I Have a Complaint

As I'm continuing to read, pray, meditate and contemplate my way through Paul's letters I continue to find great instructions for living a life that is worthy of the title, "Christian." Some of these instructions (most of these instructions) are challenging, to put it mildly.

Some of the instructions from Paul to the congregations of the churches in Corinth, Galatia, Ephesus and Philippi are simple and may seem obvious:

• "Be humble, and gentle..."(Ephesians 4:2a)
• "Don't use foul or abusive language..." (Ephesians 4:29)
• "...do good to everyone, especially our Christian brothers and sisters." (Galatians 6:10).

Others are more difficult; they require us to put aside our own pride and strength, and to lean on God for the strength to follow through:

• "Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love." (Ephesians 4:2b)
• "So put away all falsehood and “tell your neighbor the truth” because we belong to each other." (Ephesians 4:25)
• "Don’t sin by letting anger gain control over you. Don’t let the sun go down while you are still angry..." (Ephesians 4:26).

And then, last night, I came across an instruction in the book of Philippians that I know will require me to completely give up all sense of self, to completely immerse myself in the love of God, and to trust Him completely to help me live up to the standard:

"In everything you do, stay away from complaining and arguing..." (Philippians 2:14)

Everything? Really? No complaining? I'm fairly humble, but I do know that there are a few things at which I really excel. Complaining is definitely one of them. I am also fairly good at arguing. In the past I have had alot of fun doing both. There must be a really good reason for not doing either of these things...

"...so that no one can speak a word of blame against you. You are to live clean, innocent lives as children of God in a dark world full of crooked and perverse people. Let your lives shine brightly before them." (Philippians 2:15)

Or, in other words:

1. Complaining and arguing open doors that accusations can walk through
2. As Christians our lives cannot shine when we show ourselves to be as dim as those who have never known Christ.

Two very good reasons to give up complaining and arguing. By humbling ourselves (see Philippians 2), and treating others with the love of Christ we can forgo both of these sins. Yet again, love proves to be the trump card.

God give me the strength it requires to live a truly humble life. Your son humbled himself to the point of becoming a slave, and was obedient even to dying on the cross. God, grant me that same strength of character and help me to have that same level of love. God help me to give up complaining and arguing. God grant me the wisdom it takes to control my tongue. Thank you again for the example of Christ.

Stylin' and Profilin'

I looked up the definition for "profiling" online:

profiling

noun

recording a person's behavior and analyzing psychological characteristics in order to predict or assess their ability in a certain sphere or to identify a particular group of people

Source: WordNet (r) 2.0



Today I've been thinking about "profiling" Christians. By profiling, I mean: How do we identify a person that is a Christian, without him/her telling me that he/she is one? What does a Christian look like?

I'm fairly certain that if I asked ten random people off of the street to describe a Muslim, a Hare Krishna or a Buddhist they could come up with a couple physical characteristics to describe what they think a follower of Allah, Krishna or Buddha looks like (I'm sure that some responses would be unfortunate stereotypes derived from the "average Joe's" limited desire to learn more about other cultures and religions). What would the answer be if I asked the same ten people to describe a Christian?

Personally, when I try to describe the physical attributes of a Christian the first thing that comes to mind is glasses. I think of heavy, black rimmed specs on a Christian male, and cats- eye frames on a Christian female. This probably comes from growing up in a Southern Baptist church, and all the corresponding religious art that was found in our weekly Sunday School lessons and bulletins, and that was thumb-tacked to the walls of our classrooms. As a kid, I thought everybody going to heaven looked like a 50's teenager--men had hair parted to the side and wore Buddy Holly specs, and the ladies had a bouffant or a beehive hairdo with glasses like Cat-Woman on the old Batman TV series. As I grew older, I thought that Christians looked more like Jerry Falwell, Jim and Tammy Faye Baker, or even Jan and Paul Crouch. Eventually, I came to realize that most people that call themselves Christians are actually not physically distinguishable from the rest of American society. They fit right in, and don't stand out at all. If asked to pick the average Christian out of a line-up of ten random men or women right off the street, it would be impossible.

As Christians, we are to be identified by our actions, not by our appearance. The question becomes, "Which actions?" What do you think our line-up of ten random people would do if we told them to act like a Christian? How many would start preaching or praying? How many would point their finger like they were disciplining someone, or accusing them of some wrong-doing?

How many would give another person a hug?

Ouch.

In my experience it seems that most people think it's easier to identify Christians by what they don't do: they don't drink, they don't cuss, most of them don't dance, don't socialize with unbelievers and they don't have fun.

I'm fine with someone not being able to identify me as a Christian by my appearance. What I don't like is the idea that they may try to identify me be what I don't do. It can't be a good thing to be identified by a long list of negatives. I'd much rather be identified as a Christian by the positive actions that I do take.

I do believe that there are certain actions that a Christian won't take. I know that in my last post I discussed that Christianity is not defined by the rules we do or don't keep. My circumcision or possible lack thereof does not make me a Christian. But, there is a progression to the Christian walk. Once I have accepted Christ as my savior and have subsequently been filled with the Holy Spirit, that same Spirit will lead me to live a life pleasing to God.


The book of Ephesians, and in particular chapter 5, gives some excellent insight from Paul in regards to living a Godly life. It start off with a little list of do's and dont's:

Do's

1. Do...Live a life filled with love for others. (Ephesians 5:2)
2. Do...Be thankful to God (verse 4)
   
3. Do...Try to find out what is pleasing to the Lord. (verse 10)
4. Do...Be careful to live as those who are wise (verse 15)
   
5. Do...do good every chance you get. (verse 16)
6. Do...Try to understand what the Lord wants you to do. (verse 17)

Don'ts

1. Don't...Live a life filled with sexual immorality, impurity or greed (verse 3)
2. Don't...Participate in obscene stories, foolish talk and coarse jokes (verse 4)
3. Don't...Take part in the worthless deeds of evil and darkness (verse 11)
4. Don't...Live as a fool (verse 15)
   
5. Don't...Act thoughtlessly (verse 17)
6. Don't...Be drunk with wine (verse 18)
   

Then, the ultimate do...

Do...Let the Holy Spirit fill and control you. (verse 18)

Then the rest of the chapter speaks of the things we will do as a result of letting the Holy Spirit lead our lives:

We will:

1. Sing songs, and hymns and spiritual songs (make music to the Lord in our hearts) (verse 19)
   
2. Always give thanks to God for everything in the name of His son, Jesus (verse 20)
   
3. Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ (verse 21)
   
4. Wives will submit to husbands (verse 22)
   
5. Husbands will love their wives (verse 25)

All of the dos, don'ts and wills listed in Ephesians 5 result from our love for God, our love for our neighbors, and our willingness to follow the promptings of the Holy Spirit. Thus, the book of Ephesians perfectly compliments the book of Galatians, instead of contradicting it. These actions are not required in order for us to become Christians. Rather, they are the outward signs of our Christianity. We perfect our walk as we follow the guidance of the Holy Spirit and exhibit Christ's love for the rest of the World to see.

They will know that we are Christians by our love.

God help me to show my love for you to the rest of the World. God give me the strength to love others as you have loved me. Thank you God, for your Spirit and the guidance He gives. Help me listen to His voice. Help me to progress in my Christian walk--to learn to do, don't and will in accordance with your Word. God, I know I am not perfect, but please work your perfect will in me.

L.U.I. -- Living Under the Influence

I was raised in a denominational church that had definite "boundaries" set that defined acceptable behavior for members of the church. I thought God's commandments to His people included:

• Thou shalt not drink alcohol.
• Thou shalt not dance (especially in church).
• Thou shalt dress nice and smell good for church on Sundays (although, it was okay to wear jeans on Wednesdays--still couldn't stink, though).
• Thou shalt not have fun during the Sunday morning service.
• Thou shalt not question the teachings that come from the pulpit.

To be honest, not all of the above rules were spoken outright, but were perceptions of mine, garnered over years of trying to follow the system laid out by the leaders/elders of the churches I attended*. I believed that my ability to obey the rules proved my salvation.

When Paul wrote his letter to the Galatians it is obvious that the people in this young church were being lead somewhere counter to the teaching that Paul and his ministry team had originally laid down. The Church in Galatia was composed of Gentiles that had never lived by the law of Moses, including the practice of circumcision (which plays a big role in the book of Galatians). Some of the Jewish-Christians at the time felt that the Gentile Christians should undergo the rite of circumcision in addition to following the rest of the Law. Paul used very strong language to point out that our justification doesn't come through the Law at all, but comes through Christ alone. Paul makes the following statement at the end of his letter:

"It doesn't make any difference now whether we have been circumcised or not. What counts is whether we really have been changed into new and different people. May God’s mercy and peace be upon all those who live by this principle. They are the new people of God."(Galatians 6:15-16)

The outward manifestation of our salvation and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit is not our ability to live by Church "laws" or "guidelines." Our new and different lives are proven by our ability to live our lives "under the influence."

The fruit of the Spirit is listed a few verses earlier in Galatians: "But when the Holy Spirit controls our lives, he will produce this kind of fruit in us: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Here there is no conflict with the law." Our capacity for love and ability to demonstrate it is the first and most obvious outward sign of our conversion and subsequent filling of the Holy Spirit. In fact, Jesus states that a man that lives a life of love (loving God first, and then our neighbors) obeys the entirety of the law (Matthew 22:37-40).

Sometimes, I have a desire to behave like the Jewish-Christians that were trying to turn the Galatians into mirror images of themselves; I want to clean someone up before they come to Church--I want to warn them, "No cussing, no smoking, don't come to church reeking of alchohol... Please don't shout or sing too loudly. Don't do anything to draw attention to yourself." Heck, I have a natural instinct to think just like the Jews, "If I had to get circumcised, so do you!" The reality is, none of this matters. Whether or not they obey the rules we have made is of no consequence. What matters is that they live their life under the influence of the Holy Spirit. Their love for God, and the love they have for their neighbors will be the first evidence we see of their transformed lives. After a person is saved and filled with the Holy Spirit, the Spirit(not our little rule book) will lead them in the direction He will have them go.

My prayer is that God gives me the strength to Love my neighbor; to help me accept him as he is, and to allow the Love of God to show through me and to change him. God give me wisdom to live a life in accordance with your will, and help me be sensitive to the voice of your Spirit. I want to live my life "Under the Influence."


*I know my Dad (my first pastor) would look at the above list and think, "I never taught that to him", and Dad would be right. I was pretty young when my Dad was pastor, and most of what I remember of his pastorship was the fun I had in VBS, and my salvation/baptism at age 8. Admittedly, some of it was present in the elders of his church, but a lot of it was picked up after we moved to St. Louis and became members of a different church. I was in Jr. High then, was more observant, and I can remember that time of my life a little better.

Hangin' With the "Jesus Crowd"

I’ve listened to the parable of the great banquet taught as a lesson to Christians about the dangers of letting personal possessions and relationships get in the way of our relationship with God. But as I read it today, I see a second lesson in the same passage of scripture. The story is told in Luke 14:15-23:

"…Jesus replied with this illustration: "A man prepared a great feast and sent out many invitations. When all was ready, he sent his servant around to notify the guests that it was time for them to come. But they all began making excuses. One said he had just bought a field and wanted to inspect it, so he asked to be excused. Another said he had just bought five pair of oxen and wanted to try them out. Another had just been married, so he said he couldn't come.

"The servant returned and told his master what they had said. His master was angry and said, 'Go quickly into the streets and alleys of the city and invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, and the blind.' After the servant had done this, he reported, 'There is still room for more.' So his master said, 'Go out into the country lanes and behind the hedges and urge anyone you find to come, so that the house will be full. For none of those I invited first will get even the smallest taste of what I had prepared for them.'"

I see in the first half of the parable the reasons that people do not respond to God’s call: possessions, work and relationships.

But now, I also see who the servant was sent to gather to the feast, “the poor, the crippled, the lame, and the blind.” Then he was sent away from the city into the country, and “behind the hedges” to find anyone he could, and urge them to come. The servant in this parable is Jesus, and if we are to truly follow in his footsteps, we should ask ourselves, “When was the last time I invited the poor, crippled, lame or blind to the banquet?” The servant was told to look where no one else would think to look for people to invite to the feast. He was sent to find the country bumpkins and the social rejects. Who hides behind a hedge? Criminals? I have to ask myself, “How comfortable would I be talking to these people, much less sitting next to them at church?”

It’s obvious through reading the gospels that Jesus associated Himself with “that” crowd. The Jews were looking for a new king on a white horse to come charging to their rescue; to release them from Roman oppression. What they got was a rabbi on a donkey. They wanted someone to come and lead a mighty army formed by the best and the brightest among them. What they got was a man that sought out the lame, the crippled, the poor, and the uneducated masses in order to invite them to a feast they would truly appreciate. Instead of a warrior, they got a man that surrendered himself to the authorities. He went so far as to heal one of the soldiers that was injured when they came to arrest Him (Luke 22:51).

I’ve found that if I really want to see God at work, I’ve got to go to the people that need Him most. I’ve recently been praying for God to show me how to walk in Jesus’ footsteps. One step I took last Sunday was to speak with the pastor in our church that is over community outreach. When I asked what I could do to help, he told me he was hosting a meeting in about 10 minutes in one of the church’s classrooms, and I was welcome to join them. I went to the meeting and was astounded to hear the stories of how God was working in our city, creating communities that care, feeding the hungry and housing the homeless. I was amazed as I heard time and again how God had paired up people with needs with those that had solutions. In one 90 minute meeting I heard more meaningful/touching testimonies than I’ve heard in years.

In the meeting, the pastor expressed his desire to set up a communications team that would help them get the word out to others in the church. Immediately after expressing the need, he turned to me and realized he hadn’t introduced me to the people in the room. He introduced me and asked what I could offer. I let him know of my background in communications, and enjoyed the look on his face as we both realized the significance of our meeting on that day, at that time. I look forward to seeing what I can do to help with the community outreach team in our church, and I thank God for working to put people in the right place at the right time.

God is definitely at work in our cities. It is up to us to follow the footsteps of Jesus, and take His love to the people that need Him most. I can’t wait to see how I can pitch in to help in my community.

My prayer is that God uses me to carry out His will here on Earth. God, let your will be done here, as it is in Heaven. Help me lead my family in the footsteps of Jesus. Help others to see your love in the eyes of Christians everywhere. Help us to stand out as a light on a hill. Strengthen us to love others as you have first loved us.

Reading the Red

I've had a few rough days since my last blog. I've been reading my Bible and praying about what my Christian walk should entail. What does it really mean to be a follower of Christ? I figured I’d follow His steps through the New Testament… I started “reading the red” in my Bible. In Matthew chapter 5, I found some of the most challenging scriptures in the entire Bible. The portions below that are in parentheses are mine, I pulled the common phrases from the KJV because they are more easily recognized:

“God blesses those who realize their need for him (the poor in spirit),
for the Kingdom of Heaven is given to them.

God blesses those who mourn,
for they will be comforted.

God blesses those who are gentle and lowly (the meek),
for the whole earth will belong to them.

God blesses those who are hungry and thirsty for justice (righteousness),
for they will receive it in full.

God blesses those who are merciful,
for they will be shown mercy.

God blesses those whose hearts are pure,
for they will see God.

God blesses those who work for peace,
for they will be called the children of God.

God blesses those who are persecuted because they live for God, for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs. God blesses you when you are mocked and persecuted and lied about because you are my followers. Be happy about it! Be very glad! For a great reward awaits you in heaven. And remember, the ancient prophets were persecuted, too.”
(Matthew 5:3-12)

A few years ago, I read a book by Robert Schuller called The Be (Happy) Attitudes. After completing the book I was motivated to complete my own in-depth word studies on these scriptures and to try to dig out the true meaning/intent of Christ’s words. In studying these scriptures I have become more and more convinced that the Bible is a unique and living document. The more I study it, the more I learn. I can read and re-read a section of scripture, and come away from it with several different but correct lessons--not that the scripture can be interpreted differently; a different portion of it will stand out to me as my lesson for that time.

At this time, I am impressed by the Beatitudes as a whole. I see them as a progression, kind of like rungs on a ladder. The steps of the ladder progress as follows:

1. We recognize that spiritually we are bankrupt
2. We mourn our own sinful nature
3. We meekly submit to God’s will for our lives
4. We have what amounts to a physical desire for righteousness (it is our primary desire)
5. We practice God’s mercy/forgiveness
6. We exhibit a pure (single-minded) heart—no duplicity
7. We work towards peace—we advocate peace
8. We enjoy persecution that comes our way because we are identified as followers of Christ

Each of the eight steps carries a reward: the Kingdom of Heaven, comfort, the Earth, righteousness, mercy, the ability to see God, the title of “Child of God,” and the Kingdom of Heaven. A unique aspect of this portion of scripture is that it starts and ends with the same promise: “For the Kingdom of Heaven is given to them,” or, “is theirs.” This leads me to believe that the Beatitudes are a continuous growth cycle. So, take the ladder I described, and twist it into a Mobius Strip (it’s the sign for “infinity”). We can never forget that without God we are spiritually bankrupt, we must remember that “all haves sinned and fallen short of the glory of God,” (Romans 3:10). We have to meekly submit to God’s will, and so on, up the ladder. We can’t skip a step, and when we reach the “top” of the Beatitude ladder, we’ve got to go back to the first step and continue to grow.


The next portion of the Sermon on the Mount includes a challenge for all Christians:

“You are the salt of the earth. But what good is salt if it has lost its flavor? Can you make it useful again? It will be thrown out and trampled underfoot as worthless. You are the light of the world—like a city on a mountain, glowing in the night for all to see. Don’t hide your light under a basket! Instead, put it on a stand and let it shine for all. In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.” (Matthew 5:13-16)

This challenge flows naturally from the lifestyle described in the Beatitudes. If we are climbing that ladder, we will “spice up” our world. If we sense that we are losing our spiciness, then we need to hop off the ladder, go back to step one, and re-start our progression.

So… what does living the Beatitudes look like? How does the World see us? We are a light, shining brightly; lighting the way for everyone. The first four Beatitudes are internal, and not visible to the world. The World becomes aware of the difference in us when we exhibit the evidence of the last four Beatitudes. When we live a life that shows God’s mercy and forgiveness, when we act with integrity (with pure motives), when we advocate God’s peace (not just a cease fire, but true rest for the World) and when we are persecuted (in some cases martyred) for our beliefs then the World will stand up and take notice of us.

These four outward exhibits of our Christianity are not easy. We cannot accomplish them if we haven’t progressed through the first four steps. How could we advocate peace in Afghanistan or Iraq without first practicing God-like forgiveness and mercy? How can we practice forgiveness without acknowledging that we had to be forgiven first (remember, we are responsible for the death of God’s son—how difficult must that have been to forgive)? To do this we must also have God’s righteousness as our prime desire (our own pride must take a back seat).


God, my desire is to do your will. God, give me the strength to live up to the example set by your Son. Help me live the Beatitudes. Help me to grow in my love for you, and to mature as a Christian. Teach me to forgive others for their crimes as you have forgiven me for the murder of your Son. Show me ways to advocate peace. Give me the strength to love like you.

The Rebel in Me

A few years ago I was involved in a church that actively reached out to find lost souls. There was no concern over the type of clothing they wore, or the size of the offering they gave. We didn't try to fill their lives with "don'ts." But instead, gave them plenty of "dos." We actively sought out hurting people, especially children and teens. We had faith that God would take care of the rest. I saw the same church shift its focus, and its core group of leaders drift apart. Now, years later, I have friends involved there again, helping to right the ship--providing lost souls with a bunch of "dos," when most people feel that Christianity is a long list of "don'ts."

I feel like this church is a type of the Christian church in America today. I believe that the Church as a whole will (with God's strength) be righted, as we shift our focus back to following Christ's footsteps. His footsteps invariably led him to places where the poor were gathered, where sick and dying people hung out. He went into the homes of tax collectors and gave aid to his country's enemies. He kept adultresses from being stoned and he befriended prostitutes. He fed the hungry and touched the untouchables (lepers). He attended parties and ruined funerals. He sought out the poor, and sent rich young rulers packing.

This week I checked out a book entitled The Irresistible Revolution, by Shane Claiborne. I recommend it very highly. The author raises many questions about the Church in America and the role of a true Christian. I have been kicking around many of these questions in my own mind. My questions include:

What does it mean to be "Christ-like?"

What is my proper role in the Church, in my family and at work?

What is the proper role of the Church in the community?

What is the role of the Church in politics?

As I've spent the past two days contemplating related scriptures I've had one thought consistently crop up: "That's too hard. Why would God make it that difficult?" But, I realize, God never said it would be easy. He said it would require sacrifice. Going to church every Sunday and occasionally helping out with some set-up or running a camera is easy. Giving sacrificially (Mark 12:44), putting God's kingdom at the top of my priority list (Matt 6:33), loving my enemies (Matthew 5:44), living the life of a Christ-follower in front of my co-workers , being vocal about my decision to follow Christ (Matthew 10:32), setting aside my desire to collect nice things, and placing myself and my family in God's hands are HARD.

I'll be the first to admit that I've felt uncomfortable discussing Christ in front of my employees. I've worried about posting my prayer/devotional journal on line--my family, neighbors and people I work with every day have the ability to look at my personal commitments to God. They also have the ability to see if I fail. Regardless, I've decided that it is time for me to "come out of the church closet." If my Christianity is only in evidence on Sunday, or just before a meal, then I'm not really following Christ. Last Sunday our pastor called it "being a fan." I am not a fan. I am a follower.

Now, what does it mean? It means I've got to pray, believe and act. I've got to "Seek first the kingdom of God," give sacrificially like the widow in Mark chapter 12, love God first (Matt 10:37), vocally acknowledge Christ as God's son, seek out the lost and love my neighbors and enemies alike. I know there's more, and a lot of it is going to be difficult. Some of it will cause trouble. In Matthew chapter 10 Christ said, "Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword." He goes on to say that "...anyone that does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me." In no way does he say that taking up our cross will be easy. In fact, I think that if we don't feel any discomfort while following Christ then we ought to look and see what it is that we've actually picked up. Make sure it isn't "chicken poop for the soul."

God, I continue to pray for your wisdom. Tonight I ask that you grant it to me in regards to how I am to follow you. Help me learn what it means to be a true Christ-follower. Help me teach it to my family, and help me exhibit it honestly in front of my peers. Thank you for the sacrificial gift that you gave. Now give me the strength to do likewise.

P.S. The phrase "Chicken poop for the soul" comes from the book I mentioned by Shane Claiborne.

Father Abraham has Many Sons...

The greatest example of fatherhood in the Old Testament has to be Abraham. Abraham was picked by God to be the "father of a great nation." To think, I'm sometimes daunted by the task of being the father of three children! The story of Abraham is in the book of Genesis, chapters 12 through 25. It starts with God's promise to Abraham, and then relates a few incidents in his life that demonstrate his character.

First was the promise: "Then the LORD told Abram, 'Leave your country, your relatives, and your father’s house, and go to the land that I will show you. I will cause you to become the father of a great nation. I will bless you and make you famous, and I will make you a blessing to others. I will bless those who bless you and curse those who curse you. All the families of the earth will be blessed through you.'" Genesis 12:1-3

Abraham immediately acted on God's instruction. In verse four he grabbed his wife, his nephew and everything he owned and went where the Lord instructed him.

He worshiped the Lord as he traveled with his family: verse 7, 8. He worshiped God despite (perhaps even because of) his awesome level of success (Chapter 13, verses 2-4).

He understood the importance of family (Chapter 13, verse 8 and chapter 21, verse 11).

He recognized God as his source (Chapter 14, verse 22).

He interceded for others (Chapter 18, verses 18-32 and Chapter 20, verse 17)

The Bible also records the following about Abraham:

He made mistakes. Sometimes he made the same mistake more than once (Genesis chapters 12 & 18).

He believed God, and had faith that He would follow through on His promises. However, despite his faith, he sometimes tried to come up with his own solution as to how God would fulfill his promise (chapter 16, verse 4 and chapter 17, verse 18).


One fact I appreciate about Biblical heroes is that they are presented as real people. While in many cases they provide excellent examples for us to follow, they also invariably exhibit some traits we should never emulate, but that prove their humanity.


Once Abraham became a father, he continued to exhibit the same character traits that made God choose him to be the father of many nations (God upped the ante in chapter 17, verse 5):

Abraham upheld the covenant through the act of circumcision (chapter 20, verse 4).

He continued to be consistent in his worship of God (chapter 21, verse 33).

He continued to obey God without hesitation--he even seems to have lost his desire to "fill in the blanks" when God gave him a command that might have seemed nonsensical (chapter 22, verse 3).

He continued to demonstrate the importance of family as he mourned deeply the loss of his wife (chapter 23, verse 2), and when he insisted that his son Isaac marry one of his own (distant) relatives (chapter 24, verses 3-4).


Isaac's life is recounted immediately after his father's. The similarities are astounding:


Isaac emulated his father's worship of God (chapter 26, verse 25).

He recognized the importance of family, and sent his son to marry someone in the family (chapter 28, verses 1-2).

He did not question God's ability to keep His promises (chapter 26, verse 25 and chapter 28 verses 3-4).

He even made the same mistake (chapter 26 verse 7).


God kept his promise to Abraham. He even went above and beyond his promise, as each of his children grew families that grew into mighty nations. All nations have been blessed through his offspring (Jesus Christ). Abraham's life, even though imperfect, provides us with quite a few important insights in regards to parenting:

1. Never doubt God's promises.
2. Act immediately on His commands.
3. Worship God consistently--let your children see you do it.
4. Recognize God as your source.
5. Intercede for others
6. Remember that your children will emulate your actions--good and bad. Learn from your mistakes, and ensure that your children are aware of the potential consequences of repeating the same mistakes you made.

God, give me the strength and wisdom to be a Godly parent. Help me hang onto your promises. I know you are my source, help me remember it even when things aren't going according to my plan. Help me learn from my mistakes and give me the courage to own up to them with my children--help me prevent them from repeating my mistakes. Remind me to look after the people around me, help me intercede for them--please demonstrate your mercy and love to them. Amen.

A Letter of Recommendation

Today I was witness to a meltdown of epic proportions. A mother and her two young children came into the store today to return a couple items. While standing at the service desk the 2 year old daughter (I'm guessing she was two) expressed an urgent need, and the mom whisked her off to the restroom. The mom left mid-transaction, with a line of people behind her waiting to be checked out. She said nothing to my employee, or the people waiting behind her. She just ran to the bathroom. Unfortunately, there are certain points during the return process during which our registers will not allow us to exit a transaction. The mom left quite a few people in an uncomfortable situation, without even a simple "excuse me" or "I'll be right back". Her needs were of utmost importance.

I was just about to enter some bogus information and fake my way out of the transaction when the mom re-appeared. The daughter had spilled water down the front of herself, and was crying because she wanted to change her clothes. The mom stood off to the side of our customer service area while the girl threw an incredible fit. Again, the mom said nothing to the other customers, or to those of us working behind the service desk. She argued with her daughter (ever try to win an argument with a two year old?) and continued to make everyone wait. I went on ahead and entered some bogus customer information in our register system (to our computers, her name is now Jane Smith) and tendered her transaction. I motioned her over to the side, away from the rest of our customers, and had her sign her credit slip. I gave her a copy of her new receipt, and she was on her way. Her daughter was still screaming at the top of her lungs, and the mom pulled her out of the store without an "I'm sorry" an "excuse me" or a "thank you".

The selfish actions of the mom as she badly handled her daughter's misbehavior were mirrored by her daughter. The mom's total disregard for the other customers around her was just as appalling as the fit her daughter threw. They both showed the same selfish "me first" attitude. One of the people working at my customer service desk turned to me and quietly asked, "Have your kids ever done that?" The honest answer is, "No." They haven't and they won't. We've always been very careful to ensure that our kids' misbehavior is dealt with quickly and effectively. They know our expectations when we are in public places. I can't say we haven't ever struggled, but I can say that I am very proud of the result.

To say that kids are reflections of their parents' attitudes and behaviors doesn't quite paint the picture boldly enough. It's more like they are the results of their parents' attitudes and behaviors magnified. It's the reason parenting is such a daunting task. I know that each child has their own personality. But it seems to me that personality just adds color to the painting that is created by the child's upbringing. We begin sketching the outlines of our children from the minute of their birth. Their observations of our behaviors create a pencil sketch to which details are slowly added over time. As they get older, they may decide to object to or rebel against some behaviors. But, at a young age, all they know is what they have seen in us. They duplicate our attitudes and behaviors without even thinking about it.

As I read II Corinthians, it seems to me that Paul writes to the church in Corinth as if they are his children. He is proud of them, even if they perform some actions which require correction. The part of II Corinthians that stands out most vividly to me is in the third chapter, "Are we beginning again to tell you how good we are? Some people need to bring letters of recommendation with them or ask you to write letters of recommendation for them. But the only letter of recommendation we need is you yourselves! Your lives are a letter written in our hearts, and everyone can read it and recognize our good work among you." (II Corinthians 3:1-2)

I think of my children the same way. Like Paul, I am incredibly proud of my children. No letter of recommendation could tell anyone more about me than just a few minutes with my children. They are the ultimate resume. I have every confidence that as I raise them with God's wisdom and with sufficient instruction from His Word they will grow to be a letter of recommendation, and not one of condemnation! But, I can only do it with God's help. As Paul says in verse 5, "It is not that we think we can do anything of lasting value by ourselves. Our only power and success come from God."

I'm devoting this week to studying Godly parenthood.

God, I pray for your wisdom in the area of parenting. Help me to examine my own behavior when I see my children act up. Help me eliminate bad behaviors, and re-enforce good ones (in myself first, and then in them). Help me to raise children that aren't afraid to change the world around them, instead of just following it. Help me raise them to be confident in their Christianity. Help me raise them to treat others as they would want to be treated; to be true friends and role models. Thanks again for the great example of parenting you have provided for me in the persons of my own Mother and Father.

Making Wise Choices

Just the other day, a close personal friend of mine looked straight into my face and asked, "How do I make the right decision?" I was at a loss. I knew he wasn't asking me to make the decision for him. He wanted to know the process for making the right decision. I had to confess that I had a general idea, but no specifics.

Ecclesiastes 8 verses one and seven say this about wisdom: “How wonderful to be wise, to be able to analyze and interpret things. Wisdom lights up a person’s face, softening its hardness… Those who are wise will find a time and a way to do what is right.”

But, how does one become wise?

I can find plenty of Bible verses regarding “wisdom” and “discernment.” There are many verses that speak of how important wisdom is, but not near as many that outline simple steps to gaining it.

One way that is pointed out is to ask for it (James 1:5). Solomon did exactly that in II Chronicles 1:10: “Give me wisdom and knowledge, that I may lead this people…” God was only too happy to fulfill Solomon’s request (verses 11 and 12). We, too, must ask for God to grant us wisdom.

We must ask persistently.

In Matthew 7 verses seven and eight, Jesus states: “Keep on asking, and you will be given what you ask for. Keep on looking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened. For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And the door is opened to everyone who knocks.”

We must not doubt that God will grant us wisdom (James 1:6). When we doubt that we have been given God’s wisdom we lose faith in the choices we have made. We become “wishy-washy,” or unstable. A few minutes after my friend had asked the question, "How do I make the right decision?" I went back to him with something that resonated inside of me. I said, "Go back to the last decision you made on the matter. If it was made with peace, knowing that you were making the right decision, then you have to follow it with everything you've got. Put all of your energy into it." I told him at the end of a month to evaluate the results, I believe that if the initial decision was made with the correct application of God's wisdom, he will see results that will back up his decision.

In the Old Testament, Samuel’s selection for Saul’s replacement provides an excellent example of how to make Godly decisions:

1. Do not judge by outward appearances (I Samuel 16:7)—quite often, when the time comes for us to make a major decision in our own lives, one of the options will stand out as very attractive, especially by the World’s standards. God reminds Samuel (and us) to look more deeply.

2. Be persistent in seeking God’s will in the matter (verses 8-11)—Samuel continued to ask Jesse to bring out each one of his sons until he heard God speak. He even refused to sit down until he heard God confirm his choice (verse 11)

3. Realize that God’s word is the final authority (verse 12)—Once God has spoken on a matter, act on His command. God’s will is made available to all of us in the form of the Bible. When God’s Word is clear in regards to a decision you are being required to make, act on it without hesitation.

I also have to remind myself that there is a difference between “knowledge” and “wisdom”. Knowledge is merely a pre-requisite for wisdom. We can accumulate a lot of knowledge without being truly wise. Wisdom is applying the knowledge we have gained in order to make a good decision. Knowledge is a “good” thing, but wisdom is the “God” thing.

God, grant me the wisdom to make godly choices in my life, and in the life of my family. Help me apply the knowledge you have given me to make wise choices. Help me stand firm in my convictions, and not get tossed back and forth like a wave. Help me pursue wisdom wholeheartedly, and not let go of it once I have attained it.

My Heart Overflows

Sometimes I can hear a verse a thousand times before it really strikes a chord in me. A few days ago, I was listening to a sermon by Pastor David Blount (of Church on the Rock in St. Peters, Missouri) while driving home from a visit to my parents' house. In the context of his sermon he quoted Luke 6, verse 45: "From the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks." The rest of his sermon was lost on me while I contemplated this verse. The thought that my words reflect what is truly in my heart concerned me... I began to think about what had come out of my mouth over the course of the prior week.

I had spoken to my kids in anger, I had spoken to them in love. I'd spoken to my wife the same way (sometimes in anger, sometimes in love). I reviewed what I'd said to the people I work with: did I crack any coarse jokes, or speak negatively of anybody? Did I speak positively of the direction I felt my store was headed?

I do a lot of statistical analysis in my job, and I realize that the only way to truly judge a trend is over time. So, I now wonder how the people I work with on a daily basis perceive the words I have spoken over the past few weeks. From the overflow of my heart, my mouth speaks... Am I a "Positive Percy," or a "Negative Nell?" Am I confident and do I thus inspire confidence, or do I question each decision and thus inspire indecision?

I looked further into this scripture when I got home. It, or something close to it, actually appears a couple times in the New Testament:

“A good tree can’t produce bad fruit, and a bad tree can’t produce good fruit. A tree is identified by the kind of fruit it produces. Figs never grow on thorn bushes or grapes on bramble bushes. A good person produces good deeds from a good heart, and an evil person produces evil deeds from an evil heart. Whatever is in your heart determines what you say." Luke 6:43-45

“You can detect them by the way they act, just as you can identify a tree by its fruit. You don’t pick grapes from thorn bushes, or figs from thistles. A healthy tree produces good fruit, and an unhealthy tree produces bad fruit. A good tree can’t produce bad fruit, and a bad tree can’t produce good fruit. So every tree that does not produce good fruit is chopped down and thrown into the fire. Yes, the way to identify a tree or a person is by the kind of fruit that is produced." Matt 7:16-20

“A tree is identified by its fruit. Make a tree good, and its fruit will be good. Make a tree bad, and its fruit will be bad. You brood of snakes! How could evil men like you speak what is good and right? For whatever is in your heart determines what you say. A good person produces good words from a good heart, and an evil person produces evil words from an evil heart. And I tell you this, that you must give an account on judgment day of every idle word you speak. The words you say now reflect your fate then; either you will be justified by them or you will be condemned.” Matt 12:33-37

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary breaks down Jesus' statement in Luke chapter six like this:
"...what the mouth commonly speaks, generally agrees with what is most in the heart."

Amazing. The words that I speak and the actions I take are the "fruit" by which I am judged by those around me. There is never a question that I will bear fruit--there hasn't been a question of that since mankind was commanded to bear fruit in Genesis chapter 1. The question becomes, "What kind of fruit will I bear?" The next question that logically follows is, "How can I effect the type of fruit that I bear?" That is relatively simple. David knew the answer: "I have hidden your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you." (Psalms 119:11)

If my mouth speaks from the overflow of my heart, then it is very important that I fill my heart with the right stuffing! I've got to feed my heart God's Word. I've got to read it, meditate on it and then speak it out loud. I've got to invite His Word to live inside of me. The more my mind dwells on God's Word, the more His Word will come out of me.

God, my prayer is that you help me fill my heart with your Word. The ultimate expression of your Word is your son, Jesus Christ. Help me to hide not just your written Word, but also your living Word in my heart! Fill me to over-flowing. Then, help others see my fruit, and recognize it as "good."