewhat telling) that he didn't mention the actual scripture verse he was using. If he had, he may have noticed he was mixing up two passages. (Romans 1:24-27 and Romans 7:17-24) By combining them in his twisted "more enlightened" way, he totally missed the obvious messages of Paul. He went on to argue that believers should stop "condemning" gay and lesbians, because scriptures make it "clear" that we are in the wrong. Doing the un-natural is acceptable and normal according to Paul.

My intent here is to not write about G&L issues (the message), but rather the fallacy of the messenger.

After reluctantly reading his blog, I responded to him. I suggested to him that his three legged chair is incorrect, and his message is harmful to believers and the message of Christ. I told him, believers DO NOT have the ability, authority, or calling to "condemn" ANYONE. Each person condemns themselves (John 3:18). Furthermore, "sin is sin is sin is" (it's the same read both ways). Also that "love the sinner, not the sin" is not a spiritual "cop out" for righteous believers, as one of his points was.

What irritates me the most is his claims to be an "evangelical, believing pastor". That's what makes me want to reach through my computer and stick my fingers into his eye sockets and beat him with his own Bible. Too much? I think not.

God's Word tells us in the end times, many will come as wolves dressed in sheep clothing (Matt 7:15). They will be distorting the truth of God's Word into lies that will scratch their itching ears (2 Tim 4:3). And this man, who has serious biblical issues, is certainly not a true believer. There, I said it. Why do I say it. Because of his words (Matt 7:16).

Today, too many of our churches have fallen into 1 of 2 categories, the "extreme isolationist, holier than thou" church, or the "we accept everyone and don't dare judge anyone" church. The former quotes that we are to be separated from the world (2 Cor 6:17) and the latter that we are to endure all things from all people (1 Cor 9:12), and for the very existence of mankind, may the 2 groups never cross.

Well the missed point of those two passages is the fact that each of us is responsible for our own actions, and for the actions we take towards others. Apparently the truth sits in there as quiet as a yard full of Chihuahuas during a mailman convention.

But as a church, many have become increasingly tolerant to the teaching of "pastors" like these (from both extremes), as our belief incrementally gets pummeled by the fear of politically correct acceptance. Our lack of understanding issues, and ability to faithfully / lovingly addressing them, is ushering "pastors" like these past our stained glass windows, and right behind our opaque pulpits.

Look, believe it or not, God's word is not about tolerance. Heck, look what happened to Moses when he struck the rock instead of speaking to it. But on the other hand it isn't about isolationism either. For example, where was Jesus when he found the woman at the well. He was in Samaria. What religious zealot in his right mind, at that time, would be found in Samaria of all places?

Well, Jesus wasn't a religious zealot, as a matter of fact, he despised them and their ways. But he also wasn't a drunk or thief either. His pattern to us was to spread Hope to the lost. Not to chase them down with fire sticks, or beat them at Bible beer pong either (is that a game?).

As I closed my response to the pastor, I told him, by blindfolding yourself from the truth you are not helping the lost. But furthermore, offering those blindfolds to your flock and those who read your spew is even worse.

So be on the alert, the wolves in sheep clothing, on both sides, are certainly out there. We need to be diligent to correctly dissect the Word of Truth (2 Tim 2:15) because it's much easier to keep the wolves out than it is to get them out.

It's not their intent to expose us to a new "enlightened truth", it's Satan's attack on the Truth. With the attacks coming from both sides, the truth of the Hope that is in us, by association, is seen as "crazy extremism" or "hypocritical blathering".

So be alert, we certainly cannot change what is said or thought about us, but maybe we can guard the truth, and cause a change in what will be said about us. Remember, it's by our fruits that they (unbelievers) will know us, not by our ability to crush them with our arguments or baffle them with our blather. It is our responsibility though to decipher and act when the positions of our spiritual leaders are being taken hostage by lies and deceit.

Follow Me on Facebook
Receive E-mail notifications of new blogs
Read more of my blogs

The Christian destruction of the United States, yes you!

2016-03-13T13:46:00.000-07:00

In this election cycle I've become more and more upset with "The Greatest Generation", "The Silent Generation" and "The Baby Boomer Generation". It seems all we have heard for the last SEVERAL election cycles is something to the extent of "Let's make America great again", or "We need to get back to the principles this nation was founded on". All along, while today you ninnies are so self absorbed in your one issue ideologies.

Apparently, you guys had it great! Even though you went through World Wars and the Great Depression, even you want to go back "there". My generation, and my kids are sorry we missed it and we thank you for not keeping it up for us (that's sarcasm).

Now to add insult to injury, you're somehow washing your hands, and managing to blame it on the following generations. Your overwhelming desire to silently protest and boycott this nation down a righteous path of what once was, has blindly ignored the potholes and frost heaves of the road it went down.

Let me ask you this, how many of you chose to not vote for, or considered not voting for Romney because he "was a Mormon", or Palin because her daughter had a child out of wedlock, or Dole because he has a lesbian daughter. How many of you chose to "write in" a candidate, or opted not to vote, because he or she doesn't share all of the personal principles that you aren't willing to compromise? As if somehow voting for someone with a gay or pregnant child was going to somehow make all of your sons start taking second glances at other men, or get your daughters pregnant from eating watermelon seeds.

The fact of the matter is, IF the "evangelical" or "Bible believer" vote actually voted in force it would have dramatically changed the final results of all elections, local and national. But the very purpose for what this country was founded was not enough to get you to pull a lever.

Well, let me be the first to say, with the alternatives we gotten, "Thanks for nothing!"

Yeah, your likely going to be gone long before it completely falls apart, but your kids, grand kids, great grand kids and on will suffer because of your selfishness and complete inability to distinguish and separate the roles of church and government. Demonstrating the love of God towards one another vs, the pursuit of "life, liberty and pursuit of happiness."

Now we've had nearly 8 years of a socialist president (and longer if you throw in the House and Senate), and quite possibly headed for another 8 years because of your dream of a "Revivalist in Chief" rather than a Commander in Chief. Which will result in the loss of the Supreme Court, the 2nd amendment and the demise of the 1st.

For some reason you have been thinking you should be able to vote a savior into office to bring back the 'good ol days' and fix the moral issues of what you were / are unwilling to identify and what you ultimately contributed to / caused yourself. Shall I explain?

Many of you are one (or maybe two) issue voters. So lets look at how you plain blew it and probably will continue to which will continue to push our country down the same damaging road. (by using these as examples I am in no way endorsing them)

The big one, "Pro Choice". Let's look back a generation or two. Abortion was quite possibly only topped by the sin that got Lucifer thrown out of heaven. But, let me ask you, what happened to a young girl that found herself pregnant due to bad choices, rape, or incest even as recently as say, 3 or 4 decades ago? She was "put away" and shunned because of her promiscuity (regardless if it was her "fault" or not). Her family was often disassociated from the church, and certainly a loving compassionate look from a fellow church goer would have been carefully timed or never came at all. Remember those days? You should, because not much has been allow to change.

Well it's no wonder abortion became such a great option. It became an easier way out. Which now has lead to a convenient alternative to responsibility.

Instead of a of non judgmental, loving and compassionate heart by the very people who could impact the situation the greatest, instead of standing outside of an abortion clinic with a word of hope or maybe a simple card sharing the message of God's love for her and care for her situation. Maybe just wrapping arms around the hurting as she left. We have learned for some reason holding repulsive images of chopped up fetuses on billboards or professionally made banners of condemnation would present a better message to them. So, you say you have been holding out for a "Pro Life candidate"? Well, abortions have sky rocketed in this country.

How about gay issues. I've heard this question while serving in a church, "It's going to happen, so how should we prepare for it? Someday, a gay couple may show up in our church. How are we going to handle it?" as if an explosive cardigan was strapped to them. I'm sure holding out for that "Pro Traditional Marriage" candidate has worked well for you here also.

Now, Gay marriage is the law, and we see it everywhere as our schools continue to teach, no encourage, "alternate lifestyles" as being the norm as state by state falls to accept it as law.

All along you sat there in your 'Sundays best' in your normal spot in your pew (just hoping that already condemned 'couple' wouldn't show up in your church) as you blindly and stubbornly ushered in the destruction of YOUR values because of your hold out for the "perfect" candidate. A hypothetical candidate who was worthy of your check mark next to his or her name.

In reality we should have been a church with a heart felt hug and welcome, offering up our personally butt molded spots in the pews for them to sit in and hear the truth of the love of God's Word expecting and anticipating that only God changes hearts and lives. The same goes for the treatment of the divorced person or single parent that showed up one Sunday, hoping, maybe this 'church thing' has something that could help heal the pit of utter devastation of the love they lost. Instead, the back row had a reservation for them to sneak in and out of.

How about the message you are presenting to the world with your privately schooled or home schooled children as you "protect them" from society in fear their "innocent minds" will be corrupted with the "ways of the world"? While you COMPLETELY ignored your megaphoned message of, "We're better than you and your sinful ways" you preached from a high hill.

Yeah, people see that. But the only ones supporting you are the paranoid pew sitters next to you. Think about that while the world sees you as arrogant and self righteous as you choose to give the message that, "we don't want our stink to smell like yours". Show me a verse that supports that attitude? So keep holding out for that "Pro Voucher" president as you continue to PULL the possible influence of a Godly taught child away from the people who are most likely to receive it...other young people.

Statistics CLEARLY show that youth are much more likely to receive the message of God's Word than adults are. Now those "un-influenced" kids, who were your kids' age, are out of school, they are adults, and they are running for office without even a single memory of what little Tommy or Suzy may have said to them once in 3rd grade or high school. Yeah, we certainly appreciate that "protection".

Virtually every big moral issue we face today is a direct result of the evangelical voter refusing to vote because the candidates didn't fully agree with them on their "one issue". So they chose to abstain from voting, or wrote in a candidate (aka, threw their vote away because of "principle") who had absolutely no chance of winning.

Look, all of those issues are real, and that's where the church comes in. We are to help the broken hearted, reach out to the scared girl who is contemplating an abortion, or who may have already had one. We are to wrap our arms around the smoky and foul mouthed, not to change them by our power, but to show them grace, and the hope only found in Christ. Like I said earlier, God changes people, NOT US. He just asks us of us to be a light in the world, not a consuming fire of judgment. Consider this, if generations of Christians had demonstrated God's hope, and forgiveness towards these issues, would the world have held a different viewpoint towards the church during times when the roles were reversed?

The other stuff is politics. So crawl out of your "Christian bubble of rarified air" and place a check mark next to who will be best for the nation, aka, life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness, for the sake of nation and generations to come, and then go back to doing the work of what Christ demonstrated to us.

Before you get so wound up in your one issue, kneel down and write your own sins in the sand and thank God for your forgiveness. Then before you get up, look up to the person who is your one issue person and stop neglecting to share the love of God with him or her because you figure your new President should be doing it for you. The upholding of our religious values is just not his job.

God loves all of us, but we need to stop looking at this world as those "Sinners in the hands of an angry God", and start seeing them all as sinners in the hands of a loving, forgiving God who offers hope that can only be found in Him through believing in the death and resurrection of His son Jesus Christ. Not a chad on a ballot.

As Christians, it is not our job to protect the gates of heaven from those who may be too messed up to enter, its our job to show them the Hope that leads them in.

Follow Me on Facebook
Receive E-mail notifications of new blogs
Read more of my blogs

My Reasons....

2016-02-26T10:21:00.001-08:00

As a father I have experienced this;

I learned my reasons,
I questioned my reasons,
I trusted my reasons,
I taught my reasons,
I relied on my reasons,
I explained my reasons,
I discussed my reasons,
I argued my reasons,
I re-enforced my reasons,
I urged my reasons,
I defended my reasons,
I resuscitated my reasons,

I exhausted my reasons,
I doubted my reasons,
I remembered my reasons,
I prayed for my reasons,
I reaffirmed my reasons,
I pondered my reasons,
I know my reasons,
I cherish my reasons,
I quit giving my reasons,

Now my hope is,

My reasons were admirable,
My reasons were learned,
My reasons are appreciated,
My reasons are confirmed,
My reasons are demonstrated,
My reasons are taught.

My reason was because...

you were my reasons.

Love,
Dad

Follow Me on Facebook
Receive E-mail notifications of new blogs
Read more of my blogs

To Fathers...(or those who have one)

2016-02-06T14:45:00.001-08:00

Being a Father requires you to have the invincibility, strength, capacity, and abilities of a bulldozer, while being expected to use them with the delicacy and control of a jewelers screwdriver...

Share if this is your dad, or you know a dad like this.

Follow Me on Facebook
Receive E-mail notifications of new blogs
Read more of my blogs

The "ship" in Worship

2016-01-31T13:25:00.005-08:00

I'm sure you've heard this story. See if it rings a bell for you. If you recall, years ago, several fishing enthusiasts on a non eventful afternoon decided to go out and spend some time on the water. As fishermen are, they were anticipating trying out their favorite spots to catch some tasty dinner. They certainly were also longing for the peace that can only be found as waves lapped the sides of the boat they had taken out. As the bumper sticker says, "the worst day of fishing is still better than the best day of working".

It wasn't long before they reeled in a few fish, as they most certainly talked about their busy schedules and plans for the future. And as fishermen are, they talked about their biggest fishing triumphs.

As the day wore on, one of them noticed a cloud or two in the sky and mentioned to the others that is would be a good idea to head back to the launch in case the weather turned on them. They all agreed and made one more cast to see if there was anything left to be found as they put their fishing equipment away and prepared to head for shore.

Well as you may remember the small clouds in the distance came on them much faster than they had ever experienced there before. Quickly they found themselves in a virtual situation not unlike a cork in a swimming pool of teen age boys. As they struggled to make it back, it quickly became evident that even maintaining a constant direction was impossible. It wasn't long before everything they had caught and everything they brought with them went overboard. Every effort was being made just to remain upright. As very experienced fishermen, it was taking everything they had ever learned to stay alive.

Getting back to the boat launch was no longer an option...

...and at the top of every wave they desperately searched for any signs of the shore. As the peak of every wave came up, they found nothing, only to be cast back into the bottom of the wave as it broke into their boats with vengeance.

At some point of exhaustion, they began to fear the fact that making it home was bleak as they were preparing at any moment to be capsized and pummeled to a painful death.

Just then, one of the men saw a split second of light in the distance. Fearful to raise the expectations of the other men, he said nothing. He painfully and quietly began to fix his sight on the location he thought he saw it as the boat spun around time and time again. Then there it was again, a little closer and certainly not just a desperate imagination. This time he had to say something, and with every effort, the men began to do everything in their power to move the boat into that direction, but it was hopeless. As every wave broke, they were being pushed in the wrong directions.

At one of the wave peaks one of the other men saw the light again, and it was yet closer in spite of the fact that they were certainly moving the wrong way. They all in confused disbelief just stopped rowing and paddling. They all struggled to stand to see what was there. Indeed each of them at random saw the light. It was definitely getting closer at each appearance.

Fear and anticipation took hold of each of them, as they were uncertain to what could be causing this, but at the same time, the hope of rescue may be nearing. But the thought of disappointment was real and as thick as the dark clouds above them.

Suddenly, impossibly, the light was right there. What hit them as strong as the largest wave they ever encountered, sent all of them to the bottom of their boat, piled up in a drenching crash. In disbelief they all pulled them selves up to look once more. It was what they thought they saw, a man, walking steadily on the turbulent water. Even more it was someone they recognized.

Yeah, we all recognize the story now, and the events that happened around it. It's recorded in Matthew 14:22-33

We all know the story, but I have yet to have anyone tell me correctly how the story ends. I've been told, Peter walked on water, or Jesus pulled Peter from the water, or Jesus calmed the storm with a command.

Yeah in the story all of those points are infinitely important, but that's NOT how the encounter ended. It ends with this verse, (and let it sink in a bit) "all those in the boat worshipped Him, saying "Truly you are the Son of God.""

Worship today is such a vague, and poorly misunderstood word. If I asked, I'd probably get more answers than I got concerning the end of the story. You might say, its the music, or our attitudes, or our hearts response, or the message. Like above, each of those points are infinitely important, but if you read the verse, the worship of Jesus by these men isolated on none of those actions.

The men worshipped Him because they each experienced a sliver of the reality of who Christ was. He was clearly by what He did for each of them, the Son of God.

It makes me wonder how many of us prepare ourselves for our experience with Him with actual worshipping of who He truly is. Do we even catch a sliver of who He is? The Man who sacrificed everything for us, and searched for us, omnipotently found us and gave each of us the grace, mercy and peace that only He can give. The maker and creator of what we have or can not even fathom, yet He chose us before the universe and everything in it was formed by a simple word from His mouth. Or?

So next time you worship Him, at home, in your car, at work, or at church, take the time to think of the second half of the word worship, "ship" and let it draw your mind back to the disciples on that little boat, destined to parish, but instead experienced the awesomeness of who He was in the life He gave them.

Follow Me on Facebook
Receive E-mail notifications of new blogs
Read more of my blogs

Should you Lower your Standards? 2 questions.

2016-01-08T08:28:00.003-08:00

If you were to truly use the standards Christ set while selecting His disciples;

Would your standard of expectations of other believers need to change to a different or more "reasonable" level?

or,

Would you be hypocritically maintaining a high standard of others you would not want them to require of you?

Jesus did not expect or require His disciples to be perfect. As a matter of fact, He knew they weren't before He chose them. He could have picked the best and most groomed of the religious Pharisees to be the "generals" to carry out His plan for His church.

But He didn't, so why should we?

In humility, He gave His life for the very men He selected (and you and me). Out of love He created the very stone that would one day would seal His tomb, He grew the tree He was nailed to, and designed the very thorns that pierced His head.

Phil 2:3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility, value others above yourselves.

Follow Me on Facebook
Receive E-mail notifications of new blogs
Read more of my blogs

On the Naughty or Nice list?

2015-12-18T18:47:00.000-08:00

If your one who gets so upset over the word "Xmas" and over corporations that don't use the word "Christmas" on their cups and in their store windows, then can I ask why doesn't upset you that we celebrate His birthday in the entirely wrong season, let alone on the right day?

The Bible (the words of Jesus' very own Father) does not instruct us to remember His Son's birthday. Both Mathew and Luke give detail accounts of the birth of Jesus, but it's notable that neither make reference of His birthdate. As His disciples, they certainly would have known when it was, unless, Jesus felt it unnecessary to tell them. Which if that's the case, should speak in / of itself. But we certainly know Dec 25th wasn't the day.

Think about this, when was the last time you read a detailed biography or autobiography in which the author didn't mention the birth date of the person being written about. But in the biographical autobiography of God the Father, Son and Spirit, the date was never mentioned. I think it's because when we make the event of His birth so important, we come very close to the pitfall of loosing the significance of why He actually came, and furthermore put increased emphasis on the characters which surround it. The virgin Mary, Joseph, the wise men, the shepherds, King Herod and so much more.

Furthermore, the secularism of the event has further dragged it down an even more unrecognizable path. For example, Santa Claus (which is a thing in itself) is constantly watching over us. Why? To find out who is "Naughty or Nice". If you're on the "Nice" list you get a gift, but if your on the "Naughty" list, a lump of coal. That flies in the face of the very reason God sent His very only Son in the first place. The Word of God makes it clear we are ALL on the naughty list. As a matter of fact it says the very best we can do is considered as filth (Isaiah 64:6). So the Gift He gave obviously was solely for those on the "Naughty" list (Romans 3:10-12).

On the other hand the Bible, does tell us to remember His death. (Luke 22:19 / 1 Cor 11:26) Jesus even said it directly to His disciples (which clearly confused them).

Think about that for a second. Why? Well, because the birth of Jesus, as miraculous as it was, saves no one. We are not saved by a miracle, but rather by the result of one. The result was the shedding of His blood on the cross for us (Heb 9:22). So the Gift God gave us, wasn't in the miracle of Christ's birth, but rather in His death. Remember, the Jews were always looking for a sign, so God gave them one. He even told them He was going to, and when it was going to come (ever wondered how the wise men knew when to travel to Bethlehem?), but they still rejected and crucified Him. That Sign became our Hope.

Am I trying to say we shouldn't observe Christmas? Oh, not at all!!! But this season, Maybe, simply try to make sure we remember what the reason His birth was about. It represents the free gift God gave each of us (Eph 2:8-9). It's not the opportunity to claim or fight for what we don't deserve or even need. It's not about "words" or missing letters, it's not about coffee cups, it's about giving from oneself to another, just as God did for us.

Merry Christmas,

Follow Me on Facebook
Receive E-mail notifications of New Articles
Read more of my Blogs

What to do when things go terribly wrong.

2015-12-16T21:48:00.000-08:00

So, I get it, it's hard not to get caught up in the defensiveness created by our government, the decisions of the Supreme Court, and other "anti Christian" events recently. But let's keep in mind that there is absolutely nothing new here at all. (read Ecclesiastes 1:9)

The church was born and thrived during times very similar to what we are moving towards today. It's also important to resolve that God is still 100% in control. No matter what our government or appointed officials do or say. They have been placed there only by the appointment of Him, and will only accomplish what His desired plan is (read Romans 13:1).

That's not to say that we should just roll over and accept the lashings though. (read Ephesians 6:11-19). Satan is definitely at work attacking God's church as a whole, and it's people.

But ultimately, his attacks are like throwing soft tipped darts at a Ford Class Aircraft Carrier.

Honestly, I'll be the first to admit through personal experience, occasionally a dart hits it's target and it hurts, bad. Sometimes those vicious darts can come from our bosses, long time friends, neighbors, and even family members. But the promise of God, like the Aircraft Carrier, will continue on. Fully in control and prepared to ultimately and completely accomplish His plan.

Purposefully, we should try to remember when we encounter these issues, people around us are observing. They need to know God's love for them too (read 2 Peter 3:9). Often times, events like the Supreme Court rulings or harsh words from our bosses WILL open doors of opportunities to illustrate our faith with others. People, who we may never have had a chance to share with before, as they see something different about the way we react or respond.

So be careful to remain at peace with people when we talk with them. Have a sensitive heart to care and demonstrate God's love and grace towards them in everything we do and say (read Romans 12:18).

These events are nothing unknown to God. It hasn't caught Him by surprise, and it's not getting out of His control. We don't need to fight for Him as if He has somehow been outflanked and now we need to protect His integrity (as if we could). We need to remain focused on what the message is. Our attitude and conduct must remain priestly as we represent the true Lord and King (read 1 Peter 2:9).

Imagine a spokesperson for a king, prime minister or president stating, "Uh, he has no idea what to do next, he did not expect it to happen like this, he has no plan." People would quickly be drawn toward another leader. Likewise, if we show that same message of fear, worry, and doubt (which is really our own), why would we expect unbelievers to be drawn towards our Hope.

How we respond to difficult events will ultimately impact the effectiveness of how well God can use us. Will we trust Him or fearfully get angry, defensive or isolated from the world? Our actions can quickly shut a door of sharing God's love to someone, like a vault, by us and others.

With this in mind, a believer should truly take confidence in knowing the same applies towards all of our life's circumstances. No matter how great or small. Like the plan of the aircraft carrier, God's plan goes on in all of creation, and in our lives.

If we keep our minds set on the promise that we are a chosen people, and the royal priests of the Almighty King, we have peace and confidence of knowing His authority is given to us and demonstrated through us when we are doing His will and sharing His message.

Paul said, he fought the fight, he kept the faith in running the race God set before him. As believers, let's keep the faith, with the peace and knowledge that God is in control, and show the love and sacrifice of God to all people, in all things.

Follow Me on Facebook
Receive E-mail notifications of new blogs
Read more of my blogs

Isolation is not an option.

2015-12-03T12:22:00.001-08:00

Isolation. Just the very word brings fear and uneasiness to a lot of people, and rightfully so. None of us were made for it, even the most recluse person you may know.

As a matter of fact, the very first thing God made after creation, was a companion for Adam. God said, “…it is not good for man to be alone.” (Genesis 2:18). God didn’t create for Adam an overpowered chariot with 24" chrome rims, or a 22” HD color tablet with 100 terabytes of memory from stone for him to read and play first person games on. He made him a companion.

When an individual goes through times of hurt or grief it’s very common for them to resort to isolating themselves from others. Feelings of guilt, anxiety and depression are like rare earth magnets to isolation. Those feelings compound the situation and the fear of it being somehow "contagious" keeps others away, making it exponentially worse.

Furthermore, Satan uses isolation as a tool to do his destruction. Several instances in the Bible come to mind, starting with Eve. Satan approached her while she was alone in the garden and successfully tempted her to eat of the fruit.

David often referred to times of isolation compounded with the struggle of depression and anxiety related from it. Just read the Psalms.

Don’t think this can happen to you? Well, consider this. In the Gospels, we read the encounter Jesus had with Satan. While fasting 40 days, Satan even tried to use that period of isolation to tempt Jesus (Luke 4 and Matt 4). Another time was when Jesus went to pray shortly before He was taken to be crucified (Matt 26). Being overwhelmed with sorrow, He went to pray, and He asked His disciples to watch with Him. Well, we know they fell asleep, and Jesus scolded them more than once for doing so. If Jesus can be affected with isolation, so can you, and at some point, probably will.

Prisoners of war have been isolated for long periods of time as torture to get them to the “breaking” point. Trouble making prisoners in jails are often isolated as a way to “encourage” them to rethink their actions before they attempt a “repeat offense.”

Examples of the impact of isolation are easy to find.

This would be the time where I should direct this blog into encouraging the reader to break from the oppression of their isolation and reach out to others to help them through their circumstances. But I’m not going to.

It’s odd how we so often hear the term, “it takes two to fight”. But when it comes to a person who is hurting from isolation, we suddenly make the solution a one-sided issue. We tell them, “You need to not isolate yourself” (generally just before we leave). That advice is like telling a person with a broken leg to stop limping. Like I said earlier, we all too often treat isolation as if it’s contagious.

Here’s the premise of this blog; the issue of addressing isolation in our churches today weighs squarely on the shoulders of those who are NOT (currently) suffering through it and often times blatantly ignoring it.

The book of Acts records the history of the early church shortly after the ascension of Jesus back to heaven. It says in chapter 4 that no one was without anything because everyone shared everything. No, this was not a socialist societal experiment, but an example of the love and care that bubbled up in the church like a shaken can of root beer.

Love and Care are a virtual mine field for the existence of isolation.

Like a fight, as I mentioned earlier, isolation also takes two people (at least). But unlike a fight which can be stopped by the inaction of one person, isolation can be ended by the simple caring action of one person, the person who chooses to be used for the purpose God created them for, companionship.

Many scriptures come to my mind of examples of the necessity of companionship. Here's a couple of them. “The foot does not say to the body, since I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body”, “To one there is given a spirit of wisdom, and to another knowledge and to another faith…”, “God has placed into his church apostles, preachers, teachers…” These passages make it very clear that none of us is designed to work alone, furthermore no one is going to be healthy while being neglected. We are all created to work harmoniously, in "love, joy, peace, gentleness..." etc.

The poem of the footprints in the sand is so well known and is displayed on so many household walls. But I have to say, if you have it on your wall maybe you should re-consider it. Certainly, it's true that God does carry us in times of distress, but it’s wrong for anyone to think we are exempt from being the tools God uses to do that labor. I’ve said it before; during times of hurt, the sand on the beach should be filled with the footsteps of caring fellow believers being drawn to that person like a moth drawn to a porch light. That’s what God made us for.

In conclusion, if you know someone who is hurting or struggling, don’t be quick to dismiss yourself as being the root of what can become the solution. Do not tell the person to reach out to other people, and then quietly slip away. Be the person who takes it on your shoulders to break the chain of isolation. Use your abilities to make a phone call, deliver a meal, or offer a kind caring ear and then… do it again until the burden of isolation is rendered powerless. Don’t be found sleeping when you should be watching.

Follow Me on Facebook
Receive E-mail notifications of new blogs
Read more of my blogs

Don't let the differences be devistating.

2015-12-01T19:21:00.000-08:00

Did you know that men and women will both see this picture dramatically different? For example, I'll be willing to bet the reaction of most women is, "He left the seat up again! I'm sooo tired of telling him." Another thing they will notice is that someone left the toilet paper roll empty (more on that later). Next, they will see the corner of the blasted scale on the floor and instantly begin to think of the extra pounds they gained when they just smelled the "death buy chocolate cake" at dinner last night. There's a brutal ongoing love, hate relationship between them and that "liar".

Men see this situation and think "Whew, I'm lucky I found the seat up before she did..." but then quickly move on to "Well, Wada you know, seats already up already. Good day to buy a lotto ticket!" Next, they will see the scale and think, "Hmm, what can I use that for? I wonder if I stand on one foot if it will still read the same? Whoa, how bout if I stand on the scale with one foot and "go" at the same? I wonder if I will see my weight change? Challenge accepted!" The last thing he will notice is that the toilet paper roll is empty. Why last? Well, because his little "stunt" needs a little clean up, if you will. With all good intentions he means to go get a new roll, until... well, anything distracted him. Meanwhile the seat is still up.

Relationships are filled with these little trials. I'd be willing to bet that if you asked a relationship counselor they would tell you most marital conflicts, at the very root, stem from small incidents which eventually fester into erupting volcanos of irritation. Furthermore, it's no doubt that Satan uses these opportunities to make entire mountain ranges out of minor mole hills.

The truth of the matter is, very often we don't make things any easier. We bring many of these problems on ourselves. Using the above illustration, (and don't tell me it hasn't happened in your marriage) each of those things are very small. But we are quick to immediately find fault in the other person, "...if I've told you once I've told you a thousand times", rather than just address the issue at hand.

I can hear it now, women are thinking, "yeah, give it to 'em" and men are thinking "seriously, I get this at home and now I need to read about it here too?" Well, not so fast! That side of the coin has been played many, many times, so let me play the flip side for everyone to make a point (women, bare with me, it's just an illustration).

Women, if you think this through, maybe a little too much of the burden has been placed on the shoulders of your beloved, albeit often unobservant, husband. Why? Well a few reasons. Guys have the option of standing or sitting, whereas gals don't, right? Well that means every time you gals use the rest room, you know what "position" you will be taking. So wouldn't it be very easy to develop a habit of checking? You have 15 different kinds of shampoo and conditioner in the shower. Are you going to tell me you don't check which one you have before you use it?

Guys might be different every time. Standing this time, but sitting the next and so on, (heck, sometimes we don't even know) so developing a habit from consistency will obviously take longer. Especially since it doesn't "directly" affect us, (of course, until we hear the inevitable "voice of disapproval"). Plus, when you factor in the male distraction factor, that habit may NEVER form. So, wouldn't it just be easier to remember to put the seat up every time, that way you will know exactly what to expect each time, and if you find it's already down, hey, no big deal?

And as I mentioned earlier, that empty toilet roll paper. Given that all the "evidence" points to the fact that the man was NOT the last person to use the restroom (i.e. the lid is still up). This clearly means he did not use the last of the paper. Therefore the blame of the empty roll falls back onto the last person who used the restroom in the "non-upright position".... Sorry ladies. In addition, guys can go 3 to 4 months with the same roll (remember, we find reasons not to put the seat down) plus, if we plan right, we can get paid for it at work (hey I'm just being honest here). Now that we're married, we find the task of changing the rolls has increased to every week or so. That's like a million percent increase! So give us some grace if we don't catch it.

The scale? Well I got nothing there. It's just in the room.

Look, this may be humorous (for the men anyway), but these trivial things are side affects of the medicine of relationships, whether marital, or at work or wherever we encounter people regularly.

But seriously, if we put these things in perspective, really it all comes down to taking one second to show some grace and rectify the issue ourselves. But for some crazy reason, that is soooo hard to do.

Fortunately, God's Word gives us advice on the way to handle these "Archduke Ferdinand" moments (aka, reasons we "find" to fight). It instructs us keep our minds focused on things that are pure, lovely and kind. To think of others of more importance than we think of ourselves (aka, look for ways to serve), and to be diligent to guard our thoughts and our words.

Occasionally I have noticed my wife has gone to work and left her hair straightening iron on(if that's what you call it). Man, that's time for the "toilet seat turnabout", right? Finally, now I am justified to let her know of the waste of electricity and the fact she could have burned our house, NO, the entire neighborhood down!

Really though, it's just a good time to switch it off and thank God for the wonderful wife He gave me, and they think of the many things she does for me. I make it a point to do just that, and it works!

It's those simple "reminders" we get everyday can either grind at our last nerve, or remind us of how God is good and of His many blessings.

As I said earlier, many relational conflicts actually stem from very insignificant things. in reality, often they are just spotlights on the reflection of our own selfishness. If your in that situation now, think back to what the root of the issue is. You may just find it all stems from a sock that missed the clothes hamper again, or a screwdriver that was used for a hammer. Ask God to give you a thankful heart and the courage to change your outlook. Both of you will be blessed for it.

Follow Me on Facebook
Receive E-mail notifications of new blogs
Read more of my blogs

When it's absolutely wrong to forgive

2015-11-26T17:29:00.002-08:00

It was too short of an event to get the helicopters in the air, but I remember a story in the late 90's of a police pursuit in southern California which barely made the news. As we have seen so many times, a police officer spotted a vehicle driving sporadically on the 14 freeway.

The vehicle wasn't speeding. As a matter of fact, it was actually traveling below the speed limit. But it was swerving in and out of its own lane. The officer suspected the possibility of an intoxicated driver. After, what seemed to be, several very long miles the officer was able to get the vehicle pulled over and stopped. As he approached the car, with his hand cautiously on his holster, he looked in the driver’s window to confront the intoxicated driver.

Well, almost in an instant, everything happened. Almost too quickly in hindsight.

If you've grown up in, or even around church you've undoubtedly heard Biblical teachings on forgiveness. Although (surprisingly) the word "forgiveness" is only used a handful of times in the Bible, the entirety of scriptures are riddled with the theme of forgiveness. As a matter of fact, it's such a strong theme it actually "plays trump" to many teachings in the Bible.

In the frequently taught passage in Matthew 18, Jesus instructs His disciples how to handle situations where someone has offended or wronged someone else. In that passage the proper steps are explained; first go to your brother or sister alone. If that doesn't work, take a witness with you. Finally, take it before the church. Simple enough, right? That should handle any issue when someone has been wronged. Unfortunately, many sermons end there.

But, here's where forgiveness "trumps" that passage. Ephesians 4:32 tells us, "be kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another”. So with respect to Matthew 18, before confronting the offender, we should always be willing to forgive the offender. Furthermore, approaching the situation with a tender heart, as if, placing yourself in the other person's shoes before and during the confrontation. When / if it happens like this, many times one will find it is absolutely wrong to forgive. Why? (Well, since that's the title of this article, I better explain it. Right?)

Often times we go into such an encounter expecting an apology and

we stage everything around our own big hearted willingness (aka. obligation) to forgive. As if to say, "once you see it my way, you will understand your fault", and "if you were concerned about me, we wouldn't be in this predicament in the first place". This whole process ultimately brings the attention back to one’s self.

Here's the rub. Without all the information (received through a tender heart) an expectation of an apology is often without merit. An apparent "offense" may be based on incomplete or false information, or misplaced facts. This means a pre-planned attitude "to forgive" is completely wrong. Even worse, it ultimately inserts the other person into a situation of now needing to forgive you, which they never asked for or even deserved. Why? Because of the assumption of fault (judging), and by condemning them unfairly. This is why it's critical to be kind and tenderhearted first.

Sitting there on the side of the 14 freeway, that officer determined to holster his gun and call immediately for an ambulance. With his training and willingness to evaluate the whole situation, he very quickly realized the driver wasn't intoxicated at all. He was having a stroke. The officer's willingness to observe, listen, and respond to the facts ultimately saved the driver's life and quite possibly, many others.

The officer could have approached the car, seemingly in the right, with a big hearted plan to just sternly explain the driver's offenses to him. He even could have even pre-planned to ultimately forgive him, and allowed the driver to continue on his way as he tipped his authoritative cover (hat). But, if he had done that, it would have ultimately led to tragedy.

Sometimes, forgiveness can be a very tricky thing. But, when tempered with tenderheartedness, often it's often absolutely not needed and possibly could even be wrong. So next time you feel you've been wronged by someone, maybe it's actually wrong for you to forgive. Always be willing to forgive, but first be desirous to be kind and tenderhearted. Then see what wonders God works out in the situation. The passage in Matthew 18 goes on to say, if you are able to resolve the situation, you have won your brother. Did you notice that it says "resolve" not "forgive"? As brother and sisters, peacefully resolving matters should always be our goal.

Follow Me on Facebook
Receive E-mail notifications of new blogs
Read more of my blogs

Read, Like or Share.

2015-11-20T08:22:00.001-08:00

One interesting things about writing a blog is the information and data you can get behind the scenes. I can see the age groups of my readers, and even what time of day people are most likely to read. I can see where my readers are. For example, I have 119 readers in Russia! Who knew? "Hi all my Russian readers, thanks for reading" I Mean "Привет мой российских читателей, спасибо за чтение". I know most people enter my blog through a link in Facebook, and are using an iPhone to read it on. I also know "Surgery Day" is the my most read blog followed by "What to do when things go terribly wrong". Oh,,, don't worry there's no personal information about you given to me.

I guess if I really wanted to, I could gather all the data and write blogs designed to draw more readers. Many bloggers do. For example, their information may show them that 82% of their readers are women and they like to read about relationships issues. So authors will write blogs more specifically geared towards women and about relationships. Personally, I just write about experiences and things that come across my mind. I hope that someone (hopefully you) will find it informative and interesting.

On the other hand, at times it can also be frustrating. Bloggers can put a lot of research and work into writing something only to get a few readers, and maybe just a few "likes". The biggest thing bloggers like is the jackpot..."shares". Why, because "shares" result in more followers.

We know you fall into one of three categories, Readers, Likers and Sharers.

The truth is, when we see "readers", we really can't know if they read the whole thing, or if they read a bit and left. When we see "Liker", it tells the blogger, something you read, the reader "liked". I see your "like" message (thank you), but really its mostly visible only to the reader and the author. But when the reader presses "Share" we know you read it, you liked it, and you were willing to place it on your social wall for others to read too. That's what we really want, the "Share". That's why I have 119 readers all the way in Russia. Where I live, there is a high number of Russian immigrants, so likely one of them shared a post, and their friends in Russia saw the "share" and clicked on it too.

Those three terms make me think of a Bible passage in John 21. If you remember, shortly after His resurrection, Jesus asked Peter three times if he loved Him. Two times Jesus directly asked "Peter, do you have unconditional love for me?" to which Peter replied "Lord, you know I like you." The third and final time Jesus asked, "Peter do you like me?" and Peter replied (probably frustrated by now) "Lord, you know I like you."

I guess in today's blogger language it would go something like this; "Peter will you "Share" me?" to which Peter replied, "I like you Lord, you know I read you". Next Jesus inquired, "Yeah Peter, I know, but do you "Share" me?" to which Peter replied, "Lord you know I've pressed the “Like" button for you a few times". Then finally Jesus asked, "Peter, will you continue to "Like" me?" to which Peter replied "Yeah, I will continue to "Like" you".

When I think of it like that, it makes me wonder. Are we still the same way today? Unfortunately, I think we are. When God says, "Hey, will you "Share" me?" many of us say "Hey Lord, you know I read you. Look, I have a Bible over there, you can see I'm reading you. Heck, I even go to church."

Or, maybe some of us say, "You know Lord, when something hits me just right and it's what I need to hear, I hit the "Like" button. You get notification, right?" But again, what God is asking is, "Hey, will you "Share" me? I did all this work and sacrificed my Son for you. Will you "Share" what I did?"

See it's not enough for us to just "Like" God. Really, if we do it just right none of our friends may ever know we believe in God. We can live life but still maintain our privacy about our relationship with Him. But "Sharing" Him means we put Him on our life's "walls" for everyone to see. We don't hide it, we love Him enough to show it and share it with the people we touch. That's what He wants from us, and that's how we reach 119 people for Him in Russia. We don't even need to go there. The Word of God spreads just the same, it starts with "sharing".

From this blogger, I'm confident I speak for many bloggers. The next time you read a blog that touches your heart and speaks of the love of God towards us, don't just read it, don't settle for the "like" button, hit the "share" button. We have an opportunity to reach people today in ways that never existed before. One "share" has the potential of reaching thousands. Ultimately Peter figured that out too, and look what happened.

Follow Me on Facebook
Receive E-mail notifications of new blogs
Read more of my blogs