Communication Part 4

 

 

Next is a principle that runs through the book of Proverbs, the life of Jesus, and the writings of Paul and James. 

 

4.  They do not want to end the news feed. (Gossip)

 

Some people simply have a "need" to gossip.   We all do this to various degrees... but in the end; it is like a drug to some.  While it is a stretch to say that gossip is an addiction, the flesh feeds off it in much the same way.  The problem with gossip is, much like an addiction, the gossiper may not think they "have a problem". This is not to belittle real addictions, but gossip is not one of them.  It is a sin and must be stopped.  Fortunately, Jesus died for this sin as well.  It must be repented of and stopped as soon as possible, because gossip can be extremely contagious.

 

A perverse man stirs up dissension, and a gossip separates close friends.

Proverbs 16:28

Communication Part 3

We have seen that the first two reasons why someone may not approach us in a time of need have a lot to do with their perception of us. The last three deal more intimately with matters of the heart.

 

3.  They do not want to be challenged to change their thinking.  (Exhortation)

 

The Book of Proverbs (and elsewhere in Scripture) speaks of the bend inside everyone to resist being told that they are wrong.  Nobody likes that.  The foolish shun rebuke and the wise are wiser because of it. (Proverbs 9:7-9)  It is an attack against the prideful heart of man.  This is one of the reasons people look for sympathetic ears... because they know they will not (usually) be challenged to change their thinking or called to repentance.

 

Communication Part 2

This week, we are looking at some of the reasons that people may not come to us for help in time of need. If you are a leader in any capacity, this can make or break your leadership. The first reason was a perceived lack of ability or They don't think you can help. The second is also an interpersonal issue:

 

2. They don't think we care. (Fellowship)

 

If someone thinks we don't care or worse yet, are antagonistic towards them or the things they value, they will not likely come to us for help. We must be careful not to give the impression that the feelings of others are not important. (Proverbs 12:25) While it is true that we may not feel the same way about something or feel it with the same passion as some one else, if a brother or sister is hurting, we aught to be that friend who sticks close. (Proverbs 18:24)

Communication Part 1

Life is busy and we are pulled in a million different directions everyday, or at least that's the way it seems. Scripture is very clear that we need to seek the counsel (advice) of those who have not only proven themselves to us, but have proven themselves to be faithful in what the Lord has called them to do. As far as I can tell, there are at least five reasons people do not seek our advisement. This week we will examine these five and ask ourselves some rather tough, but necessary, questions. At the end of the week (Saturday) we will take one last look at all five and assess ourselves. It may not be the most enjoyable ride you take, but when you see what he Lord can do through a heart that is sensitive to His correction, the trip will be worth it. Let's begin . . .

1. They don't think we can help. (Ability)

Maybe it's the way we carry ourselves. Maybe it's our demeanor. Maybe it's . . . well it really doesn't matter. If someone thinks we can not help them with their problem they are not likely to ask for our help. Be on guard that we give the impression that we are capable of doing what we are capable of doing and at the same time, do not seem to have abilities that we most certainly do not have.

What's that up ahead?

"The bend in the road is not the end of the road unless you fail to make the turn."

Do you remember when you came to a crossroads in your life where you clearly had to choose between two (or more) somethings that would shape your life?  Maybe it was something positive like becoming a Christian.  Maybe it was leaving a really negative friend?  Maybe it was a career path choice?  There is something comforting about being able to have the choice… the power to have some influence over the direction your history is headed.

 

(DISCLAIMER: To my Calvinist brethren, that's not a theological statement. I am fully aware that Jesus is taking history where He pleases.  That, however, does not remove human responsibility from the equation… hence the Conditional Covenants.)

 

But what do you do when the path you are on, the one you KNOW you are supposed to be on, takes a turn that you didn't see coming?  What do you do?  Really, there are only a handful of options:

1.     Turn around and head back the way you came.

2.     Stay put and make no more progress.

3.     Press on and take what comes because you KNOW you are on the right road.

 

Often times we come to these bends in the road and want to retreat.  Let me tell you something… you will be limited by the bends in the road and not the road you are on if you choose option one.  

 

The same goes for the second option.  Stagnation may be ok for some, but we should be growing everyday.  A day that has not produced growth, even slight, is a day that could have been better lived.

 

Option three is the scariest.  It is the one that shows our character.  Option three is the one that separates those who desire what God wants for them and those who are content with being less than what Jesus has called them to.

 

Jesus never said life would be easy… just rewarding.

 

"The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full." John 10:10

All alone?

"You'll never know that God is all you need until God is all you've got."

-- A friend of mine.

 

Oftentimes life can seem lonely.  As a pastor and a husband, I can tell you that even though you may be surrounded by people most of the day there are times when you can feel all alone.  The business manager can feel the same way.  The stay at home mom can feel the same way.  The factory worker can feel the same way.  Anyone can experience loneliness, which is ironic: Loneliness is the one emotion that can be felt by many, but never shared. 

 

I once had the opportunity to work for a HVAC (heating and air) supply house.  There were not that many of us working at this particular location.  In fact, there was only one warehouse worker for a long time… me.  Ten hours a day, five days a week.  Just me and the near deafening sound of a badly tuned forklift.  Don't get me wrong, that job had two major pluses:

 

1.  It provided for the needs of my growing family.

 

2.  It provided me with an amazing opportunity to study the Word of God for ten hours a day, five days a week.

 

I had an iPod and asked my boss if I could listen to sermons and Bible teaching while I worked.  He said, "Sure.  Just make sure that your work gets done."  Well, I made sure all my work was done and in the process I gained a deeper understanding of the Word of God.  What in the world does that story have to do with loneliness?

 

There were times when I felt like it was only me, but a great portion of the time I could not escape the truth that there were two persons in that warehouse… the Holy Spirit with me.  Sometimes, all we need is a gentle reminder that we are not alone.  And when we have that confidence it makes a real difference.

 

Joshua was set and ready to tackle the world… or so we think.  In the first chapter of the book that bears his name our hero is told four times, "Be strong and courageous."  You only tell someone that if they are not being strong and courageous or if they are looking at what seems like insurmountable odds.  There was something going on in Joshua… something that only the Lord could see and in that peaceful and loving way He says:

 

"As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you." Joshua 1:5

 

We are given the same promise in Mathew 28… Jesus will never leave us not forsake us.

 

If you are a believer and feel all alone today, let me encourage you with this truth: You only feel alone, for Jesus is with you.

 

And that is something to rejoice over!

 

Shalom.

The Bug

Ha. Looks like my plan to begin the series on time didn't turn out like I had hoped.

So... Next week we'll tackle some of the reasons people do not come to you and me for advice. Yep, that's what I said. There are at least 5 reasons. Can you figure them out? If you do, then maybe your level of influence will increase. But until then, let me share a quick thought.

I had the flu all day yesterday (which felt like a few days) and was pretty much laid up in the bed. Since I felt yucky every time i moved, I figured "I'm just going to stay put" and I did. There are two things that happened when i woke up this morning:

1. I felt better.

2. I really missed my family.

I didn't seen them all day with the minor exception of coming downstairs to get a cup of Ginger Ale. I missed them.

This is the thought though that consumed my mind this morning:

Being sick and needing to recooperate is one thing, but does the Lord feel the same way when His children do not spend any time with Him all day?

I venture to say... yes.

Shalom

Next Week's Series

Greetings all.

 

I am going to try something here.

 

I will be systematically posting series of posts that reflect some of the "side items" that I have been studying.  So there will be more consistency.

 

for now, I trust that all my American readers are enjoying their freedom and remembering those who purchased that freedom.  And for my readers from other countries, I trust that you are enjoying the freedom(s) you have as well.

 

Remember, the ultimate freedom comes from trusting Jesus Christ as your Savior.

 

Shalom.

Half empty or half full?

So... is the glass half empty or half full? I know that this is almost a cliche, but it reveals a very significant aspect of the Christian life.

• If you answer, "half empty", you may be the type of person who is less grateful than you should be. God has provided you with so much and the very least we can do is be thankful for it.

• If your answer was, "half full", then you may be the type of thankful Christian Paul exhorts us all to be in 2 Corinthians 9:11, and elsewhere:

You will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God.

May we all learn to be thankful in all things and see every "glass" in our lives as, at least, half full.

A timely message from a timeless messenger.

Proverbs 26:12 doesn't pull any punches.

Do you see a man wise in his own eyes?
There is more hope for a fool than for him.

What a solid rebuke to our nature. There have been times when I thought pretty well of myself. Those are the times when I am actually at my worst in the Lord's eyes.

Remember the Words of the Lord Jesus and you can't go wrong...

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. (John 15:5)

Until next time, shalom.

How true...

Author Pete Hammond nails it:

• I seek comfort – He invites me to join in his suffering.
  
  
• I like acceptance and approval – He calls me to be counter-cultural.
  
  
• I assume my right to safety – He calls me to personal risk.
  
  
• I desire financial security – He encourages generosity.
  
  
• I cherish privacy – He invites me into community.
  
  
• I yearn for personal significance – he made himself “of no reputation.”
  
  
• I hide for fear of being judged and rejected – He knows me fully and loves me.
  
  
• I really like my pillow – He had no place to lay his head.
  
  
• I want to prolong a healthy life – He calls me to die daily.
  
  
• I hide in macho male bravado – He weeps for others.
  
  
• I love good regular meals – He feeds others.
  
  
• I ponder doctrine – He practices love.
  
  
• I crave success – He wants me to oppose evil at all costs.
  
  
• I seek out important people – He befriends the despised and rejected.
  
  Jesus is hard to enjoy,
  But what I find deep within me is much worse.

From Lessons, Prayers & Scripture on the Faith Journey by Pete Hammond

The Question is, of course, will you allow the Lord to use you in the ways that please Him?

(tag… you’re it.)

Mixed Signals

This post will be short, but please do not dismiss the importance of the message because of the brevity.

Look at this picture… do you see anything that catches your attention?

For those who may be wondering, no... orange juice is not a dairy product.

• Was this an oversight?

• A joke?

• Did I snap this picture while they were in the middle of a transition?

The answer to these questions is “no”.

Among the many things that Jesus said, this is quite fitting here:

“No good tree bears bad fruit, nor does a bad tree bear good fruit. Each tree is recognized by its own fruit. People do not pick figs from thornbushes, or grapes from briers. The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For out of the overflow of his heart his mouth speaks.” (Luke 6:44-46)

Simple point to take away:

There is no false advertizing in the Christian life. (period)

Shalom

What Drives You?

Yesterday was an incredibly wonderful day. I have taken a break from riding my stationary bike in the living room (yes… in the living room… that’s where the TV is.) So I grabbed the iPod that kept me sane while working alone in a warehouse and hit the streets. The weather was so great outside!

I noticed people driving very different vehicles. Some were large and full of people and some were large and only carried the driver. Some were small and stuffed with passengers and some were small and… well… you get the point.

As I walked I began to wonder about the people driving the cars. A car’s main function is to do the bidding of the one who controls it - the driver. Some have luxuries and others are falling apart, but since the creation of the automobile, cars have had one main job… carrying stuff (people and possessions) from point A to point B.

As we read the creation narrative and then take a look at the Life of Christ, one of the things that jump out as being primary is that creation was designed to serve the creator. Sin has, of course, marred all that.

Imagine for a moment if vehicles started driving wherever and when ever they wanted to! That is scary, but the question remains:

What or Who is driving you?

And before you answer, keep in mind that there are only two answers:

1. God.
2. Some one or something other than God.

For Sunday

FORESHADOWING SUNDAY'S MESSAGE

Following God's will is not like bathing a two year old while watching your favorite TV show... There are not conveiniant places to start.

But it is like Godly parenting in that though the process may be difficult, it is none-the-less worthwhile!

(Sent from a spell-checkless mobile device.)

Consuming thoughts these last two days.

I, like most of my peers, am an Internet junkie. I keep tabs on several church planters and pastors across the nation and around the world. Yesterday I read this:

http://www.garylamb.org/2009/06/07/hardest-post-ive-ever-written/

Those of us who read the book of Proverbs a chapter a day might recall that chapter 4 regards wisdom as being so vitally important that verse 4 says:

Let your heart hold fast my words;
keep my commandments, and live.

Wisdom is exalted through the end of the chapter with statements like:

Keep hold of instruction; do not let go;
guard her, for she is your life. (4:13)

My son, be attentive to my words;
incline your ear to my sayings. (4:20)

and

Do not swerve to the right or to the left;
turn your foot away from evil. (4:27)

The fifth chapter begins with another call to "PAY ATTENTION!"

My son, be attentive to my wisdom;
incline your ear to my understanding,
that you may keep discretion,
and your lips may guard knowledge. (5:1-2)

Solomon then begins a rather thorough exhortation to stay away from immoral women and to guard your heart from sexual temptation. Probably the most memorable and "straight to the point"-ish verse in the chapter is verse 15:

Drink water from your own cistern,
flowing water from your own well.

Before Solomon instructs his readers on various other situations, he gives a final promise:

He dies for lack of discipline,
and because of his great folly he is led astray. (Pr 5:23)

As if that were not enough, chapter 7 is devoted to the ways of immoral women.

Now... let's put all of this into perspective:

1. Solomon was only a youth when he was anointed king of Israel and when asked by God for "anything" replied "wisdom." (1 Kings 3)
2. He, for various reasons, married and entered into relationships with many women.(1 Kings 11)
3. He wrote the book of Proverbs to/for his sons specifically. (Proverbs 1:8 and elsewhere.) His sons are royalty and he desires to share wisdom the Lord has allowed him to benefit from, and experience to avoid.
4. Solomon was used by the Holy Spirit to pen these Scriptures, which makes it infinitely profitable for you and me. (2 Timothy 3:16-17)

I say all that to say this:

If you are in a relationship that needs to be secret... you are in the wrong relationship.

Sore Muscles

I used to work out, a lot. One day, after years of not doing crunches, I decided to start up again. “I can pick up right where I left off.” I thought to myself. I was wrong. The day after my workout my abdominal muscles were very, very sore.

Flash forward another couple of years. When my family and I vacationed in Miami last February we took full advantage of the giant trampoline in my in-laws’ backyard. I was jumping for hours on a huge trampoline with my kids (mostly Sammy). Need I say that my abs were KILLING ME? Well, they were. I was sore just from enjoying the day, not from battling fat in the gym. I wonder how my spiritual muscles would fair against a real battle . . . a real war. I wonder if they would be sore, or would they be in great shape and prepared for the task.

The good news is, as believers in Christ, we will all find out how “in shape” we are. The bad news is, some of us will be too sore to fight.

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. (1 Corinthians 9:25)

it -- A Book Review

Last night I finished reading “it” by Craig Groeshel. I would not be telling the truth if I did not communicate that this book literally made me cry. I have lost sleep over what Pastor Groeshel illustrates and brings up. Well. . . that’s not exactly accurate. Repentance and prayer could hardly be called “a loss of sleep.”

This book is more than a very creative way for the author to say it more times than normal circumstances allow. This is a wonderful and masterful look at Spirit filled, Christ focused ministry that honors God. (I know that seems a little redundant but oh well.)

I am sorry to say that I only have two thumbs to put way up in the air. But after you read it there will be two more.

I would strongly recommend you read this 200 page volume if you are serious about ministry that pleases God. If you are not serious about Christ centered ministry, then I beg you to read it.

Book Review

I finished a great little book yesterday by a Missiologist named Ed Stetzer and Pastor Mike Dodson. I think I can sum this book up in three statements:

1. Some churches do not want to grow.
2. Some churches want to grow but don’t know how.
3. Some churches grew when they realized that they are a ___ year old church plant.

They key to becoming a comeback church, seeing spiritual revival amongst God’s people and the salvation of souls, is quite simply to have a MISSIONARY MIND-SET.

Oh that every Christian would take the great commission seriously. Let’s start with you and me.

Shalom.

Random Street Witnesses for Jesus' Fame

(Sent from a spell-checkless mobile device.)

Yesterday, some of the good folks from Bethany Baptist (along with some other area churches) "targeted" the Portland Rose Festival. We passed out tracts and were able to engage dozens of people in a one-on-one dialogue about the gospel. To quote my wife:

"It was awesome!"

We intentionally set out to engage strangers with the Gospel. I think I can speak for everyone when I say:

1. It did not feel natural.

2. I was a little scared.

3. I got to meet a bunch of really interesting people.

4. Once the initial fear was past... I had a lot of fun.

All in all... Jesus was proclaimed... the saints were edified... God the Father got glory... and people heard the saving message of Jesus Christ.

So, the question remains:

Will you join us on our next outing?

Scared... but Necessary

I'm scared.

Yep...

Some of the good folks at Bethany are meeting up this evening and going to do some "Random Street WItnessing" on the streets of Portland. Pray for us, that we will be bold yet humble, and for those who hear, that the Lord will give them ears to hear.

I'll keep ya all updated.

:)

A Day at the Coast

This past Monday, I took the Fab 5 (Daniela and the kids) to Seaside, OR. We had a lot of fun. Daniela and I spent a lot of time on the beach playing with the kids and talking about ministry, the future, and just plain talking.

I am not used to the ultra-fine sand on the Oregon Coast. Not only is it really gentle to walk on, it has some peculiar features. I dropped a penny into the sand and guess what? IT VANISHED. It was as if I had done nothing. The penny was far denser than the sand and seemed to disappear.

Let me encourage all of us to take a few lessons from the penny, the sand, and this story:

• We have a message (the Gospel) that will not do anyone any good if we simply hide it in the sand.
• We need to be careful that the world around us does not swallow the message up. We need to train our selves to be students of the Word.
• Throwing a penny in the sand may have seemed like a waste to some, but it taught a timely lesson. Be sure to share what god has taught you with those who need to hear.

Shalom

Deuteronomy 8:2 and you

Deuteronomy is probably one of the most challenging books in the entire Bible.  Someone will say, BUT WE ARE NO LONGER UNDER THE LAW!  To which I say, “Amen! Amen! Amen!”

 

But:

 

“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.”

 

If 2 Timothy 3:16 – 17 is still in effect, and it is, then we had better take the O.T. seriously!  Deuteronomy 8:2 says:

 

Remember how the Lord your God led you all the way in the desert these forty years, to humble you and to test you in order to know what was in your heart, whether or not you would keep his commands.

 

We will expand on this verse this Sunday, but for now… think on these things:

 

1.  In what areas of your life has the Lord tested you to see if you will follow Him?

2.  In what areas of your life has the Lord tested you that you may share your faith with others?

3.  Are you grateful that the Lord uses you and your circumstances?

 

Shalom.

 

 

Thoughts I've been Thinkin'

(SORRY FOR ANY ERRORS YA'ALL... I WROTE THIS ON A DEVICE THAT DOES NOT HAVE SPELL CHECK)

Here is a short list of semi-random thoughts that I have been dwelling on.

* Celebration without commitment is not worship.

* Dogma without concern to edify is just plain mean.

* If you speak the truth without love, you're just being abusive.

* Love covers a multitude of sins, but our sin nature want's so desperately to uncover them again.

* Those who do not reach-out are selling out.

* No news is not always good news. Take the gospel for instance.

* Never underestimate the counsel of those closest to you... For better or for worse they are normally the ones that know you best.

* When life throws you a lemon... Make lemonade. (kinda cheesy... But true.)

Just thinkin'.

Much ado about something

It has been quit some time since I posted last. A lot has been happening. The world is spinning, taxes are now past due (!) and there is a new “pandemic” known, interestingly enough, as the swine flu. In my life I have outlined the Book of Deuteronomy (fun, but tedious), caught up on a lot of sleep, and done very little writing. That last mention is actually a really good thing… I find writing extremely therapeutic… therefore, no writing = not need for therapy. Sort of.

: )

But here is something that has not happened yet that all of Creation is yearning for:

THE SECOND COMING OF THE LORD JESUS CHRIST.

Flu… economy… depression… writer’s block… all of these and more will be distant memories when He comes back for His church. Listen to the words of the Apostle John:

He who testifies to these things says, “Yes, I am coming soon.”

Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.

The grace of the Lord Jesus be with God’s people. Amen.

Revelation 22:20 - 21

What is amazing this is that the Bible ends with an invitation to come to Christ. In the Book of the Revelation, John has outlined the horror that is awaking those who reject Christ. And yet, these things are all written in the future tense and have yet to happen in the our lifetime. The Book of the Revelation and therefore the Bible as a whole ends with an invitation to come to Christ. AMEN!

Yesterday I had a great and unique privilege of preaching two memorial services. I was fortunate to be speaking in front of a crowd of Christians. They do not fear death… and rightfully so. Jesus has conquered the grave. And yet we await His coming for us.

Have you told someone of the Lord’s saving grace today?

Shalom.

Trial

Welcome to the 21^st Century.

 

I am sending this from my laptop via email.

 

Shalom.

Monday Morning Reflection

What can I say? Yesterday was an amazing day of service and worship. Here are some highlights:

• The worship (praise) team was on their "A Game"... great job team.
• The church was also singing their "A Game"... great job ya'all.
• I can't explain this, but there is always a feeling of angst before preaching. Last Sunday was no exception.
• I have a confession, I totally forgot that there was no song after the sermon. Oops! So we had a moment of reflection, which was proper... I might start going that more often.
• The Sunday evening prayer time was not only a great time of fellowship and prayer.

Amen.

I also got a call today from a member of the church I served in Kingsland, GA. She said that things are booming in their rural Georgia church. Amen!

Until next time, Shalom.

Still Affecting Me.

The events and challenges of last Sunday are still affecting me.

• Three Child Dedications

• A music set that was right on the spot! (Great job team.)

• A sermon that took a lot out of me physically and emotionally, but from what I am hearing. . . challenged a couple hundred people.

• Two adult baptisms.

• And, to add the proverbial "cherry on top", we sang VICTORY IN JESUS. (My favorite hymn.)

Yep... The Lord is doing amazing things in His church. Let's be mindful to seek to work in accordance with His will . . . .

A Taste of Sunday's Easter Message

(Taken from my sermon outline)

After 400 years of silence… man does not hear from God from a prophet… GOD COMES DOWN HIMSELF. And if we had time to expand on this we would, but He offers Himself a the King of the Jews… to lead them and guide them and they, much like most people today, REJECTED HIS AUTHORITY … they rejected Christ. They turned on the God who made them and loved them.


All human beings should try to learn before they die what they are running from, and to, and why. -- James Thurber

The Power of the Resurrection

We love the cross.

It is at the cross of Calvary that the sins of the world were put on the Lord Jesus Christ.

It is the cross that answers the question, "What can I do about my sin?"

The mercy of God is manifested in the person and work of Jesus Christ.... but probably in no greater single event than the cross.

For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel—not with words of human wisdom, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power. (1 Corinthians 1:17).

There is power in the cross. The Power of God to save sinners. The power of God to change lives. The power of God to inpart life. But it would all be for nothing if it were not for the Ressurection. Pay close attention to the words of the Apostle Paul as he writes about the Resurrection:

If there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised. And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith. More than that, we are then found to be false witnesses about God, for we have testified about God that he raised Christ from the dead. But he did not raise him if in fact the dead are not raised. For if the dead are not raised, then Christ has not been raised either. And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins. (1 Corinthians 15:13-17)

Brethren, as we consider the events leading up to the cross this Friday and on into this weekend, let us not forget the Ressurection.

Easter on Our Minds

Greetings.

I have been noticing a trend recently. Pastors and church staff from around the country are focusing in on Easter. That’s good! But what I am noticing is that they are spending a lot of time and energy inviting folks to church. Don’t get me wrong here… I am all for inviting people to church, but let’s keep in mind what the focus of this coming Sunday is.

We celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ every Sunday, but probably none more passionately than Easter Sunday. Here is my admonition to us all:

Allow the Resurrection of our Lord and Savior to energize, encourage, and strengthen you year-round.

Remember, He promised to give His sheep life… and life more abundantly. (John 10:10) And that is only possible through the resurrection. (Romans 5:9 - 11)

Shalom.

From inside the Airport...

(From February....)

It sure seems unfair that the folks on the other side of the security check-point can charge whatever they please for sandwich, a bottle of water, or a diet coke.... I guess I have no choice. Sort of the same thing with the Lord... It's His rules... And HE SETS THE VALUE OF THINGS.

Naptime

For those who may not know I am battling a sinus problem. I only write that to let you know why I took a nap yesterday. I was sick and tired… literally.

I thought though tat this would be a great time for Sammy and I to bond a little more… just dad and son…. So we camped out in the basement. He brought a toy with him, a motorcycle that turns into a jet. It’s a cute little toy. I can’t begin to tell you how many times I had to tell him “toutoe” (which means time for some sleep now in a modified baby Spanish). He wasn’t interested at all.

Here I was, a father who loves his son, trying to spend a little snuggle time with him and all he wants to do is play with a toy. As I watched him, this is what the Lord impressed on me:

Chris, how many times have I sought audience with you only to be ignored for something else?

Wow.

The next time you come to God in prayer or study the Word of God, come to Him with no distractions. He desires intimate fellowship with His people and if you are a believer in the Lord Jesus Christ… He wants fellowship with you.

Shalom.

Perspective

Today is my day off and as usual I am enjoying a day with the FAB 5. This morning, because of my seasonal sinus problem, I’ve been up since O’Dark Thirty (Before the sun woke-up). At the request of a friend of mine, I watched a video by a guy named Seth Godin. I don’t know a whole lot about the guy, but he has an amazing grasp of cultural anthropology. As a ‘motivational speaker’ (my term… not his) he excels. Here is something that really got me thinking about leadership and ministry:

“My job is not to tell you what to do. My job is to make you uncomfortable enough about not doing anything that you will look at the opportunities around you…” (my paraphrase)

Good insight. Applying this to my situation is rather simple:

My job, and the job of the elders, is to see that every member of the church has the opportunities, tools, and Biblical foundation to grow in their relationship with Christ.

Or… as the Apostle Peter said:

… but growth in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. (2 Peter 3:18)

Like Father, Like Son

There is a saying that someone came up with that goes like this:

The Apple does not fall too far from the tree.

There’s a lot of truth in that. As I look at my kids, I am constantly amazed at how many spiritual lessons there are in raising them. Today I will look at how my son (Samuel) relates to all this. Consider the following:

• My son’s growth is his father’s responsibility.
  
• My son’s well being is his father’s responsibility.
  
• When my son steps out of line, his discipline is his father’s responsibility.
  
  

And the list goes on. I’m sure you saw the connection. Our growth, well being, and discipline are contingent on our Heavenly Father being the sort of Father who loves us and cares for us.

Here is some food for thought.

How do you know if you are growing? If you are looking and acting mor and more like your Heavenly Father.

But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him
be glory both now and forever! Amen.

(2 Peter 2:18)

Worship the King

Evening ya'all.

I got back from the Spurgeon Fellowship, a Pastoral Fellowship hosted by Western Seminary, and am amazed at the teaching I sat under. Much of what was learned will be shared in later posts, but right now I'd like to share this:

Worship is not about how you feel, necessarily. It is about praising the King of kings and is one of the offerings we bring to Him.

Since worship is an offering, it is also a sacrifice.

Something to think about the next time you come to the Lord in worship of His glory.

WHY ARE THEY SO SLOW?

(Someone has said, “God gives us children to teach us lessons.” Here is a case-in-point.)

My children do not move as fast as Daniela and I do, nor should they be expected to. They are smaller and need help with the larger things. They are weaker and need help with the stronger things. They are patient and I need help with the slower things.

I write this on the heals of eating lunch with my three oldest kiddos. Anabelle, our second born, has a habit of eating slow. (I hear that this is really good for digestion.) When the kids were done eating their hotdogs they had some yogurt. I watched in utter amazement at how patient and gentle she was in opening the package. As I watched I couldn’t but help think:

She prefers quality over quantity.

I don’t know how that principle applies in your life, but I know how it applies in mine. By the grace of God all of us will come to the realization that in some things we need to slow way down and do things patiently rather than quickly.

Shalom.

As soon as I can

While on vacation in Miami last month the FAB 5 and I went to Hollywood Beach. What can I say??? The Beach in S. Florida is amazing, even in February. I took a bunch of pictures and a few videos, but lost the cable that allows me to upload them from the camera to my PC. The Lord taught me several really, really important lessons while we were away, not the least of which is this:

A father who loves his children loves spending time with his children.

And such is the case with the Lord. That He loves us is evident from the cross, but as Clair Huxtable told Sandra on an episode of the Cosby Show, “Baby, I don’t just love you… I like you.”

The next time you feel overwhelmed, unappreciated, or even full of joy remember that your Heavenly Father loves you and loves spending time with you.

Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God (1 John 3:1)

Redeeming the Time

Job 14:1-2 (NIV) "Man born of woman is of few days and full of trouble. He springs up like a flower and withers away; like a fleeting shadow, he does not endure."

Not everyone is as pessimistic as Job, but then again... he did suffer a lot for the Lord. Read his words though, MAN'S TIME ON THIS PLANET ARE SHORT. If that is the case, and it is, what are we to be doing during our short stay?

The Bible contains many commands. Don't murder. Don't steal. Don't commit adultery. Someone once questioned the Lord Jesus about one law's superiority to another. This is what the Bible records:

One of the teachers of the law came and heard them debating. Noticing that Jesus had given them a good answer, he asked him, "Of all the commandments, which is the most important?" "The most important one," answered Jesus, "is this: 'Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.' The second is this: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' There is no commandment greater than these." (NIV, Mark 12:28-31).

Notice that the Lord grouped these two together:

1. Love the Lord your God with your total being.
2. Love your neighbor as yourself.

This is what we are to do while we enjoy our stay on Earth. The questions is:

Are we doing it?

Busy Days are not Always "Bad"

Some one once told me: "Of you want something to get done, give it to a busy person."

The last few days have been extremely busy for me and it is amazing how much the Lord has allowed me to get done.

All of that to say this... I have not been updating this site, but I do intend on posting regularly again.

I'll keep ya posted (pun intended).

Back in Portland

Greetings.

I'm still on East Coast time so I'll be headed to bed soon, but I wanted to take the opportunity to thank the good folks at Bethany Baptist for their love and support. My wife and I appreciate all of you. I really came back refreshed and my family and I had a great time in Miami!

So sorry for not updating the blog in a while but now that I am back things should be getting back to normal soon.

See everyone tomorrow.

Shalom.

Miami or Bust

Well.... here we are. We made it to Miami safe and sound.

I won't be updating the blog as often as I'd like to, but check in periodically for some info.

As the Brits say, "Cheers!"

Membership Classes

I am the pastor of Bethany Baptist Church… well ok… Jesus is THE PASTOR of Bethany Baptist Church. I serve Him as under shepherd. By the grace of God we are seeking to build up and strengthen the church through sound teaching and Godly leadership. One of the ways we do that is through our monthly Membership Classes (Exploring Bethany). Today, actually 16 minutes from now, we will be hosting membership classes in the office. I am a little nervous every time we have them because I have opened the floor up for questions and discussion. That can be a little frightening to be honest, (not that I am in the habit of lying), but here is why I do it:

• Not everyone is at the same spiritual level. Getting answers to questions that have “stumped” someone can prove to be a major turning point in their life.
  
  
• It pushes me, or the one teaching the class, to be in the Word and prepared for… well… anything.
  
  
• It’s fun talking to people about how the Lord has ministered to them through his Word.
  
  

Ok… looks like I have to get going. One more thing before I go:

While it is true that someone becomes a member of the Body of Christ at the moment of Salvation, membership in the local church (the outward and terrestrial manifestation of the present Life of Christ) may not be.

Shoot me an email or call me if you have any questions.

Shalom

CONFESSION OF SIN (Reflections on last Sunday’s message.)

1 John 1:9 states authoritatively and unapologetically:

“if we confess our sins He is faithful and just to forgive us of our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

I have made many, many mentions of this text from the pulpit and feel that some detail is warranted.

• “if” = Notice the choice. We are not REQUIRED to maintain fellowship with the Lord… but it is offered to us.

• “confess” = The Greek word that is translated “confess” here means to say the same thing [as]. This is more than saying, “sorry”. This is coming to grips with the fact that we have fallen short of God’s righteousness.

• “sins” = These are not our faults… our shortcomings. These are sins, willfully or unwittingly defying God’s Holy standard.

• “he” = God

• “we” and “us” = Christians… those who have already trusted the sacrifice of Christ for eternal life.

• “faithful” = God has promised that those who have trusted Christ as Savior will not be condemned, but have passed from death into life.

• “just” = Because the payment has been made for our sin, God can forgive us of the sin we confess.

• “forgive” = it is on the basis of God’s faithfulness toward us and His justice in accepting the sacrifice of Christ that He can forgive us.
  
  

* * * Notice that the sins are forgiven and we are cleansed from our unrighteousness. * * *

Here is the bottom line: God the Father is faithful and just to forgive us of our sins. We are the ones that need to act on that promise. We are the ones that need to live in light of that promise.

Shalom.

Sermon Run-through 02-01-09

Greetings.

For those of you that were in attendance at Bethany last Sunday (02-01-09), you might recall my saying that i got a little emotional during my sermon run-through. Well here it is. I love diet soda and, as you can see, it is my beverage of choice while doing my sermon run-through.

Might I suggest you turn your speakers down a little when you get to around sixteen and a half minutes and keep them down until about eighteen.

Shalom.

Sunday Night Roundup

Today was an amazing day at Bethany Baptist Church.

• The fellowship was simply amazing.
• The music was thought provoking and genuine.
• The message this morning hit like a ton of bricks.
• Communion was passionate.
• The church now has a few more members after our very, very short business meeting.

Today was an amazing day and we should expect that next Sunday will follow suite.

The Bible and Such

While working in a warehouse in Columbus, GA a few years ago I wore headphones and listened to Bible teaching all day long. I distinctly recall telling my wife that I was bored out of my mind at work once and this is what she said:

“Are you serious? I am at home all day with loud children. Not that I don’t love them or love what I do… but I wish sometimes that I had even an hour to spend studying the Word of God.”

Wow… I praise the Lord that I have been commissioned with teaching and preaching the Word of God and have been given the time to study. Here are two somethings to think about:

1. Is there something in your life that you wish you had more of MORE than time with the Lord? If so, why?

2. It is often the testimony of those who have less of what we complain about that tend to put things into perspective.

Shalom.

This Morning’s Meeting.

I had the privilege to meeting with the elders of Bethany Baptist Church and Pastor Don Singleton of Redeeming Grace Baptist. Wow! What a great guy and what a great ministry. Here are a few things that really stuck out:

• He told us about his conversion and what powerful testimony he has! I never tire of hearing about how the Lord works in the lives of people.
  
  
• He told us about his call to ministry and one thing in particular stuck out. He was sweeping the chapel floor and the Lord told him in no uncertain terms… I CAN GET ANYONE TO SWEEP THE FLOOR. Wow! What an awesome truth that is! Those who can be trusted with little can be trusted with much! Luke 16:10
  
  
• Referring to sowing the seed of the Gospel Pastor Don said, “The hard part is really the easy part.” He went on to say that it is God that gets the increase. 1 Corinthians 3:5-9.

I was so blessed to meet with some really godly men today. How has the Lord blessed you today and what lessons is He trying to teach you?

A day off

Yesterday the Fab 5 and I, along with some out of town guests, went to the Tillamook Cheese Factory. It was a lot of fun. Here are a few things I noticed while I was there.

The factory workers kept looking up at us as they worked. I wondered what they were thinking. Maybe something like, “Why aren’t these people at work? It’s Monday for crying out loud!” or, “I feel like I am in a zoo exhibit with all those people watching me work.” As I watched them and watched them watching me, my mind went to 1 Peter 1:12:

Unto whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto us they did minister the things, which are now reported unto you by them that have preached the gospel unto you with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven; which things the angels desire to look into. (KJV)

We do not know what the angels’ searching looks like exactly or what interests them the most about it. But we do know that we are being observed, we are being watched. I wonder if we were reminded of this often if it would change the way we do things… or don’t do things?

We were at the factory for a while. As I watched the workers and the machinery in action, something else stood out. Every so often, the line would stop. Something at the beginning of the cycle would jam or stop and subsequently, others down the line would stop as well. Now I do not know who gets paid more or what the internal structure is, but I do know this: The guy at the end of the line is depending on the guy at the front of the line to do his job efficiently and exactly.

Paul writes:

For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ. For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit. For the body is not one member, but many. If the foot shall say, Because I am not the hand, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body? And if the ear shall say, Because I am not the eye, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body? If the whole body were an eye, where were the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where were the smelling? But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him. And if they were all one member, where were the body? But now are they many members, yet but one body. And the eye cannot say unto the hand, I have no need of thee: nor again the head to the feet, I have no need of you.
(1 Corinthians 12:12-21, KJV)

In the body of Christ we are dependant on each other. If we are not in unison, then the body does not function properly. This is one of the reasons we ought to pray one for another.

I learned a lot about cheese and how it is made yesterday. But even more importantly I was able to teach my children some very important lessons.

But going back to my first point, the author of Hebrews has something more to add:

Let brotherly love continue. Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.
(Hebrews 13:1-2, KJV)

Loving Leviticus

For some, the Gospel according to John is the most refreshing book of the Bible. Others find comfort in the book of Romans. I love both of these, but I am falling more and more in love with the book of Leviticus. Sure, most of it does not apply to us as a rule of life but we learn a lot about God and His holiness by studying it.

How do you grow in the grace and knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ? (2 Peter 3:18)

Simple:

Hide His Word in your heart! (Psalm 119:9 - 11)

Shalom

Good Stress

It is interesting to me how our bodies handle stress. I used to weight train and my muscles responded positively to good stress. (There are some that might read this and ask, "Is there such a thing as good stress"?) Those same muscles respond very differently when I am fatigued and trying to function on little rest and a lot of caffeine. Those same muscles will atrophy (shrink, if you will) if not used at all.

Our faith is sort of like this. When we are challenged to strengthen our faith and have a steady routine of prayer, Bible study and fellowship so our faith matures and we grow stronger. But that same faith, if not properly exercised will atrophy. You will not loose the faith, so to speak, but you will loose the impact and strength you, and others, once benefited from.

If you don’t spend enough time in the spiritual gym, get in there. You will not only benefit from it but so will those you minister to.

Inauguration day.

Here we are. The 44th president of the United States of America has been sworn in. Whether you voted for the man is a moot issue. He is our President and as such needs our prayers.

I watched the Swearing In Ceremony via the internet. It was amazing to see how many people were out to see (rather, participate) in the inauguration.

Today has been called a “historic day”. But then again, everyday is a historic day. You were not sworn in as the President, but as a soldier you have been charged with a mission:

To be a witness of the Resurrection power of Jesus Christ (Acts 1:8)

When Satan Attacks pt. 5

So now that we know that the enemy wants to take your attention off of the Lord and His commands, we need to ask, “What does the enemy look like?” That is not an easy question to answer.

• 2 Corinthians 11:14 tells us that Satan “masquerades” (literally disguises and changes) himself into a messenger of light. As we saw in the Garden of Eden, he is hardly a messenger of light.
  
  
• Isaiah 14:12 - 15, in speaking about Satan, tell us that he was once a high ranking officer in the Angelic army. Because of that we know that he is both powerful and understands the holiness of God. Because he understands the holiness of God he knows how to strike. Be cause he is powerful, we have to be on guard.
  
  
• Even the disciples sitting at the “Last Supper” (to use a popular term) did not suspect that Judas Iscariot would betray the Lord (John 13:21 - 29). Satan is a crafty enemy.
  
  

This, of course, is not an exhaustive treatment on the persona and work of Satan. But it does raise some interesting questions. One of them is this, “How can you and I protect ourselves against the enemy?” The Apostle Paul tells us very plainly what to do:

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. (Ephesians 6:10-11)

Stand your ground and trust in the Lord.

When Satan Attacks pt. 4

So far in this short series of blog posts we have been looking at how to handle the attacks of the enemy of our souls.

In today’s installment, I would like to look at the way Satan gets us into trouble. In all began in the Garden:

Now the serpent was  more cunning than any beast of the field which the Lord God had made. And he said to the woman, “Has God indeed said, ‘You shall not eat of every tree of the garden’?” (Genesis 3:1, NKJV)

Notice how he attacks Eve. Not with force… not with violence… but with doubt. The first thing Satan does is to draw your focus away from God. If he can get you doubting the Lord and relying on your own finite understanding then he knows you are only a few steps away from disaster.

Next time we will dive in a bit more into Genesis 3, but until then please accept this challenge:

Ask the Lord to examine your heart and see where you doubt Him. If something is revealed, confess your lack of trust as sin to God.

It is not easy, but it is worth it.

When Satan Attacks pt.3

A few days ago I mentioned that I have had the most challenging week of my ministry and I was rejoicing over it. That means, among other things, that the enemy of our souls has me and this church square in his sights. That is a good thing (read my prior posts.)

I left off on the fact that we need to pray, seeking the Lord’s direction for us, and that we will be obedient when He tells us to move in a certain direction. Here is the hard part:

God wants all of you.

While it is true that He wants each and every one of you, He wants 100% obedience from His people. Consider the words of Samuel, the prophet of God:

Samuel said, "Has the LORD as much delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, And to heed than the fat of rams. (1 Samuel 15:22)

May the Lord guide you and direct you as you submit humbly to His leading.

Shalom

When Satan Attacks Pt. 2

He sure can be relentless can’t he. The enemy knows no bounds. I remember talking to a lady back East on several occasions about her relationship to the Lord. One of the things she said was, “Chris, it is so hard to maintain a balance between what I want to do and what the Lord wants me to do.” I told her, in no uncertain terms, that God is not interested in being her Lord on a part-time basis. He desires total dedication.

Some will say, “But that is impossible.” That statement is only partly correct:

For nothing is impossible with God. (Luke 1:37)

As you pray about God’s direction for your life, ask Him to show you the areas that need to be totally given over to Him. That’s the easy part.

We’ll talk about the hard part tomorrow.

When Satan Attacks

To be perfectly honest, not that I am in the habit of lying, I have been under enormous spiritual attack this week. I have faced the enemy on more fronts this last 10 days or so than I have in the past six months. That is encouraging!

I can see some eyebrows going up at that last statement, but yes… I am encouraged. The enemy of our souls attacks when he is threatened. And as we edify, rebuke, and exhort as we teach systematically through the Word of God he has reason to feel threatened.

I remember a southern preacher telling me once that, “If you aren’t doing anything for the Lord the Devil won’t bother you. He already has you where he wants you.” There is a lot of truth to that. How do we keep our enemy on his toes (so to speak)?

• Memorize the Word of God (Psalm 119:9 - 11)
  
• Submit to the teaching of the Word of God (2 Timothy 3:16 - 17)
  
• Resist the enemy and his temptations (James 4:7)
  
• Abide in the Vine, The Lord Jesus Christ (John 15:1 - 5)
  

To be sure, this is not an exhaustive list, but it is a good start. One last thing in closing:

The first century church thrived under satanic attack.
The reformation church expanded under satanic attack.
Our churches will prosper under satanic attack.

It is my prayer that our churches stay under attack. It is then that we are making the enemy sweat as we do the job we are called to do.

Shalom.

Sunday Morning Commentary (Tuesday Edition)

I am still recovering from Sunday, it took a lot out of me. What an amazing time we had in worship of our God and King. And now, Sunday morning’s happenings from my perspective:

• One of the joys I have is studying the Word of God for rather large chunks of time. So far, last week’s study of Leviticus has been the most challenging and, to be frank, the most frustrating. I say frustrating because every time I turn the page and allow myself to be honest with the text I find myself under great conviction. Trust me… that’s a really good thing.
  

• The worship / praise team did an amazing job (as usual)!
  

• The Lord saw fit to schedule the teaching of the burn offering (basically all of Leviticus chapter 1) and our monthly celebration of the Lord’s Supper.
  

• The Spirit of God is moving at Bethany Baptist Church in such a way that has not been in years, so I am told.
  

• While there were several families still out on vacation and individuals who could not come for various reasons, God proved last Sunday that it is not the size of the meeting that is key, but the heart that worships the lord in Spirit and in truth.
  

• I am totally beside myself in awe as I see both what the Lord is doing here and what He is going to do. I wait in blissful anticipation.

Seeking God’s Approval

I am having some serious issues with the book of Leviticus and once you start getting into the details, you may have the same issues I am having.

• God redeems a people, purchasing them with the blood of an innocent sacrifice
  
• God then calls these people, whom He purchased, to be holy.

Some one will say, “So what’s the problem?” Here’s the problem:

The same God that called Israel out of Egypt is the same God that calls you and I out of the world and unto Himself.

While it is true that we are not under the law as a way, or rule, of life, the sobering reality is that the same God that required holiness from His people in Leviticus 20:7 requires the same thing of the church in 1 Peter 1:15 - 16.

Here is my issue. I am not holy, and neither are you. Pray with me that we will be vessels of honor and clean instruments that the Lord of lords would be pleased to use.

Another New Year with Nothing New Under the Sun

It has been a while since my last blog post, but then again, there is nothing new under the sun. (Ecclesiastes 1:9).

There are many New Year’s resolutions that are made because of guilt and regret. Many of these resolutions will be broken and forgotten… just like last year’s. There is nothing new under the sun. (Ecclesiastes 1:9).

I had a great time last night with friends and family, and yet there are people who have no friends or family to spend time with. There is nothing new under the sun. (Ecclesiastes 1:9).

My children will grow up and learn more, while I will grow out and forget more. There is nothing new under the sun. (Ecclesiastes 1:9).

The Lord Jesus Christ’s offer of eternal life remains a valid offer right up to His appearing! Yet, despite His love and mercy, people will reject Him. There is nothing new under the sun. (Ecclesiastes 1:9).

God’s will for His people has been and will always be to grow in their relationship with Him and conform to His likeness. There is nothing new under the sun. (Ecclesiastes 1:9).

Many students of Biblical prophecy are saying that we are no longer inching toward to the Second Coming of Christ, but running faster and faster toward it. When He comes everything will change, but until then there is nothing new under the sun. (Ecclesiastes 1:9).