Chill Night, Apple TV and the Movies

Since I'd been going hard all week, I knew it was time to chill with my wife. Teresa had taken a back-seat to most of my endeavors all week. It was a rainy night, so we thought it would be great to stay home and watch one of those award-winning moves. The top movie (with a 91% rotten tomato rating) was rated R. I had heard so many things good about the movie that I was tempted just say, "hey, we're adults let's just enjoy the movie." However, I didn't want to accidentally see some naked-ness. Language doesn't hardly faze me, but naked-ness is an issue. So, I decided I better look the movie up on IMDb to review first. I looked under "parental guidance" which was quite helpful. Evidently, nudity was not going to be an issue. But then I decided I would check out the language: 75-F words, are you kidding me? I mean that sounded excessive, so I went to review a violent movie that I had seen that had some language that was pretty close to my limit. Much to my dismay, 75 times was way over any movie I had watched. ---I decided that even though language doesn't really bug me out, because I live in the world but not of it; that was too excessive. Instead, we watched a movie that was also critically-acclaimed with no real language that I can remember.---The real story happened the next morning; I couldn't wait for my time of meeting with God. As I began to read the Bible, I was so happy that I had not let those words pound into my head for a couple hours of entertainment, even if everyone else had watched it. Romans 14:2-3---One person’s faith allows them to eat anything, but another, whose faith is weak, eats only vegetables. 3 The one who eats everything must not treat with contempt the one who does not, and the one who does not eat everything must not judge the one who does, for God has accepted them. ---

No Time for Hiding

There is no time for hiding. We need to be in the middle of things if we are to be part of God's kingdom work. In 1Samuel 22:3-5, David is repositioning himself as he is on the run from Saul. King Saul wants to kill David. Saul already knows that God is going to take the kingdom from Saul, but he doesn't officially know who that will be. It is obvious to King Saul that David is the prime candidate, so he seeks to kill David. With this knowledge, David begins his run. Now David already knows that he will eventually be king, but David will not be part of attacking Saul, because he sees King Saul as God's anointed king. Thus David is in a very awkward position. David sees that his choice is to run and avoid this conflict. Along the way, he picks up a band (400 men) of distressed and discontent men to join him in whatever he does. David delivers his parents to a place far away(Moab) for their safety (prevent a hostage crisis). David was offered asylum here as well, but the prophet Gad told him that God wanted him to return to Judah (right back in the middle of things). Common sense could have led David to just stay away and let Saul die, and then he would become king in due time. One big difference here between Saul and David; David listened to the prophet and obeyed the word of God to go back to Judah. It wasn't the easy choice. It wasn't the comfort zone; it was the war zone. You see, away from all the fray David would be safe, but he couldn't be used by God to help God's people. David and his family would be safe, but he wouldn't be living out God's purpose for himself. So, David travels to the Forest of Hereth which was just a few miles South of Bethlehem to wait and be used of God. Like David of old, there is no time for hiding for the follower of Jesus. We need to be in the middle of things if we are to be part of what God has got going on. ---Are you hiding in a safe-place on the sidelines right now?

Just Do Something

It takes all kinds of people to get the job done. It takes people that have an idea and sometimes even sit on it. Sometimes they say their idea in front of someone who had a similar idea and a great idea goes from idle to action. It takes people that don't care if they crash and burn with an idea sometimes just to get things going. They may not do it perfectly, but they try. After enough tries an idea moves from potential to real possibilities. Next thing, some people are brought in that can coordinate this thing into a better thing. Then someone comes along that realizes that with some real coordination this thing can multiply beyond its current state; and reach the original dreamer's dream. Thank God for those who moved beyond the nay-sayers, gripers and complainers; and just did something! Don't stop believing.

Walking Dead

1 Samuel 2:22-26 seems like an innocent enough passage, but a stern warning can be found. Eli the priest has heard that his priestly sons have been up to no good. While serving as priests of the LORD, they had used their positions to not only rob from people, but they were committing sexual sins with women that were serving at the Tent of Meeting (the very place where God would meet the people). A contingency of people came and told Eli about his sons. Dad went to his boys to confront them, and they didn't even listen to him. Here's where it gets troubling. It says that they didn't listen to Eli, because God had already willed that they not straighten up because He was going to put them to death for this. Eli's words had no chance. They could not prevail against God's will. You see, it was too little too late. It is a reminder that even though God is very patient, and He wants people to repent of their sins and get back on the straight and narrow; His patience can wear thin. There is a tipping-point for God. ---There are people walking the streets right now that God is done with. The problem is that you and I don't know who they are; so we are supposed to keep praying for them and sharing Jesus. ---Meanwhile, the same Scripture shares that the boy Samuel was growing in favor with God and man. Every passage of hopelessness in the Bible seems like it has some hint of hope attached. * Perhaps a person is reading this that has rebelled against God. Please turn back. While God's grace is amazing, it is not without limits. Repent and turn back to God while He still may be found. If not, you may be among the walking-dead.

The Gotta Do's

As Paul says in Philemon we are to be "active in sharing our faith", but there are some other things christian/church members can do to advance the Good News about Jesus. This is not an exhaustive list, not is it in a particular order: 1.) Live a Christ-like life so that others want what you have, and maybe they will listen or want to hear your testimony about Jesus. 2.) Invite people to church. Most people just want an invite. 80% of people try out church because someone invited them. 3.) Welcome people the first five minutes they arrive on your church campus (no matter how big or small that might be). People decide in the first five minutes if they are even coming back. Folks need to be cultivated in the Word before they believe, so you're going to want them to come back and hear more. So, what does the first five minutes look like at your church? 4.)Be regular in your attending, giving and supporting of your church. Your church needs your faithfulness. Carry on. For the church to move on with the Gospel these are simple "gotta do's."

The New Normal

The "New Normal", what a cute little name for "we've rejected God." By the way, it is not that new. Right out of the gate in Genesis 3:1, the serpent compelled the woman to question God: "God didn't really say...?" It was this questioning of God that led to the Fall of Man which hasn't worked out so well if you follow the pages of history. It is not really a new normal, rather it is a "new morality." It is the glossing over of evil. It is painting a pretty picture of evil. Isaiah the prophet writes: "Woe to them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!"-Isa.5:20. Replacing God's way and design is the sign that man has fallen off the deep end morally into corruption. He has replaced good with evil and vice-versa. Satan's words in the Garden to Eve could have easily been translated, "Eve, you and Adam aren't very progressive. God didn't really say you couldn't do this or that. Did He? That would be silly of God. Times are changing Eve, you're evolving." The "new normal" or "new morality" is based on what feels good or seems right in one's own eyes. "Woe to them that are wise in their own eyes, and prudent in their own sight!" We live in a time when it is unpopular to heed God's Word, but frankly it has been that way since the Fall. Eve became intolerant of God's Word about eating of the one tree. She soon became aware of her sin, and the damage was done. Fortunately, God has a plan for those that want to come back. Suggestion: seek the LORD while He may be found. Seek Him in His Word. Turn from darkness back to the light. By the way, this new normal is causing erosion and tragic moral decay, not evolution.

Two Kinds of Men and Bikinis

Ladies, there are two kinds of men. There is the one that is the one that wants to "do right, walk justly and all that." And there is the one that is "all about me"---the self-gratificating type. I want you to think about that as you get ready to purchase your swimwear this year. Would you walk out of the house in your bra and panties? If you saw your "hot" looking neighbor walk outside in just her bra and panties the first day of spring, and your husband was out cutting the lawn; how would you expect him to react? How would you react to her? How is he supposed to act? Let's say that he is hopelessly-devoted to you but young Ms. Upton walks out like that, is it fair? He's trying. But he has been put at a major disadvantage. Men have eyes that are trained for the hunt. Thankfully, your guy spots this a mile away, (Oh! and he can.) and he walks away. But it is troubling him. If this happens repetitively, the best of men grow weak in the knees. ---Now, the guy across the street spots the attractive young woman in the front yard in her bra and panties, but he's just a regular guy (one that could care less about righteousness and what-not); he is not going to turn away. Does a young woman really wanted Mr. X checking her out like this? You know it's a creepy thought. His eyes are burning a hole in the apparel. ---I say all this uncomfortable talk to plead with you ladies while there is still a chance (it is February). The beach is a wonderful place. But please, for the love of God and the integrity of the men that are trying to keep their thought life pure---put some stinkin' clothes on! [Satan wants you uncovered, and God wants you covered.Gen.3:21] Don't where colored panties and bras to the beach. You are making it tough on the men that are trying to behave. On the other hand, you are making the day of some men that are having thoughts about you. (We'll leave it at that.)---And men, do not get the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit edition! Protect yourself. Do not click on that photo, because it will lead to the wrong path.