The other day I received an e-mail from a Christian friend of mine. It was a call to arms. Apparently President Obama had strong-armed the USPS and forced them to create, of all things, a Muslim stamp for the Christmas season. How dare he force us, a good Christian nation, to use a Muslim stamp during the time which we celebrate the birth of Jesus. Of course after a little research (see attached Snopes report) I quickly realized that this was nothing more than another anti-Obama, anti-Muslim, supposedly pro-Christian, e-mail.
I started thinking back about all of the e-mails that I have received over the past year or so from Christian friends and co-workers that tell me that it is my obligation as a Christian to denounce Obama and all of his schemes as well as all Muslims and any and all actions that "they" take. I have been called to battle against all of the people who would do me, or my fellow Christians, wrong.
But yesterday I started thinking about these e-mails in a different way. I've looked beyond the superficial message that they try to deliver and really concentrated on the underlying message that they are really sending. That message: there are many "Christians" who are not tolerant of others, particularly those who they consider to be "the enemy". This thought process really created some deep concern for me so I thought I'd better seek some Higher Guidance on this matter.
In Matthew Chapter 5, beginning in verse 43, Jesus said:
You have heard that it was said 'Love your neighbor, and hate your enemy'. But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even the pagans do that? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.
I have decided that I am not going to heed the advice of these e-mails and write and call and march and protest and all of the other actions that they call me to undertake. Rather, I think that those who I may consider to be my enemy are deserving of my prayers, not my anger and hatred. I really think that as a Christian that is what Christ would have me do.
Funny, but I also think that all of my Christian friends who send me these e-mails may also need some prayer as well.
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
The Silversmith
I copied this from another Blog, but I think it is an excellent story.
Malachi 3:3 says "He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver." This verse puzzled some women in a Bible study and they wondered what this statement meant about the character and nature of God. One of the women offered to find out the process of refining silver and get back to the group at their next Bible study.That week, the woman called a silversmith and made an appointment to watch him at work. She didn't mention anything about the reason for her interest beyond her curiosity about the process of refining silver. As she watched the silversmith, he held a piece of silver over the fire and let it heat up. He explained that in refining silver, one needed to hold the silver in the middle of the fire where the flames were hottest as to burn away all the impurities. The woman thought about God holding us in such a hot spot then she thought again about the verse that says: "He sits as a refiner and purifier of silver."She asked the silversmith if it was true that he had to sit there in front of the fire the whole time the silver was being refined. The man answered that yes, he not only had to sit there holding the silver, but he had to keep his eyes on the silver the entire time it was in the fire. If the silver was left a moment too long in the flames, it would be destroyed.The woman was silent for a moment. Then she asked the silversmith, "How do you know when the silver is fully refined?" He smiled at her and answered, "Oh, that's easy-- when I see my image in it."
I really like this story and I've heard it a million times but for some reason it just seemed relevant to me today so I wanted to share it. So if you find yourself in a spiritual desert just remember that there is a purpose and a plan for everything. God refines us until He can see His image in us. It can be a difficult process and sometimes the fire seems unbearable, but the end result will always be for His glory.
Malachi 3:3 says "He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver." This verse puzzled some women in a Bible study and they wondered what this statement meant about the character and nature of God. One of the women offered to find out the process of refining silver and get back to the group at their next Bible study.That week, the woman called a silversmith and made an appointment to watch him at work. She didn't mention anything about the reason for her interest beyond her curiosity about the process of refining silver. As she watched the silversmith, he held a piece of silver over the fire and let it heat up. He explained that in refining silver, one needed to hold the silver in the middle of the fire where the flames were hottest as to burn away all the impurities. The woman thought about God holding us in such a hot spot then she thought again about the verse that says: "He sits as a refiner and purifier of silver."She asked the silversmith if it was true that he had to sit there in front of the fire the whole time the silver was being refined. The man answered that yes, he not only had to sit there holding the silver, but he had to keep his eyes on the silver the entire time it was in the fire. If the silver was left a moment too long in the flames, it would be destroyed.The woman was silent for a moment. Then she asked the silversmith, "How do you know when the silver is fully refined?" He smiled at her and answered, "Oh, that's easy-- when I see my image in it."
I really like this story and I've heard it a million times but for some reason it just seemed relevant to me today so I wanted to share it. So if you find yourself in a spiritual desert just remember that there is a purpose and a plan for everything. God refines us until He can see His image in us. It can be a difficult process and sometimes the fire seems unbearable, but the end result will always be for His glory.
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
Back in the Saddle Again
So it's been quite a while since my last blog. I don't really have a good excuse. Yesterday a co-worker asked me when I was going to get back to it. I hadn't really thought much about it, but last nite I started to wonder what had happened to make me stop blogging.
As I thought, it occurred to me what had been going on. Early last year I starting doing the "90 Day Through the Bible" reading program. I had successfully done it in 2006 and 2007, but for some reason last year I couldn't stay committed. I then started reading the 4 Gospels and really trying to focus on the teachings of Jesus. That lasted about 3 months until I grew weary of trying to understand John Calvin's commentary to the Gospel of John.
So since last May I have really not been committed to reading the Bible. I know that sounds terrible to say but it is true. It seems that over the past 7 months I have been in somewhat of a "spiritual desert". I have been adjusting to life in a new place without my friends and family. My wife and I have struggled to find a church home as well so the transition has been very difficult. I have felt very distant from God over these months and because of that I have not really had much to write about.
It seems to me that at times we all go through these "spiritual deserts". I pray about it but nothing really seems to change. So last week I decided to do the one thing that I know always brings me back closer to God-Read my Bible. So yesterday I embarked on the "90 Day" program my fourth time and lo and behold here I am blogging about it today.
It's good to be back in the saddle again.
As I thought, it occurred to me what had been going on. Early last year I starting doing the "90 Day Through the Bible" reading program. I had successfully done it in 2006 and 2007, but for some reason last year I couldn't stay committed. I then started reading the 4 Gospels and really trying to focus on the teachings of Jesus. That lasted about 3 months until I grew weary of trying to understand John Calvin's commentary to the Gospel of John.
So since last May I have really not been committed to reading the Bible. I know that sounds terrible to say but it is true. It seems that over the past 7 months I have been in somewhat of a "spiritual desert". I have been adjusting to life in a new place without my friends and family. My wife and I have struggled to find a church home as well so the transition has been very difficult. I have felt very distant from God over these months and because of that I have not really had much to write about.
It seems to me that at times we all go through these "spiritual deserts". I pray about it but nothing really seems to change. So last week I decided to do the one thing that I know always brings me back closer to God-Read my Bible. So yesterday I embarked on the "90 Day" program my fourth time and lo and behold here I am blogging about it today.
It's good to be back in the saddle again.
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
15 Minutes of Shame
Andy Warhol stated that at some point in our lives we are all famous for 15 minutes. Hence, our 15 minutes of fame. Today, I experienced quite the opposite. It was my 15 minutes of shame.
As part of healthy work environment challenge I agreed to spend at least 15 minutes walking today. Now that is not a lot of time to spend on exercise, but for someone who has not been the most diligent in his exercise routine, it was at least something. I decided to walk around close to the office to put in my 15 minutes.
For those of you who are not familiar with Springfield, our office is close to Commercial Street which is home to a lot of outreach programs for the needy. When I was looking at moving to Springfield I was told by a Realtor to avoid moving to a loft on Commercial because "it's where all the homeless people are."
So today I set out on my 15 minute adventure and as I walked I started to pay particular attention to those I saw. The homeless, the poor, the hungry, the desperate. I suddently became very aware of my selfishness as I walked along in my Prada sunglasses. I felt literally ashamed.
Jesus spent only 33 years on this Earth. He spent most of His three years in ministry surrounded by the broken, the poor, the needy, the desperate. They were the people that He came here for and those are the people that He reached out to. How in the past 2000 years that we have lost that direction I am not sure.
As I walked along, I smiled at people, I said "hello", and then I returned to the comfort of my office, knowing that I would soon be at home and able to have a nice dinner and sleep in my own bed. I can't stop thinking about those 15 minutes. Perhaps God chose those 15 minutes to remind me of who I am supposed to be and what I am supposed to be doing here on this Earth. All I know is that I learned quite a bit from my 15 minutes of shame.
As part of healthy work environment challenge I agreed to spend at least 15 minutes walking today. Now that is not a lot of time to spend on exercise, but for someone who has not been the most diligent in his exercise routine, it was at least something. I decided to walk around close to the office to put in my 15 minutes.
For those of you who are not familiar with Springfield, our office is close to Commercial Street which is home to a lot of outreach programs for the needy. When I was looking at moving to Springfield I was told by a Realtor to avoid moving to a loft on Commercial because "it's where all the homeless people are."
So today I set out on my 15 minute adventure and as I walked I started to pay particular attention to those I saw. The homeless, the poor, the hungry, the desperate. I suddently became very aware of my selfishness as I walked along in my Prada sunglasses. I felt literally ashamed.
Jesus spent only 33 years on this Earth. He spent most of His three years in ministry surrounded by the broken, the poor, the needy, the desperate. They were the people that He came here for and those are the people that He reached out to. How in the past 2000 years that we have lost that direction I am not sure.
As I walked along, I smiled at people, I said "hello", and then I returned to the comfort of my office, knowing that I would soon be at home and able to have a nice dinner and sleep in my own bed. I can't stop thinking about those 15 minutes. Perhaps God chose those 15 minutes to remind me of who I am supposed to be and what I am supposed to be doing here on this Earth. All I know is that I learned quite a bit from my 15 minutes of shame.
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
Excuse Me, Do You See Anything In My Eye?
Over the past couple of weeks some very good friends and I have been having an ongoing discussion about televangelists and whether they are helpful or hurtful for the lost. It all started Easter weekend when I was flipping through the channels after Sunrise Service (yes I got up before the sun came up for once) and I happened upon Joel Olsteen. Over the past few months I have truly enjoyed downloading podcasts from various pastors throughout the US and across the world and listening to them when I drive, or walk, or just whenever I feel like it. So I decided to listen to Joel's message to see if I could harvest a nugget or two of solid wsdom.
During his message Joel told a story about a young couple who came to him and asked him to pray with them. They wanted him to pray that the furniture they wanted for their home would go on sale so they would be able to afford it. Now I thought that I was being set up for a great punchline with this story, but to my surprise, Joel said that he told the young couple that instead of praying for the furniture to go on sale that he would pray that God would increase their income so that they could purchase the furniture at regular price. Joel referred to this as being in "God's Overflow". I was speechless.
A few days after seeing this a friend of mine from Lexington and I were talking and he mentioned that he just happened to be flipping through the channels on Easter Sunday and caught part of Joel Olsteen's message. He started to tell me the story about the young couple. He too was amazed that this was the message that Joel was delvering. We discussed how wrong we both thought Joel was in his method and message.
We then included another friend of our's who lives in Augusta, Georgia. This friend had a completely different perspective on the situation. He said that he views Joel like a kindgarten teacher for Christians. He lays a basic foundation and makes the people feel comfortable with the idea of religion and Christianity. I then began to wonder what position was correct.
As I was debating this issue a very important point was brought up to me by my friend in Lexington. We may not agree with what Joel teaches and how he teaches, but he is bringing people to know the Lord, which is more than what I have done for the Kingdom. I felt very ashamed of myself for even engaging in such a discussion about a Christian brother and I think the following verses from Matthew Chapter 7:3-5 sum up what I have learned from all of this:
Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, 'Let me take the speck out of your eye,' when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye.
So instead of criticizing the ministry of someone whose heart I don't know, I have decided that my time will be better spent praying for those who come to Christ through Joel's ministry. I pray that they don't stop in Kindergarten, but rather that they continue learning and earn their M. Div. I also think that it is important for me to continue to ask God for wisdom and more importantly, humility.
So f you happen to see me walking around with my hands cupped over my eyes, just know that I am doing fine, but that I am working on dislodging the plank that has been there for a while.
During his message Joel told a story about a young couple who came to him and asked him to pray with them. They wanted him to pray that the furniture they wanted for their home would go on sale so they would be able to afford it. Now I thought that I was being set up for a great punchline with this story, but to my surprise, Joel said that he told the young couple that instead of praying for the furniture to go on sale that he would pray that God would increase their income so that they could purchase the furniture at regular price. Joel referred to this as being in "God's Overflow". I was speechless.
A few days after seeing this a friend of mine from Lexington and I were talking and he mentioned that he just happened to be flipping through the channels on Easter Sunday and caught part of Joel Olsteen's message. He started to tell me the story about the young couple. He too was amazed that this was the message that Joel was delvering. We discussed how wrong we both thought Joel was in his method and message.
We then included another friend of our's who lives in Augusta, Georgia. This friend had a completely different perspective on the situation. He said that he views Joel like a kindgarten teacher for Christians. He lays a basic foundation and makes the people feel comfortable with the idea of religion and Christianity. I then began to wonder what position was correct.
As I was debating this issue a very important point was brought up to me by my friend in Lexington. We may not agree with what Joel teaches and how he teaches, but he is bringing people to know the Lord, which is more than what I have done for the Kingdom. I felt very ashamed of myself for even engaging in such a discussion about a Christian brother and I think the following verses from Matthew Chapter 7:3-5 sum up what I have learned from all of this:
Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, 'Let me take the speck out of your eye,' when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye.
So instead of criticizing the ministry of someone whose heart I don't know, I have decided that my time will be better spent praying for those who come to Christ through Joel's ministry. I pray that they don't stop in Kindergarten, but rather that they continue learning and earn their M. Div. I also think that it is important for me to continue to ask God for wisdom and more importantly, humility.
So f you happen to see me walking around with my hands cupped over my eyes, just know that I am doing fine, but that I am working on dislodging the plank that has been there for a while.
Monday, March 31, 2008
GIGO: The New System for Life
So some of you may know that in addition to getting my law degree from the University of Kentucky, I also obtained my MBA. Now I loved taking business classes in general, but I hated the accounting classes. Those were my worst. About the only thing that I remember from them is the LIFO and FIFO accounting methods. Also known as the Last-In, First-Out and First-In, First-Out. I can't tell you what that means anymore but recently I have discovered a new system for the way I live my life.
I have a friend who has told me during several conversations over the past few months that he does not listen to secular music. He also chooses not to watch movies that are rated R. I could never understand why he thought that was such a problem. I have always watched rated R movies and listened to secular music and I never thought that it was a problem for me. That is until recently.
Over the past few months I have noticed that what I call my "thought life" has not been the greatest. I was quick to anger at times and had I been in a different work environment, probably would have said a few choice words at times. I have also noticed that my thoughts have not been exactly of the purest caliber lately as well. I was really struggling with this over the past month and I spent quite a bit of time praying and talking to God about it.
I decided that I needed to change my thought process. I needed a better "filter". I decided to start listening to Christian rock as opposed to secular rock and to stop watching the rated R movies. I also started reading my Bible more and listening to podcasts from people like Andy Stanley at North Point in Atlanta, Erwin McManus at Mosaic in LA, Craig Droeschel at LifeChurch.tv in Oklahoma City and even John McArthur with Grace to You.
I thought that this was going pretty well for me until I listened to a podcast from Andy Stanley. He was talking about how people get so caught up in their "filters". When they accidentally say a bad word, or think an impure thought, they say that they had a breakdown in their "filter". I know I felt that way. The problem he said was not with the filter, but with the heart. I thought he was crazy. I didn't have a heart problem, I just had a problem with my "thought life." He referred to Matthew 15:18 where Jesus tells the disciples that "the things that come out of the mouth come from the heart, and these make a man 'unclean". I was floored when I went back to read that myself. But I was thrilled that God had revealed that to me.
So now I know that I have a heart problem. I realized that my "filter" was my own effort to change myself. I know that I cannot change myself without His help. So I have decided to continue to listen to Christian music and Christian podcasts. I continue to read the Bible and pray for God's help with this issue. I have decided to avoid the music that I once listened to on a regular basis that was full of bad language and the movies that I once watched that also contained bad language or images of sexually explicit conduct. This weekend it occurred to me. God is helping me to develop a new heart through His new plan for my life. I have dubbed it GIGO: God-In, God-Out.
I have a friend who has told me during several conversations over the past few months that he does not listen to secular music. He also chooses not to watch movies that are rated R. I could never understand why he thought that was such a problem. I have always watched rated R movies and listened to secular music and I never thought that it was a problem for me. That is until recently.
Over the past few months I have noticed that what I call my "thought life" has not been the greatest. I was quick to anger at times and had I been in a different work environment, probably would have said a few choice words at times. I have also noticed that my thoughts have not been exactly of the purest caliber lately as well. I was really struggling with this over the past month and I spent quite a bit of time praying and talking to God about it.
I decided that I needed to change my thought process. I needed a better "filter". I decided to start listening to Christian rock as opposed to secular rock and to stop watching the rated R movies. I also started reading my Bible more and listening to podcasts from people like Andy Stanley at North Point in Atlanta, Erwin McManus at Mosaic in LA, Craig Droeschel at LifeChurch.tv in Oklahoma City and even John McArthur with Grace to You.
I thought that this was going pretty well for me until I listened to a podcast from Andy Stanley. He was talking about how people get so caught up in their "filters". When they accidentally say a bad word, or think an impure thought, they say that they had a breakdown in their "filter". I know I felt that way. The problem he said was not with the filter, but with the heart. I thought he was crazy. I didn't have a heart problem, I just had a problem with my "thought life." He referred to Matthew 15:18 where Jesus tells the disciples that "the things that come out of the mouth come from the heart, and these make a man 'unclean". I was floored when I went back to read that myself. But I was thrilled that God had revealed that to me.
So now I know that I have a heart problem. I realized that my "filter" was my own effort to change myself. I know that I cannot change myself without His help. So I have decided to continue to listen to Christian music and Christian podcasts. I continue to read the Bible and pray for God's help with this issue. I have decided to avoid the music that I once listened to on a regular basis that was full of bad language and the movies that I once watched that also contained bad language or images of sexually explicit conduct. This weekend it occurred to me. God is helping me to develop a new heart through His new plan for my life. I have dubbed it GIGO: God-In, God-Out.
Monday, March 24, 2008
What's in a Name?
So after much debate and thought, I have decided to post a blog. For some time now I have felt the desire to journal my walk in my faith, but unfortunately, I am not so good at that. I decided that the best way for me to journal my thoughts would be to share those thoughts with others: both believers and non-believers alike. My goal is to encourage open and healthy discussion of issues and to share my thoughts, beliefs and doubts with others in the hope that it may help to lead someone to a relationship with Christ. I am not a minister. I have no formal Christian education. But I do have a sincere love of God and I feel that I am called to share that love with others. My life motto is Love, Live and Lead. More on that some other day.
So what is in a name? For this blog, there is quite a bit. The first part "Souled Out" is, of course, a play on the phrase "Sold Out". Over the past few months I have been struggling with letting go of certain things that are "of this world" and I have recently decided that in order to truly follow the example of Christ, I must deny myself, as Christ told the disciples in Luke 9:23. In other words, I have decided to sell out my life completely for Christ. I am "souled out".
As for the rest of the name I believe that it is time that the modern day church look at its methodology and teaching and return to the true meaning of the Gospel. We need a modern day church reformation. In reading the Bible, I don't see any guarantees that my life will be happy or that I will be blessed financially with the overflow of God's blessings. The church today has lost sight of what is required of us to follow Christ. In Luke 9:23 Christ further tells his disciples that not only do we have to deny ourselves but we have to "take up (our) cross daily". Think about the true meaning of that. On a daily basis we must be willing and committed to doing anything and everything necessary to follow Christ. In Luke 9:24 Christ goes on to tell the disciples that "whoever loses his life for me will save it." This is completely counter to what most evangelical churches are teaching today. There must be a "death of self" in order to gain life in Christ.
Finally, I am tired of being called a "Christian." I am not ashamed of Christ, but I am ashamed of what the term "Christian" has come to mean to most in the modern world. I look back at the atrocities that have been committed in the name of being a "Christian" and I am saddened and dismayed. I can see today why many of the unchurched equate the word "Christian" with Hypocrite. In Mark 10:45, Jesus tells James and John that "the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve." I have decided that rather than be called a "Christian" and take on all of the negative connotations that come with that label, I prefer to be called a "Servant" so that not only will people know my life's purpose, but also so that I can be reminded daily of Who and what is most important.
So what is in a name? For this blog, there is quite a bit. The first part "Souled Out" is, of course, a play on the phrase "Sold Out". Over the past few months I have been struggling with letting go of certain things that are "of this world" and I have recently decided that in order to truly follow the example of Christ, I must deny myself, as Christ told the disciples in Luke 9:23. In other words, I have decided to sell out my life completely for Christ. I am "souled out".
As for the rest of the name I believe that it is time that the modern day church look at its methodology and teaching and return to the true meaning of the Gospel. We need a modern day church reformation. In reading the Bible, I don't see any guarantees that my life will be happy or that I will be blessed financially with the overflow of God's blessings. The church today has lost sight of what is required of us to follow Christ. In Luke 9:23 Christ further tells his disciples that not only do we have to deny ourselves but we have to "take up (our) cross daily". Think about the true meaning of that. On a daily basis we must be willing and committed to doing anything and everything necessary to follow Christ. In Luke 9:24 Christ goes on to tell the disciples that "whoever loses his life for me will save it." This is completely counter to what most evangelical churches are teaching today. There must be a "death of self" in order to gain life in Christ.
Finally, I am tired of being called a "Christian." I am not ashamed of Christ, but I am ashamed of what the term "Christian" has come to mean to most in the modern world. I look back at the atrocities that have been committed in the name of being a "Christian" and I am saddened and dismayed. I can see today why many of the unchurched equate the word "Christian" with Hypocrite. In Mark 10:45, Jesus tells James and John that "the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve." I have decided that rather than be called a "Christian" and take on all of the negative connotations that come with that label, I prefer to be called a "Servant" so that not only will people know my life's purpose, but also so that I can be reminded daily of Who and what is most important.
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