Choice and Consequences

God has given us this thing that we call free will or choice.

We make thousands of choices each day. Most of them we make seemingly without even knowing. Like getting up to go to work is actually a choice. Brushing my teeth is a choice. Getting up in the middle of the night to use the bathroom is a choice. What I eat or drink is a choice. If I eat or drink is a choice. Even when we don't make a choice we actually do. We choose to not make a choice.

Some things we can't choose, like our parents, siblings, and extended families. (I however did get to choose my wife, whom I would choose again) We can't choose if we are male or female, we can't choose our hair or eye color. We can choose to change all these things but we can't choose them. But most things in life boil down to our choices.

As I have reflected on the many choices I have made in my life I began to realize a couple of things.

First, I have been able to choose to do or not to do many things, but I have never had the opportunity to choose the consequences of my choices. Think about that. I choose to eat the whole bag of chips, or to go outside without a coat or hat on, but I can't choose the results from that choice. I can choose to smoke cigarettes, drink alcohol, or abuse drugs but I can't choose the consequences. If I could have seen beforehand the consequences of some of my choices, I believe I would have chosen differently. Wow! Am I continuing to make similar choices knowingly or unknowingly today that will lead to regrets tomorrow?

Secondly, I realize that when I make one choice there are many other choices that are already made for me. When I choose one thing it automatically eliminates many other choices. For example when I choose to honor my wife there are many other choices already made for me simply because I made that one choice.

This video is kind of a representation of part of my life. Metaphorically I made the decision to push the red truck. Then throughout my life there were consequences as a result of my choice to push that truck. Just like the video, the further in life I went the more destructive the results became. I definitely chose to push the truck but I certainly didn't choose the results. By making one choice there were several others made for me. Often there is a high price to pay. Even to this day I live with the consequences of my choices years ago. Was it worth the price? NO!




Then there is Jesus!

The Bible says in John 15:16 that He chose me! And as a consequence of him choosing me, he had to hang on a cross. He died on a cross because he chose me! That is the ultimate consequence to pay for a choice. Am I worth the price? I say NO! But his love for me says yes.

It is now my choice to live my life for him. By choosing Him many other choices are now made for me. By making new choices I begin to see blessings and new and good consequences. There are times when I still get slimed with the consequences of past decisions but I am thankful my Heavenly Father is faithful and continues to wash me clean through the blood of his Son. Over and over and over again.

Living In The Tension

It all seems so difficult.

What are my responsibilities and what are God's responsibilities?

I often see or listen to others who side in opposite corners.

In one corner are those that believe God is sovereign so they have no responsibilities. God decides and makes everything happen in His way and in His time.

In the other corner are those that don't rely or wait on God for anything. They believe they are responsible for making all decisions and for making all things happen.

I have lived in both corners at times.

I try to live somewhere in the middle.

In the tension

Sometimes it is really tough though. How do you know for sure if you are supposed to be going after something or if you are to be waiting for God to open up doors or even just dump it on your lap? The last thing I want is, to be doing something when I should be waiting, or to be waiting when I should be doing something.

Prayer is key but relying on prayer ALONE is never God's way of achieving His goals on earth. He is indeed sovereign, but He has placed on all of us significant human responsibility.

I believe at times His work is not accomplished because we do not do all we can to be prepared for the task that lies ahead of us. The opportunity comes and passes us by because we were not properly equipped to meet it. Sometimes we don't even recognize the opportunity! And if we do we don't have the knowledge, skill, or confidence to do what we must to be successful.

Then there is the other extreme. God's work fails to get done because we take matters into our own hands. We don't seek God's help. We rely on our own wisdom and skills. We may use the words like "prayer", and "faith" but that's all they are...merely words. We say the right things but our actions and attitudes don't line up with our words. Being patient and waiting for God to work is often very difficult. Many times our desires are in line with His, but not the timing. Sometimes we just aren't ready to receive what He has for us or we aren't prepared for what He's going to require of us.

The funny thing is I believe many times when we are waiting on Him, He is actually waiting on us. Other times He is doing work elsewhere, where we can't see, to prepare the opportunity for us. Sometimes He is doing a work on us and we don't even know it.

What?

Does any of this even make any sense?

I am pretty sure I have said absolutely nothing, and proved absolutely nothing. Thanks for wasting your time reading this. Now go wait and go do something. In the meantime, I am gonna prepare like it all depends on me, and pray and know that it all depends on Him.

My Chrysalis

The journey to becoming like Christ takes a lifetime. Along this journey we all will face different seasons, designed by God, for specific purposes. Unlike the seasons on our calenders, these seasons don't necessarily happen in a certain order and it seems impossible to determine how long they will last. Actually I believe the length of the season has more to do with how we respond to the season than anything else. My difficult seasons seem to last a loooonggg time. I tend to be a stubborn, bullheaded one. I believe we pass through the seasons many times on our journey but each time is different. Each time God does a deeper work within us.

No season is as difficult to go through as the season of darkness. As I said earlier my seasons seem to be lengthy and this season of darkness was not an exception. It is painful and there are moments of great doubt, fear, and challenges that threaten to rock your faith. I call it a season of darkness because the pain and disappointment is severe enough to be called death. I believe this season is unavoidable in our spiritual journey. Well, I'm not completely sure "ALL" Christians experience it, but I know many have and those that have know it is real, it is dark, and it is difficult. It is a time of brokenness that eventually leads to incredible change and blessings. It's a time of deep transformation in a place of personal darkness. A chrysalis. I wish I had a more rugged, manly example but I guess this is part of that work of humility.

During this time of darkness and difficulty God is at work. He starts revealing impurities and sin in our own life that greatly affect our relationship with Him. He begins to expose weaknesses in our foundations that need serious attention. This season of darkness, weakness, and suffering reshapes us and begins to give us a new approach or direction to our journey.

Throughout this extended season I have asked God, "Why?" on numerous occasions. God has revealed several reasons why He has allowed this season.

1. to create humility
2. to reveal my weaknesses
3. to prove His greatness
4. to break pride
5. to cleanse my soul
6. to prevent spiritual apathy
7. to teach me deep spiritual truths that I would not learn any other way.
8. to remind me to pursue Him
9. to test me
10. to make me more like Jesus

This season of darkness has created an intimacy like nothing else could do. The difficulties were not the toughest part, it was the surrendering to Him that made the season so long and so dark. Surrender and a willingness to be broken and transformed were/are the keys to this seasons end. In that end the time of pain becomes the source of one of life's greatest blessings...being transformed into the likeness of Jesus Christ.

Really?

"It's not if you win or lose, it's how you play the game."

Really? Who came up with that? It sounds to me like someone trying to make themselves feel good about losing. I have never heard someone say that after they had just won the game. As a matter of fact, I don't ever recall hearing any passionate, competitive, athlete say that even if they had just lost the game. Why? Because it does matter if you win or lose. If it doesn't matter then why are you in the game? Why are you competing?

I'm in it to win it. I don't care if it's tic tac toe, checkers, or a game of pig...I want to win! Don't get me wrong it is important how you play the game. I don't ever think that winning supersedes your integrity, but winning the game is the ultimate goal isn't it? Also, if you lose isn't that proof that you didn't play the game well? Or at least someone else played the game better?

I'm sick of this "make everybody feel good about themselves", "let everyone make the team", "don't hurt anybody's feelings" society we live in today. I thing it is a fertile breeding ground for apathy. If you know me at all you know how I feel about that apathetic, don't care, it's good enough attitude. It makes me wanna lose my Christianity. Where is your heart, where is your passion, drive, and desire?

If you want to feel good about yourself set a goal. Then don't try to reach it, but train to achieve it. It takes TIME, DISCIPLINE, SACRIFICE, PERSEVERANCE and HARD WORK. No shortcuts, no tricks, no pills, no lotions, just flat out passion and determination to achieve the goal.

All that is well and good, but God's Word reinforces all these principles in the race that we are all running. The race we call life. God has given us this life and He has also given us the goal. Paul shares in Acts 20:24, "However, I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the gospel of God's grace."


Am I running the race to win? Am I just trying my best or am I training myself to assure victory? This is where winning and losing really does count. There are eternal consequences. How we played the game really won't matter but the outcome most certainly will. We might be the coach who recruits "lost" players to our team or we might be the teammate who encourages another to get off the bench. We might offer a hand to another who stumbled over one of life's hurdles. How we build and strengthen the team doesn't matter. What matters is that we run the race with passion and purpose. Am I passionate or apathetic about this race? Am I running the race just to get a souvenir t-shirt that says I ran the race or am I running the race to get the real prize?

Paul's words in 1 Corinthians 9:24-27

Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. Therefore I do not run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating the air. No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.

I could never imagine Paul saying, "It's not if you win or lose, it's how you play the game".

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My Emmaus Road

WOW! I really am speechless. Another mountaintop Emmaus weekend. God showed up to break chains, tear down walls, transform hearts and to add one more to the kingdom. Heaven was celebrating Saturday night after Hagg's talk. Christian action was the talk and some good friends were in the story that God used to reach one more. I was slightly JACKED UP!!! There are too many stories to tell. Many friendships and relationships were created and strengthened. God answered my prayer of adding a few more men to Tuesday night meetings. Some of these new guys are willing to drive over an hour to fellowship with other godly men. Amazing! Thank you Jesus.

As I have reflected back on what the Walk To Emmaus has meant to me over the past 4 years, I am overwhelmed. Three walks in four years. (2006, 2008, 2009) Every walk was experienced in a different house. There is so much symbolism in that fact. (This does make me slightly hesitant to be a part of another walk. I do not like to move!)

The first walk and the first house were new and exciting. I found Jesus when I was living in that house and I experienced Jesus in a whole new way on that first walk. It was new, fresh and exciting. I couldn't wait to see what was next and how God was going to lead and bless.

The second walk and the second house were much different. I still had great excitement for God and His work but I was in a different place spiritually and physically. I wasn't a table leader and I wasn't a pilgrim. I was in between. I wasn't in the home God gave me originally and I wasn't in the one He was preparing for me. I was in a place where God was molding and shaping me. He was placing a desire to lead in my heart but I had to wait until it was my time and my turn. He placed desires in my heart for a house and for ministry but again He calls me to wait on Him. I had to wait for God's timing, for God's plan. It was a time of testing in so many ways but primarily a testing of my faith. A testing of how deep my roots really were. A season of testing...not leading, not following- not settled, but not moving. Transforming. It was a very bittersweet season. It was difficult but I knew that something would be birthed from that time of difficulty, that time of testing and...waiting.

The third walk- the third house. It's different this time. I was a table leader and I am the spiritual leader of my home. God has taken me from the place I thought I loved to a place that I love more. I have been discipled and I have discipled others. God is calling and moving me into a new season. God is asking for more because He has given me more. I have trained to be proven faithful and true in the smaller things. Bigger things are on the horizon.

I have done my best to follow the model of Jesus and the twelve disciples. First Jesus called them to drop their nets and to follow Him. When He said come follow me I left it all and followed Him immediately. Secondly Jesus taught them, tested them and put them through trials. During my times of teaching, testing and trials I struggled but I have endured. I know and understand there are more of these times to come but the ones I have experienced have prepared me for the ones in the future. Finally He sent the disciples out to do ministry. It was their time to continue His work. He wants me to participate in His work. I am being sent out to minister to others, to share the gospel, and to grow others in Christ. I am a disciple of Christ. Not for what I have done but for what He has done in me.

As I listen for His continued call I know I can't do it in my own strength or with my own abilities. If I step outside His power I will fail. I love being in these situations. I now must continue moving forward, listening for that still small voice. It is His voice I long to hear. It is His affirmation I long to hear. It is His confirming words I long to hear. My own desires mislead me. Others opinions should not concern me. It is His voice I want to hear and obey. It is His direction I want to follow. Speak to me Lord. Amplify your voice. When I hear your voice I will run to you knowing that is exactly where I am to be and exactly what I am to be doing. Use me Lord.

My Adversity Creates His Strength

As I was looking through some boxes this weekend, (trying to find some old Walk to Emmaus stuff), I came across some photos of my step-mom in her last days battling brain cancer. I found my certificate for being baptized in the river and many other things that reminded me of the past 6 years of my spiritual journey. I looked through some old tablets where I wrote down my thoughts and expressed my fears, feelings and doubts of ever overcoming the situation I was in at the time. It is amazing to look back and see what God has done and to see how He used those trials and adversities to shape, mold, and mature my faith in Him.

God tells us in the book of John that in this world their will be tribulation but to be of good cheer because He has overcome the world. How many believers believe that so much that they live it out? I know I have failed to believe it at times. When I have been in the middle of the tribulation I certainly didn't feel or have much "good cheer". But the strain and adversity of this life gives me strength. It deepens my faith. It seems God didn't give me an overcoming faith but He gives me faith as I am overcoming.

A man from our Tuesday night group told a great analogy last week. He said our faith is like a river and our lives produce big stones. These big stones are the trials, the tribulations, and the adversity that are thrown into our river of faith. When our faith runs deep and the big stones are thrown in, it makes a splash but no other signs are noticed. The river quickly returns to normal. When our faith is shallow and the big stones are thrown in, it not only makes a splash but it stirs up and surfaces the mud that is just below the surface. It takes a significant amount of time to overcome and return to normal.

All that being said, I received an email this morning that quotes Ohio State head football coach Jim Tressel telling a story that seemed to say it better than any.

The Lakota Sioux consider bravery (wo-oh-hee-tee-keh in their language) to be a central virtue or value. But they understand that, as time goes on, the young brave will be shaped and strengthened by his challenges, tempered through adversity.

The ancient Lakota hunter warriors handcrafted their own bows from seasoned ash wood. There were two ways to acquire the proper wood. The conventional way was to find a young ash tree, harvest it, and let it dry for at least five years. But the hunter warriors were always on the lookout for a mature ash tree that had been struck by lightning. Such a tree had been dried and cured in an instant by the awesome power of lightening, and any bows made from it would be much stronger. Such trees were rare, but they were preferred because they had suffered the ultimate adversity, and ultimate adversity produces ultimate strength.

Gotta Grandpa?

What is a grandpa? In my Webster's it simply reads grandfather. When I looked up grandfather it read, "the father of one's father or mother". That might define what a grandfather is but I think a grandpa is something more than that. I'm certain we all have two grandfathers but very few of us have a grandpa.

I never had a grandpa. I never even laid eyes on my grandfathers. I missed that. I often wondered what they were like. I wanted to hear their stories and sit on their laps. I wanted to know them and be loved by them. I have often thought and daydreamed about what it would have been like if they were involved in my life. I believe a grandpa can impact a child in a way like no other.

This is what I think of when I hear the word Grandpa.

A man who always loves you and shows you his love in special ways.
A man who is full of wisdom, knowledge, and understanding.
A man who encourages you always.
A man who supports you in all you do.
A man who always has a silver dollar in his pocket just for you.
A man who will make you laugh and always have a smile.
A man who will buy you ice cream.
A man who will hold your hand and walk by your side.
A man who makes you feel safe and secure wherever you are.
A man who will listen.
A man who will make you want to listen.
A man who will teach you things, both old and new.
A man who will play catch, wrestle, build sandcastles or allow you to dress him up or put makeup on him.
A man who will allow you to play in the dirt with your good clothes on.
A man who will teach you right from wrong.
A man who will discipline and direct in love.
A man who will read to you and watch your favorite movies with you 1,000 times over.
A man who will show you it's okay to cry.
A man who will pray for you and with you.
A man whose morals, values and standards are lived out with clarity and consistency.
A man who admits he has made mistakes and shares them.
A man who will eat your vegetables for you so you can have dessert.
A man who has a special drawer full of your favorite candy.
A man who has rough hands from work and a soft heart from Jesus.
A man who can keep a secret.
A man you can depend on.
A man you can trust.
A man you can't help but love, admire, and respect.

This is a short list of the many things that I believe defines the title of "Grandpa". Quite a resume to live up to. This was not modeled for me but it is what I always dreamed about having. It's my prayer I can be all these things and more when God blesses me with my first grandchild in January. I want to be the coolest grandpa ever.



Psalm 78:5-8 NIV

⁵ He decreed statutes for Jacob
and established the law in Israel,
which he commanded our forefathers
to teach their children,

⁶ so the next generation would know them,
even the children yet to be born,
and they in turn would tell their children.

⁷ Then they would put their trust in God
and would not forget his deeds
but would keep his commands.

⁸ They would not be like their forefathers—
a stubborn and rebellious generation,
whose hearts were not loyal to God,
whose spirits were not faithful to him.

Whisky and Womble

This video reminds me of "The Screwtape Letters" by C.S. Lewis. It is a great analogy on how to lead someone into a life of sin.

Checkmate

When my wife really needs to be left alone to accomplish something, it's always best if I leave the house. I am a huge distraction. I do things just to get her attention. Often childish things, but frequently adult things. Anyway, a situation like this arose a few months ago so I told her I would leave and give her some time and space to study quietly.

I really had nowhere to go so I decided I would head to Barnes & Noble to get a Starbucks and find a book to skim over. I walked in, found a book that interested me, grabbed a coffee and sat down at a table. Within a few minutes an older man, wearing a grungy looking flannel, came and sat at a table beside me. (For the sake of this post I'll call him Eli.) He pulled out an old faded chessboard and plastic chess pieces from the tattered canvas bag he carried in. He laid the board out and put his black plastic pieces on one side and left the other side empty. He then sat with his head bowed for the next ten minutes. I kept wondering if he was napping or praying for a partner to come along. Finally a middle-aged man came and sat at his table.(For the sake of this post I'll call him Rich.) He was dressed in a starched collared shirt and carried a small shiny silver box. He quickly opened the box to reveal some impressive looking chess pieces. They were shiny and looked like they were made of ivory or some polished stone. He pulled out a timer with two red buttons on top and placed it on the table. There were no audible words exchanged and the game began.

The book was an afterthought as I watched these two guys play the game. I'm not a chess player or chess enthusiast, but these guys and their games interested me. Eli was slow and methodical. Rich was quick and confident. They both had a strategy. Their decisions were not random moves of pieces across the board. They were making choices and decisions that would set up offensive attacks and at the same time not put their most important pieces in vulnerable positions.

Eli seemed to be so patient. He never seemed rushed or pressured to make his decision. There was a timer but it never seemed to rush him. He thought calmly before making decisions. Sometimes he would get up and walk away briefly and return and reevaluate the board. Eli oozed patience.

Rich was quick. He seemed rushed and nervous. He seemed to be rushed by the clock and he was constantly shaking his leg or tapping his foot. After Eli made a move, Rich would quickly move his piece and slap the red button on the timer. It seemed as if Rich was reacting instead of thinking through his decisions. I wondered if Rich wasn't trying to play a mental game with Eli, like trying to rush or pressure him. If he was it wasn't working. Eli was sticking to his strategy.

The first match went fairly quickly with Eli coming out on top. The second match Rich was seemingly ahead most of the game but Eli held on for the checkmate. The final match that I was there for was a stalemate for quite sometime, but Rich never gave up and pulled it out.

Isn't this whole scenario symbolic of our lives?

First of all the difference in the two men. We are all different. Some of us are young, some middle aged, some older. Some of us live our life in a flannel shirt, some in a starched collar. Some of us live a relaxed, slow paced life while others seem to be living hectic, hurried lives. Our pieces might be dull & simple or shiny & elaborate. Bottom line is we are all different yet playing the same game called life.

Both men were victorious.

Both men had a strategy. They both had a plan. If they didn't they would not have won a match. They didn't just randomly move pieces across the board. They both had a vision, a goal and a plan. They both made decisions to move towards their plans. We need this in life if we want to move forward.

Eli showed me patience. He thought things through. How often do I just react. I trust my first reaction thinking it's a good move only to discover I didn't think it all the way through. I then have put myself and others in a bad position. Sometimes we need to get up and walk away from the situation before we make a decision. Often when we come back we see things we were blind to originally.

They both showed perseverance. They stuck to their style, strategy and plan. They never just quit. They both lost some key pieces and I'm sure their emotions were telling them they just lost the match. But they didn't give up when defeat seemed inevitable. If we do that in life we are going to do well no matter what kind of setbacks we encounter. I know I have been defeated in many things in life just because I came to that conclusion in my mind. The situation wasn't irreversible. There was still a chance to change the outcome, but in my mind it was over. I defeated myself. I quit. When we do that, there is no hope. Most of the time this is a result of no vision, strategy or plan.

In life, and in chess, victory is never guaranteed. None of us will get it perfect. But we can increase our odds of victory and success by implementing a strategy, being patient, making sound decisions, and having an attitude of perseverance.

I Fight Authority & Authority Always Wins

Praise God for the Richland County Sheriff Department. They caught this high profile criminal in the act of breaking ordinance 4511-21 in the metropolis of Lucas at 8:50 A.M. on Sunday morning. This dangerous criminal was headed eastbound on S.R. 39 taking his wife (and mother of his children) captive and forcing her to attend a Mothers Day Service at a christian spiritual outpost. This man was considered armed and dangerous. Sure enough the deputy spotted a sword in his wife's hand. He was also obviously dangerous as he was driving at a crazy speed of 52 mph as he entered the busy city. What a heroic act of bravery by the deputy. To pursue this criminal through the streets of Lucas for a city block and apprehend him. He then verbally spanked the convict for his offense. He also presented the idiot with a blue ribbon driving award which he is posing with in this picture. These are the thugs we need to get off the streets right here. They think the law doesn't apply to them.
As a result he was punished by being 15 minutes late to his destination and it was believed his wife was polishing and sharpening his sword so it might penetrate a little deeper when she handed it to him point first.

No words were needed. I knew I was wrong immediately. I wasn't paying attention to my speed and even if I was it wouldn't have mattered. I drive above the speed limit because I drive the speed where I believe it's safe and I still have control of my vehicle. The speed limit is for people who don't really know how to drive very well.

I hate that feeling when I know I've just been busted. My heart races, my stomach drops and my butt cheeks clench. Dang it! I hope he gives me a friendly warning. It's Mother's Day, come on. I'm going to church, cut me some slack. 35 mph is ridiculous. This is Lucas, Ohio, give me a break, like it is so busy on a Sunday morning. Isn't there something else happening in this county that is a little more threatening than going a little fast down the highway?

None of it matters. The sign and law say 35 mph. It is so easy to justify my wrong. It is so easy to want grace and forgiveness after you have been busted. Do I wish I wouldn't have been speeding, or do I wish I wouldn't have gotten caught? If I'm really honest, I wish I wouldn't have gotten caught. How often do I play this silly game with God?

The laws and boundaries are set to protect us, not to restrict or confine us. Why do I always think I can push them or even cross them? This is a huge weakness/sin of mine.

I thought of this passage as the lights flashed behind me.

Romans 13:1-5 (New International Version)

Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. ²Consequently, he who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. ³For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and he will commend you. ⁴For he is God's servant to do you good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword for nothing. He is God's servant, an agent of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer. ⁵Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also because of conscience.

Media Madness

DID YOU KNOW? There are two vaccines that can protect you from outbreaks of panic caused by corporate media. They are called:

1) Your brain.
2) The 'OFF' button on your TV.

Please use them as often as possible. We will all benefit.

The Truth -vs- The Facts

Truth as defined by: The American Heritage Dictionary Of The English Language

truth n. 1. Conformity to knowledge, fact, actuality, or logic. 2. Fidelity to an original or standard. 3. Reality; actuality. 4. A statement proven to be or accepted as true. 5. Sincerity; integrity; honesty. 6. Capital T. Christian Science. God.

Fact as defined by: The American Heritage Dictionary Of The English Language

fact n. 1. Something known with certainty. 2. Something asserted as certain. 3. Something that has been objectively verified. 4. Something having real demonstrable existence.

Are facts and truth the same? If something is a fact does that make it true? If something is true does that make it a fact? I have had this battle going on in my mind for several months now.

I guess it depends on your definition of truth. I believe The American Heritage Dictionary Of The English Language is not the best book to define what truth is. Its last definition is my first. In the book of John, Jesus says that He is the way, the truth, and the light. I believe that. In Hebrews it reads Jesus is the same yesterday, today and forever. I also believe that. So based on those verses in God's Word I conclude that The Truth never changes.

Facts on the other hand seem to be constantly changing. Facts seem to be more based on circumstances and the present, here and now. What was a fact yesterday isn't necessarily a fact today.

I can know and understand the facts but it is The Truth that I will believe. The fact might be I was a drug addict but The Truth says I am a new creation; the old has gone and the new has come. The fact might be I have just lost my job. The Truth says, my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Jesus Christ. The fact might be that I am worried about a child, a health issue, a marriage problem, or the future. The Truth says do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Jesus Christ. I will accept the facts but I will believe the truth. I conclude that the facts change and The Truth remains the same.

This video is crazy and kinda scary. This is the world we are living in. These are some amazing facts but they are sure to change. This is more proof that the things of this world are temporary. What is a fact today, isn't tomorrow. This makes me even more thankful that I have an ETERNAL God that I put all my hope, faith, and trust in.




So what does it all mean? To me it means in a world that is ever changing and spinning out of control, The Truth remains the same.
I John 5:19-20
¹⁹We know that we are children of God, and that the whole world is under the control of the evil one. ²⁰We know also that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, so that we may know him who is true. And we are in him who is true—even in his Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life.

Stay

I was doing the spring clean-up thing today in our landscape. Twenty years in the nursery business doesn't make it any more fun, maybe just a little quicker and easier. We just moved to our present home last September so I haven't spent much time working on the outside of our house. There is a big island in our front yard. It has several mature trees and some HUGE rocks and a small pond. There are all kinds of shrubs, perennials and herbs planted throughout the island. I was pruning, trimming, weeding and raking out the fallen leaves from last fall. As I was working in the landscape John 15 just kept coming to my mind. I understand it so well but applying it, not so much.

John 15:1-5
¹"I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. ²He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. ³You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. ⁴Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. ⁵"I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.

God is our gardener. He gets his hands dirty working in our lives. It is the hands of God that plant, water, weed and prune. Hands that are intimately familiar with the dirty soil of this world. Hands that dig in deep, that hold up straight, that carefully inspect and provide every need. God does not garden from a distance. It is in his intimate presence that we grow.

He then watches and works, cuts and prunes. Cutting and pruning causes pain and loss. Sometimes this seems so cruel and careless, but it is essential. Fruitless branches steal nutrients and energy that the rest of the plant needs. Healthy, fruitful branches need to be kept in check so they remain strong and in turn produce more fruit.

Next comes our job. It couldn't be any simpler. Stay connected to Jesus, the vine. STAY. Before we go, we stay. Before we grow we stay. The Vine knows exactly what it must do. The Gardner knows exactly what he must do. All the branch needs to do is stay. It is when we stay that we will know. Our job couldn't be any simpler. All we have to do is stay. Remain, abide, stay. It's amazing how I struggle and strive and stray when all I've been asked to do is stay. The promise is clear. Stay with me, connect with me, draw your life from me and you will grow and bear fruit. When that happens we have something of worth to offer this world. We have grown, we have changed. We are not supposed to be the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow. That's God's job!
Our job is to stay in Him, grow and give what has been freely given to us.

The Gardner's job is never done. Just when things begin to grow and bring life, disease enters in, weeds sprout up, rain doesn't come, and to top it off, a dog comes and pees all over me. It's not just the elements and the environment. I know I don't help much. I refuse to stay still. I refuse to grow. I refuse to remain. I refuse to trust the gardener.

Why am I so intent on taking care of myself when I'm told I can do nothing apart from Him? Why do I work so hard trying to create a life that is safe and comfortable? Why do words like love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control seem more like good ideas than actual realities in my life? Why do I find it so difficult to trust the one who planted me and desires what's best for me? Why don't I just stay?

500 Pieces of Headbanging Fun

This is funny stuff because I know people just like this! It has nothing to do with denominations by the way. It has everything to do with people. Sometimes we take ourselves a little too seriously.

The Unseen Force

A couple months ago I was running my Fed Ex Ground route and came to an intersection with a sign that read ROAD CLOSED. I looked down the road past the signs and saw alot of flashing lights and what appeared to be a catastrophe at a railroad crossing. I had a package to deliver on this road and I was pretty sure it was on the other side of the tracks. I wasn't positive but almost certain. I figured I had better go check before I drove all the way around and found out I was wrong. I drove around the signs and got closer and closer to the lights. I could now see that there were several railcars off the track. I came to the last driveway before the track and a railroad employee waved his hands frantically and motioned for me to turn around. He appeared a little agitated as he walked towards my truck. "Can't you read the signs buddy?" he yells towards me. I explained I had a package and wasn't sure which side it was on. I asked him if anyone was hurt and if they knew what caused it. He said no one was hurt and the wind is what caused it. I said something like I never dreamed the wind could blow over a freight train. He said it only happens when the containers are double stacked and empty. I turned around and drove several miles out of my way to make my delivery.

As I drove away I began to think about what had happened and what the man had said. Here is this huge, powerful freight train cruising down the track. I did some research and discovered the locomotive weighs in excess of 270,000 pounds. It contains a turbo-charged V12 diesel engine that produces 4,000 horsepower and weighs 30,000 pounds itself. It has the capability to move at speeds of 110 mph. It holds 4,900 gallons of fuel. This thing is unstoppable. It's leading the way down a track that is straight and narrow. The containers are being lead down that same clear path. No obstacles. Not even a hill or a curve. They are double stacked but empty. That is the key to the disaster. Double stacked and empty. Taken out by an unseen force, the wind. No one could have seen it coming. There was a message in this somewhere.



How easy is it to be following God down the path He desires for us only to be blindsided by an unseen force that causes us to derail and crash? I know first hand how easy it is to be caught up in doing ministry, serving here and getting involved there. Reading the books on the christian best seller list and going to church and doing great stuff. All the while sacrificing time alone with God. The prayer time suffers. The time in His Word suffers. The spiritual disciplines are an afterthought. I am beginning to stack stuff up in my life. I am busy but I am becoming empty. I am pouring out constantly but not pouring the stuff in that carries weight and gives me spiritual strength. I am moving 90 mph and have become a double stacked empty shell. I'm a prime candidate for disaster. The unseen force blindsides me and I have no weight, strength or substance to rely on. Satan knows my weakness and exploits it. My world is rocked and I can't understand what has happened. I was on the right path, how could this happen? My life now looks like a train wreck. It takes time to clean up the mess. What is even worse is that often those that are following closely get derailed too. Not all train wrecks are injury free. Sometimes there are casualties. Others that were headed my direction must now take detours. Their journey will have added miles due to my weakness. Bottom line, the impact is far beyond myself.
My negligence can cause a real mess for many around me.

Notice the small trees in the pictures below. They withstood the winds and the force of the containers. The containers are actually wrapped around the trees. The trees are much smaller and outwardly would appear weaker. But they stood strong. Not because of what is seen, but because of a strength that is unseen. Their roots are firm and deep. A beautiful picture of not only surviving the storm but being strong enough to support others who weren't.

Rubber Band Man

I like rubber bands. I don't know why but I always have. I used to make rubber band balls when I was a kid. I always kept the ones they put around our newspapers. I still keep rubber bands when I find them. They are so useful for so many things. Sometimes I will just put one on my wrist for no reason. People always tell me I shouldn't do that but I don't know why. Sometimes I just like to mess with it in my hands. You know stretch it , snap it, or wrap it around my sausage-like fingers. Sometimes I like to shoot it at some unsuspecting target like my son. Other times I organize our junk drawer and wrap it around the 127 pens and pencils we have in there.

Rubber bands are versatile and flexible. They come in all sorts of colors. Some are big and thick some are small and thin. Some can be stretched far and some will break easily. They all have their purposes. The one thing that is true about all rubber bands is that they have no power and very little purpose or value until they are stretched. They have no power laying in the bag loose. When I stretch it though, I transfer my strength into the rubber band. It then has the power to move forward in whatever direction I aim it. The rubber band laying loose in the bag has no purpose until I take it out and stretch it around something. It exists and has potential in the bag but is not really fulfilling the purpose it was created for until it is stretched. I believe the same is true for me.

I like comfort. I like to hang out with my friends and people I'm comfortable with. I like my routine and doing the things I know I can do. I seem to think that me being comfortable should be a high priority in living my day to day life. I guess you could say that if I was a rubber band I would prefer to lie loose in the bag. Don't stretch me it makes me uncomfortable. Yet at the same time I profess how I want to grow in Christ and how I want to be used by God. God's power and my value as a tool to be used by Him is limited when I'm living loose in the bag. I'm not living out the purpose that I was created to live when I'm laying loose in the bag.

When I desire and allow God to stretch me I begin to grow. My world suddenly expands. It is no longer all about me. God's power is transferred into my spirit. I now have His power to move forward in the direction God wants to use me. My value for God's kingdom has just multiplied. I can now get closer to living out His purpose for my life. This is often very difficult and quite painful.

At times I have felt like God was going to stretch me until I snapped. God knows better. He created me. He knows how far I can be stretched and in what direction. I need to remain flexible. In one season I was stretched in one direction and the next season in a new direction. He knows the direction He wants to send me. He can choose to send me and use me in ways that I think I'm incapable. He made me versatile even though I can't see it. He created me with a certain color, size, shape and strength. It is a perfect design for the purpose He created me. I might not know or understand His ultimate purpose for my life but this much I know. I wasn't created to live loose in the bag. I need to be stretched. I'm a rubber band man.

The Call To Die

Death has been on the forefront of my mind over the past week. As I age it begins to become more of a reality that I will not live in this physical body forever. The thought of my physical death made me think of the eternal life that has been given to my soul. As I thanked God for that life, I again realized that it took the death of Jesus for me to have eternal life. His death gives me life. Death brings life? It seems so strange to me when I think about it and I've been thinking about it alot lately.

Last Thursday night when I was writing my thoughts down about my lovely wife it hit me how she also had died to give me life. She had to put to death all the hurt, pain, anger, bitterness, and resentment that I had caused her to feel because of my sin. She died to all of that and allowed Christ's love to shine through her. This is the first time I ever experienced the love of God. As a result of her dying to herself I accepted Christ and received eternal life. Her death gives me life.

Last Friday I was thinking about all this and eating my lunch. It then hit me that the turkey in my sandwich died to give me life too. What is true in the spiritual world is also true in the physical! My mind then goes crazy about how all these things have to die to give me life. I thought of all my basic needs. I need food, shelter, clothing and love to live. It takes the death of an animal, plant or person for me to have all four. I know this is not real deep or a revolutionary discovery but I had never thought of it before.

I then begin to think about what had to die in order to bring life to the things that had to die to bring me life. I am so weird. I began to realize that it is a life cycle. Everything that is alive will die and as a result bring life to something else. The worm will die to give life to the fish.(you don't catch 'em all) The fish will die to give life to the fisherman. The fisherman will die and give life to the worms. See what I mean?

Seriously though, this made me think long and hard. How do I need to die so I can give life to someone else? What do I need to die to so I can really live? How can I be sure that when this physical body dies it will have given more life than it took?

This is another way I need to model Christ in my life. I need to live for the sole purpose of dying. I need to die so I may bring life to others. Jesus is our perfect example.

The Road

I have felt led to revisit the scripture about the two believers traveling on the road to Emmaus. As Hagg and I were on our way home from sending off the men for their Emmaus weekend last Thursday, I told him I was going to go home and read it. I have read, reread, studied and meditated on it daily for a week now. I would like to share a few things that stood out to me.

Luke 24:13-35

First off I notice Cleopas is not on the journey alone. I relate that to our spiritual journey. We are not meant to walk it alone. Our faith walk is not meant to be lonely or a solitary journey. We need fellow believers to walk along side of us. I need my men's group and small group to study the scriptures with me. I need to share my points and listen to theirs. This helps me to grow and to be stretched. I need to talk with fellow believers about the day to day things in life. They give me new insights, fresh perspectives, and deeper meanings to the events in my life.

In verse 21 Cleopas said, "but we had hoped that he was the one who was going to redeem Israel." I immediately questioned why they had hoped and not trusted. The KJV set me straight. That was the only version in my parallel Bible that used the word trust. Are hope and trust the same thing? I would love to hear your thoughts on that one.

These two travelers made it clear to me that knowing does not always translate to understanding. They had seen Jesus and heard what was to happen yet could not understand what was taking place. They knew yet doubted. Sounds an awful lot like me! Sometimes I think I should have all the answers and understand all that's been put in front of me. These people walked with Jesus and didn't have all the answers and didn't understand all that was happening in and around them. I often need revelation from God on things that I know but don't understand. Or is it that I just don't know and can't understand that I don't know? Ha! Love to hear your thoughts on that one too.

I found it comforting that these two people were struggling and Jesus came and walked with them. Christ not only walked with them He spoke and joined their conversation. He applied the words of scripture to their situation. When we face doubt, fear, and pain He is there with us. Christ brings comfort and clarity as we journey through life's struggles.

Finally, these two travelers recognize who Jesus is. Their spiritual eyes were opened. As soon as they realize this is Jesus, He disappears from their sight. I seem to experience this same thing in my journey. God is working in my life and I am blind to it. By the time I recognize Him working, He disappears from my sight. I then say, " How could I have not seen God moving and working?" The answer is simple after the fact. I was focused on my problem and not Him. In the end all I can do is praise God and testify to His love and faithfulness just like Cleopas and his friend.

The road we travel is hilly and curvy, full of obstacles and hazards. I thank God I'm not traveling alone.

Looking Back

Yesterday I shared about anticipating the future. About how I was always looking ahead and missing what was going on in the here and now. As I was writing/typing, God began to speak to me. Of all things, He began to reveal to me my next post. I couldn't wait to write/type it! :) How ironic.

I began to realize that looking ahead and anticipating what was to come is not my greatest time waster anymore. I no longer look forward with anticipation, I look back with regret. I look back and regret looking forward. Wow I really confused myself there.

I look back and regret those years I wasted pursuing the party, the money, all the things of this world. I look back and regret the choices I made as a teenager. I look back and regret how I disrespected my wife. How I didn't appreciate her or love her the way I've been called to do. I look back and regret how I treated my children. The lack of patience, understanding, and time invested in their lives. The example I set for them to follow was not honorable. I look back and see ways that I was disrespected, hurt, and wounded deeply. It is so easy to look back with regret, anger, resentment, bitterness and let it consume you.

Looking back is like a cancer. By dwelling in the past you allow the past to control your present and direct your future. It will consume you. It will devour you. It will chew you up and spit you out. I need to let it go. (Isaiah 43:18 Forget the former things; do not dwell in the past.)

Precious seconds, minutes, hours, days and months have been consumed, wasted and lost because I have been looking back. Wrapped up in things I can't change. I can't go back and fix it. Time continues even when I stop.

God didn't give me today to dwell in yesterday. I need to press on and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness. I need to fight the good fight of the faith TODAY!

Philippians 3:13b-14 Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.

I Can't Wait

What is time?

Webster describes it as the following:

time:n 1. A nonspatial continuum in which events occur in apparently irreversible succession from the past through the present to the future.

All I know is God created it, and He controls it. We only have the amount of time God chooses to give us on this earth. It is but a breath in relation to eternity.(Psalm 39:5)

Being a Fed Ex guy I interact with alot of people. Obviously I usually don't have deep meaningful conversations with all of them. But it is usually about the weather or how they can't wait until they get off work. At least 50% comment about how they can't wait till it's Friday. One particular customer counts down the days until Friday for me. "Four more days", is what I hear every Monday. What is so special about Friday? When it's Friday, Monday is only three days away!

I am and have been guilty of the same thing. I remember how I couldn't wait for school to be out. Couldn't wait to graduate. Couldn't wait to be 18 or 21. Couldn't wait to get married. Couldn't wait to have our own home. Couldn't wait for the kids to talk, walk, use the potty, feed themselves, go to school, drive themselves to wherever, graduate. Couldn't wait for payday! Couldn't wait for vacation. Couldn't wait for spring, summer, fall. I could go on forever if I haven't already.

Now I look back and see that all of these things I couldn't wait for have happened. It seems as if I wished it all away. Now I wish I had enjoyed every moment for that moment, not looking ahead and wanting to be somewhere else. I need to slow down and appreciate today. Right where I am. Whether it's Monday at work or Saturday at play it should be treasured. Everyday has value. Everyday is special.

Today is another gift from God. Will I treat it as a gift? Will I value and appreciate the 24 hours, the 1,440 minutes, the 86,200 seconds? Will I use it wisely? Will I spend it, waste it, or invest it? Is it possible to lose it?