The Shepherd's Apprentice

Feb 1 - Colossians 3:17

2012-02-01T00:30:00.000-05:00

Whatever you do, in word or deed,

do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus,

giving thanks to God the Father through him.

Colossians 3:17

What does it mean to do something in Jesus' name? Let me illustrate with a story ...

In one of my favorite Andy Griffith episodes, Deputy Sheriff Barney Fife tries to run off a peddler. The man is tough and angry ... and twice Barney's size. He furls his brow, sticks his finger in Barney's chest, and says something like, "Oh yeah. Make me."

Barney scampers away, and spends most of the episode viewing himself as a failure and considering whether he should quit. Andy finds out the reason for Barney's hesitation, and when the peddler returns, the sturdier sheriff volunteers to run the peddler off.

Barney finally discovers his resolve. Though scared to death, Barney confronts the peddler. The bully grabs him by the collar, promising to pummel him. But Barney says, "Go ahead. You're bigger than me. You can easily pound me into the dirt. But do you see this?"

Barney points to his badge, saying, "This badge is a symbol. When you fight me, you're fighting all the people who stand behind this badge. You can't beat all of them. If you beat me, they'll send another and another. This badge stands for something bigger than you and me both."

That's what doing something in the name of Jesus means. It doesn't mean praying with a formula or saying, "In the name of Jesus" forty times in every prayer. It means standing where Jesus would stand if he were here.

You may be a 120-lbs weakling, but when you make a God-honoring stand in the name of Jesus, all the power behind the badge -- all the power in his name -- will be there to back you up.

That's what "power in the name" means. Stand for him and he'll stand beside you.

In Christ's Love,

a guy named Barney,

weak on my own,

strong in the name.

Jan 31 - Genesis 13:8

2012-01-31T00:30:00.000-05:00

Abram said to Lot,

"Let there be no strife

between you and me, and
between your herders

and my herders;

for we are kindred."

Genesis 13:8

"We are family!" cheers Abram to his nephew Lot. So why does he also have to say, "So ... let's not have any strife between us"?

Why? Because some of the deepest hurts in life come from family. (How sad.)

Families live very close together, giving lots of opportunities for friction. Family knows us best, giving lots of opportunties to learn which buttons to push. Furthermore, we love them most, meaning wounds from them cut deeper than wounds from mere acquaintences. It's probably too simplistic to imagine, then, that we can just say, "Let's have no stife between us," and have that magically happen.

That leads to what I believe is perhaps the most important function of family: It teaches us to forgive. We can't live that close to people for that long a period of time without learning to forgive!

Actually, we can refuse to forgive! It just makes us a fraction of the person we're designed to be.

Who do you need to forgive? Discover the freedom and the peace!

In Christ's Love,

a guy who's made others

learn to practice a lot of forgiveness

(in other words, I've caused

more than my fair share of friction,

and I appreciate their grace)

Jan 30 - 1 Pet 1:13

2012-01-30T03:06:00.000-05:00

Set all your hope

on the grace that

Jesus Christ will bring you

when he is revealed.

1 Peter 1:13

The meaning of this verse is focused past, present, future, and back to the present.

Past tense: Peter says, "3 By his great mercy [God] has given us a new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ."

What has God already given to us: New birth! Living hope! How? Through a powerful past tense action -- "the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead."

Present tense. Peter says, "8 Although you have not seen [Christ], you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and rejoice with an indescribable and glorious joy."

Even though we have not ever seen God visibly, we nevertheless love him (presently), we believe in him (present tense), and we rejoice with an indescribable and glorious joy (don't you want more and more of this in every moment's present tense?!!!).

Future tense: Why can we "13 hope"? Because Christ will be "13 revealed"!

In 1 Corinthians 13:12, Paul says, "now we see through the glass, dimly, but [through the second coming (or through our own death and trip to heaven before the second coming)] then we will see face to face."

Back to the Present: Why, then, can we hope -- right now, present tense? We can have hope if and when we "8 believe in him and rejoice with an indescribable and glorious joy."

Why? Because in hoping and believing, "9 you are receiving [the present, active] outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls."

As Jesus said to doubting Thomas, "Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe. Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have come to believe" (John 20:27,29).

In Christ's Love,

a guy who wants to go

Back to the Present

(A movie like that might not sell

as many tickets as Back to the Future,

but I want present, active Hope and Faith)

9 for you are receiving the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls. 10 Concerning this salvation, the prophets who prophesied of the grace that was to be yours made careful search and inquiry, 11 inquiring about the person or time that the Spirit of Christ within them indicated when it testified in advance to the sufferings destined for Christ and the subsequent glory. 12 It was revealed to them that they were serving not themselves but you, in regard to the things that have now been announced to you through those who brought you good news by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven—things into which angels long to look! 13 Therefore prepare your minds for action; discipline yourselves; set all your hope on the grace that Jesus Christ will bring you when he is revealed. 14 Like obedient children, do not be conformed to the desires that you formerly had in ignorance. 15 Instead, as he who called you is holy, be holy yourselves in all your conduct; 16 for it is written, "You shall be holy, for I am holy." 17 If you invoke as Father the one who judges all people impartially according to their deeds, live in reverent fear during the time of your exile. 18 You know that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your ancestors, not with perishable things like silver or gold, 19 but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without defect or blemish. 20 He was destined before the foundation of the world, but was revealed at the end of the ages for your sake. 21 Through him you have come to trust in God, who raised him from the dead and gave him glory, so that your faith and hope are set on God. 22 Now that you have purified your souls by your obedience to the truth so that you have genuine mutual love, love one another deeply from the heart. 23 You have been born anew, not of perishable but of imperishable seed, through the living and enduring word of God. 24 For "All flesh is like grass and all its glory like the flower of grass. The grass withers, and the flower falls, 25 but the word of the Lord endures forever." That word is the good news that was announced to you.

Jan 29 - Hebrews 10:24-25

2012-01-29T03:02:00.003-05:00

Let us consider how to

provoke one another

to love and good deeds,

not neglecting to meet together,

as is the habit of some.

Hebrews 10:24-25

"Provoke" is a provocative word.

It's also, usually, a bad word.

When someone provokes us, it's usually to anger. They push and push and push until a line is crossed. And then we blame our bad behavior on them.

I love that Hebrews encourages us to provoke others -- to provoke them, indeed, to love and good deeds. We are called to push and push and push one another until there is an explosion of love and service and blessing.

Pay attention to the whole verse, though. There's a context for this wonderfully provocative behavior. It's within the community of "meet[ing] together."

Hebrews isn't inviting us to provoke strangers. Rather scripture invites us to 1) meet together, 2) make family, and 3) nurture family. And whenever a family member seems to be rolling away like the tide, we're called to be provocative. We're called to call them back. And we're called to prompt them toward God's glorious standard.

In Christ's Love,

a provocateur

(Go love! Go faith!

Go good deeds!)

Jan 28 - 2 Kings 5:17

2012-01-28T03:02:00.001-05:00

Naaman said,

"Your servant will no longer offer sacrifice

to any god except the Lord."

2 Kings 5:17

Naaman was a foreign general. He was also a leper. Wanting his general back, Naaman's king sent him to Israel to find a true man of God and a true healing.

Through Elisha, God healed Naaman. But pride almost kept the general from it.

Elisha gave Naaman a simple task of obedience, a humble task of submission. Generals don't like to submit. They like to give orders rather than obey. So do we.

God could have healed Naaman immediately without any water from the Jordan. But it was the permanent condition of Naaman's heart -- rather than the temporary condition of leperous and rotting body -- that God was most concerned about.

In humbling himself, Naaman found physical healing. He also found spiritual healing. When he cried, essentially, "There is no other God except the Lord," he was externally healed and eternally free.

In Christ's Love,

a four star general

(I too often want to go my way

than submit to God's)

Jan 27 - Acts 12:8

2012-01-27T03:02:00.001-05:00

The angel said to Peter,

"Fasten your belt and

put on your sandals."

He did so.

Acts 12:8

Whenever it's time to go somewhere, parents are constantly telling their children to "fasten their [seat] belt" and "put on their [shoes]."

If you had kids, what percentage argued? My kids weren't arguers; they were dawddlers. It often took a half hour to get out the door, in the car, and on the road.

Why is it important for children to obey their parents? Because it's practice for obeying God.

The role of a good parent is to teach discipline. And good parents don't have to be harsh disciplinarians to do this, but they do have to insist on obedience. Why? Because hearts supple to their earthly father's authority (whom they can see), are more likely to be open to the heavenly Father's authority (whom they can't see).

When Peter was in prison, God said, "Jump!" Heaven said, "Peter, fasten your [seat] belt and put on your [shoes]." If the Apostle's heart hadn't been ready and obedient, he would have remained in prison.

God has somewhere for you to go. It's time! Freely obey and discover God's blessings ... instead of remaining in your self-imposed prison of willfulness.

In Christ's Love,

a guy who has his shoes on

and is ready for an adventure

(Strap me in and send me out)

Jan 26 - 1 Timothy 1:15

2012-01-26T04:20:00.000-05:00

Christ Jesus came into

the world to save sinners

-- of whom I am the foremost.

1 Timothy 1:15

Today's lesson introduces us to two sources of power ...

The first is the power of the truth.

Sin is dark enough to die for. (That's what Christ's sacrifice on the cross is all about).
At the same time, you are valuable enough to die for. (That's what the cross is all about too! For God so loved ... you!)

When we walk the balance beam between the horror of sin and the wonder of grace, we experience, power, freedom, and grace.

Respecting the horror of sin keeps us away from too much sin and too much drama ... and thereby reduces our exposure to some of the sting caused by our own sin.
Simultaneously, the wonder of grace releases us from too much guilt and shame. (Now ... a little guilt and shame is healthy. It's a check on our dastardliness. But too much guilt is a prison. Christ has set you free!)

The second source of power in this passage is the gift of humility. Why was Paul such an effective evangelist? Because he was honest about his own weaknesses and sin. (And he was a Saint!!!) If we're honest with ourselves, we're not perfect "saints." Confessing our sins keeps us humble. Confessing our sins also keeps us from judging others.

If you want to create a barrier between yourself and God, start judging others. As soon as you start judging, your life becomes either proud or futile, either "I'm better" or "I'm helpless."

Discover the power along the balance beam between the horror of sin and wonder of grace. So that you don't judge others, start confessing that you're the "foremost" sinner. And then rejoice magnificently that you are loved, forgiven, and saved.

In Christ's Love,

a gymnast

(I want to walk the balance beam,

but I don't want to try

to bend over backwards anymore.

How young do you think I am?!)

Jan 25 - Exodus 33:7-19

2012-01-25T04:20:00.000-05:00

Moses used to take the tent (of meeting)

and pitch it outside the camp ...

And everyone who sought the Lord

would go out to the tent of meeting ...

Whenever Moses went out to the tent ...

the pillar of cloud would descend

and stand at the entrance of the tent,

and the Lord would speak with Moses

... face to face ... and Moses said

"Show me your glory, I pray."

And [God] said, "I will ..."

Exodus 33:7-19

I love two words and phrases from this passage:

"[God,] show me," and
"[They] sought the Lord."

Do you hear the hunger?! Moses and the people of Israel wanted God to "descend." They sought his presence. They wanted to see his glory.

The question is: Do you?!

Today's devotion is simple. If you want more power, glory, blessing and light: Pray for it ... Chase after it ... Get hungry and hungrier.

In Christ's Love,

a guy who might as well be from

Missouri -- "the Show Me State."

I want to be a "God, Show Me" kind of guy

Jan 24 - Psalm 42:1-2a

2012-01-24T04:20:00.000-05:00

As the deer longs

for the waterbrooks,

so longs my soul for you, O God.

My soul is athirst for God.

Athirst for the living God.

Psalm 42:1-2a

I can to the scriptures thirsty this morning. My soul was a little parched. I felt like faith was my work. Psalm 42 reminds me of God's "preventient" work in blessing my faith.

I know. I know. "Prevenient" is a weird, old-fashioned word. It means essentially that God is graciously intervening in my faith and life pre- (before) I ever do.

To put that another way, God acts before I act, in matters of my faith. Indeed, God is more thirsty for a relationship with me than I am for a relationship with him.

He created the deer.
He created the need and the deer's thirst.
He also created the stream -- the answer to the deer's desperate prayer.

God is acting preveniently in our lives too ...

He created you (and me) as his precious children.
He created our spiritual need and thirst.
He also created the answer to our most desperate prayers -- meaning, hope, joy, pardon, and purpose.

God provides for you and me a river of life which bubbles up into a fountain of joy. Are you as thirsty for that as I am?!

In Christ's Love,

a thirsty deer with

how many points on his antlers

(I'll say it before you do:

I usally don't have a point)

Jan 23 - Ecclesiastes 7:29

2012-01-23T01:04:00.001-05:00

God made human beings straightforward,

but they have devised many schemes.

Ecclesiastes 7:29

I love that verse ... and the obvious question is:

Are you straightforward?
Or is your heart a little crooked?

I almost said, "Are you a little twisted?" But "twisted" has earned an almost positive reputation. In modern advertising, "twisted" means brash, bold, unexpected, and wonderfully unconventional.

Have you ever been attracted to "twisted"? It's an axiom in theater that the evil character is much more fascinating than the bland good guy. That's true in high schools too. Dangerous is intriguing.

A better question today is ...

Who makes us straightforward?
Who twists our hearts?

Since God is the first answer, we might assume that the anti-god, Satan, is the second answer. It's not. Scripture says it's you and me that devise schemes. Yes, we may get tempted, but it's us how acts.

If you want a more straightforward, honest, blessed, and productive life, draw closer to the one who is level, straight, and true.

In Christ's Love,

a guy who wants to be

less of a pretzel

Jan 22 - Mark 1:15 part 4

2012-01-22T01:49:00.001-05:00

"At last the time has come!"

[Jesus] announced.

"The Kingdom of God is near!

Turn from your sins

and believe this Good News!"

Mark 1:15 NLT

The first two actions in this verse belong to God -- 1) at last he brings his plans to fulfillment and 2) he draws nearer and nearer to each of us. The final two actions, however, belong to us.

Yesterday, I addressed "the easier" of the two. In actuality, a vitality of faith may or may not be easier than repentance, but to a new believer, it probably sounds easier. Belief sounds like intellectual assent -- "yes, I acknowledge God" -- but repentance demands that we do something. Indeed, it demands that we change (and most of us don't like change).

I very purposefully chose the New Living Translation for today's reading of this verse. In Matthew's version of this same first sermon, Jesus says, "Turn from your sins and turn to God, because the Kingdom of Heaven is near" (Mt 3:2 NLT).

Turn from your sins

and turn to God.

I love that translation of "repentence." And logically, repentence absolutely belongs before belief. We can't believe in God, before we turn to him. And we can't fully turn to him, until we've turned away from sin, darkness, and the ways of the world.

The problem is that most of us dabble. We dabble in faith; we dabble in sin. We dabble in the world; we dabble in church. And then we wonder why we lack power, purpose, focus, and direction.

Do you want something bigger and better? Go back to the first line, "At last [your] time has come."

This can be your time.

Turn away from the world and turn to God.

In Christ's Love,

a guy who's like an old record player

(I want to turn and turn and turn ... to him)

Jan 21 - Mark 1:15 part 3

2012-01-21T01:49:00.000-05:00

Jesus said,

"The time is fulfilled, and

the kingdom of God is at hand!

Repent, and

believe in the Good News."

Mark 1:15 HNV

For the third day in row, we're focusing on Mark 1:15.

Notice who acts to accomplish phrases one and two: God!

All time belongs to God. Therefore, when God's prophecy is fulfilled, it is God who is bringing his owns plan to completion.
Secondly, when Jesus says, "the kingdom of God is at hand," he's saying that God is making himself available to us.

Now look at phrases three and four. Who is called upon to act now? Us

Jesus calls us to repent.
He invites us to believe.

Today we're going to focus on the fourth phrase -- "believe." Jesus is inviting us to believe that 1) the time is indeed fulfilled, and that 2) God presence and power really are at hand.

But it's more than that. At the beginning of his ministry, Jesus is inviting the world to believe everything that will be revealed through his ministry ...

He wants us to believe in his power -- he healed the sick and raised the dead.
He wants us to follow his wisdom, taking all of his teachings to heart.
He wants us quit being legalistic like the Pharisees and show compassion to the poor and outcast and sinners.
The King who knelt down to wash dirty human feet, wants us to serve rather than be served.
He wants us to confess our sins, as we contemplate sin's real horror as it led to the blood-stained cross.
He wants us to believe in the freedom that comes from his resurrection.

God's action is love. In mercy and grace, our Lord stepped off the throne, came humbly to earth, died for your sins, and rises in victory. Our action is simply to accept his love, grace, and sacrifice.

That's what belief is. It's more than believing that he did certain wonderful things; it's forging a relationship and trusting that he still acts in power and grace.

In Christ's Love,

a guy who sings old Monkees songs

(get it? I'm not singing "Last Train to Clarksville,

but "I'm a Believer.")

Jan 20 - Mark 1:15 part 2

2012-01-20T00:03:00.001-05:00

Jesus said,

The time is accomplished and

the kingdom of God is at hand.

Repent and believe the gospel:

Mark 1:15 RHE

Yesterday we focused on the first phrase of Mark 1:15. Using the NIV translation, I ask if your "time has come," if your moment for deeper faith has been sparked?

The next phrase is a simple assurance:

When you're ready,

the Lord is ready too.

His "kingdom is at hand." It's right here. It's waiting for you. Do you see it?

We often don't see it. Why? Because we're looking for the wrong thing. We're looking for a neon sign ... a change of fortune ... or a tingling feeling. The kingdom is not energy, events, or emotions. The kingdom of God is a person -- Jesus Christ. Seeing the kingdom comes from establishing a relationship.

When young people date, they say, "I'm seeing John" and "I'm seeing Mary." Seeing implies a relationship. In fact, John and Mary might live on two different continents. They may only "see" each other once every six months, so why do they say they're seeing each other? It's because they have a committed relationship.

If you want to see the kingdom that is truly hand -- barely a half inch away -- it begins with a relationship. When you're ready, the Lord is ready too.

In fact, the whole reason Jesus came to earth was to ask you on a date. He wants to see you. And he wants you to see him.

In Christ's Love,

a guy who's seeing someone

in addition to his wife

-- and wants to see more

Jan 19 - Mark 1:15 part 1

2012-01-19T11:38:00.002-05:00

"The time has come," [Jesus] said.

"The kingdom of God is near.

Repent and believe the good news!"

Mark 1:15 NIV

I started my new discipleship group this week with this verse. "The time has come," I said to ten men poised on the edge of friendship, faith, and a new adventure. "The time has come."

What are you poised on the edge of? New friendships? Deeper faith? Greater hope? Richer blessings? Bigger joy? or Grander adventures?

The world tries to lead you to a different edge -- a ledge of despair, a precipice of anger, a ridge of insecurity, a canyon of guilt, and a free-fall of fear.

What are you poised on the edge of?

Well, think of the context of Jesus' saying these words. What was "the time [that had] come"? The world was about to meet the Savior and greet the Messiah.

If you want to stand on the precipice of blessing -- instead of the cliff of mediocrity -- it's time to meet the Savior in a new way. What will you start today to make his presence more real in your life?

In Christ's Love,

a mountain climber

(not a cliff diver)

Jan 18 - 2 Corinthians 4:6

2012-01-18T01:52:00.000-05:00

For God, who said,

"Let light shine out of darkness,"

made his light shine in our hearts

to give us the light of the knowledge

of the glory of God in the face of Christ.

2 Corinthians 4:6

Has anyone ever given you a job? ... painted a very vague picture of what they wanted? ... given you inadequate tools and inadequate training? ... then yelled at you when you didn't do what they wanted?

That's the reason that many of us are afraid to venture boldly. We've been given inadequate instructions and then been yelled at too many times for doing it wrong.

Is this the kind of "boss" that God is? We're told in scripture to let our light shine, but has he told us how -- clearly -- or are you still perplexed?

Actually, he has given us very clear instructions. In addition to hundreds of calls, Proverbs, and commandments, the God who calls us to be lights and shined his light in our hearts.

Furthermore, He has given us his own Son. Through the Savior, God's instructions are clear: Do what Jesus did!

Obey the Father.
Love the sinners.
Gather a group.
Point them heavenward.
Forgive human failures.
Stand for truth.
And pray a lot.

Wouldn't this world be a much better place if we all did those few simple things?!

And here's the key ... Do it boldly! God's not an angry boss ready to yell at your failures. He's a forgiving Father who simply loves you and wants to bless your efforts. And if he says, "Be light," he'll give you the tools. He'll pour it into your life.

In Christ's Love,

a shining knight

(because of what his light)

Jan 17 - Mark 16:15

2012-01-17T01:52:00.000-05:00

Christ says,

"Go into all the world

and proclaim the good news

to the whole creation."

Mark 16:15

"How?" I asked a group recently. "How can you personally go into all the world and proclaim the good news to all the whole creation?"

Personally, you can't. But here's the key. You're not alone. You're one part of a huge body.

What you and I are called to do is our part ...

Personally, I / we can positively influence the people in our little corner of creation.
Personally, I / we need to be a little more bold, looking for even deeper hungers around us ... including opportunities to travel.
Personally, I / we should support the missionaries in our midst -- the ones who are personally called to go a little further into God's creation.
Personally, I / we are called to give generously. Superficial giving meets the basic needs of the basic church inadequately. Giving as generous as God's generosity to us, focuses the church beyond the local and powerfully into all creation.

When Christ says, "Go!" He gives us personally the tools to make a positive impact on all creation.

In Christ's Love,

a guy who got a letter from

a boy in Mozambique this week

(that's one way we're helping,

how about you?)

Jan 16 - 1 Cor 13:6

2012-01-16T01:47:00.002-05:00

Love does not rejoice in wrongdoing,

but rejoices in the truth.

1 Corinthians 13:6

Pilate asked Jesus, "What is truth?"

Christians answer that by saying, "God is truth. His Son is truth. His Word is truth. His wisdom, laws, precepts, and promises are truth."

We have a world, however, that is blinded by lies. There's too much doubt and despair. Too much violence and injustice. Too much darkness and sin.

What therefore is love? It is rejoicing in the truth. It's also pointing others to the truth.

It's not loving, after all, to leave people wallowing in sin, lies, and corruption. Part of love is point others to the truth.

Who are you actively pointing in this direction? Who could you be blessing better?

In Christ's Love,

a truth-lover

and truth-teller

Jan 15 - Judges 6:23-24

2012-01-15T01:38:00.000-05:00

The Lord said to Gideon,

"Peace be to you;

do not fear, you shall not die."

Then Gideon built an altar there to the Lord,

and called it, The Lord is peace.

Judges 6:23-24

Fear is one of the most dangerous forces in the world ... and it lurks in our own hearts.

Fear breeds hatred, injustice, and revenge.
It's often behind curses and denials.
Fear has a hand in both bullying and arrogance; we inflate our worth because we're afraid that on our own we don't have much worth.
Part of guilt is fear; we fear we we can't be forgiven.
Part of self-justication is fear; we lack a trust in God's grace to justify.
Part of greed is fear; we're afraid we won't have enough.
We're afraid of meaninglessness.
We're afraid of illness.
We're afraid of brokenness and bondage.
Most of all we're afraid of death.

Indeed, at the root of all our fears is that fear of death. We're afraid of literal death, of course. We're also afraid of figurative deaths. Gossip and embarrassment, for example, have us dying a thousand little deaths.

That's why God gave Gideon today's verse. Soon God would tell Gideon to battle an army of a 100,000 with his own little band of 300. By human standards, that was insane! But God empowered Gideon with a simple promise: "Do not fear. You shall not die."

Guess what. God tells you that too. He tells you that if you believe shall live forever.

This mortal flesh shall indeed decay. But when you have the confidence of heaven, you have boldness!

In Christ's Love,

a guy who's learning

to boldly say,

"Any day's a good day

to go to heaven"

Jan 14 - Romans 2:4

2012-01-14T00:11:00.000-05:00

Do you not realize that God's kindness

is meant to lead you to repentance?

Romans 2:4

As our years go on and on, what is our inevitable default position? Death and decay.

Some people assume that heaven is default position. Our right!

No.

Without Jesus' sacrifice and our Lord's promise, our inevitable default position is dust. With him we fall and decay. End of story.

And yet God is kind. He is loving. He paints the tapestry of a beautiful world before our eyes. Even though the claws of sin try to rip apart the fabric of our joy, God, if we'll let him, will bless our lives with hope and peace and purpose. As we link to him in faith, we discover freedom, light, and love. As we catch a glimpse of God's majesty, we fall before him in worship, awe, and repentance.

And suddenly he has us where he wants us. On our knees in worship, awe, and repentance.

Now, in his kindness, he can stand us back up and empower our days. In these moments of grace, he changes our default position. As we repent, we are filled with new life.

In Christ's Love,

a guy who's learning to change

the default position of his thermostat

(I'm setting it on confession)

Jan 13 - Isaiah 31:1

2012-01-13T00:10:00.000-05:00

How terrible for those who depend on horses!

They trust in how many chariots they have.

They trust in how strong their horsemen are.

But they don't look to the Holy One of Israel.

They don't ask the LORD for his help.

Isaiah 31:1

Generals depend on horses and chariots.

What do you depend upon in life? Jobs? Bank accounts? A government check? Certain people? Our car? Our house? Comfort food? Yourself?

We all do it. We focus down here. And we forget to do the most important thing -- We "don't ask the Lord for his help."

What burdens are you carrying right now? "Ask the Lord for his help."

In Christ's Love,

a guy who keeps

depending on his computer

Jan 12 - Psalm 7:1

2012-01-12T00:10:00.001-05:00

O Lord my God,

in you I take refuge;

save me from all my pursuers

and deliver me

or like a lion

they will tear me apart

Psalm 7:1-2

It's ironic that this is today's verse.

Each day I'm emailed semi-random Bible verses for my devotion, and I say that today's verse is ironic because I was praying with a friend about this topic just a day or two ago.

Like David, this friend was being chased by "a lion."

Now, like David, this person's ravenous foe was surely human, angry, spiteful, and sinful. But this vengeful human was surely not alone, because "like a roaring lion your adversary the devil prowls around, looking for someone to devour" (1 Pet 5:8).

Do you feel like your being chased by circumstances, pursued by illness, hunted by creditors, stalked by depression, enslaved by bad habits, or ripped apart by gossip?

You're not alone.

David's hope was not clever plans, better doctors, or human intervention. He cried, "10 God is my shield. He saves the upright in heart ... 17 [Therefore,] I will ... sing praise to the name of the Lord, the Most High."

In Christ's Lord,

a guy who knows

a lion tamer

Jan 11 - Ecclesiastes 5:7

2012-01-11T01:53:00.000-05:00

With many dreams come vanities

and a multitude of words;

but fear God.
Ecclesiastes 5:7

"Dream," like a coin, has two sides.

There's a positive side. God wants us to dream, hope, and aspire. Imagination and creativity can be godly and inspired.

But there are other aspects of "dreams" which are less positive. Daydreaming is one. With our "head in the clouds," we often forget the real needs on the ground.

This verse uses "dream" in the second way. And that's only the first word that needs explained in this verse. The second is "vanities." In the very first sentences of Ecclesiastes, Solomon wails, "Vanity of vanities" (1:2). Other translations render "vanities," "Meaningless. Meaningless. All is meaningless."

That means a more modern, and probably more meaningful, translation of today's verse is: "Dreaming all the time instead of working is foolishness. And there is ruin in a flood of empty words. Fear God instead" (NLT).

In Christ's Love,

a guy who needs to

flip the coin,

shut his mouth

and dream more with God

Jan 10 - Psalm 40:8

2012-01-10T01:53:00.000-05:00

I delight to do your will, O my God;

your law is within my heart.

Psalm 40:8

One of the great historic theological battlefronts has been between faith and works.

In Romans 3, Paul says, "We are justified by God's grace ... effective through our faith ... apart from works prescribed by the law." But in James 2, this Apostle says, "faith without works is dead." Do they contradict each other? Martin Luther thought so. Therefore, since Romans was his favorite, he wanted to literally cut James out of the Bible!

Fortunately, he didn't.

And fortunately, these two concepts don't contradict.

If we view the distance between us and God as a canyon -- a canyon carved by our sins -- God bridges (present tense) that canyon with his love and grace. And it is faith rather than our works that helps us step onto that bridge.

Furthermore, once we take that step we realize that this bridge is greased -- and tilted downhill -- all the way home! (Salvation!) This means that once we discover God's grace, it should be a slip-sliding, rip-roaring "delight" (see our verse for today) -- not a duty -- to do God's will.

In this way, our works are a reflection of our faith -- not a requirement for faith.

Read that again. Our works should be a reflection of our faith -- not a requirement for faith.

How are your works a reflection of your faith?

In Christ's Love,

a delight-full guy

Jan 9 - Psalm 63:6

2012-01-09T02:53:00.000-05:00

God, I think of you on my bed,

and meditate on you

in the watches of the night.

Psalm 63:6

For some of us, sleep comes easy.

Others of us are awake at different hours of the night.

Do you remember the tower guards in the old movies. What did they cry? "3 o'clock, and all is well."

Is that what you're crying when you can't sleep at 3 am?

I must confess that when I'm awake at o-dark-thirty, it's often the burdens of yesterday and the worries of tomorrow that trouble me. The antidote to restless-brain-syndrome is prayer.

It is meditating on the fact that God is big and powerful and creator. It is confidently considering that he took care of this world long before I was born, and he'll take care of his people long after my earthly flesh is gone.

I know there are physical reasons we can't sleep, but sometimes sleep is trust. Yesterday we talked about power. Do you trust him to run the universe while you're away from the controls for a few minutes?

In Christ's Love,

a guy who's learning to say at night,

"Okay, God; why'd you wake me tonight?"

(I'm learning better to pray

as I cuddle back into my Father's arms.)

Jan 8 - Micah 2:1

2012-01-08T23:23:00.000-05:00

Woe to those who plan iniquity,

because it is in their power to do it.
Micah 2:1

When I was just a beginner -- a seminary intern -- I sat at a lunch with veteran pastors. One pastor made a loud, long, and vocal argument that people have no power.

He was half right.

The half he was correct about was that "only God has power." (And we should probably spell God's power like this: POWER.)

But humans do have a lower-case "power." We have the ability to influence our world for better or for worse. We can, as today's verse suggests, plan iniquity. On the positive side, we can also serve our neighbor and bless our kids -- and we don't have to be Christians to do that.

But the capability to do something is not real power. Here's where true POWER comes in. When we align ourselves completely with God's will, and begin trusting fully in the divine rather than the worldly, We begin operating under His poWer.

Wait ... align a little more ... PoWer

A little more ... PoWeR.

In Christ's Love,

a guy who's tired of writing

in lower-case letters

(align me, God)

Jan 7 - What do Lutherans believe? Part 5

2012-01-07T01:32:00.001-05:00

More and more people are asking me to tell them more about who Lutherans are and what Lutherans believe. Here's the final piece of our five-part glimpse of what Lutherans believe. (Although I'm glad to keep going if y'all ask me more questions.)

Today's piece is on baptism ...

"Can anyone withhold the water

for baptizing these people

who have received the Holy Spirit

just as we have?"

Acts 10:47

Some churches baptize infants. Many don't.

Some churches require full immersion. Others sprinkle.

What's right?

The Christian church historically and primarily baptized converts -- thus, adults.

Nevertheless, it was also a common, original, Christian practice to baptize whole households. This certainly included children and even the homestead's servants and their whole families. For example, under the banner of one bold person's faith -- like Crispus in Acts 18 and Stephanus in 1 Corinthians 1 -- many households were baptized and many individuals became part of the church community.

By the middle ages, the Western tradition evolved in two strong directions. First, it was commonly believed that baptism was required for salvation. Second, the practice was "adult" baptism -- meaning: the age of roughly thirteen and up.

When the plagues swept Europe and huge percentages of people were dying, traditional Western theology hit a major snag. If children couldn't be baptized and yet were dying in huge numbers, were they all doomed to hell? The church -- i.e. the Roman Catholic Church, pre-Reformation -- re-examined its theology, remembered scriptural instances of whole households being baptized, and began again to baptize children. Indeed, children were baptized again under the banner of another person's faith -- namely their parents.

Lutherans are part of this heritage.

Traditionally we believe that two things "make" a sacrament: an element (in this case water) and the Word (specifically Christ's command, which he gives for baptism at the end of Matthew, saying, "Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit").

Believing that it's God's Word, God's promises, and God's actions that "makes" the baptism -- not some earthly element that "makes" the baptism, though it plays a role -- Lutherans generally believe that the amount of water does not matter. Water, therefore, is a sign, but it's God's Word and His promises that supply the power.

Other Reformation era Christians -- most significantly the Anabaptists -- returned, however, to adult baptism (an admittedly more common practice in the New Testament) and to full immersion baptism (which was certainly the way it was pictured in the stories of John the Baptist and in the detailed stories of the Apostles' actions, like the Acts 8 account of Philip baptizing the Ethiopian eunuch).

Literal battles with literal blood have been fought over which is right. (Sad!)

I will tell you what I believe is right ... But first let me tell you what I believe is wrong ...

Many people -- and this more true in the Catholic and mainline traditions (of which many Lutherans are a part) -- believe that if someone is baptized, their eternal destiny is already and eternally decided. Taken to the extreme, they believe if a child is baptized as an infant, but never in his life goes to church, scoffs at the Christian faith, and lives a thoroughly agnostic life, he still goes to heaven because he's "a baptized child of God."

Not to negate God's option to save whomever he wishes, we must also acknowledge that this violates the interpretive key to our faith and theology, Romans 3:23-28 -- "since all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God; they are now justified by [God's] grace ... effective through faith ... apart from works prescribed by the law." Baptism is not part of that equation. Therefore, it's personal faith -- not a ritual -- that justifies.

With that in mind, here's what I believe and teach ...

I believe that there are two parts to baptism. The first is God's part. The second is our part. On God's end -- and through baptism -- our Lord takes us, washes us, adopts us into his family, calls us his child, brings us into his family, and forgives our sin -- washing away, especially, the original sin that taints us all. On our end, we need to personally claim our faith and personally claim the benefits of baptism.

In churches that insist on "adult" baptism, both of these actions occur at the same time. While we are claiming our faith and proclaiming God's saving actions through baptism, God is simultaneously washing us and grafting us into his family. In churches that practice infant baptism, these actions are usually separated by twelve or fifteen years. Under the banner of their parent's faith, a child is baptized -- part one. At confirmation, the growing child affirms his baptism and confirms his faith -- part two. Some say that's not valid; it must happen simultaneously. I say, for God, a thousand years is like a day and a day is like a thousand years!

But here's the real key, both parts are important! But it's not a man-made ritual like confirmation that is required to confirm our faith. I believe that we can claim our own faith through our own confession and in in our own prayers. Furthermore, instead of publicly proclaiming our faith in front of a church of believers (confirmation), I'd rather a believer proclaimed her faith publicly to her friends who were lost.

What matters, first, is faith that is alive and active.

What matters, second, is our obedience. God's spokesman Elijah once told Naaman to wash in the Jordan if he wanted to be cleansed of his leprousy. Naaman was insulted, he wanted a bigger sign. Indeed, he wanted to cleansed on his own terms. It was only after he submitted that he was healed. Why are we to be baptized? Simply because Jesus said to be! It's an act of submission, and it is always in our obedience that our sin-sick souls are healed.

Confession ...

I am not a traditional, American, twentieth or twenty-first Lutheran in my baptismal theology.

I do believe in infant baptism, but only as part one of a two-step process.
I do not however believe that baptism is a "magic bullet."
I also don't practice cheap confirmations where you "graduate" with your class, regardless of how listless our attention is.
I believe, according to scripture, that we are justified by God's grace, effective through our faith. Therefore, I believe that we need to claim our faith.

But here's the really good news ...

I believe God is constantly stirring our hearts, constantly pinging our conscience, constantly interweaving our steps with his path, constantly knocking on our doors, constantly inspiring the faith that we need to claim.

Faith is not our work; it is God's proactive desire for you and me.

In Christ's Love,

a rebelious Lutheran

who goes back again

to our first two principles:

Word and Grace!

Jan 6 - What do Lutherans believe? Part 4

2012-01-06T01:32:00.001-05:00

More and more people are asking me to tell them more about who Lutherans are and what Lutherans believe. Here's a continuing five-part glimpse of what Lutherans believe. Today we turn to history ...

Jesus said,

"Blessed rather are those

who hear the word of God

and obey it!"

Luke 11:28

I told the first piece of Lutheran history in part one. It is Luther turning to God's Word and discovering God's grace.

The Reformation started in October 31, 1517. Luther didn't originally want to split from the Roman Catholic church; therefore, a decade of debates commenced. Church leaders increasingly tried to silence Luther and debate. Luther kept trying to draw church teachings back to the scriptures. What tipped the balance was a brand new invention, called the printing press. With the ability to put the scriptures in people's hand -- many of the people saw what scripture itself taught and sided with the Reformers (Luther, Calvin, Zwingli, and others).

Luther didn't want a church named after him -- we are followers of Christ, after all. Nevertheless, his teachings and his name spread across northern Europe -- mainly Germany and the Scandanavian countries.

Each country added a piece of their own culture to the Lutheran traditions. Additionally, differing degrees of personal piety began to flavor the Lutheran personality too. For example, Denmark was famous for having Lutherans who were either "Happy Danes" (they reveled -- respectfully -- in the freedom of God's grace) or "Sad Danes" (very austere and pietistic, reading scripture in an equally sincere but totally different way).

Lutheran's filled North America through migration.

The earliest Lutherans tended to be Germans settling up and down the east coast in the mid-1700s to the early-1800s. After many, many generations, they made up what predominately became known as the Lutheran Church in America (LCA). This band of Lutherans gradually migrated westward and fanned across the country from Eastern seaboard.
The second wave of Lutherans were predominately Scandavians who settled in the mid-west and upper mid-west who settled in the mid-1800s. Joining with German Lutherans who were also settling these areas, they formed the American Lutheran Church (ALC). They too fanned out from these locations.
The third significant wave, which came at about the same time as the second wave, were Germans who sailed up the Missippippi, settled around St. Louis, and became known as the Missouri Synod (LCMS). They too fanned out across America.

For Lutherans, the nineteenth century was generally small regional clusters of congregation, divided along ethnic line. In fact, many -- if not most congregations -- still worshiped in their own ethnic languages.

The twentieth century, however, was a period of increasing Lutheran unity. Ethnic barriers were dissolving, and travel and communication permitted wider affiliation, Lutherans were beginning to band together in larger and larger groups.

Dozens of Lutheran denominations still exist (most either ethnic, regional, or theological in their identity -- there's even a small charismatic Lutheran "denomination"! click here to see! ). By the late 1970s, however, there were really just three major Lutheran bodies -- LCA, ALC, and LCMS -- and all had about two and a half million members.

The LCA was probably the most urban and more liberal (though theologically liberal in a still more traditional era). LCMS was surely the most conservative -- i.e. the most conserving of old Lutheran traditions and old traditional scriptural views. For a while, the more centerist ALC and the LCMS flirted with a merger. This would have been a larger, more traditional Lutheran body. That never quite came to pass.

Therefore, in the late 1980s the door was open for the ALC to merge with the LCA. The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) was formed. Spirit of Joy was part of this merger; indeed, our congregation was being formed at about that time.

This merger, however, didn't go as smoothly as anyone hoped. Two distinct ministerial identities were spliced together -- one more hierarchical in structure (LCA), one more congregational in authority (ALC). One group was more urban (LCA) and sought more inter-denominational affiliation. No one opposed this in principle -- every believe in Christian unity -- but in practice, many faithful Lutherans rejected some of the theological compromises that other denominations required of us for unity.

As culture changed, more theological compromises were made. As the denomination voted more and more with culture rather than traditional scriptural authority, a fatal crack erupted in this increasingly fractuous denomination. In 2009, a significant exodus began from the ELCA. Hundreds of congregations -- and tens of thousands of individual members -- left this body and its congregations.

Spirit of Joy (along with six other Charlotte area congregations) are now part of Lutheran Congregations in Mission for Christ (LCMC). The distinguishing characteristics of LCMC are:

traditional scriptural authority (which is shared with most Christians, including most Lutherans, around the world),
love and grace (that's the second of Luther's key principals -- he turned to the Word and discovered God's grace),
and a passionate call to missions! (LCMC maintains an intentionally small national structure. They don't want our offering sponsoring a hierarchal organization; they want to propel us hands-on into local missions. This has given Spirit of Joy greater focus and renewed energy. A full ten percent of our regular giving now go directly to missions. In addition, we have dozens of additional outreaches that individual members choose to support, including angel tree donations, food bank donations, mission trips, etc.)

That's our history. Now, some look at history and yawn. I invite you to look back over this and look for God. Where has he shown up in the past? And where have we gotten in the way? And what does this tell us for moving forward as a people of God?

In Christ's Love,

a guy who likes

to learn from history

so I don't have to repeat

the bad parts

Jan 5 - What do Lutherans believe? Part 3

2012-01-05T13:17:00.003-05:00

More and more people are asking me to tell them more about who Lutherans are and what Lutherans believe. Here's a continuing five-part glimpse of what Lutherans believe.

Yesterday we introduced the logic of the liturgy. Today we give you an additional glimpse of the power that can come from this ordered pattern of worship ...

Glory to God in the highest,

and on earth peace,

good will toward men.

Luke 2:14

Many people tell me, "I can't memorize scripture."

"No!" I say, "You're wrong. Let me prove it."

Then I start quoting parts of our worship service. Immediately they begin filling in blanks. We know scripture because the logic of the liturgy is praise of God using his own words (scripture). This gradually sews God's truths (scripture) deep into our hearts.

Did you realize that the liturgy is absolutely saturated with scripture?! Here are a few examples ...

At confession we often say 1 John 1:8-9 -- "If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. But if we confess our sins, God who is faithful and just will forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness."

If we're doing a more traditional service, we cry in the The Kyrie, "Lord, have mercy." This echoes a growing chorus of cries in the Gospel of Matthew as people came to Jesus, praying for hope, help, and healing (see 15:22, 17:15, 20:30).

Depending on the hymn of praise we sing, we often echo the angels proclaiming the good news of Christ -- which was for them at Christmas and for us is all the time: "Glory to God in the Highest and peace to his people on earth." (Luke 2:14).

Around the Gospel readings, we often sing Peter's words in John 6:60-69. At a time when many followers were turning away from Jesus and his challenging teachings, our Lord turned to the twelve and asked if they would turn away too. Peter answer, "Lord, to whom shall we go (indeed, where else can we go)? You (and you alone) have the words of eternal life."

Often when the offering is being carried forward, we sing Psalm 51:10-12, "Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me."

With the "Words of Institution" -- "on the night in which he was betrayed" -- we echo all four Gospels and quote 1 Corinthians 11:23-27.

Finally Our benediction is Numbers 6:24-26 -- "The Lord bless you and keep you. The Lord make his face shine upon you ..."

This is just a fraction of the scriptures we use in our regular liturgies.

Furthermore ... most of the songs we sing are saturated with scripture too.

Therefore, don't tell me you can't memorize scripture! Rather, just start singing a song you know from church, and then go searching for where these words are in scripture!

In Christ's Love,

a guy who been singing

today Matthew 6:33

(Seek ye first, the kingdom of God)

and the second verse 7:7

(knock and the door shall be

opened unto you. Allelu, Alleluia!)

Jan 4 - What do Lutherans believe? Part 2

2012-01-04T01:31:00.001-05:00

More and more people are asking me to tell them more about who Lutherans are and what Lutherans believe.

A few days ago, I wrote a long explanation to a friend, realizing that it would be good to share with all of you -- and hopefully lots of future new members.

Here's the second in a five-part glimpse of what Lutherans believe ...

So those who welcomed [Peter's] message

[that Pentecost day] were baptized,

and that day about three thousand persons were added.

They devoted themselves to the

apostles' teaching and fellowship,

to the breaking of bread and the prayers.

Acts 2:41-42

The second piece of Lutheranism that throws some non-Lutherans is the liturgy.

The liturgy, you need to know, is not a Lutheran peculiarity. It's been around since the early church, and is used (generally in an even more "high church" format) by Episcopaleans and Catholics and to varying degrees by some "high church" versions of Presbyterians and Methodists.

More importantly, the liturgy is primarily an intentional order of service. (Every church has a pattern. In most non-liturgical traditions, it's predominantly word-focused with: three songs, a prayer, and the sermon.) We opt for a more ancient order which includes four major parts:

Gathering -- which included confession ("we take a bath before entering the presence of the king") and praise (usually songs of praise and thanksgiving).

Word -- for us this is many things:

It is scripture reading.
It is proclamation and interpretation (both to the kids and then to the adults).
It is also our response to God and his Word (which is both our offerings and more songs of praise).

Meal -- Many of us remember when churches used to do communion once a month or even once a quarter. In researching the early church, however, it's been found that the first Christians gathered almost daily, but Sunday always meant communion.

The original argument against the switch to weekly communion was, "It won't be special." The opposite has occurred. Those who communion weekly tend to hunger for this sacrament more and find that worship is complete without it.

I used to visit an old homebound man. Every time I'd call, I'd say, "John, do you want me to bring communion." He'd pause for a long moment -- for effect -- saying, "Let's see, have I sinned since last time you were here? ... ... ... Yep! Better bring the communion" -- i.e. better bring the bread of salvation and the cup of forgiveness.

We need Christ's presence, God's forgiveness, and the reuniting of community around the family table every week.

Sending -- I know some churches that place these words over the back door: "The worship is over, now the service begins." Hopefully worship has filled us, but worship was never meant to be the end product; our worship is supposed to refill us and propel us forward as we head back out into a hurting world.

Conclusion

There's one more wonderful and crucial piece to the liturgy that we'll reflect upon tomorrow, but go back for a second to the section on the Word.

God speaks to us
and then we respond to him (with our offerings and with our praise).

How is God calling you to respond more fully to him? on Sundays in worship? and right now, reflecting on worship?

In Christ's Love,

a guy who's pausing a moment

to praise

Jan 3 - What do Lutherans believe? Part 1

2012-01-03T11:31:00.003-05:00

More and more people are asking me to tell them more about who Lutherans are and what Lutherans believe.

A few days ago, I wrote a long explanation to a friend, realizing that it would be good to share with all of you -- and hopefully lots of future new members.

Here's a five-part glimpse of what Lutherans believe ...

since all have sinned

and fall short of the glory of God;

they are now justified by his grace as a gift

... effective through faith ...

apart from works prescribed by the law.

Romans 3:23-28

Martin Luther grew up in a time when God was painted as angry and vengeful, looking for any excuse to cast us into purgatory or hell.

Luther was literally tormented by this horror. He was in a shell. To use our modern terminology, he was beyond clinically depressed. He would spend hours every day in the confessional booth and then stay awake at night worrying about what he might have forgotten to confess.

His father confessor got tired of this. (Wouldn't you?!) So he finally sent this cowering monk away from a life of contemplation and assigned him to a practical ministry -- teaching.

In the age just before the printing press, this was Luther's first extended exposure to scripture. And when he turned to Paul's letter to the Romans, he discovered God's amazing grace. And the Reformation started! This unmerited gift of love and redemption set this tortured monk -- and much of the Western world -- free.

Think about this: Grace turned Martin Luther from terribly fearful (cowering for hours a day in the confessional booth) to triumphantly fearless (standing up even to the threat of death from "the Roman Empire.")

Based on Martin Luther's experience, I summarize the core of Lutheran belief, as Word and Grace. Luther turned to the Word and discovered Grace.

At Spirit of Joy, that's what being Lutheran means ... and that's what we always and absolutely strive to do:

Turn to the Word

and discover God's grace.

In Christ's Love,

a happy Lutheran

(I turn to the Word daily

and I always see God's Grace!)

Jan 2 - Genesis 1:1-5

2012-01-02T05:04:00.000-05:00

Merry Christmas - day 12

In the beginning when

God created the heavens and the earth,

the earth was a formless void

and darkness covered the face of the deep,

while a wind from God

swept over the face of the waters.

Then God said, "Let there be light";

and there was light.

And God saw that the light was good;

and God separated the light from the darkness.

God called the light Day,

and the darkness he called Night.

And there was evening

and there was morning, the first day.

Genesis 1:1-5

Today is the first day of the New Year.

Wait ...

Well, technically it's not. But actually yes, it is.

Yesterday we were all a little too sleepy from a late night and too hungover from twenty pounds of fruitcake and cookies and other junk we ate over the holidays. (I'll choose to believe that's what you were hungover from!!!)

But today is Monday. It the first day of work in the New Year. And do you remember what God's first day of work brought? Light!

Here's my prayer for you this year: May you (and I) make it our job to bring light to this darkened world.

In Christ's Love,

a sixty-watt guy

(aiming for one hundred)

Jan 1 - Luke 5:37

2012-01-01T05:02:00.000-05:00

Merry Christmas - day 11

no one puts new wine into old wineskins;

otherwise the new wine

will burst the skins and will be spilled,

and the skins will be destroyed.

Luke 5:37

Happy New Year!

Do you understand old vs. new wine and old vs. new skins? New wine is grape juice. It is unfermented, and when it ferments, it expands. New wineskins are pliable -- unexpanded, unstretched. Therefore, when you put new wine in a new skin, both can expand. But if you put new wine in an old skin, the expanding juices will burst the fragile and already expanded leather.

As the new year begins, it's a good occasion to ask: Where am I fragile? How am I brittle? In what ways is my thinking old and unchangable?

Maybe a better way to ask it is: How can I be new? In what ways can I stretch? How will I allow God to stretch my capacity?

Maybe the prayer is:

God, let my faith be renewed this New Year.

Allow me to stretch and to grow.

Challenge my old and brittle

and expendable ways of thinking.

Increase my capacity for caring and serving.

And allow the Holy Spirit to bubble up

in me, like fine new wine.

In Christ's Love,

Gewurztraminer

(apparently that makes me a guy

who's ideal with Asain food, pork,

and grilled sausage)

Dec 31 - Revelation 21:1,4

2011-12-31T05:00:00.000-05:00

Merry Christmas - day 10

Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth

[and in it, God] will wipe every tear from [our] eyes.

Death will be no more;

mourning and crying and pain

will be no more.

Revelation 21:1,4

What a wonderful verse for New Year's Eve. It helps finish off the Bible. It reminds us how to finish off the year.

Many of us view the march of time with wistfulness, regret, and pain. "My best days are behind me," too many cry.

No!

Our best days are in front of us! Heaven awaits with an incredible promise: Not only will we come to a time when there is no more mourning or crying or pain, but our youth shall be renewed like an eagle's (Ps 103:5)!

But we don't have to wait for heaven to have our best days. The single greatest decision we can ever make is our own attitude. We can choose how we will react to circumstances. And knowing that our good God is in charge should give us confidence to face boldly whatever lies ahead.

Tomorrow starts a new year. Can you choose to believe that your best days are ahead of you?!

In Christ's Love,

a guy who wrote that last sentence very carefully:

"Can you choose to believe ..."

(Happy New Year)

Dec 30 - Revelation 13:16-18

2011-12-30T04:58:00.000-05:00

Merry Christmas - day 9

[The beast] causes all ...

to be marked on the right hand

or forehead, so that

no one can buy or sell

who does not have the mark,

that is, the number of the beast ...

It's number is six hundred sixty-six

Revelation 13:16-18

In Sunday School, my kids this year are asking, "Why does the number forty keep cropping up in all these stories?"

I said, "I think God wants us to see him. Therefore, he tends to work things in familiar patterns so that we might just stop and say, 'I wonder ...?'"

Forty is not the only Biblical number of significance. Twelve is important -- twelve tribes, twelve disciples. Three is important -- in addition to the Trinity, Jesus often took with him three disciples -- Peter, James, and John -- to his most important events. In addition, when you repeated something three times, it's meaning grew exponentially until by the third time it meant "to the highest degree."

Seven is another key number. Seven was viewed as perfection.

Six, therefore, was by definition less than perfect. Therefore, 666 meant "imperfect, imperfect, imperfect-to-the-highest-degree." That is Satan and his Antichrist ... and not just imperfect ... pure evil.

On our foreheads, God wants to mark us with his cross. Satan wants to mark us with his alternative.

In our world today, we can easily imagine a "mark" that allows us to participate in commerce or not. We can imagine a microchip imbedded inside our skin. And we can imagine -- with the rampant degree of identity theft -- governments "requiring" such marks so as to guard us against fraud.

It's ironic, though ... God already provide us with unique marks. Our fingerprints are unique. The patterns of our eyes and pupils are unique. If God made us perfect and unique, why would we ever want to accept a mark that makes us imperfect and part of the masses?

In Christ's Love,

a guy who is thankful

that God made me as me.

Dec 29 - Revelation 11:10-11

2011-12-29T04:55:00.002-05:00

Merry Christmas - day 8

and the inhabitants of the earth will gloat

over [the two witnesses who have been killed]

and celebrate and exchange presents ...

but after the three and a half days,

the breath of life from God [will] enter them ...

Revelation 11:10-11

It's sometimes hard to find an inspiring verse in the midst of Revelation!

As the story unfolds, God sends a warning ... and then waits. He sends another warning ... and then waits. He sends another warning ... and then waits.

Indeed, for four thousand years, God has alternately sent blessings and warnings. You'd think blessings would turn people to a generous God; however, whenever we're blessed we tend to credit our own ingenuity. Warnings don't necessarily turn people to God either. We hear what we want to hear, we ignore what's too stressful to handle, and if we're like Jesus said of Jerusalem, we kill (or are tempted to kill) the prophets.

As Revelation unfolds, God sends a warning ... and then waits. He sends another warning ... and then waits. Why? To give us time -- time for another opportunity to turn away from our sin and turn toward him.

Today's verse reflects another warning. Two witnesses, sent from God, preach uninterupted ... and uninteruptable. Most believe that these two are literally Moses and Elijah (the Law and the prophets) who return to call the world back to God.

When they have finished preaching, God allows the beast to claim their life. And after all the truth they've proclaimed, what does the world do? Repent? No. The world "gloat[s] ... celebrate[s] and exchange[s] presents."

Did their witness and warning turn people's hearts? Not enough.

Will God's power as he raises them three days later from the dead? Not enough.

What will it take to wake you up -- more fully -- to God's movement in this world and change you?!

In Christ's Love,

a guy who wants to

change more than his socks

Dec 28 - Revelation 7:13-14

2011-12-28T04:51:00.001-05:00

Merry Christmas - day 7

"Who are these, robed in white,

and where have they come from?"

"These are the ones who have

come out of the great ordeal;

they have washed their robes and

made them white in the blood of the Lamb."

Revelation 7:13-14

When my son Paul played football he washed his white football pants with his bright red socks. The result, of course? He didn't quite achieve quite as fearsome and manly appearance as he intended on the football field in pink pants.

We know what should happen if we wash our "robes" in crimson, right?

Let's get the context ... The Elder asks John, "Who are these robed in white?" John is the newcomer in heaven and pleads, "How am I supposed to know? Tell me!" The Elder tells him two things ...

First, these are the true saints. Life is already filled with too many trials ... but, as scripture tells us, when the final days approach, life will be filled with more testing and temptations. The Elder is telling John -- and us -- that true saints have courageous faith. In the face of persecution, true saints stand up for what they believe in!

As Jesus said in the beatitudes, "Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." That's what's pictured here. Salvation! Redemption! Restoration! Peace and joy!

Second, I love the counter-intuitive image of their washed robes. We know what happens if we wash football pants with red socks. And we know what's supposed to happen if we wash our robes of life in blood. But Jesus' blood is healing. It's the only thing that makes us pure and white.

When we cling to cross of Christ, there is hope and life! And peace and joy! And forgiveness and restoration!

In the blood of the Lamb there is heaven!

In Christ's Love,

a bloody mess

(in his blood, my mess is forgiven

and I am made whole)

Dec 27 - Revelations 3:20

2011-12-27T04:49:00.000-05:00

Merry Christmas - day 6

Behold, I stand

at the door and knock.

If you hear my voice and open the door,

I will come in to you, and eat with you,

and you with me

Revelations 3:20

Following the Bible in a Year, we conclude, of course, with Revelation. And end times messages are not inappropriate as we end a year and claim a few new resolutions.

John's vision begins with being whisked to heaven, being given a vision of God, and being told to write Jesus' letter to seven historic church.

I believe that these seven letters contained a very specific message for seven specific congregations that John knew and was ministering too. God historically did that with prophets. He'd often speak first the people of the prophet's immediate generation.

Often and obviously prophets also speak to other generations as well. Therefore, I'm intrigued by one interpretative conclusion of many scholars today. Some believe that the seven "congregations" also represent seven eras of the church (and with rarely a clear break between epochs, the eras usually overlap). But think about this ... Isn't it clear that:

Some of the generation have endured persecution and have been comforted with Christ's message of "Do not fear" (2:10);
some generations "tolerate ... Jezebel ... and practice fornication" (2:20);
some generations have itchy ears and are drawn to false teachers (2:14);
and some of us simply "abandoned [our] first love" (2:4).
Some of those things could clearly be said regarding just about any era. But if it is true, the final two church powerfully match what is going on in our world today (whether this is the end of time or not).

The final two churches are Philadelphia and Laodicea. Philadelphia is commended. They are said to have "little power [but] you have kept my word" (Rev 3:8,10). Laodicea is said to be "lukewarm ... neither cold nor hot" ... and that was not a good thing. (Rev 3:15-16).

If these are, as some scholars suggest, the two final generations, then they clearly parallel what is happening right now in the world-wide church. In the Global South and East, churches tend to be poor, powerless, and persecuted. And yet they are growing! Their faith is vibrant and alive. Jesus says to the Church at Philadelphia, "Because you have kept my owrd of patient endurance, I will keep you from the hour of trial."

The Laodicean church represents the church of the West. Compared to Philadelphia and the churches of the Global South and East, we are rich and historic. But the church in the West is dying. Church attendance in Europe, for example, is anemic, and America is trending increasingly in that direction. Jesus' message: "Because you are lukewarm ... I am about to spit you out of my mouth" (ouch! Rev 3:16).

Fortunately, for all who are lukewarm (or are in lukewarm churches and countries), there is always hope! Jesus says -- to the Laodiceans and to each of us -- "Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in to you, and eat with you, and you with me" (Rev 3:20).

In Christ's Love,

a guy who hears

a knock at my door

Dec 26 - 1 John 5:3

2011-12-26T04:43:00.002-05:00

Merry Christmas - day 5

For the love of God is this,

that we obey his commandments.

1 John 5:3

My son Jay, as you probably know, is at the Naval Academy. One of their goals is to make the men much tougher men. Therefore my favorite email from Jay in his first was: "Mom and Dad, I have good news and bad news. The bad news is: I have a huge black eye. The good news is: I got an A in boxing."

Today is known, especially in England and much of Europe, as Boxing Day. And no it has nothing to do with fists and black eyes. The day after Christmas, masters and servants have traditionally reversed roles.

All year long, the servants have to -- as our verse today says -- obey their master's commandments. (Whether they do so out of love, out of duty, or for the paycheck is entirely up to each particular servant.) On Boxing Day, the masters switch roles. And whether they do this out of love, out of duty, or because tradition is up to the individual master too.

At Christmas, Jesus took off his robes light and reversed roles. The master -- the King of Creation -- became the suffering servant. And of course he didn't do it out of duty; he did it out of love.

Rather than just returning gifts and shopping sales, who might you take a moment to serve today?

In Christ's Love,

a guy who wants a black eye

by the end of the day

(because I've boxed and served)

Dec 25 - 1 John 2:7, 3:11, 4:7,9,10

2011-12-25T04:40:00.002-05:00

Merry Christmas - day 4

All year long, our lessons have been following the chronological version of "The Bible in a Year." As your Christmas present, look what was ordained for today ...

Beloved, I am writing you
no new commandment
but an old commandment that
you have had from the beginning ...

For this is message you have heard
from the beginning that
we should love one another.

Beloved, let us love one another,
because love is from God ...
[and] God's love was revealed
among us in this way:
God sent his only son into the world
so that we might live through him.

In this is love, not that we loved God
but that he loved us and
sent his Son to be
the atoning sacrifice for our sins.
1 John 2:7, 3:11, 4:7,9,10

In Christ's Love,

a guy who's very thankful

for the love from above

and for the love down here

(especially in this wonderful

First-John-Congregation that loves one another

... and reaches out in love to the world.

Thank you for being you. Merry Christmas)

Dec 24 - Hebrews 11:1

2011-12-24T01:54:00.002-05:00

Merry Christmas - day 3

Faith is the assurance

of things hoped for,

the conviction of things

not seen.

Hebrews 11:1

Merry Christmas!

For a thousand years the people of Israel waited for this day -- the coming of the Messiah, the birth of the Savior King.

A thousand years of waiting!

That took faith! Patient faith. Enduring faith. Very, very long-suffering faith. The ability to continually fan the embers of this promises was indeed, "the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen."

Peter reminds us that "the Lord is not slow about his promise, as some think of slowness[; because,] with the Lord one day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like one day" (2 Peter 3:9).

What are you waiting, hoping for? The manager is a reminder that God is faithful. He will fulfill his promises. And he has all eternity to work out his purposes and your joy.

Tonight, look to the manger, remembering that God is faithful and praying that he'll make you even more faithful.

In Christ's Love,

a guy who likes the third verse

of "Away in a Manger" --

"Be near me Lord Jesus,

I ask thee to stay,

close by me forever

and love me, I pray.

Bless all the dear children

in your tender care,

and fit us for heaven,

to live with thee there."

Dec 23 - Hebrews 7:1-2

2011-12-23T01:52:00.002-05:00

Merry Christmas - day 2

This "King Melchizedek of Salem,

priest of the Most High God,

met Abraham ... and blessed him;

and to him Abraham apportioned

one-tenth of everything.

His name ... means,

"king of righteousness";

next he is also king of Salem,

that is, "king of peace."

Hebrews 7:1-2

God is amazing.

From the first pages of scripture and the beginning of creation, God's plan was to send us a Savior. So what did he do? He put foreshadowings of Jesus -- some big, some small -- on seemingly every few pages of the Old Testament.

You get bonus points today if you can think a few that don't immediately leap to my mind, but here are three quick ones that occur to me in the life of Abraham:

God Miraculously Opens Wombs and Creates Life for His Purpose -- God opened the womb of the old lady, Sarah (see Gen 17), and the young lady, Mary, and God used these children -- Isaac and Jesus -- to fulfill God's purposes and lead his people. (That's the Christmas part of this story -- God's power and wondrous birth.)

God Uses a Lamb/Ram as a Substitute for Our Death -- When Abraham obeyed God's call (to sacrifice Isaac, Gen 22), God honored this faith and gave a lamb/ram as a substitute and sacrifice in place of Isaac's death. Similarly, Jesus, the Lamb/ram of God, was a substitute and sacrifice for our death.

God's People can Personally Meet the "King of Righteousness" and the "Prince of Peace" -- There are two parallels to Jesus in the life of Melchizedek.

In the Books of Moses (and for most of the Old Testament), when a character is introduced, we are given his lineage. For example, before Genesis turns fully to the story of Abraham (chapter twelve), the words "son of" or "father of" are already used 33 times! Genesis, however, does not mention Melchizedek's lineage. Therefore, we are told that Melchizedek, "without father, without mother, without geneology, having neither beginning of days nor end of life ... resembl[es] the Son of God [and] remains a priest forever" (Heb 7:3).

There's second way that Melchizedek is like Christ. Before there was ever a religion to preside over (Abraham's line was not yet established and the law of Sinai to preside over was generations from being given), Melchizedek was still a high priest of God. Jesus is our high priest too -- the ultimate high priest -- "he is able for all time to save those who approach God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them."

A third way that Melchizedek is like is Christ is through his titles. "Salem" is from the same root words as "Shalom." Both mean peace. Melchizedek is called both the King of Righteousness and the King of Salem; hence, the King of Peace. Those are, of course, titles for Jesus too. The point of the story of Abraham is that an ordinary human -- and that's what Abraham was -- could meet the Prince of Peace. So can you.

Indeed, I pray you meet him more fully this Christmas season.

In Christ's Love,

a guy who sings,

"O Holy Child of Bethlehem

descend to us we pray;

Cast out our sin and enter in,

be born in us today."

Dec 22 - Hebrews 3:13

2011-12-22T07:45:00.002-05:00

Merry Christmas! - day 1

exhort one another every day,

as long as it is called day

Hebrews 3:13

As soon as Christmas day ends, many people immediately pull down the tree, turn off the carols, and declare Christmas, "so over."

The historic church has a completely different logic. Advent is a season of praying, waiting, and preparation. The season of Christmas begins with Christmas morn and lasts until Epiphany -- twelve days. Hence, "The Twelve Days of Christmas."

But have you heard the legend behind that song? It is believed to have come from a time of persecution within the church. Christians had to subtly teach their faith, and they did it, in part, through these lyrics:

A Partridge in a Pear Tree -- This was Jesus, the heart of our faith, who died on a tree to set us free. His life-giving death is the meaning for every season, including Christmas.
Two Turtle Doves -- Represented the Old and New Testaments.
Three French Hens -- Represented the Trinity: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit
Four Calling Birds -- Were the four Gospels that continually call to our hearts
Five Golden Rings -- Represented the Torah. The first five books of the Bible, the Torah was also known as the Books of Moses or "The Law." Traditionally these first five scrolls were bound with a golden ring to hold them together.
Six Geese a Laying -- Represented the six days of creation; God "laid" the foundations of earth and the life that was brought forth from this "egg" called earth.
Seven Swans A-Swimming -- These are the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit: Wisdom, Understanding, Council (Right Judgment), Courage, Knowledge, Piety, and the Fear of the Lord.
Eight Maids A-Milking -- These are the eight beatitudes, "Blessed are the poor ... meek ... hungry ... etc."
Nine Ladies Dancing -- These are the nine fruits of the Spirit: Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness, Self-Control.
Ten Lords A-Leaping -- The Ten Commandments
Eleven Pipers Piping -- The eleven faithful apostles who piped and proclaimed the Good News all over creation.
Twelve Drummers Drumming -- represented the twelve key points found in the Apostles Creed.

If you've got kids or grandkids, make sure this Christmas that they -- and you -- can name the nine fruits of the Spirit quicker than they can name Santa's nine reindeer (including Rudolph).

In Christ's Love,

a guy who has a song to remember

the nine fruits (in addition to the song

that helps me remember Santa's nine deer)

Dec 21 - Hebrews 1:1-2

2011-12-21T01:00:00.000-05:00

Long ago, God spoke

to our ancestors

in many and various ways

by the prophets,

but in these last days

he has spoken to us

by a Son.

Hebrews 1:1-2

Today's verse is one of those subtle Christmas passages.

For hundreds of years, God's prophets had been proclaiming the wonder of the coming Messiah. In fact, Jesus' own cousin -- John the Baptist -- was the final forerunner and proclaimer of the coming Messiah..

In one sense, all of their voices are in the past tense. Nevertheless, in the present tense, they powerfully assure us that God wants to speak his mysteries into our lives. They also remind us to keep looking forward to God's interventions which are still to come.

Hebrews tells us, however, that we can do much more than try to decipher prophets like soothesayers try to read tea leaves. God has given us a more powerful message (the Gospels) and the ultimate messenger (Jesus, God's own Son).

When Jesus himself said, "Do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the prophets; I have come not to abolish but to fulfill," he reminded us to continue using the counsel of the whole Bible. Nevertheless, the life, death, resurrection, and specific teachings of Jesus should be at the core of our heart, mind, and theology.

In Christ's Love,

a guy who wants a stethescope

(I'll warm it up in pocket,

train it on the Gospels

and seek to hear more of God)

Dec 20 - 2 Peter 3:9

2011-12-20T01:00:00.000-05:00

The Lord is not slow

about his promises,

as some think about slowness,

but is patient with you

not wanting any to perish,

but all to come to repentance.

2 Peter 3:9

We live in a world of quick grits, instant messaging, and video-on-demand. Multi-tasking is part of life. And we are perturbed if a teenager at the fast food window dares to tell us to wait a minute.

It's not a surprise that we carry our watches into our prayer life. We want what we want when we want it. We subtly but daily demand that God conform to our schedule.

When God began to tell King David that his line would reign forever, David and his ancestors started checking off days on their calendar. But bringing his plan to fruition wasn't like stirring up a serving of minute rice. It took a full thousand years -- and God's perfect timing -- for the Messiah to arrive.

We can argue with God about timing, but "the Lord is not slow as some think about slowness." We could say that "with the Lord one day is like a thousand years and a thousand years are like one day." (That's the verse before today's verse.) But there's a better answer to this. "The Lord ... is patient."

Now make it personal -- "The Lord ... is patient with you."

When we did a full-year study on Revelation, we noticed a pattern:

God would act (and usually his end times actions were big and bold and splashed across the sky).
And then he would wait.
Then he would act again.
Then he would wait.

Why? He is patient! It took a thousand years from promise to Messiah. It's taken two thousand years from Messiah to to today. Why? He is "not wanting any to perish."

He acts in our world ... and then in our own lives.
Then he waits.
He acts.
And then he waits.
He loves, speaks, invites, encourages, and draws you to him.
And then he hopes you respond.
And if you don't he keep acting again and again.

We're not patient. Thank God he is!

In Christ's Love,

a guy who needs

to take off his watch

and just abide

Dec 19 - 1 Peter 2:16

2011-12-19T01:46:00.001-05:00

As servants of God,

live as free people,

yet do not use your freedom

as a pretext for evil.

1 Peter 2:16

Martin Luther grew up in a horribly legalistic time. God was pictured as angry, even vindictive. And human life was lived in fear.

Therefore, when was finally able to read the scripture and discover the concept of God's amazing grace, he was set free. So was much of the Christian world.

We humans have an unfortunate tendency, though. When change occurs, sometimes we don't change by inches; sometimes we swing the pendulum wildly in the other direction. Therefore, many of Luther's followers hurtled the pendulum hard in the direction of permissiveness. In fact, many argued passionately that should sin wildly so that they could prove that they believed in grace rather than works.

Today's verse obviously contradicts that kind of cockeyed logic. We must not, indeed, use our freedoms as a pretext for bad behavior.

Freedom, instead, should encourage us to live boldly rather than blandly. God calls us to love and serve and worship and proclaim. As we do those things passionately, we'll make occasional mistakes, but we should forgive ourselves and keep marching forward, trusting that God first forgives us.

Boldness! That's the freedom God grants to us.

In Christ's Love,

a guy who wants his pendulum to swing

toward the first words in this verse ...

Let me be "a servant of God."

Dec 18 - 1 Peter 1:18-19

2011-12-18T01:46:00.001-05:00

You know that

you were ransomed

from the futile ways

inherited from your ancestors,

not with perishable things like gold and silver,

but with the precious blood of Christ.

1 Peter 1:18-19

Have you ever wished you had a rich old relative who left you a million dollars in their will?!

That's the kind of inheritance that most of us think about. But rather than inheriting gold and silver, we are more frequently bequeathed patterns of thought and behavior from our parents and our culture.

Some of these patterns are tremendous blessings. For example, many of us have been given a wonderful heritage of freedom, justice, love, and even faith!

Others times we inherit utter futility.

In theory, most of us may "know" about God's promises of grace. But most of us don't live like it. Most of us live like we have to work our way to God.

How futile! We can't do it. God is so holy, perfect, and pure that we -- in comparison --are hopelessly broken, stained, and failing. Therefore, when we occasionally and inevitably fail, we wind up kidnapped by hopelessness, guilt, or despair.

If we were to be free, a ransome had to be paid. But we couldn't do it ourselves. We can never be as good as God.

The Gospel message is that the Son of God paid the penalty for us. Through the precious blood of Christ, our sins have been covered. The world futilily says, "work harder." Jesus' self-giving love says, "Give thanks, because you are ransomed and free."

In Christ's Love,

a former hostage

Dec 17 - 1 Timothy 4:7-8

2011-12-17T01:45:00.001-05:00

Trian yourself in Godliness,

for while physical training is of some value,

godliness is valuable in every way.

1 Timothy 4:7-8

For many of my years in ministry, I lived in a small town. To get good competition, aspiring young athletes had to travel. When would they travel, though? On weekends. On Sundays. We'd lose families for an entire season of the year. My youth director said they worshipped God of Soccer.

I look back on my own childhood. I played every sport I could play. I went to major universities for football camps. But when was the last time I played football?!

Sports are great. They teach teamwork and discipline. As culture changes and more activities are on Sundays, our sports are also teaching that there are earthly hobbies more important than God and church.

It's been thirty years since I've played football. "Godliness is valuable in every way." It's a life-long gift that I carry with me daily. And it transcends my youth. Indeed, it will carry me to everlasting life.

In Christ's Love,

a guy whose knee

still occasionally aches

(an old football injury)

Dec 16 - Philippians 4:4,6,5

2011-12-16T00:50:00.001-05:00

Rejoice in the Lord always;

again I will say, Rejoice.

Do not worry about anything.

The Lord is at hand.

Philippians 4:4,6,5

One of the key themes at Christmas is "peace." Jesus himself is indeed the Prince of this great gift. Well, Philippians 4:4-7 is the formula that adds up to peace -- indeed, "7 the peace of God which surpasses all understanding."

If you want to give yourself a simple Christmas gift, memorize this formula, memorize verses: Philippians 4:4-7.

"Pray[er]" connects us personally to God.
"Thanksgiving" and "rejoic[ing]" help us look up to God -- instead of looking down in "worry."
Our actions and obedience -- "let[ting] our gentleness," for example, "be known to everyone" -- train our habits in the ways we should go ... until gentleness, kindness, service, and forgiveness become who we are.
And knowing that "the Lord is at hand" means that I've got a partner walking beside me, even when things don't feel peaceful.

Wait?! There's only one problem with memorization ... we don't like to do it!!! It's like work.

Here's where I'm going to point you to my son, Jay. To train these young naval officers how to memorize, these young midshipmen (in their first gruelling year) are required to memorize all fifteen meal options four meals ahead. (You have your choice of roast beef with pepper gravy or beef Chow Mein with Cashews and Red Peppers. The vegetables are cooked carrots and broccoli with cheese sauce. There is also Potatos au gratin sprinkled with bacon bits, red cabbage cole slaw, and a chef's salad with your choice of Ranch, French, Blue Cheese, or Low Fat Vinegrette dressing. Served with the meal are whole wheat rolls with butter, iced tea, and coffee. For desert is blueberry cobbler with vanilla ice cream or chocolate iced brownies with walnuts.)

One, I wish I ate that well. But two, why is this method of memorization so effective? The theory is, if you can memorize something with zero lasting importance -- and which changes every six hours -- then you can memorize large amounts of critical information in the heat of battle.

So ... memorizing Philippians 4 (see the verses below) should be easier than memorizing menus. Why? 1) The words here have eternal significance; 2) God's truths -- as opposed to menus -- never change; and 3) we are in a battle with sin, death, and discouragments (that's what worry is). Let's fight it with truth.

In Christ's Love,

a guy who's thankful at Christmas

that the Lord is at hand.

4 Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice.

5 Let your gentleness be known to everyone.

The Lord is at hand.

6 Do not worry about anything,

but in everything

by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving

let your requests be made known to God.

7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding,

will keep your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 4:4-7

Dec 15 - Philippians 2:7

2011-12-15T00:48:00.001-05:00

[Christ Jesus] emptied himself,

taking the form of a slave,

being born in human likeness.

Philippians 2:7

When I was about 17, I wrote a book in my head.

It was the story of a boy who loved ants. For hours he'd sit and watch and study delightfully the ants just outside his back door.

One day his father announced that the family was going build an addition onto the house. It was to go right on top of the boy's beloved ant hill. How could a boy possibly give a message to the ants? He decided he must quit being a human and become an ant.

That's a pretty cool story for a 17-year-old, right?! At least that's what I thought until a friend told me another writer had already published a book just like it.

Great idea. Bad timing, huh? (I could have been famous.)

I guess I wasn't original. But neither was the other writer. Jesus had already authored this story two thousand years ago!

The Son of God taking off his robes of light and becoming human is pretty comparable to a human choosing to become an ant. So great was Jesus majesty, and yet he humbled himself. (My story even had the boy be willing to die to get his message across to save his little ants, and of course, that's exactly what Jesus did to save us "ants.")

Philippians 2:5-11 is a powerful Christmas verse. The manger, the stable, and the Son of God in diapers is God truly emptying himself as he is born in human likeness. It is becoming an ant, a humble servant, a slave to our bodies of sin, death, and decay.

Jesus' willingness tells of his love.

Then Paul invites us to do the same thing: "Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus." How can you empty yourself of yourself and become more like Jesus? That's a good Christmas question.

In Christ's Love,

a guy who wants to be an ant

(I want to be a little less

and have Him be a good bit more)

Dec 14 - Colossians 1:15

2011-12-14T00:48:00.000-05:00

He is the image of the invisible God,

the firstborn of all creation;

Colossians 1:15

Today's verse -- in fact it whole Colossians 1 paragraph (vss 15-22) -- fits very beautifully for this holy Christmas season.

Listen to some of these themes -- Paul's words are scripture and are the bold ones (they're scripture), mine are not bold and not scripture.

15 He is the image of the invisible God ... If you want to see what God looks like, look at Jesus
15 [He is] the firstborn of all creation ... In the beginning was the Word, and this "Word," we are told in John 1:1-5, is Jesus himself.
16 for in him all things in heaven and on earth were created ... In Genesis 1 when the Father says, "Let us make humankind in our image," he's talking to Jesus (and the Holy Spirit). Therefore, in him all things were created.
17 In him all things hold together. I love that! When we're trying to make sense of this broken world, Jesus is the lens that focuses our vision. In him all things begin to make sense.
18 He is the head of the body, the church ... I'm not the head of any church! Jesus is.
18 So that he might come to have first place in everything. This is my favorite line. Does he have first place in everything in your life? Or do you yourself or things of this world have first place for you.
19 For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell ... This is the reason that we said in verse 15, that if you want to see what God looks like, look at Jesus. But Jesus doesn't just look and act like God; He is God! Fully.
20 And through him God was pleased to reconcile to himself all things ... by making peace through the blood of his cross. Sin separates us from God. Jesus -- through the costly shedding of his blood -- draws us back (reconciles us) to God.
21 so as to present you holy and blameless and irreproachable before him ... This is what reconciliation is. It's washing our sinful rags and presenting us holy and blameless before God.

Isn't that a beautiful picture of Christ in the midst of this beautiful, holy season? The question -- inspired by verse 18 -- is: Does Jesus have first place in everything? In your life? Or even just in your Christmas? Is Jesus really first?

In Christ's Love,

a guy who was reminded recently

of the biography of football great Gale Sayers.

He called it "I am Third."

(Jesus first, others second, ourselves third.)

Dec 13 - Ephesians 4:29

2011-12-13T05:06:00.001-05:00

Do not let any unwholesome talk

come out of your mouths,

but only what is helpful

for building others up

according to their needs...

Ephesians 4:29

Sometimes a Bible verse can serve as a compass. When we're lost, it points us in the right direction.

Ephesians 4:29 served as a frequent compass in our house. Kids get lost regularly ... and I don't just mean physically lost. They lose their moral compass. They get frustrated and angry, and they (and we) say things they shouldn't.

Mary Louise kept pointing them to their true compass -- Jesus Christ -- and his life-giving wisdom which includes ...

We will tolerate "no unwholesome talk." In addition to not tolerating coarse language, we insisted that our kids watch no unwholesome television or listen to no unwholesome song lyrics. Those things are subtle poison. What goes in will inevitably flow back out. Therefore, we watched a lot of old movies -- mature enough themes but with a much cleaner presentation.
Say only things that are helpful. One of the related quotes we used was: "Great minds talk about ideas. Good minds talk about things. Weak minds talk about people."
Make sure whatever you say "builds other people up." That one is so easily violated ... especially when we're stressed. Therefore, this is the principal that all five of us had to recommit ourselves to constantly. "Build up, don't tear down; build up, don't tear down; build up, don't tear down." It was a helpful mantra.
And what we say should be "according to the other person's needs." This goes beyond do unto others according to what you'd like; it's do unto others according to what they want, need, hope for, and will enrich.

My tongue has caused the fires that James warns about in his Epistle -- James 3:1-12. Which of these principals do you need to work on for yourself or for your family?

In Christ's Love,

a guy who likes duct-tape

(either I'm a red neck

or I need continual discipline

in keeping his mouth shut)

Dec 12 - Ephesians 1:3-11,2:10

2011-12-12T05:06:00.000-05:00

In Christ's Love,

a guy who's writing

today's devotional

backward

Lately I've come to understand that properly understanding our identity is the key to health, hope, peace, and joy in life.

We tend to believe what the imperfect world says.
We tend to trust the evaluation of imperfect parents.
We compare ourselves to others. If we think too highly of ourselves, we call this pride.
More often, we think too negatively about ourselves. Why? Because somebody's always smarter, prettier, slimmer, faster, richer, or more popular. Therefore, we suffer in comparison.

The simplest statement of our true identity -- that will hopefully defeat tapes that play and replay discouragement and defeat -- come from Ephesians 1:3-11.

God reminds us through his holy Word that we are: blessed, chosen, holy, blameless, destined, adopted, redeemed, forgiven, lavished up, an inheritor, and a masterpiece.

3 Blessed be the God and Father

of our Lord Jesus Christ,

who has blessed us in Christ with

every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places,

4 just as he chose us in Christ

before the foundation of the world

to be holy and blameless before him in love.

5 He destined us for adoption

as his children through Jesus Christ,

according to the good pleasure of his will.

7 In him we have redemption through his blood,

the forgiveness of our trespasses,

according to the riches of his grace

8 that he lavished on us.

11 In Christ we have also obtained an inheritance.

having been destined according to the purpose

of him who accomplishes all things

according to his counsel and will.

2:10 For we are God's masterpiece.

He has created us anew in Christ Jesus ...

Ephesians 1:3-11,2:10

Dec 11 - Acts 26:17-18

2011-12-11T22:48:00.000-05:00

The Lord said to Paul,

I am sending you to open their eyes

so that they may turn from darkness to light

and from the power of Satan to God,

so that they may receive forgiveness of sins

and a place among those who are

sanctified by faith in me.

Acts 26:17-18

When Jesus knocked down Paul along that Damascus road, he told Paul that he had a five-fold purpose in mind for Paul's ministry ...

To open the eyes of the spiritually blind. Paul explained this calling as wanting to "make everyone see what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in God who created all things" (Eph 3:9).
To turn people from the power of Satan to God. Paul was indeed the master who warned us that "our struggle is not against enemies of blood and flesh, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore," he advised us to "take up the whole armor of God" (Eph 6:12-13).
To help the broken understand that their sins are forgiven. Paul tells us, "Once you were dead, doomed forever because of your many sins. But God is so rich in mercy, and he loved us so very much, that even while we were dead because of our sins, he gave us life when he raised Christ from the dead. (By grace you have been saved!)" (Eph 2:1-5).
To introduce those who don't know the God of Israel and the Savior of the Nations into the family of faith. Paul said, "Remember that you were at that time without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ ... creat[ing] in himself one new humanity in place of the two ... and ... reconcil[ing] both groups to God in one body through the cross" (Eph 2:12-17)
To transfer hurting people from darkness and bondage and sin into his kingdom of freedom, hope, and light. Paul puts it this way, "Let us then lay aside the works of darkness and put on the armor of light" (Rom 2:19). But this is call of all disciples, and I like even more how Peter encourages people to realize that they are "a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God's own people, in order that you may proclaim the mighty acts of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light" (1 Pet 2:9).

That's the call for all disciples ... all five of these. Pick on to work on in your own life this week. After all, that's why Christ called you too!

In Christ's Love,

a guy who will work to

open, turn, help, introduce

and transfer

Dec 10 - Acts 26:13-14

2011-12-10T05:21:00.000-05:00

The Apostle Paul said,

"At midday along the road ...

I saw a light from heaven ...

When [I] had fallen to the ground,

I heard a voice saying,

'Saul, Saul, why are you

persecuting me ...?'"

Acts 26:13-14

Much of the end of Acts involves Paul's odd journey to Rome.

The journey starts in Jerusalem, and Paul's arrest is actually his first step toward the capital of the empire. Through these final chapters of Acts, Paul kept going through a number of trials, courts, governors, kings, and other officials until the Apostle began to appeal to Caesar himself.

God has a wonderful sense of humor.

The authorities were trying to shut Paul up. Instead, Paul's appeal to Caesar won him an all-expense paid trip to Rome. Indeed, a hostile government paid for Paul's final great missionary venture.
Furthermore, when a criminal is arrested, what do they have to do again and again? Give their testimony. Paul's testimony wasn't a legal defense, of course, it was a spiritual testimony and a powerful witness.

If you look at Acts 22:6-16 and 26:12-18, Paul is testifying again and again about his conversion (which was originally recorded in Acts 9:1-19). He was testifying to his faith, of course, but he was using his conversion as an opening to his soul and a window into his faith.

We are called to always be ready to give an account for the hope that is in us (see 1 Pet 3:14). A good way to do this -- like Paul -- is to tell others of our conversion story. Even if you grew up in the church, I'll bet there was a moment when your inherited faith became your own personal faith.

Are you ready, able, and willing to testify again and again for the hope that is in you?

In Christ's Love,

a guy who didn't see a light from heaven,

but did see the God of heaven in

a bunch of spindly little trees

(but that's a story for another time)

Dec 9 - Acts 23:11

2011-12-09T05:21:00.000-05:00

That night the Lord stood near [Paul]

and said, "Keep up your courage!"

Acts 23:11

In Acts 21-23, Paul heads to Jerusalem to see James. While there, he immediately finds controversary.

Paul testifies and is arrested. He testifies again, and they plot his death. It was discouraging. But at night in the midst of persecution, the Lord himself came and stood beside Paul, saying, "Keep up your courage."

Have you ever felt God's presence in that kind of way?

In times of trial, have you ever experienced a peace which passes all understanding?
In times of grief, have you ever experienced an unexplained hope?
In times of illness, have you ever been surprised by healing? (Even if the healing is emotional rather than physical?)
In times of brokeness and guilt, have you ever experienced forgiveness and grace?

Just as the Lord stood beside Paul, he stands beside you, saying, "Keep up your courage!"

In Christ's Love,

Captain Courageous

(a guy who can be courageous

because I know the crucified captain)

Dec 8 - Romans 16:1-2

2011-12-08T04:25:00.000-05:00

I commend to you our sister Pheobe,

a minister of the church at Cenchreae,

so that you may welcome her in the Lord

as is fitting for the saints

Romans 16:1-2

The end of the traditional church in the West occurred when the church began ordaining women.

WAIT!!!

Wait ... wait ... wait!!! Ultimately, the long-term problem for the church was not with women in the pulpit, but with the sloppy Biblical work behind approving this decision.

Biblically, there is a hard passage for many faithful Christians to transcend when considering this issue. In 1 Corinthians 14:34, the Apostle Paul says, "women should be silent in the churches. For they are not permitted to speak, but should be subordinate, as the law also says." Many very faithful Christians start and end with that passage. That is one prominent conviction in Christianity.

A second prominent faith conviction revolves around fairness and justice. Scripture, indeed, talks repeatedly about God being fair and just. Therefore, at a time when the equal rights banner was flying, many churches started asking the fairness and justice question regarding women in ministry. It's a good question! An important question. Unfortunately, too many pastors, churches, and individual Christians couldn't provide a solid Biblical argument to counter 1 Corinthians 14:34. Therefore, many resorted to an either/or -- it's either fairness and justice or the traditional understanding of the scriptures. For many, their good and noble sense of fairness and justice trumped the traditional understanding of the scriptures. What this led to, however, was the beginning of the end for the traditional, mainline church. Pastor Fran and I have both heard it said, "Scripture didn't support the ordination of women; therefore, why would anyone say we need scripture to support _______ [X, Y, or Z]?" It's been a very slippery slope.

There is a third way. 1 Corinthians 14:34 is so pointed and clear that we must wrestle with it. Nevertheless, this passage is not the majority sentiment of the New Testament regarding women. Indeed, majority themes, rather than minority reports, are the best way to determine the core of our theology. Here, therefore, are examples of women in ministry ...

In Romans 16, "ministers"/"deacons" like Pheobe are mentioned as prominent leaders in the church.
When Paul tells the Romans to greet Prisca and Aquila, Romans 16:3, he does the culturally unthinkable ... he mentions the woman (Priscilla) first. This again reflects the prominent ministry role of this woman in particular and his understanding of the role of women in general.
In this sixteentj chapter of Romans, Paul greets other women by name, like Mary and Julia.
Jesus himself lifted the role, place, and status of women with his consistent care for individual women, especially in a notably patriarchal age. (Although a case could be made that Jesus did choose twelve males as Apostles, in his individual encounters, he repeatedly treated women -- like the woman at the well -- as genuinely, as intelligently, and as valuably as men.)
At his resurrection, he appear first to women, which means the first heralds of the resurrection were his female followers.
Furthermore, as the church began to take shape in Acts, there were several prominent women like Tabitha and Lydia leading the charge and promoting the faith.
In the Old Testament we find God working through women, like Deborah who was one of the Judges over Israel.
And most of all, if we're concerned with placing the sacraments in a woman's hand, we need to remember that God literally placed the body of Christ in a woman's hands -- in fact, in Mary's very womb.

I can absolutely celebrate a church, an individual, or a tradition which does not allow ordination for scriptural reasons. There's integrity there.

I have a hard time, however, embracing a tradition which rejects scripture to support a worldly theme -- even if the theme (justice) is good and noble and is otherwise cloaked in Biblical undertones itself.

As for me, however, I vote with what I see as the majority report in the New Testament. I will gladly admit that I have a hard time explaining away 1 Corinthians 14, but rather than calling Paul anti-feminist (which was the explanation I grew up hearing), I look and I see continual fingerprints of God's call to women all over the Bible.

In Christ's Love,

a guy who

commends to you our sister Fran,

a minister of the church at Weddington

Dec 7 - Luke 7:13-15

2011-12-07T03:22:00.001-05:00

Recently a parent wrote, asking about how to speak to their children about grandma's illness and impending death. Over the next several days, I'm letting you "listen in" to my pastoral advice. So far we have covered the following pieces of advice: 1. Be Honest and Upfront, 2. Focus Forward, 3. Grieve Honestly, 4. Grieve with Bold Determination, 5. Understand Life, 6. Quit Denying, 7. Praying Works, 8. Time Heals Wounds, 9. Be Thankful

When the Lord saw [the grieving mother],

his heart overflowed with compassion.

"Do not weep!" he said.

Then he walked over to the coffin and touched it, and ...

the dead boy sat up and began to talk to those around him!

And Jesus gave him back to his mother.

Luke 7:13-15

Conclusion

If you haven't heard it before, here's my favorite image for grief:

Grief is a hole in the soul.

Imagine the shock of a loss. What happens to our heart as we begin to grieve?

For the first month, every time we approach the hole of grief, we're going to fall in.
Around this hole is freshly dug dirt. It is loose. It is unstable -- and so are we. Therefore, as we learn to walk a path around this hole, we're going to slip on the loose dirt and keep falling in.
Gradually, however, we going to trample down that loose dirt and make a path around that hole. We'll still fall in, but not as frequently.
One day, we'll look up at the end of the day, and realize we haven't fallen in. And the first time we do it, we'll feel so guilty about not remember the reason for the hole -- our loved one who died -- that we'll promptly throw ourselves in.
Generally it will take about a year (or two) to learn to walk a path around the big holes that represents our parent, our child, or our spouse (and less for smaller holes that represent acquaintances and friends).
Even after we've learned to walk a path around these holes, we'll still occasionally fall in. Let me give you an example: By the time I was a teenager, one of my grandfathers had been dead for thirty years. I remember, however, sitting at supper with my grandmother, she was reminiscing about the good old days, when suddenly she fell again into the hole of my grandfather's death. It was thirty years later and the hole of that grief still had gravity.
Generally, however -- and my grandmother was like this 99% of time -- we get to the point where we look back at the hole in our hearts and give thanks. My grandmother still missed a grandfather I never knew, but 99% of time she was thankful for his life, for his love, for his and her sons together!
Time brought perspective.
Time brought healing.
Time brought thanksgiving.

My grandmother was never thankful that my grandfather died, of course, but she was very thankful that he had lived! She was also very thankful that we was living again. She was indeed very thankful that she could be with him forever.

Grief hurts. Hope heals.

Thanks for journeying with me -- and a family that's losing a grandmother -- for these last several days.

In Christ's Love,

a guy who gives thanks for the hole

that was the cross and crucifixion.

Because of that and another hole

(the opening of the Easter tomb)

I'm not afraid of holes

Dec 6 - Luke 23:46

2011-12-06T03:04:00.001-05:00

Then Jesus, crying with a loud voice, said,

"Father, into your hands I commend my spirit."

Having said this, he breathed his last.

Luke 23:46

Be Thankful

Did you know that greed is one of the seven deadly sins?

And I must confess that I am greedy.

In fact, even when I think I've conquered the love of money, I find I'm greedy for other things. Time, for example. I want to live as long as I possibly can. And I want my loved ones to live at least as long as me.

Are you greedy for that too?

Lately though, I've been looking at my life. (Kids growing up and getting married will do that.) I'm not young anymore. But rather than trying to hold back the sands in the hour glass, do you know what I've been thinking a lot about lately?

"If Jesus only got 33 years on earth,

why do I think I deserve more?!!"

Ponder that for a minute.

Our very first breath was more than any of us ever deserve. But how many of us are far exceeding what even the Son of God received?

Rather than lamenting how fast time is flying, we ought to be more thankful for this gift of life!

And we ought to be more thankful that this world is not our home.

In Christ's Love,

a guy who's learning to commend

his spirit -- and all his days --

into God's hands

Dec 5 - Psalm 30:11

2011-12-05T03:03:00.000-05:00

[Lord,] you have turned my mourning into dancing;

you have taken off my sackcloth and clothed me with joy

Psalm 30:11

T-I-M-E

There's one more way to reassure a grieving person that prayer works.

Remind them that part of their prayer at the death of a loved one is: "Lord, help my own pain go away."

God says, "I will. But remember, sometimes, 'joy again' is spelled "T-I-M-E.'"

A few years ago, I went to my aunt's funeral. The weather seemed to cooperate with the forces of death -- it was dark and dreary. As we laid my aunt to rest and as tears filled everyone's eyes, I looked at the grave beside my aunt's. It was my grandfathers grave.

My grandfather had died about six years before my aunt. And I can remember standing in that same graveyard on another dark and dreary day. Do you know what we were thinking then? "Will life ever be good again?"

As the family gathered around my aunt's tomb, I watched my littlest cousins -- 2-, 3-, and 4-years-old.

To them, the graveyard wasn't a place of death and destruction; it was a playground. They played hide and seek behind headstones and climbed over tombs -- including my grandfathers.

Six years earlier, we wondered if we'd ever see joy again. Six years later, his great-grandchildren were laughing and giggling and climbing innocently over his grave. They weren't even alive when my grandfather died, but here they were, a living, breathing, giggling reminder that there will be joy again.

When we pray, "Lord, help my pain go away," we're hoping "immediately." Nevertheless, prayer works, sometimes God just says that "joy again" needs to be spelled "T-I-M-E."

In Christ's Love,

an impatient guy who tends to spell

"what I want" as "R-I-G-H-T N-O-W"

Dec 4 - Psalm 34:18

2011-12-04T03:03:00.000-05:00

The LORD is close to the brokenhearted;

he rescues those who are crushed in spirit.

Psalm 34:18

Praying works

I work with youth. Do you know what tends to be their first and second biggest faith crisis? (It can go in either order ...)

They engage in questionable behavior ... and they have to change their beliefs to match their new behavior (otherwise they feel bad about themselves and psychological it feels better to changer their beliefs than to feel bad about themselves).
Grandma dies.

Since we're talking this week about death, here's how the story usually goes.

Grandma's sick.
Granddaughter prays.
Grandma eventually dies. (Even with prayer, Grandmas tend to die before granddaughters)
Granddaughter "learns" that prayer doesn't work.
Granddaughter loses faith.

I've seen it over and over again.

Here's what you need to tell your kids -- and yourself -- in advance ...

The purpose of healing is not eternal life on earth. Think about it ... Even the people that Jesus himself healed didn't get to live forever on earth. (If they did, we'd see in the tabloids each week headlines like, "Leper that Jesus Healed is Dating Jennifer Anniston.")

Therefore, the purpose of healing is not life on earth ... it's faith in Jesus. Why? Because faith is the gateway to eternal life in heaven.

Do you get that?!

God has a better plan.

He doesn't want for us to live forever in this fallen, broken world! He wants us to live forever in a mansion with no more mourning, crying, or tears.

We will miss Grandma. Absolutely. Of course. But if we're honest, we don't want Grandma shakled eternally to her arthritis, we don't want Grandma to continually decline into dementia, and we certainly don't want Grandma to miss Grandpa and other loved ones who've gone on before her. Rather, we want Grandma to go and prepare a place for us -- just as Jesus has.

Therefore, if you know someone who's grieving, tell them, "Praying works!!!"

When we pray for someone we love who's teetering on the edge of death, what we are basically asking for in our prayers? "Lord, help Grandma live longer."

Guess what ... she will! Not here, of course. Not here, sadly, in our nearer presence. But God is inviting her -- and eventually us -- into a better world.

Yes, tell them that prayer works. Tell them that, "Lord, heal Grandma," is answered by God with, "In death, you are healed. You are young again. You are free."

In Christ's Love,

a guy who's presided over 100 deaths

and has come to know

that prayer definitely works!

Dec 3 - Luke 23:33,42,43

2011-12-03T15:02:00.000-05:00

When they came to the place that is called The Skull,

they crucified Jesus there with the criminals

[one of these criminals] said, "Jesus, remember me

when you come into your kingdom."

He replied, "Truly I tell you,

today you will be with me in Paradise."

Luke 23:33,42,43

Quit Denying

I closed my last email with the signature: "a guy who likes heaven and victory more than secrets and defeat."

How many families do you know whose first name is "Secrets," whose middle name is "Denial," and whose last name is, therefore, "Defeat."

I've known parents who haven't told their children about a diagnosis. "We don't want to burden them."
I've known husbands who haven't let the doctors tell their spouse about a terminal illness. "I don't want them to worry."
Furthermore, I constantly encounter people who don't say anything to their closest friends about any real burden their bearing. "It's private," they say.

As a result I've witnessed bucket-loads of unnecessary pain ... and anger ... and isolation.

The reality is that denial always hides in darkness and always cooperates with Satan. The truth about death will always and inevitably come. "Hiding it from the kids" won't make it go away; instead, it merely guarantees that it will hit us like a steamroller -- the full weight, all at once.

I agree, hard truths are always very painful ... especially initially. But truth -- told gracefully in advance -- eventually allows for a series of final gifts.

We can have final conversations (see the final conversation in our verse for today)
We can say what needs to be said -- the good things that lead to comfort and the hard things that lead to forgiveness
In the sense of "live like we're dying" and making every moment count, stopping denial and living the truth allows us to face final days with more clarity and purpose.

Don't opt for darkness and denial. Opt for victory and hope.

In Christ's Love,

a guy whose first name is "Truth"

and whose last name is "Victory"

(sadly this makes my initials "T.V."

and I hoped this would get me away

from shallow living!)

Dec 2 - 1 Peter 1:24-25

2011-12-02T06:08:00.000-05:00

For "All flesh is like grass ...

The grass withers, and the flower falls,

but the word of the Lord endures forever."

1 Peter 1:24-25

Give perspective

One of the reasons that we grieve so violently -- nowadays -- is because too many of us avoid the subject of death. Maybe we're superstitious: "If I ignore it, maybe it will forget about me."

Sorry. I doesn't work that way. Death is the rule ... not the exception.

Unfortunately, most of us don't live like that. In our modern days of medicine's miracles, people are living longer and longer. Therefore, death feels like a brutal exception and an unnecessary defeat.

It's not. It's normal.

A hundred years ago -- and for all of the centuries before that -- death was the rule rather than the exception. If you had four children, one or two might have made it to adulthood. Lots of mothers would have died in childhood. Lots of fathers would have died in farming accidents. Pneumonia and infection were frequent death sentences.

In my family, just a few decades earlier (and still in many parts of the world today), Mary Louise would have died delivering Paul. And Paul would have died along with her. And since Jay and Robbie are younger, they would have never been born. My whole family is a miracle. But do I act like that? No. Most of the time we treat life as an entitlement rather than a very fragile gift.

My recommendation is to start talking more about life as a gift -- a temporary gift.

... AND start talking about death as a normal part of life.

As families, we tend to clam up about these things. "If I ignore it, maybe it will forget about me." No! We need to stop the conspiracy of silence. Fear dwells in darkness. And as Christians, we really don't need to fear death.

I have a good friend that says, "It's always a good day to go to heaven." What if we start talking about ...

life as a glorious and temporary treasure
death as a normal part of life
and our end here as a triumphant gateway to a better world (instead of a brutal exception and an unnecessary defeat)

In Christ's Love,

a guy who likes heaven and victory

more than secrets and defeat

Dec 1 - Romans 8:37

2011-12-01T06:07:00.000-05:00

in all these things

we are more than conquerors

through him who loved us

Romans 8:37

Grieve with Determination

Why do we grieve? Because there's a hole in our soul. A piece of love and a spark of life has have left our world.

We can be defeated by this — and many are. But we don't have to be!

When someone -- including yourself -- is grieving, remind them that grief means that you're simply yearning for something that this broken world can never deliver

Therefore ... if you don't like this thing called death, grief ought to be a powerful call to action! Grief is hard enough when we have hope; do you really want anyone you know and love to grieve without hope? No! Instead of being defeated, teach them to be as bold and brash as a knight venturing forward to conquer a dragon ...

Teach them to want to kick Satan's backside -- that's who's fault death is, not God's!

Teach them to want to defeat the powers of sin ... and death ... and discouragement. Indeed, discouragement is a frequently underestimated foe in world around us.

Teach them also to be torchbearers. Teach them to be disciples who are committed to bringing more light and more truth to this darkened world.

How do we do this? Daily obedience.

Obedience dresses us daily in the Full Armor of God. In fact, obeying daily -- in advance of life's inevitable crises -- helps us get accustomed to carrying the weight and wearing the protection before the trials arise.

That's the call for today: Dress yourself in obedience! Carry boldly God's torch of truth! And wear your grief as symbol of determination as you help defeat the shadow of death.

In Christ's Love,

a guy who wants to kick butt

and take names

(Indeed, his despicable name is

LIVE spelled backwards)