Friday, September 30, 2011

Mel's Day


Melanie is getting married today. Okay, we'll give the groom a little cred...Ryan's day too. But she's my little girl, so this is for her. It's 82 degrees...a beautiful day. A beautiful day for a beautiful young lady that has blossomed into a beautiful young woman. Melanie is beautiful on the inside and out. I'm not real sure most of us could say that about ourselves. Melanie always liked dressing up and looking "ta da". Hopefully, she will enjoy this day and not be stressed. She is the epitome of sweetness (wouldn't hurt an ant. I know the saying is "wouldn't hurt a flea" be she literally wouldn't hurt an ant). Her biggest fault is being nice to everyone, and I don't think that is a fault at all. Probably, the worst thing she ever did was picking on her little brother. It really wasn't picking. She just loved him so much, she wanted to squeeze him to death. (He has since grown up and has terrorized her the last couple of years!) I listened last night(at rehearsal dinner) as girl after girl spoke about Melanie calling her their best friend. How could you be that many people's best friend? Some she had known for a long time, while others were recent friendships. Is this a sign about our society that so many people need a best friend, and there are so few to go around? Hmm. Melanie, your mother and I are so proud of you. Thank you for being a pleasure to raise. Congratulation to Ryan who succeeded in his pursuit of Melanie. Congratulations to Melanie for finding her man.
God bless both of you.
Love,
Dad

Tuesday, September 27, 2011

Tuesday morning thoughts

28 We proclaim him, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone perfect in Christ. 29 To this end I labor, struggling with all his energy, which so powerfully works in me.---Colossians 1
How do you make people come to Christ and obey Him?
You can't and you don't humanly speaking. You do what you can: you pray hard, you go, you proclaim the Gospel, you teach, you live it, you love people, you represent Christ and then you repeat. Paul calls it his labor. It can be cumbersome and will most certainly be unappreciated by men, but you are here to please God. It takes much resolve and perseverance, that is why so many people quit. You can't be a quitter. Done right it can be exhausting, but refreshing at the same time. IT has eternal results and rewards. IT is what you were designed to do.

Monday, September 26, 2011

Eph.4:12-16 Devo

Just a little something from my devotion today. The reading was Eph.4:1-16.
vv.12-16 kind of jumped out to me. Here's what I got.
God gives and gifts pastors and leaders to equip the church...to build up the church, the body of Christ (not tear it down).
<> The Goal: unity in our faith and knowledge of God's Son (Jesus)
that we will be mature in the LORD
measuring up to the complete and full standard of Christ. (All eyes on Jesus, 'cause he's the head of the church!)
*Then we'll cease being immature and falling for lies (false doctrine, etc.)
*KNOWING CHRIST IS THE KEY* A personal, intimate relationship with Jesus that only comes from abiding in Christ daily is the key to such maturity. Therefore, we cannot stay away from Christ (prayer) or his Word (Bible) or even his people (the church) if we truly want to know Christ. You can't skip out on time with Jesus and know him!!!
As we grow, instead of falling for lies we will speak the truth in love.
We will, consequently, grow in every way more and more like Christ, who is the head of the church (there it is again).
*How can one legitimize staying away from church? Hey, if you want to home school, go ahead. But home church is a rebellious spirit that was not in God's plan, nor is it in the teaching of God's Word.
v.16 He makes the whole body fit together perfectly. As each part does what it was designed for so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love.
Love is the sign of a mature church. Sure, it may take some churches some time to be classified as loving or mature, but that doesn't mean we stop trying. It's plain and simple to see that it is God's plan. Finally, I'll say again, to be separate from the body (the church) is to be separate from the head (Christ).
Take up for the church. Help the church. Advance the church. Pray for the church.

Saturday, September 24, 2011

Trainable, Coachable, Hungry

What's missing? I watched a short segment on the making of a great Quarterback. It was a pretty cool behind the scenes look that went all the way back to when the guy was in college. He was tall, skinny and slow. Worst of all, he was seventh on the depth chart when he started college. (That means 7th string! Not second or third, but seventh!) He got appendicitis and lost almost thirty pounds, but didn't give up. In a time when most young men would have just quit, he took counsel with the on campus adviser. He would go many days to this man seeking counsel and encouragement. He told him that he wanted to be the Michigan QB. His sophomore season, Tom Brady went on to become the UM quarterback. (He has since done some pretty good things in the NFL.) ---But what got me about the story was what the counselor said about Brady. He was trainable, coachable and hungry. He went to that (in this case)emotional resource for strength and encouragement almost every day. ---I couldn't help thinking about what goes in to being a champion. Are we trainable? Can a person listen and follow instruction, and adapt? Are we coachable? Will one submit to the leader of the team?---For me, these were easy checks since I grew up in sports and following the leader, listening, learning. One of my favorite sayings has been "A good player always adjust." But the third thing was "hunger." In my spiritual life how hungry am I? Can I not wait to wake up and spend time with God? Can I not wait to hear from God? This was a tougher box to check. I sought God out in prayer. I had to confess that I had fallen into default status of sometimes going through the motions. God heard my simple prayer and answered. He restored my hunger for Him instantly. ---Perhaps, you have been distracted or knocked off course for some reason. Seek God and you will find Him. Give Him the choice time of day. ---I read a very sad commentary on Israel in Isaiah 43:22 where they had gotten tired of God. Whoa! If we are not hungry for God, then that is problematic. If you're not hungry, then you're not eating. And if you're not eating, you're not growing.
LORD, I am hungry for You and I want more of You.

Thursday, September 22, 2011

Not Every Church

Just had lunch with someone that told me the reason they got back in church was because someone asked them how they were tithing, and they were convicted on the spot. Wow! However, this made me begin to think about the many Christians that have left the church. There are bunches of reasons people get out on church. The church did these evil killing crusades years ago (not every church). Churches are all about building big buildings to see how many butts they can hold(not every church). Some pastor ran off with the secretary (not every church). They play old hymns at that church (not every church). They play that rock and roll music at that church (not every church). They are always talking about money down at the church (not every church). They aren't concerned with helping the community (not every church). You get the picture. Anyone could insert their excuse for leaving the church. I'm sure it has nothing to do with being lazy, wanting to keep all your money, living for yourself, or the fact that you just can't get along with people.
So what do people do? They rip the church to shreds verbally (piously) forgetting that the church (some of them)is first on the scene to help people. Churches have started hospitals, schools, soup kitchens, disaster relief teams and on it goes. Some of these folks quit on church, which is a real good answer. They just meet with some friends for an occasional token Bible study to feel good or justify their inability to go along and get along. They take sniper shots at the church. Yet, God has gifted the church to get out together and spread the Gospel.
Why go to church?
Christ is the head of the church. To be separated from the body of Christ, the church, then one is separated from the head, Christ. If Christ is no longer the head of the church one is serving in, then that is an issue. Leaving church all together is not the answer. People make up the body of Christ, therefore there is as much potential for evil as good. Jesus himself said that the gates of hell will not prevail against the church. A well-oiled (in the Holy Spirit), unified (in Christ) church has access to all the power that God offers. Christians should want to be on part of that team.
Yeah, I might not "do it" the way some churches "do it", but I will answer to God (as pastor)for how I lead and they will answer to God for how they lead. Quit looking for excuses to not be a part of the church. Christ is the head, and as a follower of Jesus, every believer should be partnering with the church.
Pray for the church. Ask God for a place to serve. Fight the temptation to cause schisms. Satan does enough to cause division, we don't need fellow Christians ripping up the big, fat, easy target known as the church. Church work can get messy as we cross into the world. It's a challenge. But next time, you think about saying something bad about the church; remember, the church is the bride of Christ. Pray. Repent of your evil thoughts and get back in church.
Let me pull a Columbo here (for those old enough to know him), one more thing. Be fair. Treat the church the way you treat Walmart or a restaurant after some bad service...you know you end up going back Because they've got what you need. Hello, the church has what you need! Find the one you can serve in and with. God bless.

Wednesday, September 21, 2011

The Problem With the Mythical Jesus

The Problem With the Mythical Jesus

Wow! Just read the banter back and forth between religious people (some said they were Christians) and non-religious people (some admitted to be atheists) on a blog about the decline of church attendance.
Unsurprisingly, there was a little bit of love in there and a lot of hate. It just goes to prove that religion itself is a divide in the world.
Before I get to the main subject of this blog, I must say that I do not defend religion. Religions are made up. I am a follower of the one they call Jesus. If the world wants to classify the following of Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior as a religion, then by the world definition I do try to be dedicated and religious to that following. I say that just to separate from the word religion. Jesus was not fond of religion. Three of the four times Jesus mentioned religion, it was not commending.
As concerning the church, it has not always been reflective of Jesus who is the head of the church. Unfortunately, men who did not listen to the Holy Spirit of God have led individual churches to do very bad things. There is plenty of reason for the haters to hate on the church, because of such history. However, that should not discount who Jesus is, nor should it discount the great work that many churches have done throughout history as they were following the leadership of Christ. Many of the hospitals and educational institutions were started by churches. Taking care of the sick and educating people are important to the church. Feeding the hungry and clothing the poor are also great attributes of the church most often left out in such blogs.
Oh, there is so much to say here, but I did want to address the problem with the mythical Jesus. You see, one can hate on God...hate on the church. A person can say people are morons to believe about Jesus and whatever.
However, to claim that Jesus is mythical then one has to claim that Abraham Lincoln or George Washington is mythical. There is more documentation to substantiate the existence of Jesus than these two men.
To say that Jesus was mythical, one has to say that David, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and many others were mythical. Personally, that doesn’t sound very intelligent to me. I know it may be tough to stomach the miracles that Jesus performed, but the people back in his day(who actually saw them) believed them. He did so many, it was undeniable. So, why won’t he do one more for you, right? Well, God wants those to come to Him to come by faith. The miracles back then were for those that needed to know, to pass the Good News along. Miracles do still happen today, but just as then, as God deems necessary.
If you want to argue, just don’t call Jesus mythical. He was here. He walked the earth. (That’s why every religion in the world has to do something with Jesus. Right or wrong, they acknowledge Jesus because his existence is undeniable.) He confessed that he was the son of God, that is exactly why he was crucified(in public by the way). On the other side of that, he told his followers several times (before it happened) that he would be crucified and raised again on the third day. You can hate. But he said it, and he did it. Over 500 witnesses saw and talked to the resurrected Jesus over a forty day period before he ascended to heaven. You don’t have to believe. However, people believe plenty of things without that many witnesses. You then have to believe that his followers were complete morons, because many died for this belief. Oh, unless you believe that is mythical as well.
Why don’t you just tell the truth? You don’t want to believe in Jesus, because somewhere down deep in your own heart (even without knowing Scripture), you know that Jesus calls you to die to self and to live for Him.
You don’t want to love God with all your heart and with everything you’ve got, because that would make you second place. Hey, that is human nature. That is what we all fight. But that was Jesus’ number one command. The second was to love your neighbor as yourself. We’ve all been helped by someone at sometime or another. That is pretty cool. This is exactly what Jesus told us to do. Jesus=Cool
If what you believed were not true, would you want to know the truth? I hope so.

Thursday, September 15, 2011

Still Bugging Me

(see previous blog on Richard Branson)
Richard kept saying "if someone could convince me to believe in God, then I would."
As much as I want to believe that I can't.
From Norm to Richard:
Of all the near death experiences you've had, you of all people have come close to meeting your Maker. I know, I know you believe in Evolution. You think it is bizarre that anyone does not believe in Evolution. Richard, the biggest reason to believe in Evolution is to not believe in Creation. And the biggest reason to deny a Creator is so one does not have to submit to this Creator and can live this life doing whatever they want with no consideration of God and men. The First Cause and First Stuff arguments pretty much ruin Evolution for me. ---Enough on Evolution for now.
Again, you said that if someone could convince you then you would believe. You did make a statement about different religions in the world being an issue for you, and also religious people not being very kind and giving was an issue. ---Richard you can find a bunch of loonies any place in the world and mixed up with any religion. Please don't group everyone together. Any religion, including Christians have and can do things to turn people off. I hate this. I'm sorry for this. But you are dealing with imperfect people. Hey, I'm sure you are a good person and have probably made a few mistakes.
Let me cut to the chase, "Richard, to you who is Jesus?"
You might say a good person...some religions recognize him as a prophet or great teacher. Here are some things we know about Jesus, he walked the earth. He had a great reputation. He was known for helping the needy, and doing the things that I think you would agree were right. He would definitely be someone others could follow by example and the world would be a better place. Right? Yeah, I think you would agree with that. ---Did you know that Jesus claimed to be the Son of God and claimed to be the only way to get right with God? Here's the line in the sand. Jesus was either who he said he was...God...or he was a big, fat liar. Thus, a decision has to be made by us. Will I accept Jesus for who he said he was or not? We need to get right with God, because we've all sinned...nobody's perfect. And Jesus offers that opportunity. He was crucified naked in public. Read about it. He was resurrected three days later, and hung around for forty days and over 500 people at various times and places witnessed this.
Hey, I'm not looking to convince you or anyone in one sitting. Read about Jesus. Find a quiet place and ask the God of heaven to reveal Himself to you. Listen.
God will reveal himself to those who sincerely seek Him. Now, if you're just messing around then forget about it.
Last thing, Richard, you've been on some amazing adventures. Right now, you are looking to go into outer space. That's pretty awesome. How cool would it be to have a real relationship with the God who made all the stuff you have experienced more than most men. Be honest, how many times have you been up in the air or on the water and said "Wow, or Oh God!"? That kind of creation doesn't just happen. You see the design. It's not a series of luck. And I think it no mistake that you are still alive. God has given you many second chances. You have a voice. Come to Christ. Forget about those people with purple hair and a ton of make up and that hold up signs of hate...that is not what being a Christian is all about. It is about a personal relationship with Jesus Christ who will then show you what to do next. You are God's masterpiece, Richard. Read Ephesians 2:8-10 Peace and love to you.

Wednesday, September 14, 2011

Culture News

Richard Branson----Entrepreneur
Believer in evolution.
Had more near-death experiences than most people.
He said he's not sure if he believes in God.
If someone could convince him then he might.
Religious people seem to be the turn off. They aren't always nice and don't (in his opinion) seem to care for the poor.
This leads to the old "why would I want to be like that?"-attitude. I can understand that partly.
Yet, we're always going to be around stupid people that do stupid things. I hate it when Christians do stupid things. Yet, that doesn't eradicate the absolute truth of the Scriptures. It doesn't erase that Jesus is God, and that He came and died in public on a cross for the sins of man. It does not eliminate the resurrection.
If what you believe is not true would you want to know the truth?
My advice: sincerely seek the God of the Bible, because He says that if you will sincerely seek Him, then you will find Him. Jer.29:13
I will pray for Sir Richard to come to know this Christ the way that I know Him.
*watched him interviewed on Piers Morgan

Tuesday, September 13, 2011

The Way to Peace

2 Cor. 13:11 Paul closes his letter with this:
Be joyful. Grow to maturity. Encourage each others. Live in harmony and peace.
Joyful is something you are (be) knowing who you are in Christ.
Growing in maturity is something you do by abiding in Christ.
Encouraging others is what we do to edify the whole body of Christ so that we collectively grow.
Live in harmony and peace for this keeps us together.
THEN the God of love and peace will BE with you (as a church).
I am most joyful when I am living in obedience to Christ.
I grow in maturity by walking in Christ daily: prayer, obedience, in His Word, witnessing, etc.
Others are encouraged by a simple word from you and me. (call, text,email, meet with)
Harmony and peace are most readily available when I die to self.
<> So as I daily do these things and others daily do these things, collectively as a church we will experience the God of love and peace!
The way to peace travels through love.

Thursday, September 8, 2011

Aging Gracefully

Ugh! I just realized it's my last day in my forties.(and I'm not talking about the temperature) Such times (half a century) cause those of us with reflective tendencies to do just that...reflect. Today, polishing off Sunday's sermon and sending stuff out to the small group leaders for next week. Checking the calendar and making sure we're on target with the things the church is up to. Making final preparations for a wedding this weekend. Getting ready for my youngest daughter's wedding in a couple of weeks. Talking with a fellow pastor about a joint project next Easter. Pondering what God has in store for the next few years. Hmmm. Deep stuff. I still feel 35ish, but my body reminds me that this is not true. I have a new respect for those that have gone on ahead of me gracefully. I'm not sure I can do this gracefully. Yuck.Tomorrow is coming. I'll accept it. I'll assume my position as gray-haired counselor and advisor to those that will listen. I still might try to get in a pick-up basketball game, but won't try to dunk any more. Dang. Hey, I'm satisfied with the opportunities God has given me to this point. From here on out it will be different types of opportunities, and what lies ahead is promising. I'm reminded of what the Preacher in Ecclesiastes said "this is what matters, fear the Lord and obey God." There is nothing new under the sun. I just want to finish strong.
Well, guess I'll go change the spark plugs in the Sub.
Oh, in this just in after I had written this somewhat depressing blog: God reminds me that I'm not from around here. I am buried with Christ in his death, I am resurrected with Christ in his resurrection, and I am seated with him in the heavenlies. Bam! I'm not from around here. Just passin' through!