Can't see the Church for the people.

I know you've all played the game, join in.  Lace your fingers inward then fold your palms around them...here we go.  Here is the church, here is the steeple (point your index fingers and touch to a point).  Open the doors (open up your palms), and here's all the people (wiggle, wiggle, wiggle).  To allot of people this is their view of the church that it's where all the Christians hide and only come out to live their sinful half.  The church is where people go when they want to justify a wild partying lifestyle or to make them feel good about their life.  There is some truth is this.  The church is a place where people can come to find help, spiritually and physically.  The church is a place of protection and comfort.  Maybe I should point something out, the church has nothing to do with the building.  The church building is only a place where people gather to worship and serve.  I'm starting to sound like a broken record "the church is, the church is, the church is". 

The truth is, we are the church.  The church is not made up of brick and mortar; it's flesh and blood.  The church is not confined to one location; it's world wide wherever people confess His name and seek His will.  It says it best in 1 Corinthians 12:12-26 "For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ. For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body— Jews or Greeks, slaves or free—and all were made to drink of one Spirit.  For the body does not consist of one member but of many.  If the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,” that would not make it any less a part of the body.  And if the ear should say, “Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body,” that would not make it any less a part of the body.  If the whole body were an eye, where would be the sense of hearing? If the whole body were an ear, where would be the sense of smell?  But as it is, God arranged the members in the body, each one of them, as he chose.  If all were a single member, where would the body be?  As it is, there are many parts, yet one body.  The eye cannot say to the hand, “I have no need of you,” nor again the head to the feet, “I have no need of you.”  On the contrary, the parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable,  and on those parts of the body that we think less honorable we bestow the greater honor, and our unpresentable parts are treated with greater modesty,  which our more presentable parts do not require.  But God has so composed the body, giving greater honor to the part that lacked it,  that there may be no division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another.  If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honored, all rejoice together."    That's a mouthful, but I think what it's trying to say is this.  God put us in a place where He needs us most.  He knows our talents and our weaknesses.  He knows where we'll make the greatest impact on His behalf. 

There, now that I said that, I want to say this.  Don't you hate it when people go "Church Shopping"?  Have you ever heard that term?  Church shopping...when people or families go from church to church because they're looking for a place that they will get the most out of it.  I think they're looking for a place to hide.  The thought of involvment scares them to death, but, they want all the benefits that come with holding down a pew for an hour a week.  A wise friend once said, I'm sure he heard it from somewhere else.  Sitting in a church building doesn't make you a Christian like standing in a garage doesn't make you a car.  I looked and found nothing where is says to kick back and let God serve you.  Ok, it does say in Matthew 11:28-30 "Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.  Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”  This isn't talking to the ones who want to come and do nothing but the ones who are being too busy to take time for God (and that's another topic). 

Let's go back to the original statement, "Can't see the Church for the people".  I hope now you understand why I said it that way.  The church isn't hiding behind the people...the church IS the people.  I'm so lame.

Peace...

totalheel

     

Faith, the only thing harder than Chinese checkers.

A toss of a coin decides who starts. Players take turns to move a single peg of their own colour. In one turn a peg may either be simply moved into an adjacent hole OR it may make one or more hops over other pegs. Where a hopping move is made, each hop must be over an adjacent peg and into a the vacant hole directly beyond it. Each hop may be over any coloured peg including the player's own and can proceed in any one of the six directions. After each hop, the player may either finish or, if possible and desired, continue by hopping over another peg. Occasionally, a player will be able to move a peg all the way from the starting triangle across the board and into the opposite triangle in one turn!  Easy enough, let's play.

Crazy as it may sound, mastering a game of colored marbles and triangles is allot easier than understanding faith.  Depending on the translation faith is mentioned roughly 500 times in the bible so it must be pretty important.  The bible defines faith like this, Hebrews 11:1 "Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen."  I guess to put it simply, faith is putting hope and belief in something you can't see.  Faith is the base in Christian belief and understanding.  In Romans it tells us that faith comes by hearing and hearing through the word of God.  So, the more we know and understand God's word the more faith we'll have.  Gee, it doesn't sound that hard when you put it that way.  Here's a stupid question for you.  When was the last time you moved a mountain with your mind?  In the book of Matthew Jesus was teaching  His disciples a lesson on faith.  A young boy was brought to the disciples because he was possessed with a demon; but they weren't able to get it out.  Jesus then rebuked the demon and made it leave.    He said to them, “Because of your little faith. For truly, I say to you, if you have faith like a grain of mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move, and nothing will be impossible for you.”  Because of the little faith of the disciples they weren't able to perform a miracle.  Mustard seed faith isn't very much.  If you're not familiar with the mustard seed, it's the smallest plant producing seed in the world.  I must not have squat for faith then.  

The book of Hebrews has one whole chapter devoted to faith, chapter 11.  One chapter but so many great examples of how people were able to do extraordinary things through faith.  There would not be a Jewish nation today if there forefathers didn't have faith.  We can say the same thing about our country.  Jamestown Virginia was founded by people trying to seek religious freedom.  Their faith in God told them that He would lead them to a place where they could worship freely.  Please take the time and read Hebrews chapter 11.   Link to Hebrews 11. 

I guess the most important thing to me is this.  God created the heavens and the earth.  He created man and women and all the creatures great and small.  Man screwed up (sinned) and now needed forgiveness through sacrifice.  God sent His son.  Jesus came to earth as a baby and lived a perfect life.  Throughout Jesus' life He performed great miracles.  Jesus was wrongfully arrested and put on trial for crimes He did not commit.  He died on a cross.  Taking the weight of the world's sins with Him Jesus went to Hell and defeated Satan.  On the third day He rose from the dead.  Jesus now sits victoriuosly at the right hand of God.  God is preparing a place.  A place so beautiful it's beyond comprehension.  One day He will come back to judge us.  On that day He will decide if I/you go with Him to Heaven or spend eternity without Him...Hell.  Faith tells me that all this really happened and will happen one day.  Faith tells me if I call upon His name He will hear me and answer my prayers according to His will.  Faith tells me that He will never leave me or forsake me. 

The other day we were enjoying our backyard deck when Tina heard a noise by the house.  She went over to check it out and found a baby bluejay stuck in a hole.  I got some gloves and picked it up.  The whole time this little guy wouldn't stop squawking and pecking at my fingers.  Jenna thought it was hilarious.  I carefully carried it to the back part of our yard and placed it in the grass.  In about a minute mom and dad bluejay came down and rescued their baby.  It made me think of this, Matthew 6 25-33  “Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing?  Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?  And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life?  And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin,  yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.  But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?  Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’  For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all.  But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. 

Don't worry, God will take care of you...that's faith.

Peace...

totalheel




 

What do you get a mom that has everything?

I know that sounds like the statement of an arrogant man.  What else could a mother need when she has a son like me?  I'm going to get a little personal with you...no not that way.  Listen up, Mother's Day used to be my least favorite celebrated holiday.  Let me share a little about my family history.  July 8, 1995, one of the worst days I've ever experienced in my life.  On that day my mom lost her battle with brain cancer.  On that day Mother's Day lost all meaning.  Mother's day all of a sudden was just another day.  As horrible as that sounds, here's the worst part.  I was pretty mad at God after this.  28 year olds shouldn't be attending their mothers funerals.  What greater purpose could this have?  Mom was the gell that held the family together.  I could count on her calling me at least once a week. 

I remember calling her one night from the Navy barracks with what I thought was a major problem.  I had just began taking classes to learn my new job in the Navy.  The class was called, get this, Strategic Weapons Systems Electronics Mathmatics.  In this 2 week class they took you from 1+1 to calculus.  Uncle Sam wasn't very forgiving either.  If you failed this class you were sent to the fleet.  This was the Navy's way of weeding out guys they didn't want to further invest the education in.  That night on the phone mom convinced me to stick it out, hang in there she said, it'll all work out...and it did.  I learned so many lessons from that lady.  This small town Virginia boy got to experience things that most people only see in movies all because mom convinced me I could.  I think she got that idea from this verse...Phillipians 4:13 "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."  

Mom was the Sunday School director, the VBS coordinator, the small group leader (when there wasn't such a thing).  She had a beautiful saprano voice that inspired me to sing.  Mark Lowry, a Christian comedian/singer, said it best.  He had a major drug problem growing up.  When the church doors were open, his mom drug him there...my mom was that way too.  She instilled in us the foundation and desire to grow and learn more of God's word daily.  Proverbs 22:6 "Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it."  Mom lived this, as a parent today I try to also.  I'm not Super Christian, but I do love serving in the church.  Singing on the praise team, helping in the junior high, fix-it things around the building.  Mom taught me and showed me through her life how to serve.

It took me several years to understand that my mom still deserved a present on Mothers Day.  You can only give so many figurines and cards that play happy mom songs.  Could you imagine the postage on a card to Heaven?  Well, really there's just one present I can still give her.  A present that even now could bring joy to her...a legacy.  I'm not sure how timing works in Heaven.  I don't know exactly how or when we'll see Jesus or loved ones again.  But I do know mom would love to see her children there and her grandchildren and her great-grandchildren...and so on.  Tina and I have 2 beautiful girls that I'm very proud of.  This past summer I was priviledged to baptise my oldest.  On Sunday mornings she helps out with the childrens classes. My youngest one anxiously listens to bible stories each night.  Sometimes she'll surprise me with a recap of what we talked about days before.  God is so good!

I know what you're thinking, 'how about your dad'?  His day is coming, he and mom made a great team.  Every once in a while I call out to mom.  I know she can't hear me, but maybe...just maybe, God will relay a message to her and let her know I can't wait to see her again.  Happy Mother's Day Mom!

Peace...

totalheel

 

The meek shall get their faces bashed in

Pretty catchy title, now to make sense out of it.  I have actually been accused of being too nice.  People have told me that I let others walk all over me.  The bible tells us in so many words or less that the meek shall get their faces bashed in.  Wow, there's alot of incentive to become a Christian.  Ok, I'm exagerating a little.  I believe you may have heard it this way.  Matthew 5:5 "Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the Earth."  If you're not familiar with this verse, it was taken from the sermon on the mount when Jesus spoke to thousands on a mountain side when He shared with them the beatitudes.  I know what you're thinking...gee, that really helps alot.  Ok, what is a beatitude?  The Roget's thesaurus says this about the word beatitude.  A condition of supreme well-being and good spirits: blessedness, bliss, cheer, cheerfulness, felicity, gladness, happiness, joy, joyfulness.  Now wait a minute, there's nothing in that discription that says anything about people putting "the smack down", on me.  To make this easier I'll copy the rest of them, see if you get my point.  Matthew 5:3-12:  3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
      4 “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.
      5 “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.
      6 “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.
      7 “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.
      8 “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.
      9 “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons[a] of God.
    10 “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
    11 “Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. 12 Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

So, does all this mean God wants us to be wishy washy pansy followers?  Au contraire mon frere.  Jesus isn't asking us to cower and give up.  My wife has an alter-ego she calls "Big Dog".  When things get a little tough, Big Dog comes out and takes over.  Jesus is asking us to be the same, unashamed and bold in our beliefs.  He wants us to be good followers...disciples.  If you look at each one, Jesus spells out what is required to be a follower.

Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.  Only the poor in spirit will enter into the kingdom of God. Why? Because they come to God having full knowledge of their own lostness (is that a word?) and their own sinfulness. They readily confess that they are full of guilt and are totally unqualified to enter into the kingdom of God. The poor in spirit are the ones who have put their faith and trust in Jesus Christ.

Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.  The mourning of Christians referred to in this beatitude is not because of financial loss, terminal sickness, the death of loved ones, loneliness, a divorce, or some rejection being experienced. Christians mourn because they realize that they have sinned against a holy God and have brought dishonor to his name. And this dishonor of God's very name brings great mourning to the true believer. The true believer mourns when he sins because he knows that the sin just committed brings great pain and sorrow to God.

Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the Earth.  A meek man is not a weak man. He is not wishy-washy, effeminate or timid. He is not someone who you can walk all over. A meek man is not passive and spineless. In fact the meek man is just the opposite. The one who has put their faith and their trust in Jesus Christ will be meek before God, but mighty and bold before the world and before satan.  A meek man is patient. He has a long view of life, knowing in the end it is not the wicked who win, but the meek. How can he be sure of this? The meek person knows that in the end God wins, and if God wins then the meek win. God himself tells us that the meek, not the wicked, will inherit the earth. The wicked may indeed possess the earth for a short time today, but the Lord tells us that when he comes back, the meek shall possess this earth. Psalms 76:9 "Then God arose to judgment, To save all the humble of the earth".

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.  Hunger and thirst are appetites that return frequently and they require that they be met often during the day. Similarly the true believer calls for constant meals of righteousness to do his daily Godly work, just as the living body calls for its daily food. When a believer hungers and thirsts after righteousness he becomes a new man and this new man now bears the image of God. This new man greatly desires to do the will of God for he now has great interest in Christ and all that Christ said and promised.

Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy.  The merciful are indeed those special people who love all men as themselves: The merciful truly believe that whatever mercy they desire from God, they in turn will show to all men everywhere. The merciful are the ones who realize that our Heavenly Father demands that we be merciful, and they also realize that our acts of mercy will be repaid a thousand fold. Mercy is extremely important to Jesus Christ and much of the Bible either directly or indirectly deals in some way with mercy and kindness shown to others.  This one goes along with the Golden Rule, Matthew 7:12 So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.

Blessed are the pure of heart, for they shall see God.  The path to a pure heart begins with the realization that we have impure hearts. The entire Bible revolves around the central theme that the Lord looks at the heart of the person and not at their external appearance, their behavior, or their achievements. The Lord does not acclaim education, intellect, business success, or social position, as the world does.  God alone is able to make rotten people pure in their imaginations, thoughts, words, deeds, and desires.

Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.  The peacemakers are those children of God who not only have great love for God, but also have love for all of mankind and they attempt to do everything possible for the advancement of peace everywhere. The term "peacemakers" includes all who make peace between men, whether as individuals or as communities. It includes even those who endeavor to make peace even though they fail.

Blessed are they who suffer persecution for justice sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.  Persecution in the United States at this time, frequently comes verbally, usually in the form of cruel mocking and colorful language, or by deeds such as confiscation of goods, banishment from a group, or even in the workplace where one may be fired, demoted, or spoken against because of one's Christian faith. In today's society to tell others that you are a born again Christian who has put his entire faith and trust in Jesus Christ, is to bring on smirks and laughs, rude and disgusting comments, and alienation and retaliation.

These are simply stated, but are profound in meaning. They guide. They point. They teach. They show us the values that Christ cares about. These values if followed, can not only bring a believer into a state of peace and happiness, but also right into the Kingdom of God after our journey on this earth is over.

Peace...

totalheel