BEGGARS WITH BREAD

Some Good News

2012-01-11T08:12:00.000-08:00

For the past year, I’ve been applying for a different position at work. I love the job that I’ve been doing for the past 6 years, but I was ready for something different. I was applying for something that I felt would better utilize my talents, and would better suit my lifestyle as a family man.

As I got to my desk last week, I noticed a congratulatory email from my coworker. The email stated that I got the position!

My first reaction was skepticism. And in an effort to not be the victim of the latest office prank, I verified the good news, and sure enough, it was true! The position that I’ve been applying, hoping, and praying for was mine.

But before I got the good news, I began to think that there was little hope of being selected. I was repeatedly told that the chances, the stars, and the cards were all aligned against me. I was filled with doubt.

Sometimes life in general, can be the same way. Whenever we feel stuck, circumstances and earthly wisdom can lead us to believe that chances are there is no hope…that we won’t be able to make that change…that the stars, the cards- they’re stacked against us...

But that’s not ever true. There is good news. And that good news comes from a source that can deliver.

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11

God is great, and His news is good.

Convictions?

2011-09-22T14:53:00.000-07:00

A person is driven or compelled by the strength of his or her convictions. Each person of faith must figure out how strong their convictions really are and how far they will go in expressing themselves and, if necessary, defending those convictions. What we believe matters. If we say we believe something how will it be verified? By merely stating what we believe? or by following each stated conclusion with words and deeds that match the proclamation? Please do not misunderstand what's being said here. We are not Justified by words or actions, regardless of how "righteous" they may appear. The Word of God makes it very clear that our justification is by faith alone in Christ alone. No amount of works IN or outside of Christ can justify us before God but before men we have an obligation to be real and genuine as a testimony of and for God's glory. As the Bible says, "Faith without works is dead." In other words, CONVICTIONS that are empty and lifeless expression(s) neither glorifies God or works the common good for mankind.

(James 2:14-26 NKJV) ¹⁴ What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him? ¹⁵ If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food, ¹⁶ and one of you says to them, “Depart in peace, be warmed and filled,” but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit? ¹⁷ Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. ¹⁸ But someone will say, “You have faith, and I have works.” Show me your faith without yourworks, and I will show you my faith by myworks. ¹⁹ You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe—and tremble! ²⁰ But do you want to know, O foolish man, that faith without works is dead?²¹ Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered Isaac his son on the altar? ²² Do you see that faith was working together with his works, and by works faith was made perfect? ²³ And the Scripture was fulfilled which says,“Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.” And he was called the friend of God. ²⁴ You see then that a man is justified by works, and not by faith only. ²⁵ Likewise, was not Rahab the harlot also justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out another way? ²⁶ For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.

Righteousness

2010-09-13T22:47:00.000-07:00

Why do we do what we do? Sometimes we may feel as though we are living the Christian life well... we are doing "all the right things"; we read our Bibles regularly; we have successfully abstained from besetting sins that have caught us up in the past; we may be considered by those within and outside the church as "good Christian people".

While all these things, in and of themselves, are good, we must be careful not to confuse “spiritual obedience” for healthy Christian living. We must make sure that the “why? question" is not answered by wrong motives. Sometimes we are living or acting a certain way in order to appear to others what we think they want to see. We want others to approve of us. Deep down, we want self-approval... We want to be justified in the eyes of other people. These efforts serve an end with one aim – self-justification. This is, in a word, self-righteousness. Notice, when we do this, we lose the proper “why?” perspective. We cease caring about how we appear – in our hearts – before God. We no longer think of whether God approves of us. It is much easier to present our actions as a façade before others.

Self-justification, or justification before others, is more concerned with outward appearance, while a focus on justification before God is concerned with the condion of one’s heart and right standing before Him. It is when we find ourselves unwilling or unable to live for God that we can often deduce that it is because we have been living externally – self-righteously. We know that we must repent of our unrighteousness, but seldom do we give thought of repenting of our righteousness. Habakkuk 2:4 speaks of the self-righteous person… “See, he is puffed up; his desires are not upright— but the righteous will live by his faith.”

Even more important than the why is the Who. Whose righteousness enables us to live the Christian life? There is only one way to live the Christian life, and that is not by our own feeble attempts at maintaining a righteousness which we claim for ourselves (perhaps relying on our intellectual knowledge about God or Christian upbringing), but it is in looking to Christ’s righteous work and death on the cross that we are able to live out this christian life.

One Way to Run

2010-07-29T10:29:00.000-07:00

There will be times when the believer falls into sin for a season, breaking fellowship with God. In some respects they may feel like a non-Christian… and perhaps doubt their salvation as genuine. There are some who teach that it is in these times, that because of their willful disobedience against God, the Holy Spirit will remove his hand from the believer. Actually, the opposite is true-- the Christian will instead feel the Spirit’s heavy, but loving, hand of conviction pressed down upon them. The Holy Spirit may do this through a sermon, an unexpected circumstance, a friend, or when they find themselves on the very precipice of sin.

When the Christian does sin, naturally feeling the guilt and shame of their rebellion, their reaction may be that of despair. Intuitively, one is led to think that such a one should feel despair and that their actions deserve remaining in that guilty state until they learn to conform to God’s law. This understanding, however, runs counter with the message of the cross; all that Christ did for the believer. The reason one may think that despair is the appropriate response, is because the law (and not God’s grace) is mistakenly their standard. They may find themselves penitently holding onto their guilt for a time, because they feel that they must somehow deserve experiencing separation from God until they perform/ conform to God’s law through their obedience as a “better Christian”.

When one sins, having desperately realized their destitute state before God, there is only one appropriate response; only one way to run… it is to the foot of the cross for forgiveness (and not holding onto their guilt in despair), because they realize that they are unable to do what Christ has already done on their behalf. They realize that it is by God’s grace - and not by their own ability to “conform to the law” - that they find hope.

“Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” - Romans 8:1

Kindness that leads to Repentance?

2009-11-11T08:18:00.000-08:00

Chris Tomlin sings an awesome song called “Kindness”. The first line of the chorus comes from the end of Romans 2:4 “…not realizing that God’s kindness leads us to repentance”. I’ve always looked at that sentence with a curious eye, as if I have not yet completely understood it. Not doubting it at all, but rather, I knew that there was a lot more to it than is initially seen.

I looked at my own life and found that there have been definitely times when the Lord had shown me kindness, which in turn brought me back to Him. Times when I was going away or astray, and instead of beating me over the head with conviction that I must change, he blows my mind with his love.

More often, however, I’ve seen that it was discipline or His heavy hand that had brought me crawling back to repentance. A lot more times I found that it took God to shake my life for me to turn back to Him. It took the Lord to move me to an uncomfortable position, or to take away something that was important that got me looking towards His direction.

In all this, it seemed the fullness of the verse escaped me. How is God’s kindness leading me to repentance when He is rebuking me? How can discomfort or discipline be called kindness? Was I missing something?

Then God finally revealed it in such a marvelous way. I realized His kindness has to deal with His deep patience and longsuffering. That even in discipline He is being kind. Even in introducing discomfort or correction He is showing great kindness because He is ultimately staying His hand of judgment from me. Not only keeping from me what I fully deserve, but holding me close so I don’t fully fall off the edge.

The realization of the fullness of God’s mercy was the key to unraveling this amazing thought. Where in reality, I rightfully deserve, in my disobedience and sin, to be judged and have my sin be fully counted against me. That in His kindness, God chose to treat me like a true son, and through discipline, correction, and rebuke, which is designed to transform me, He is changing me to the image and likeness of His Son. That is kindness that is immeasurable.

That is the most amazing thought of all. And this type of unaffordable love is what draws mankind to a full, authentic repentance. A repentance which, from being completely aware of the alternative and the present condition, causes men to hate their sins and turn towards a gracious God who deserves to be worshipped for His kindness.

God bless

March M. Villareal

manswicked@gmail.com

Making Plans?

2009-05-04T16:04:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I spent most of my day assisting in the planning of an amphibious operation. As you might imagine, such an operation requires the utmost attention to detail. These things are not planned in one sitting, but in many hours, and with much coordination. There are checks, and second checks, even third checks, to ensure that every "i" is dotted and every "t" is crossed. And yes, that kind of planning can sure be a headache!

Yesterday was one of those days for me. We planned, we changed the planned, we planned again, we changed the plan again. We spent hours upon hours fishing out every conflict in the schedule. We started this planning process early in the morning, and it wasn't agreed upon and finalized until late last night. Finally, all parties involved were in agreement with the plan, and everyone was ready to execute- come sunrise.

Well, sunrise came, and the plan wasn't executed. Why, you ask? While we tried to account for every minute little detail, the weather didn't agree to play with us this morning. The seas were too rough and the Marines on the beach called off what was to be a fun-filled day of amphibious operations for the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps team.

Life is like that. Plans fall through and sometimes things don't go our way. Usually, this is followed by disappointment and frustration- and it happens to some of us all the time. We can check and recheck every detail, we can make lists, we can create calendars, and we can plan and we can replan- but if your plans aren't in accordance with God's will for you that day, those plans are going to fall through.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying that there is anything wrong with planning at all- it pays to be prepared. But in your planning process, ensure that you include God first. The results from your planning will prove much more fruitful that way. And your planning will result in less disappointment when there is a realization included that God is the real author of your circumstance. Put God first and all else will fall into place.

"Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you." Matthew 6:33

Let Your Light Shine

2009-04-15T16:16:00.000-07:00

You may have seen her in the papers, or you may have seen her on the evening news. Either way, she's making big headlines. Her name is Susan Boyle.

Susan is 47 years old, and is from Scotland. She is unassuming in her appearance- maybe even a little homely. Her wardrobe is dowdy, and she admits to never having been on a date before, and even professes to never having been kissed before either.

Enter the television show Britain's Got Talent. It's a show very much like our American Idol. This is where the world discovered Susan Boyle.

When she first walked on that stage, it was evident from the reaction of the audience and from the faces of the judges that Susan was not going to get the benefit of the doubt on what talent she could possibly possess.

Wow, she sure proved everyone wrong. Everyone. After just a few seconds into her singing, it was apparent that Susan was suffering from a case of mistaken identity.

She was viewed as an ordinary plain-jane, but in reality there was something extraordinary about her. By the end of her performance, everyone recognized that she harbored a talent that made her beauty undeniable.

Even Simon Cowell was impressed, and if you watch American Idol, you know how hard it is to impress that guy!

Susan Boyle had a light that she let shine that day, and the world saw it.

How about you? Do you let your light shine? Or do you accept the ordinary role that society has defined for you?

Often time we cover up the beauty of the message that we have been blessed with, because we let our light get snuffed out by self-imposed limits, by imagined pressures or by the stresses of our everyday lives. But it shouldn't be so.

The beauty of the gospel that we carry is a message that has the power to bring light even to the most darkest of places.

All we have to do is to take a step out on faith. Let your light shine and God will do the rest. Oh, and if you haven't seen Susan Boyle sing yet, look her up on YouTube. You'll see how amazing it is when someone takes that step of faith... It's simply beautiful.

"In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven." Matthew 5:16

There's a Need.

2009-03-29T15:27:00.001-07:00

My car's driver side power window broke. BUMMER. I knew what was wrong with it though, but they talked my wife into purchasing an expensive new window motor anyway. "OUCH!", said my wallet.

Not only did we spend all that money, but they didn't even fix it- 3 times they didn't fix it! We had to make a total of FOUR visits to that shop before they got it right!

Their little mistakes were turning into one BIG problem for us. All we needed was a little help, but it sure took a long while before we finally got it. Obviously, the service was so bad that we're not going back there again. And I sure ain't recommendin' them either!

Just like bad service at a mechanic shop, we are all guilty from time to time of not fully addressing the needs of those around us.

Those people that we encounter in our everyday lives are also people who have problems and are in need- of something. Maybe they need a friend. Maybe they need some encouragement. Maybe all they need is a "hello".

As followers of a merciful and loving God, let's all strive to show the love that He has commanded us to practice. Let's be proactive in identifying those around us in need.

Reach out... Make a friend... Help... Just say hi... Invite someone out for a cup of coffee... You never know, the little things that you do might just have a big impact on someone in need.

"By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another." John 13:35

Challenged and Changed by the Movie FIREPROOF

2009-03-08T23:36:00.000-07:00

Has anyone seen Kirk Cameron’s movie FIREPROOF yet? I’m not really one to watch religious movies simply because, well quite honestly, I think they’re poorly done all around and almost always demonstrate a lack of Biblical reality from beginning to end. In otherwords most so-called Christian films are doctrinally incorrect and leave people confused after it’s all said and done. However, my wife wanted to watch the movie and since she’s THE BOSS (lol) I watched it as well but not without some opening negative comments which disappeared only to be replaced with an appreciation I must share with you and everyone else who will listen.

Let me tell you, it took a few minutes before I realized that Kirk was doing a fine job of acting and that the movie wasn’t poorly put together at all. It had everything from a good supporting cast, serious drama, just enouph comedy, and a plot of Hollywood familiarity- in short the film had the works that makes for a good movie.

Kirk’s character is that of a Fireman who’s job is to save people from dangerous situations like fires and car accidents and he’s good at what he does. He’s ‘FIREPROOF’ but his marriage is on the rocks. He’s got his issues and his wife has got hers and so the two of them want out. He’s able to save others and deliver them in the midst of serious suffering and crisis but he just can’t seem to come through with the woman he married. Long story, short-(I really don’t want to say more than this just in case you haven’t seen the movie) one thing leads to another and so on all the way to the end of the movie where he and his wife are embracing one another in AGAPE love. God’s kind of love. The secret to fixing, not just marriages, but all kinds of relationships.

My wife and I were both blessed today having watched this movie and it’s message was exactly what we needed to hear. We’ve been married now for 14 years and although the particulars of our relationship are much different than the character’s in the movie there were elements common to our experience which I think we all share. What stood out for us, and we both agreed, is the principle of AGAPE love which is an unconditional love that only and continually thinks for the good of the other person whether we get it back or not. Correct me if I'm wrong but that's the picture we see of Jesus on the cross. Hanging there on a lonely hill on the outskirts of Jeruselem, suspended between Heaven and earth thinking of you and me as He died willingly and freely for our sins and all at the same time knowing how we would spurn His love but that didn't stop Him. "But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." Romans 5:8 NASV

The greatest underlying issue in all rifted relationships such as marriages, family and friendships is, in my opinion, SELFISHNESS. What’s in it for me? What about me? (I’m reminded here of a Toby Kieth song. God help me?). That’s right, ME, MYSELF AND I. Remember Lucifer’s story and what happened? Remember Adam and Eve’s story and what happened? Remember Cain and Able’s story and what happened. Right from the very beginning we see what kicked it off but it just seems to catch us all so unaware, doesn’t it? You would think now, after several thousands of years of human history we’d figure it out and do something about it, right? Therein is the problem, we do know and we have tried with all kinds of sociological and psychological programs but the problem gets worse and worse when we try to make it right by our standards. If we can make it right by our standards then why is divorce so rampant these days, even among us Christians? You don’t really have an answer, do you? Stop and think about it.

I could go on and on here about how this movie blessed me and opened my eyes and changed my mind but you already know that so one quick last thing before I sign off.

God knows how to get our attention and since my wife and I like to watch movies God spoke to us through that medium. What a WONDERFUL, LOVING, and BEAUTIFUL GOD we have.

Go ahead, watch FIREPROOF. Guys, watch it with your wife. You’ll be CHALLENGED and CHANGED.

Larry Wise

A Sunny Outlook

2009-03-04T14:31:00.000-08:00

On Monday I surprisingly woke up to a lawn covered in snow- So I woke up my wife to tell her, who woke up the kids to tell them, who woke up the dogs just because.

Next thing you know, it was a winter party-fest in the backyard. School was canceled, snowballs were flying, and the kids were loving it! All in the merry month of March.

This weekend, the forecast will be in stark contrast with a nice beach-like 83 degrees. What a turnaround- from snow burn to sunburn in just 5 days! That's how the weather goes in these parts I guess.

It's predictably unpredictable.

Like the weather, life can be the same way. One day you could be encountering one of life's storms when you least expect it, and the next day you could be basking in the blessings of what feels like the warm sun in paradise.

But no matter what your circumstance are, whether you are currently experiencing chaos or calm- you can trust in the fact that there is an almighty God in control. And that news, my friend, is a forecast that you can predictably bank on.

"Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight." Proverbs 3:5-6

The Effectual Power of God's Word

2009-03-02T13:16:00.000-08:00

Hello Everyone! It’s been a while since I’ve posted anything but that’s just how it is with me. I hope you don’t mind. Have you ever read through Psalm 31? It’s well worth the read, especially since it is the Word of God. Go ahead and read through it slowly and prayerfully. It’s only 24 verses long. As you’re reading through this wonderful passage please take the time to focus in on verses 14 and 15 but not without due consideration of the surrounding context.

Psalm 31:14-15 (NKJV) 14 But as for me, I trust in You, O LORD; I say, “You are my God.”15 My times are in Your hand; Deliver me from the hand of my enemies, And from those who persecute me.”

I took the opportunity here a few weeks ago to e-mail a friend I haven’t seen or talked with now for quite a few months. I filled her in on some of the things that were going on in my life just for the sake of keeping in touch and up to date. At the end of the e-mail I asked her to read and meditate on this verse. Wow, the correspondence that came forth from that suggestion really threw me back up against a wall (not literally-of course).

Upon suggesting that she read Psalm 31:15 her reply e-mail read “You have me curious... Psalm 31:15 is this just general food for our present national situation or the situations of Christians in general or is it more specific?” And then another e-mail followed soon after with, “Hi Larry,I must say I'm a bit perplexed by the choice of passage you asked me to meditate on. Did I say something that upset you in some way that you felt persecuted or that I or anyone else was your enemy..? You've got me in tears here trying to figure this out especially when taken in context of the passages previous verses.” I then e-mailed an apology for having unintentionally bringing about this spiritual anguish she was experiencing and then said that- “The Word of God is the most fitting philosophy of life and is relevant even today, thousands of years after it was written. I'm amazed that even a passage like Psalm 31:15 that speaks to me personally can speak to you personally or to anyone else wherever and whenever they are.”

Her last e-mail revealed a spiritual maturity unmatched by anyone I know and the details of her experience, are too personal to post.

You see, I was shocked, not at her response toward me but at how the Word of God worked in her life and it reminded me of the verse that says that His Word does not return void (Isaiah 55:11) and how God used me in my friends soul conversion through a general suggestion of a particular verse. How was I to know? And that’s the mystery of it all, I really didn’t know and now the blatant reality of what has happened in an obvious display of God’s power and is now impressed upon my psyche where all I can do is glorify God.

The Word of God not only worked in her life to bring about a conversion in her own thinking but it also clearly demonstrated to me that His Word is the one thing that makes the difference in our lives as the People of God.

We hear all kinds of voices and we see all kinds of persecutions around us everyday and everywhere and sometimes we wonder who will deliver us and save us from this darkness and how and why we’re in the midst of world gone Mad but then we hear the words of the Psalmist, “My times are in Your hand; Deliver me from the hand of my enemies, And from those who persecute me.”

P.S. This includes yourself. You do know that we are our own worst enemy?
In Christ,
-Larry

everything falls apart

2009-01-21T11:34:00.001-08:00

all at once? overwhelmed? too much to handle?

isn't just that way sometimes? things seem to be going great....or even just a little 'normal' and 'consistent', and then without warning...the set comes. wave after wave after wave....you start to go under but come back up to the surface just long enough to see the next wave coming down on top of you.

i've recently talked with two friends that have relayed their feelings of things in their lives crumbling down around them...all at once.

a job loss, then an unexpected medical emergency, then mounting bills, then christmas...

another...

an ailing father who decides to forgo any further medical treatment beginning the slow decline of life, then a son sent away to war...only to hear his other son is enlisting in the military...soon to be sent away to fight.

doesn't it seem unfair? to be handed so much and be expected to deal with it all at once? the only response after you breakdown is to slowly begin to chip away...one issue at a time.

this type temporary torture is inevitable to us all. but the thing that makes me marvel about human beings is how we don't give up. we may want to. or try to. but eventually, we begin to climb back up the hill...out of the valley. but we don't do it on our own.

god loves us. he created us and he loves us. he gives us friends. family. perspective. hope. all we need to do is take it. it's there.

be encouraged. less of me...

What's Your Guidance System?

2009-01-08T16:17:00.000-08:00

My guidance system? In my car, it's a Garmin Nuvi 760. It's an awesome piece of technology.

If you're not familiar with the brand Garmin, let me tell you about it. It's a portable GPS. And it has an expandable SD Card slot. And its got bluetooth. And it's just plain awesome.

I've been test driving this thing since around Christmas time, and I have to say, I don't know how I got around without it before.

This amazing piece of technology shows me where I am in relation to where I'm going. On top of that, it gives me turn-by-turn directions and tells me how to get there! "Turn right in 500 feet." Simply amazing!

Friends, I have a question for you. In your life, where do you find your guidance? Did you know that there is a pre-mapped guidance system already in place for you?

No, I'm not talking about a Garmin GPS... I'm talking about something even better.

We have as a gift from God something called the Bible. Amazingly, it outlines in great detail directions to a worthy destination. In it you'll find a superior path, and a renewed purpose.

If you know that you're in need of a course change today, why not pick up a copy? Invest a little time in it and you'll find a better route to an outlook on life that'll be breathtakingly beautiful.

Like me with my Garmin, you'll be asking yourself how you got along without it before.

"Every part of Scripture is God-breathed and useful one way or another- showing us truth, exposing our rebellion, correcting our mistakes, training us to live God's way." 2Timothy16 TM

Hope Flies Over

2009-01-05T18:04:00.000-08:00

In the old days of warfare, whenever there was a wall or an obstacle between you and your enemy, armies would employ the use of catapults. They were very effective when you couldn't shoot straight ahead. In modern battles, the rocks and fiery objects thrown by catapults have been replaced by the mortar round, which are far more accurate and hundreds of times more effective. Despite the improvements of technology in war, the same principles apply -shoot something high in the air and let it come down on your enemy’s location, altogether flying over what’s standing between you and your target.

Following the same idea, the apostle Paul makes a profoundly inspiring statement when he said, “our present struggles pales in comparison to the future glory we have in Christ”. You see, hope functions the same way as mortars do. The same way the projectile round screeches far above the troops and equipments of the battlefield to hit its mark, hope flies over our present struggles and hardships, pass the dreadful events and disappointments, to make the connection to the future where peace, comfort, and joy is waiting.

Yet hope is not blind in its flight. Nor is it freely soaring, with simply a wish that it will hit its intended mark. Rather, as it takes off, it remains tethered to the strong, immovable character of God, much like a boat is tied to the security of the pier. We are only able to produce that kind of hope if the first central things have already been established – that God lives and He is active in the lives of His people.

Hope loses its potency when the questions of our own identity and purpose have not yet been answered. If God does not live and did not create me, then I am here as an accident. If I am an accident, then my life has no true purpose for existing. If I am not meant for anything and my life has no purpose, then what kind of hope can I produce about a future that I cannot see. There is no promise of relief for my struggles, no rest for my weariness, no joy at the end of my pain. Hope cannot take flight when it is weighed down by the possibility of an unrelenting struggle.

But praise God, it does fly! And once in the air, hope is the one singular thing that gives strength in the middle of sorrow. It launches itself over and passed today’s bleak condition, beyond the daily difficulties and with great accuracy lands at the foot of secure promises that give us so much endurance.

Hope is tenaciously persistent. It’s undeterred and resolute. It is blindly focused at what is coming, unaffected by any surrounding influences. But it is also very fragile, and must be securely guarded, because once it’s gone everything that hangs on it falls down too.

Mortars are most effective when they are targeted accurately. The process is extremely detailed and precise. Mathematical calculations work together with explosives charges to determine the exact place where the rounds will land. Likewise, hope is most powerful when it has a clear picture of the future. Yet the future is anything but clear. Praise God for the definition of faith- that we can be sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see, because we don’t simply trust on an impersonal future. Our hope doesn’t just take flight at a random direction. It flies back home to the One who first sent it. And as it flies we follow it, until it leads us back to our Lord Jesus Christ.

God Bless
March M. Villareal

Heavenly Glory

2008-12-11T16:11:00.000-08:00

My kids gave me a new toy to assemble for them yesterday. It's a neat little contraption. It's got a circular center part with a movable protruding 'stick' attached on its end that rotates around the center. You press the button in the middle, then the stick spins round and round. The goal is for the kids to jump over the little stick as it comes around.

Well, my kids were having a ball with this unique gadget, but for some reason, my two year old kept pressing the middle button and kept turning it on and off. It was really messing up the rhthym. I kept telling her to leave it alone and that it will spin on its own- but she just wasn't getting it.

Boy, I was starting to get a little frustrated until I took a step back and realized something. The kids may not be playing with the toy the way I wanted them to play with it, but they were definately satisfying the toy's purpose- to be enjoyed! After realizing that they were enjoying themselves, I was able to enjoy myself as well.

Wow, sometimes it's so easy for us to miss the point of it all. Like the great Kung-Fu philospher Bruce Lee once said, "It's a finger pointing a way to the moon...if you concentrate on the finger, you miss all the heavenly glory."

Whatever minor details in your life that may be causing you a little frustration, take a step back from it and try to see the "heavenly glory" of the situation. If the situation is tough, and things are getting you down, search for what God is trying to do in your life. If you search hard enough, I know that you'll see His loving and merciful hand carefully orchestrating it all for your best.

"...We know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose." Romans 8:28

A Snippet of Humor

2008-12-09T09:06:00.000-08:00

I found this little snippet of humor and would like to pass it along to you for your entertainment but more than that really, for your edification.

A fire-and-brimstone cleric visiting a country church began his sermon with the stirring reminder, “Everybody in this parish is going to die.” He was discomforted to notice a man in the front pew grinning broadly. “Why are you so amused?” he asked. “I’m not in this parish,” replied the man. “I’m just visiting my sister for the weekend.” (Roger Delahunty in The Reader's Digest, ©.)

Cute AND Dangerous!

2008-12-02T05:30:00.000-08:00

Check out this crazy story:

A drunk man gets the liquid courage to pet a giant panda so he goes to the local zoo to make his dream come true.

Man sees panda, thinks panda is sooo cute, and despite the physical barrier of the animal's enclosure, the warning signs to not touch the animal, and his inebriated condition, the man actually makes it to the panda.

Wow, no one can ever say that he isn't a determined fella!

Too bad that the giant panda was not in agreement with what panda-boy was trying to do. To make a long story short, the man startles the panda, gets bit and ends up in the hospital. OUCH- How 'bout that for a hangover?!

Have you ever been in a situation like panda-boy? No, I don't mean with a panda. What I mean is this-

In our sober minds, we know that there is a distinctive line between acceptable behavior and unacceptable behavior. But in certain situations, we sometimes rationalize and confuse the line between the two. This blurring of the lines can cause us to cross barriers, ignore warning signs, and give in to certain temptations that will, in the end, lead to certain disaster.

If you find yourself in a position where you see that the lines are getting blurred, it's time to take evasive action and see your way out of that situation. Don't stay or dilly dally, because if you do, you might just end up getting bit.

Just like panda-boy.

"Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him." James 1:12

A Different Christmas Poem

2008-11-30T04:30:00.000-08:00

The embers glowed softly, and in their dim light,
I gazed round the room and I cherished the sight.
My wife was asleep, her head on my chest,
My daughter beside me, angelic in rest.
Outside the snow fell, a blanket of white,
Transforming the yard to a winter delight.

The sparkling lights in the tree I believe,
Completed the magic that was Christmas Eve.
My eyelids were heavy, my breathing was deep,
Secure and surrounded by love I would sleep.
In perfect contentment, or so it would seem,
So I slumbered, perhaps I started to dream.

The sound wasn't loud, and it wasn't too near,
But I opened my eyes when it tickled my ear.
Perhaps just a cough, I didn't quite know, Then the
sure sound of footsteps outside in the snow.
My soul gave a tremble, I struggled to hear,
And I crept to the door just to see who was near.

Standing out in the cold and the dark of the night,
A lone figure stood, his face weary and tight.
A soldier, I puzzled, some twenty years old,
Perhaps a Marine, huddled here in the cold.
Alone in the dark, he looked up and smiled,
Standing watch over me, and my wife and my child.

"What are you doing?" I asked without fear,
"Come in this moment, it's freezing out here!
Put down your pack, brush the snow from your sleeve,
You should be at home on a cold Christmas Eve!"
For barely a moment I saw his eyes shift,
Away from the cold and the snow blown in drifts...

To the window that danced with a warm fire's light
Then he sighed and he said "Its really all right,
I'm out here by choice. I'm here every night."
"It's my duty to stand at the front of the line,
That separates you from the darkest of times.

No one had to ask or beg or implore me,
I'm proud to stand here like my fathers before me.
My Gramps died at 'Pearl on a day in December,"
Then he sighed, "That's a Christmas 'Gram always remembers."
My dad stood his watch in the jungles of 'Nam',
And now it is my turn and so, here I am.

I've not seen my own son in more than a while,
But my wife sends me pictures, he's sure got her smile.
Then he bent and he carefully pulled from his bag,
The red, white, and blue... an American flag.
I can live through the cold and the being alone,
Away from my family, my house and my home.

I can stand at my post through the rain and the sleet,
I can sleep in a foxhole with little to eat.
I can carry the weight of killing another,
Or lay down my life with my sister and brother..
Who stand at the front against any and all,
To ensure for all time that this flag will not fall."

"So go back inside," he said, "harbor no fright,
Your family is waiting and I'll be all right."
"But isn't there something I can do, at the least,
"Give you money," I asked, "or prepare you a feast?
It seems all too little for all that you've done,
For being away from your wife and your son."

Then his eye welled a tear that held no regret,
"Just tell us you love us, and never forget.
To fight for our rights back at home while we're gone,
To stand your own watch, no matter how long.
For when we come home, either standing or dead,
To know you remember we fought and we bled.
Is payment enough, and with that we will trust,
That we mattered to you as you mattered to us."

LCDR Jeff Giles, SC, USN
30th Naval Construction Regiment
OIC, Logistics Cell One
Al Taqqadum, Iraq

The Day after Thanksgiving

2008-11-28T14:52:00.000-08:00

Hello Everyone! I know that it's the Day After Thanksgiving and you're probably just now getting home from the MADNESS OF Black Friday but I wanted to say hi and let you know that we're thinking of you.

Over the years of learning God's Word and coming to appreciate His Grace has amplified what this holiday means to me. I know that we're under no mandate in this present Age of Grace to observe any holidays and therefore it means so much more to me that my observance and participation in the festivities traditionally associated with Thanksgiving is FREE AND UNCOERCED. That's true freedom and that to is the Christian Spiritual Life.

The next Holiday is CHRISTMAS and there's a lot of controversy and debate that goes into the social exchange within and without the community of faith about whether or not God is glorified when we christians participate in something the world and the devil has hijacked.

We think it's unfortunate that this is how it is but let's keep it in perspective. Nothing happens in the Plan of God by accident or without Divine approval and so it is as God would have it.

I've thought about this a few times over the years and here's what I think a Biblically authorized attitude should look like,- LIVE AND LET LIVE! GIVE GOD THE GLORY! and "whatsoever you eat[Turkey, Ham, Duck], drink [Soda, Eggnog, Milk] or do [Shop, Decorate with trees and lights, exchange gifts OR NOT!]- do all to the GLORY of God." (1 Corinthians 10:31). Now, if you live by this principle of Grace as given to us under the New Covenant all the guesswork goes out the window and you can open up your heart and let the "SON-SHINE" in.

Thanks for listening and HAPPY HOLIDAYS!,-Larry Wise

His Cleverness in Elusiveness

2008-11-26T20:20:00.000-08:00

Most people enjoy puzzles and riddles. Fewer people enjoy mazes and funhouses. One thing is for sure, they were designed to be unclear and not straightforward on purpose. And knowing this brings us more enjoyment and fulfillment in working on them than a problem just happens to be difficult to solve.

When we look at scripture, one of the things you see almost immediately, or shortly thereafter, is that the big picture is not that easy to grasp. There is no one concise chapter on forgiveness or righteousness. There is no one complete book about salvation, God’s character, or any of the major subjects that are supposed to be essential to building faith. Why is that?

I would think that if God really wanted us to get to know Him as much as He says He does that He would make things easier to understand. Why make things so unclear? Why make us search for truths at the risk of missing something or coming to an incomplete understanding of such important issues.

Yet that is where the genius of God is so powerfully demonstrated. Think back to Jesus’ way of teaching. He used parables and stories that were not always straightforward. In fact, they were almost always challenging to understand. Sometimes people didn’t really get what was said. On occasion some were actually stumbled and turned away from following Jesus altogether. The parables were unclear on purpose. Only those who truly wanted to understand made any attempts to dig deeper beyond the surface to find out what He truly meant.

In much of the same way, it’s as if scripture allows itself to be easily misquoted and misused by those who aim to use it selfishly and wrongfully. Those who are bent into finding a message that suits their personal agendas and lifestyles will be able to find enough verses to back up what they want to justify.

Its indirect and difficult nature seems to be its own security measures to guard itself from the selfish and the power-hungry. Those who want to find something for themselves will most definitely find it. Those who want to fuel their own gratification will get enough of what they want hear. And those who genuinely want to find God will find Him as well. As the Lord says in His word, “you will seek me and find me, if you seek me with all your heart”. The Lord keeps the treasures of His truths hidden away from those who aren’t really looking for Him. They are safe-guarded and stored for those who are truly searching for Him.

The Bible as we know it consists of 66 books and about 40 authors. Most of the writers never met each other. In fact the writings are spread out and separated by hundreds, if not thousands of years. Yet the Lord brings it together so beautifully, in a fearfully amazing way- with its own ability to defend itself against those who are not really seeking after the Lord of Glory.

God’s genius is demonstrated in the elusiveness of His own holy scriptures. How amazing! “Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and His ways past finding out!”(-Romans 11:33)

God Bless
March M. Villareal

Waiting on God

2008-11-25T09:36:00.000-08:00

Last week my wife and I were informed by the Loan Specialist of Wells Fargo that our loan was suspended due to an extremely negative report from the Appraiser. We then contacted the seller of the property and suggested that we would reapply for the loan upon her repairs to the house. Her response was 'ABSOLUTELY NOT!' And so we remain where we are, for now, and that's fine. You know it's not hard to see God in our lives if we just look. It's not hard to see His hand at work even when doors are closed and then SLAMMED on you, even as it was for us. And if you're prepared to submit to that reality of experience you'll have a quiet reservation in all related matters knowing full well that God has something even better! It's believing His promises and WAITING ON THE LORD! Now, as you do this don't JUDGE anything before it's time, especially apparent failures and setbacks. You really don't know what the Lord is doing until IT'S DONE and in the meantime you can be sure that whatever He's doing is motivated by His great love and Grace.

"For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope." Jeremiah 29:11

By Larry Wise

2008-11-10T17:47:00.000-08:00

Click on image to read

It All Fits Together

2008-11-09T06:53:00.001-08:00

As random, scattered, and overwhelming life may sometimes seem, the truth is that all of what appears to be miscellaneous pieces, actually fit perfectly together. And the revelation of that will only happen if in the midst of all the confusion, you focus hard enough to see the evidence of God amidst all the clutter.

The LORD said, "Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the LORD, for the LORD is about to pass by." Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the LORD, but the LORD was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the LORD was not in the earthquake. After the earthquake came a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper. 1 Kings 19:11-12

Revealed!

2008-11-08T11:44:00.000-08:00

So one of my dogs has been doing something sneaky lately and it's been upsetting me a little. When no one is around, the little punk-butt has been marking his territory in the house. If that little terrier thinks that he can get away with peeing on my stuff because no on is around to see him do it, he's got another thing coming! Of course smelling the evidence was easy, but finding all the little corners to clean up was another matter- until I recruited the use of a black light.

Did you know that a black light reveals a lot of things? I walked around with that black light in the dark and it was like all my dog's dirty little secrets were revealed! Ha! So busted. So gross...

But you know what? I forgive my pup. After all, I have my own faults. And heck, if I'm not blameless, I sure can't hold a dog to be. The truth is that I fall short and so do all of we. We may not urinate around the house, but we all have our things that we don't want people to know. But the truth is, God has His own 'black light'. He knows.

Despite this, I praise God that He is a most patient, most merciful, and most loving God. His forgiveness and power to redeem is nothing short of amazing. Friends, if you have a sin that you are struggling with, seek help and seek Him. You'll find that coming to repentance in the light is far better than living with guilt in the dark.

"There is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, or hidden that will not be made known. What you have said in the dark will be heard in the daylight, and what you have whispered in the ear in the inner rooms will be proclaimed from the roofs." Luke 12:2-3

Wash Your Hands

2008-11-06T07:33:00.000-08:00

Okay, I'll confess. I did something bad and got caught. The other day after leaving the bathroom, my daughter, who obviously was standing outside the bathroom door for some reason said to me, "Daddy, you didn't wash your hands!"

Yeah, I know- gross, right? But what's the first thing that we do when we get caught? We throw the blame back at whoever caught us. That's just what I did. My response? "What were you doing standing outside the door?!" As if that question was relevant. Her reply, "It doesn't matter, you still didn't wash your hands."

Eight year olds. They're so smart.

My point is that you never know who is watching you- or listening in my case. As Christ-Followers, if we want to be viewed with "clean hands", then we need to live "clean lives". And the way to do that is to not only "wash your hands", so to speak, when people are watching, but more importantly, when we think no one is around.

...for it is written: "Be holy, because I am holy." 1 Peter 1:16

Get the Point?

2008-11-05T05:58:00.000-08:00

Want a green machine, but don't know how to balance? Good news! Japanese engineers have been zealously working on a self-stabilizing electric bike! Now you can be get around without the worry of falling down!

Although, do you think that the engineers may have missed the point? I mean, why waste the time with all the physics and the headache of engineering when you can just add a third wheel?! Wouldn't that have been easier?

Seriously though, how often do we miss the point in our everyday lives- where we miss the forest for the trees? For example, we'll focus on all the numerous things that we think make us 'Christian', but in reality, being a Christian is as simple as praising God for His grace, and about loving others.

Thank God that it's amazingly that simple!

"Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?" Jesus replied: " 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments." Matthew 22:36-40

Election Day!

2008-11-04T18:09:00.000-08:00

Election Day has come and gone! For those of you who voted, which issues did you consider most important to you? Economy, war, values, other? See our poll and give your input!

Edit: Poll has closed. Thank you for your participation.

Learn the Language!

2008-11-03T08:36:00.001-08:00

I bought some goods at my favorite high end retailer the other day (aka Wal-Mart). Anyway, as I was leaving to go to the car, I was having some slight trouble navigating the mass of people at America's favorite store. It wouldn't have been a problem, considering how nimble and agile I am, but I had to carry a rather cumbersome box while dodging the throngs of recession-proof consumers.

Anyway, when I came to the exit door, there were a lot of people coming in through that way so I looked at the 'entrance' side and noticed that there was a clear exit path for me. I made a decision to go against the predetermined traffic scheme, and went through that door instead. My mission: The car.

As I was exiting, a lady and her gaggle were entering. I had to move quickly so as not to cause any pedestrian-based traffic accidents. Well, once I made it past them, the lady exclaimed, "It reads 'Entrance', LEARN THE LANGUAGE!" Following her comment, there was silence, then laughter.

It took a second to register, but these people were laughing at me! I couldn't even muster a coherent response, nor was I willing to chase her down while carrying that rather unwieldy box. Instead, I made my way to the car.

After getting to the car and meeting up again with my wife, I vented my frustration about the lady's comment and told her that I was intending to go back into the store to give that lady a piece of my mind. She said, "Unless you're going back into the store to tell her that Jesus loves her, don't go back in there." I said, "I'm going to tell her how ignorant I think she is, and it's a good thing that Jesus loves rednecks too." Well, obviously she had to conduct a quick intervention and some much needed on-the-spot wifely counseling for me right there and then. Thank God for her.

After I had the chance to 'chill out', God so gently reminded me that the language that we as Christians speak is not a language filled with insults, sarcasm, arrogance or pride- but one of good news and peace. Praise God for delayed reactions because my language almost turned into something else that day!

Friends, I learned a valuable lesson that day- that it's when times are hard that our spiritual walk is tested, not when times are easy. If you find yourself in a similar situation, take some time out and cultivate that 'delayed reaction', seek Godly advice from a friend, and follow that Godly wisdom. You'll feel better about it, and more importantly, you'll be more Christlike.

"Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone." Colossians 4:6

Does Your Plane Need Two Wings or Just One?

2008-10-21T06:22:00.000-07:00

A few weeks ago my wife and I had the opportunity to visit another church. Like all people we didn't know what to expect and we looked forward to seeing the difference and similarities in the church we are visiting and our home church.

Please understand that this is not composed in anyway to put down any church or people. It is an observation that I had time to reflect on and felt compelled to blog about.

We got to the church and was greeted immediately. There were staff in the parking lot to help you park, and people with smiles ready to direct you to your desired location. We brought my daughter to the children's room designed for her age group. We were met by the woman that runs that age group and she was very helpful and answering all of the "concerned parent" questions. We kissed our daughter good bye and proceeded to the sanctuary where worship was getting ready to begin.

This is always the most interesting part to me. Now call me biased but I believe our Church has the best worship team period. Maybe its because when I first learned how to worship it was with them. Now you might be asking the question, "You had to learn how to worship," and my answer is yes, and I'll get to that in a minute. My wife and I have visited a lot of churches and experienced a lot of different worship experiences. Most of the time the difference I notice is song choice and the way it is lead.

So everyone is asked to stand and we begin the first song. Nothing out of the ordinary for me. But the second song begins and we're asked to be seated. In my head I have a very articulate and intellectual question. HUH? Okay so we sitting down and I begin to look around and start to see people raising their hands and singing a long. It just so happens that someone I know who attends the church regularly was sitting behind me. I turned and asked him why are we sitting. He said that at this point they just want us to enjoy the worship. It was at that point that I could no longer be comfortable.

For those of you who know me, know I can get real passionate about certain things. There are some topics I don't mind giving the benefit of the doubt when debating, and this aint one of them. First and foremost worship is not for our enjoyment, it aint even for us. It is a privilege to worship. Second it saddens me how many Christians view worship as just singing. How many times have I heard "Oh, we can miss the first part of church it's just singing?" How many times have I seen people leave and comeback with a cup of coffee in their hand during worship? When I see this it both angers and saddens me. One of the things that really get me is when people sit and raised their hands in worship. Look, I know for some people they have a reason they need to sit and that is perfectly fine. But if God gave you two healthy legs, scratch that, if God gave you at least one healthy leg and good balance, I say to you get up! He doesn't deserve a half effort worship. He didn't sit down and die for your sins, he got up and died for you.

Later on one person who attends that church regularly asked my sister-in-law what my wife and I thought about the church. She replied that we had a good experience, which we did as far as the pastor and the message went. She told them that we are used to worship where we stand and praise. He replied to her that at their church they focus more on the word. When she told me that I thought to myself does a plane need two wings or just one? This is where I firmly believe that understanding who God is will help us understand how to approach him. God is not made up of parts. One part is not more focused on than the other. The Father, the Son, the Holy Spirit are all equal. Gods justness is just as important as his love. You cannot separate or focus more on one and not the other. This may be extreme, but that's how misconceptions and cults thrive. By focusing on one aspect while contradicting the others. PLEASE, PLEASE DO NOT read this as me saying that the church I visited is a cult or heading in that direction. Quite the opposite I took them as genuine bible believing Christians. Focusing on the word and worshipping go hand in hand. Remember we were created for Gods glory, think about what we'll be doing for eternity. You guessed it worshipping God.

Earlier I mentioned that I had to learn how to worship. What I meant by that is I can remember thinking that our church sings for a pretty long time before hearing the message. But when I came to a full understanding of what it means to worship, it is then that I learned how to. Its more than just singing, it’s giving glory and honor to God in everything that we do. And not just giving glory and honor but doing it with great effort. If you truly understand what God has done and is doing for you then how could you not get up? How can you not be brought to tears? I encourage all who have yet to experience this to ask God to open your heart and make it real when worshiping. It’s like an addicting drug and high that cannot be matched by any man made substance.

Real Fellowship

2008-10-16T11:00:00.000-07:00

I recently had the chance to visit Puerto Cabezas, Nicaragua. While there, we were invited to attend a church service at the Iglesia Marvava, or the Moravian Church. They put on a special service for us. Their children's' choir sang beautifully, the church staff gave us fresh coconuts, and the congregation was most welcoming.

The service was spoken in three languages. English (for us), Miskito (the Indian dialect spoken by some), and Spanish. What I found amazing was the fact that the fellowship we shared that day was not limited by language, nationality, or even denomination. The fellowship that we shared was not bound by any of those physical limitations or boundaries.

Friends, it was clear to me that day that as Christians, we have a universal fellowship with all other true believers- bound together by Christ Jesus Himself. What an amazing thing!

Needless to say, I really enjoyed my stay there and was sad to say goodbye to my new friends. As I was boarding the bus to leave the church, an elderly woman grabbed me by the arm to shake my hand. She said, "Please- don't ever forget us."

I won't.

If you are interested in helping, donating, or corresponding with the Moravian Church, I'm sure that they'd love to hear from you and other believers. Below is their contact info:

Rev. Salvador Sarmiento
Iglesia Morvava
Barrio el Muelle
Puerto Cabezas, RAAN, Nicaragua

"How good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in unity!" Psalm 133:1

Not so SMALL

2008-10-07T05:33:00.000-07:00

I recently completed a study on a book entitled Knowledge of the Holy by A.W. Tozer. It is an awesome book and I highly recommend it. I love how the book gives you an idea of what God is like, but even better is that it gives you an idea of what God is not like. As the book explains, it is highly important that we have a better understanding of what God is like so that we may approach him in the right way.

I've been thinking a lot lately about the different ways we as Christians approach God, but more specifically on how we approach the subject of sin. Before I go into to it I want to say by no means am I pointing the finger at anyone. There is a saying that states "When you point your finger, three point back at you." But it saddens me how we as Christians will Praise the Lord! Thank him for the countless blessings he pours out on us, and turn around and commit "little" sins and not think twice about it. And if we do think twice about it, we being human, and the kings and queens of attempting to justify our wrong acts, make up excuses. The problem is we spend more time justifying ourselves than we do truly understanding the concept of what God has done, and is doing for us.

Christianity 101 says you are a sinner in need of a savior. Jesus is that savior and he paid a price that you could never pay, even if you tried. But the story doesn’t end there, as God sustains us. So I am a sinner not deserving of anything, and rebelled against the Almighty God. I cannot increase or take away from God. The truth is he doesn’t need me. I bring absolutely nothing to the table except fear, insecurity, greed, and selfishness, and despite that, he still wants to know me. But what’s even crazier is despite that, he still died for me. Now if you grew up in the church then what I have just said is something you have probably heard a thousand times before. But the fact is if you still think its ok to lie a little, or think its ok to steal, pirate, bootleg whatever you want to call it. Then you don’t fully get it.

If you don’t get anything from this blog then at least get this part. Even if the whole world didn’t commit any acts against God, but you still told your little white lie, then Christ still would have had to go to the cross. Let that sink in for a minute. Your little white lie, your illegally downloading of media content is not as small as you think it is. Those acts put Christ on a cross. I’m not saying its easy not to sin. That would be a lie right there. But what I’m talking about is how lightly we approach the subject of sin. Can we truly approach sin in such a lackadaisical manner if we truly understood that each act no matter how small nailed our King to a cross?

Now let’s go even further with what God has done for us. We didn’t deserve to be saved but he saved us. He could have stopped there, but he didn’t. Not only did he save us, but he sustains us. Oh, how he sustains us. He meets our needs, and never forsakes us. He provides that protection and gives us a hope that is as true as Jesus himself. So here is the score card. We humans bring nothing to the table except failure, as a matter of fact we make the situation worse.

God brings everything to the table and makes everything better. He died for us, which we didn’t deserve, and he provides for us, which we don’t deserve. And we in return tell little lies, and do "small" unrighteous acts for personal gain. God loves us and above all things cares about our spiritual health. May we approach sin in the same way God approaches it. No matter how small you think a sinful act is, remember it was big enough to nail Christ to a cross.

For his glory or...

2008-09-23T14:52:00.000-07:00

I believe there is an infinite amount of life lessons that can be found on our everyday roads. The other day I was in traffic coming home from work. As I looked in my rear view mirror I noticed some motorcyclist driving in between the cars.

From what I understand this is completely legal. I always thought it was cool to move to the side giving them a larger path to get through and then they in return do a gesture with there hand as to thank you for moving to the side. But not everyone will gesture a thank you, as some just keep driving.

This is when your human side kicks in and says “I didn’t have to move to the side for you, but I did it so passing through would be easier for you, and you don’t even acknowledge this kind act that I have done for you.” But when this thought jumped into my head I had to ask myself, what is the motivation for my kind act. Was it so I can have someone thank me? Or do I perform kind acts because my God told me to? And if my God told me to do good things for his glory, should I be mad when someone doesn’t acknowledge my good act, as if I’m supposed to share the glory with God? Does it matter if the person acknowledges the act or should it be all about God, who sees all, witnessing an act I did for his glory? It’s not just the road but in anything.

The bible speaks about storing your treasures in heaven. If we seek acknowledgement from man, then that’s the only reward we shall receive. Ask yourself when you perform a kind act for someone and then that person does not acknowledge your act should you be mad. Ask yourself did you do it for God or for yourself? If you did it for God then what are you mad about? If you did it for yourself, why do you seek glory?

I believe the same thing applies when a homeless person asked us for spare change. So many people out there say I don’t give them money because I don’t know what they are going to do with it. But I always wondered is it your money or Gods money? Did God tell you to take care of his people, but it’s up to you to determine who is worthy of his money?

In Matthew 25 it speaks of God separating the people who helped others from people who didn’t. Do you think the old “Lord I didn’t know what that person would have done with the money” excuse is going to fly in that situation. The bottom line is it’s our duty to help the less fortunate. That part is between God and us. What the person does with the money is between God and that person. Its God’s money and he will deal with the individual as he deems necessary. Let us not forget to do our part and let God worry about the rest. And really ask yourself when someone doesn’t acknowledge your good deed, did you do it for your glory or Gods?

Keeping It Real

2008-09-16T06:37:00.000-07:00

How often do we get caught up with the pretty package of a gift? How often do we think more about the appearance of our vehicles and houses instead of realizing just how much of a blessing it is just to have them, that their purpose is to get us from point A to B, or to provide shelter for us and our family?

These thoughts came to me as I was listening to Hillsongs new CD "This is our God." If you have not gotten the CD yet I highly recommend you get it as soon as you can. Now I wouldn’t have called myself a Hillsong fan until recently. I went to a Hillsong United event (They asked us not to call it a concert because they were not there to entertain us but to worship God with us) and it was glorious. Thanks Drick. As I listen to the CD I have to remind myself that it’s not just good music but so much more than that. That is the difference between secular music and Christian music.

The highest level that secular music can obtain is the status of good, even great music. But to worship God through music reaches a level only the Spirit can help you obtain. The genuine tears and the feeling of the Spirit moving through you as you connect with God cannot be matched by anything this world has to offer.

Sometimes I find myself singing along to the songs and it is at that point im just listening to good music. But the other times, and this is a time I want more of, I am either close to tears or completely sobbing as I am connecting with God and both experiencing and reflecting on the love that he pours out on this undeserving wretched soul, who, if any good can be found in him, can only be the result of the power that conquered the grave. And it is in this moment that I am keeping it real.

Share his love not his Judgement

2008-09-09T06:56:00.000-07:00

Every so often I run into a friend from the past and we give each other updates about our lives. What we have been doing, what mutual friends we have encountered and what they are up to etc. In my update I always include work, family, and church. I recently got in contact with a friend from the past via MySpace.

Little background story, a few years ago my friend was telling me about the struggles she was having in her life and that she wanted to know more about this hope I have in Jesus. Our conversation was short because we were at a "reunion" type party and it was too distracting. Fast forward to present day. She revealed to me that she sent me an email about a year ago but I never responded. I don’t remember getting that email but I wouldn’t call her a liar so I must have just missed it.

The part I found disturbing was that she thought the reason I didn’t respond was because I didn’t want people of her type in my life. She said she knows I have a wonderful wife and great children whom I’m raising in the ways of the Lord and because at the time I didn’t know her to be a Christian I would not want to associate myself with her. That wouldn’t make sense because we need more people like her in this world. She is one of the most kind and overall beautiful people you can meet.

So I thought to myself why would she think that way and the answer is, this is the reputation that Christians have built for themselves. This line that many Christians incorrectly draw in the sand to separate themselves from the rest of the world.

Two thoughts came from this experience. The first is Jesus said to be in this world just not of it. He never told us to isolate ourselves from those who don’t believe, he actually teaches and demonstrated the opposite. But the biggest thought that came to mind is this. We Christians are directed to share God’s Love and NOT his judgment.

Judgment is reserved for God and God alone. Only the perfect one can judge. We can love because we are loved and love lives in us. May we stride everyday to reverse this negative view that people have about Christians. May we Love so much, so hard, and so overwhelming that judgment would be found in its proper place, and that place is between the individual and God.

Walking....but not moving...

2008-09-03T10:35:00.000-07:00

Well....some of you know...but most of you do not....I started to learn to surf last year. I've been very bad about going out on a regular basis and as a consequence it feels like the first time....EVERY TIME I go out.

I've always loved the ocean. I don't have a fear of drowning or being eaten by something...or anything like that...but I've got to say, the toughest part of "surfing" is actually getting out to the waves. I went out yesterday morning to Cowells in Santa Cruz and had a blast. I caught 3 waves....whoohooo and I'll tell you...the feeling of that water picking you up and carrying you is worth the hour and a half of getting beat up. It's the most amazing feeling. There were times that I would be paddling out to the break and it felt like I was standing still. I was exerting energy....but the energy coming against me was to strong and kept me from moving forward. In some cases it would even push me backwards. It's frustrating to be "trying" to work hard and having that sense (heck, flat out proof) that your own energy...your own strength is powerless to overcome that which comes against you. I needed something more. Like a seadoo or something. Something with more power then the wave.

It's like that in life sometimes. We need more then our own strength. I've found that strength in God. This week, even in a really tough moment, I not only stood up in the wave, I actually moved forward! Pretty cool.

Cool...I hope you're doing well. I'll talk to you soon.

Jeramy

created to create

2008-08-18T11:49:00.000-07:00

The other night I watched the movie Ratatouille. I know, it’s been out for a while, what’s the matter with me, right? Well, for a variety of reasons I don’t see too many movies in the theater anymore. Any way, I thought the movie did a wonderful job of providing an accurate picture of what it means to be human…even if it came through a rat…maybe there’s more to the metaphor than I realize.

Remy, the main character is a rat with a heightened sense of smell and taste who grows frustrated with the other rats in his colony because they are satisfied to eat garbage, when there are, as he puts it, food “possibilities yet explored.” Remy’s frustration deepened when his colony saw only one purpose for his gifts of heightened taste and smell, to detect poison on the food or should I say garbage that they collected. Remy could see more to his gifts, that they were meant for more then just surviving.

In fact, this is the point that draws him to admire and want to emulate humans…their ability to create. “There is something about humans, they don’t just survive, they discover, they create, just look @ what they do with food.” I think Remy’s more aware of what it means to be human than a lot of us. Far too often we are content with just surviving and we fail to realize that we weren’t created to survive but to explore, discover, & create. When you are fully alive you can’t help but create. One of the results of spirituality is creativity. The more we are connected to God and his ways, the more in touch we become with who he has made us to be. We discover that God has given us abilities, talents, intellect, skills, experiences, personality all for the purpose of creatively and uniquely expressing and expanding his goodness. The scriptures tell us that we are his work of art, his masterpiece, and the reason he created us anew in Christ Jesus is so that we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.

What good things? Oh, the possibilities are endless and like Remy’s view of food so many of the possibilities have yet to be explored. I could easily give you a list of three or four examples of ways we can express and expand God’s goodness, but that would take all the fun out of your exploration and discovery. Instead, here a couple of tips for your journey: Stay connected to God, discover what he has already said about your life, ask Him to join you as you explore who he has made you to be. Ask him to help you discover the unique expression of his goodness he created your life to be. Don’t stop having these kinds of conversations (some people call it prayer) with him about your life and the endless possibilities of creating, expressing, and expanding his goodness. When you are fully alive you can’t help but create.

fires...

2008-08-04T18:46:00.000-07:00

This summer, California has been marked by a lot of
fires. I heard that at one point we had over 600 wild fires burning our
beautiful state. Have you ever considered how firefighters put out a
huge wild fire? I hadn’t given it much thought until this summer, when
the area of Northern California where I live, had several wild fires
burn our hillsides and fill our air with smoke. When there’s a raging
wildfire that cannot be stopped, even when the helicopters drop tons of
water and retardant, they send in specialized firefighters. These
firefighters go down and actually start new fires, which seems
counterproductive, doesn’t it?

When there’s an out-of-control fire, these specialized firefighters
start strategically positioned fires because they understand the only
way to stop a devastating fire is to consume it with a new fire. That’s
exactly what the Scriptures say. The only way I am going to stop being
pulled around by destructive desires and passions is to allow God to
awaken those passions and desires that will bring my life to wholeness
and health and make me fully alive.

I don’t know where you are at in your spiritual journey, but if you are
like me, then you have been so focused on putting out your wild fire
(whatever it is) by just trying harder to stop or maybe by focusing on
praying more or reading the Bible more. Let me suggest a tip from the
expert firefighters. How about focus on starting new fires…in fact, if
you have read much of what Jesus’ followers wrote about him, this was
his approach. He didn’t so much stress that his disciples spend all
their time and energy eliminating the dangerous passions that burned
within them. No, he spent time starting new ones, teaching them a new
way of living, a new way of engaging life, a way that brought
fulfillment, pleasure, a life that was focused on others and not self.

If I could offer a “next step” for your journey it would be to talk
with God. After all he is the one who created your life and it’s my
belief that he did so for a significant purpose. In fact the Scriptures
tell us that one way he created us, is by placing within our hearts
certain desires, passions or dreams. I would encourage you, if you’d
let me to begin talking with him about the dreams and passions he’s
placed with in you. Let’s start some fires!

To Honor a Father

2008-08-04T05:46:00.000-07:00

Yesterday 08/03/08 my dad went to Heaven. My dad was a type two diabetic. Three weeks ago his blood sugar got really low and he passed out. My mom thought he was just sleeping as it was late. My mom went to check on him and when he didnt respond she called 911.

My dad was rushed to the hospital where the doctors determined his blood sugar was low and also that his brain had been without sugar for an unknown period of time. As the brain needs oxygen it also needs sugar to operate correctly. It turns out that unknown period of time was long enough to damage my dads brain beyond repair. For the next three weeks we prayed for a miracle, but God said no.

I knew it was a possibility that God would say no as I know he knows whats best for all of us. It made me think about how an event like this can cause people to be angry at God. It made me think of two categories of angry people. Now I understand that, that type of response is human nature but I wanted to dissect it a bit. You have the angry unbeliever and the angry believer. You have the unbeliever who is angry at God, but unfortunately you don't believe he exists. So your angry at someone you don't believe exist? That just makes me say hmm. Then you have the believer that is angry at God for taking their loved one away. Unfortunately that person fails to realize that though that loved one was very dear to their heart. That loved one ultimately belongs to God as we all do. We were created, redeemed and sustained by God. He did all the work. We were created for his glory and for his pleasure. So how can we be mad at him for calling one us home? Now I understand in the moment human emotion takes over. But what of those who lose their faith? What of those who have anger in their hearts for a long period of time? These questions I ponder don't necessarily need to be answered its just something I think about. I couldn't possibly be angry at God for calling him home because my dad was an awesome man of God and has done a great job. I'm happy the soldier went home. Heaven is definitely a happier place because my dad is there.

We all know life is one big learning experience. And we know Satan will try to get in and distort what God is teaching us. He tried to cause doubt, guilt and fear in my learning experience. Through this whole event I had a unexplainable level of peace. The bible teaches that God gives you a peace beyond understanding. It is such a spiritual peace, and so far beyond understanding that it is scary. We humans fear what we cant explain. I asked myself how come I'm not crying more? How come I'm not a complete wreck? How come I can smile in time like this? Why do I have such a clear head?

Then Satan says its because you didn't love your dad enough. Its because you only care about your own life. Its because you have grown so numb to the things of this world that you are heartless. Its because your using the whole "God knows best" thing as a way to hide the fact this is your fault.

He reminded me of the anger I had towards my dad for not trying hard enough to get better when he had a stroke two years ago. He reminded me how I didn't come around as much because he laid up in bed all day and didn't try to get up and make himself better. He reminded me how I didn't bring my daughter to see him as much as I should. Watching my daughter just be herself was probably the greatest thing my dad could ever enjoy. And because I felt if he loved her so much he would try to get better to see her, I didn't bring her around. In the times I was around my dad I was constantly irritated. For those of you who don't know me, I can be an extremely difficult person to deal with. Just ask my wife and my co-workers. Satan reminded me that, that was my dads last memories of me.

Satan also reminded me that earlier in the day that my dad passed out he had my brother call me to ask me a question. It was weird that my brother couldn't make out what he was saying. Most of the time, if my dad had a question he would just call me himself. It was a sign something was wrong and I did nothing.

I know that God does not guilt us. So I refused to dwell on the should have, could have, would haves of life. I only learn from it as to prevent future occurrences. I should have checked on my dad that day but I didn't and I cant change that. I should have came around more, and brought my daughter around more, but I didn't and I cant change that. I should have left better memories for my dad but I didn't and cant change that. Am I sorry for this? Absolutely, if he could hear me write now I pray he knows how sorry I am.

So what will I do?

I will honor my dad with my life. I will honor the man who has done so much for me. I will honor the man who showed me what it means to be a good husband by loving my wife Viola with everything in me. I will honor the man who taught me how to be a great dad by being the best dad I can be for my two children Victor and Jasmia. I will honor the man to taught me to always brighten up the mood with humor and always help those in need even if it means giving the clothes off your back. I will honor the man who taught me to love Jesus by continuing to live my life for the one who gave his life for me.

To anyone who reads this I promise to be more patient, kinder, more compassionate, more sympathetic, more positive, more helpful, more like my dad, but most importantly more like Christ. This I do to honor my Earthly Father as well as my Heavenly Father.

I Love You Dad.

Time Alone With God

2008-08-01T17:53:00.000-07:00

“In the early morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house, and went away to a secluded place, and was praying there.” (Mk. 1:35).

As we read throughout the Gospels, not only did Christ teach the importance of prayer, He modeled it. Puritan, Lewis Bayly, understood our Lord’s words well: “As soon as ever thou wakest in the morning, keep the door of thy heart fast shut, that no earthly thought may enter, before that God come in first; and let him, before all others, have the first place there… Begin, therefore, everyday’s work with God’s word and prayer.” - The Practice of Piety, Lewis Bayly

While play, leisure, and celebration are all important aspects of renewal, spending time in communion with God is supremely more important. Time devoted to God produces changes- changes in us if we engage in them and changes in people around us. We will see people differently. We will approach problems differently and feel different about our day’s work, our studies, our families, and our future.

Recognizing my sin, I am often prone to half-hearted devotion to my Savior. I sometimes find myself lazy and careless toward prayer. The devil, unfortunately, is not lazy or careless. He seeks to thwart the believer and stifle his walk in sanctification. The Lord calls us to remain vigilant: “Keep watching and praying that you may not enter into temptation; the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak." (Matt. 26:41, Lk. 21:36).

The Lord, through His Spirit, helps us to overcome this sin of apathy. The believer finds his hope towards this foundational building block of renewal in Philippians 2:13. “For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.”

Abandoning our selfish inclination to keep our eyes shut, may we run into the presence of God with a hungry eagerness of hopeful expectation. And let our experience be that of Donald S. Whitney who said, “The imprint of his words on our thoughts and the heartprint of His presence upon our souls stoke the fires of our affection for God and the things of God so that they burn long after the meeting of the morning.” - Private Worship, Donald S. Whitney

god is good....all the time

2008-07-31T16:58:00.000-07:00

i just wanted to leave a quick note of encouragement to you. god loves us. and he is faithful. even in our darkest hour, he is there...and he never let's go. if you're in a dark place now...this is for you. be encouraged. he'll never leave you and he's always standing right beside you....even when our humanness can't see it. that's it....take care and god bless.

"You have your truth, I have mine."

2008-07-31T15:47:00.000-07:00

Relativism - The doctrine that no ideas or beliefs are universally true but that all are, instead, “relative”.

While the readers of this article may not be familiar with this popular philosophy called (moral) relativism, you may probably be familiar with what it looks like, for it is one of the most prominent worldviews which dominate our culture today. What does it look like? Have you, or someone you know, ever said, “You have your truth and I have mine”? Is it possible for one person to have a set of beliefs that they call true, and for another to have a completely different set of beliefs that they call true, and at the same time both individuals be right?

In this article, I will attempt to clarify and reveal, what I consider, an empty philosophy, which contributes very little to a world that is in desperate need of moral clarity. While one could illustrate more examples, I will bring to the reader’s attention four types of relativists...

The first relativist I will introduce espouses certain standards about what is right and wrong, yet has problems attributing any absolute standard of right and wrong to God or the Bible, thus clinging to a pseudo-moral viewpoint which woefully leaves the rationality and intelligibility of a discussion wanting.

The relativist believes that each person can believe what they want- it is up to individuals to determine what is true and what isn’t true… but what if each individual person’s definition of truth conflict? Let’s follow a discussion I once had with a college classmate:

“Is it wrong to act unkindly and indecent towards others?” I asked.

“Well, of course it is.” she replied.

“On what basis can you say that?” I asked.

“Well, everyone knows that basic truth.” she said.

“But what if in my worldview it is ok to act unkindly and indecent towards others?”

“Well, then that’s wrong.” she said matter-of-factly.

“Wait a minute, you believe that I have the freedom to determine truth for myself, don’t you?”

“Why, yes.” She said.

“Then by saying that I’m wrong, aren’t you implying that I ought to abandon my definition of truth? …Aren’t you now holding me to your standard of right and wrong?” I asked. She could not give me a coherent response.

Some relativists also have a very warped perception of evil. As I previously noted, there are varying types of relativists. The second type I’ll describe has a problem even using the word, evil in a sentence. Radio talk show host, Dennis Prager recently had a caller comment on his use of the word, evil. Mr. Prager was referring to the killer in the recent Virginia Tech massacre. The caller said that he wasn’t sure that it was right that we call any one person’s behavior evil and preferred that Dennis Prager use a less offensive (and more politically correct) term. “What else would we call the shooter’s actions?” Prager asked. “Perhaps bad would be more appropriate”, the caller replied. “No, bad is what you say when your dog poops on your living room floor. What this man did was pure, unadulterated evil.” Dennis aptly retorted.

To say that this man would probably conveniently use the same term if it were one of his loved ones who were killed, is speculative, but even if he did, evil cannot be given the objective definition of evil solely because one has subjectively experienced evil perpetrated against them. This would merely reveal that the relativist can recognized evil, but does not necessarily define an objective standard of good and evil. And even if the relativist is able to rightly call a spade a spade, against what measuring stick does the relativist use to make his judgment? I contend that the moment the relativist begins to explain himself he will either flounder, or will come face-to-face with potentially adopting an absolutist position. Now, let’s speak to the third type of relativist who has no problem using the word, evil…

The indignant relativist may ask, “How could a good God allow evil to happen?” Rather than answering the question, for the purposes of this discussion, let’s observe the worldview which invokes such a question:

A question for the relativist: “Would you agree that there are some things that we can call evil and other things which we can call good?”

Relativist: “Why yes!”

Response to the relativist: “Is that just your own private understanding or are there some things that are objectively evil?”

In this dialogue, either the relativist confesses that there is an objective standard of right and wrong, inevitably being forced to acknowledge an objective good [God], or he is relegated to subjectivism, and if this is so, he cannot argue against evils in the world, leaving us with the forth type of relativist…

If a type of Virginia Tech massacre happened, let’s say, in the Darfur region of Sudan and was fully sanctioned by the Sudanese government, could the relativist condemn such an action, calling it evil? Maybe at first, but when their own evil (or bad) behavior is confronted, they argue that morality is in the eyes of the beholder… as Beckwith and Koukl write in their book, Relativism, “This [merely] reduces their earlier objection to, ‘How could a good God allow things that are contrary to my opinion?’”

The last type of relativist, who is confronted with every possible cogent argument to speak of, can be illustrated by the psychiatrist who had a patient who believed that he was dead. The doctor, making every attempt to convince the patient that he wasn’t dead, finally had an idea. He asked the man, “Can dead men bleed?” The patient replied, “Of course not!” The doctor then pulled a needle form his drawer and pricked the man in the finger. The man began to bleed. To the doctor’s chagrin, the patient replied, “Boy, I can’t believe it- dead men do bleed!”
This last example shows us that for some, the truth is relative to ones most deepest held presuppositions. A discussion with someone who thinks this way can be futile, not to mention absolutely exasperating.

In conclusion, the relativist’s arguments are incoherent and irrational. He demands standards while rejecting any notion that those standards are objective. He advocates freedom to believe what you want as long as it does not conflict with what he believes. Deep down, he embraces a universal standard of right and wrong, and it is almost always revealed when he is wronged.

Acknowledging that this universal standard of right and wrong can be attributed to the God of the Bible would mean that he must no longer suppress the truth in unrighteousness and must repent from his way of life. His understanding of life and death, morality and immorality, of what is true and what is false, of what is objective fact and what is subjective opinion, will be viewed through the only lens that makes sense: The absolute, infallible, and inerrant Word of God.

is jesus enough?

2008-07-31T09:21:00.000-07:00

i wanted to talk about something we can all relate to...i hope.

loss is the part of life that we all have experience with, yet rarely want to talk about face to face. it's amazing really, as different as humans are from each other, you'd think that one of the common denominators would be a topic that would often rest in the forefront of social discussion, but the byproduct of loss i think keeps the conversation at a distance...or at least, a minimum.

it usually catches us off guard. the loss of a job, theft in your house, the innocence of a child robbed by a monster, unexpected death, a seemingly fun evening gone array, a goodbye letter from your spouse. single events that in an instant, change our lives. we can't predict it. we can't monitor it. it just is.

so how do we cope? if we all experience loss, how do we get through it?

some attempt to eliminate the pain by self medicating.
some seek out people or even pay them to talk it out with us.
others just ignore the elephant that's taken up residence in the living room.
and still some look to something bigger then themselves. a lifestyle. a community. a creator.

whatever you run to for rescue from loss....you have to believe that it's enough to help. otherwise you're kidding yourself and wasting your time. in my life, when loss has shown up unexpectedly at my door, i rely on my faith and believe that jesus is enough. i believe that he created the world and me, and knows me completely and fully...and that he is enough for anything that comes my way. he does this because he loves me...and he loves you too. be encouraged.

-jeramy

The Cancer of Bitterness Part I

2008-07-30T19:13:00.000-07:00

Bitterness has an effect similar to cancer. It eats away at a thing so extensively that anything that was even healthy or in tact, soon deteriorates. Bitterness inhibits our ability to think clearly. We are so focused on the wrong that has been perpetrated against us, that we may even find ourselves conjuring up various scenarios on how to get even, so as to attempt to hurt the other person. We want them to feel what we have felt. We want them to know exactly what they have done to cause us grief. If it were possible, we want them to be able to look inside us and know the anguish that they have caused.

We are sometimes surprised by the terrible and gut-wrenching shootings we hear about on the news. Many are affected, lives are destroyed… and what of the shooter? For a solitary moment in time, he found satisfaction. We can always predict how these stories end, however. The temporary, yet morbid pleasure always seems to inevitably end with the shooter snuffing-out his own life.

What about the woman astronaut who was part of a love triangle. Her obsession over the relationship between the man and the other woman was so surprisingly intense, that she unpredictably traveled cross-country, with a Depends diaper (so as to not make any bathroom stops), with the intent to kill her lover and the other woman. While we may never think of shooting down people in a mall or actually going to the person’s home and in some way try to hurt them, our feelings of resentment, bitterness, and anger, has the potential to lead to irrational behavior.

Would you ever think of taking a fistful broken glass and squeezing as hard as you could, to the point that the edges of the shard pieces of glass puncture your fingers and penetrate all the way through? Yet, this is a picture of one who is overcome with bitterness. The very feeling of bitterness is irrational. While those who have hurt us are living life as usual (with absolutely no thought of our present pain), we can live miles apart and find ourselves turned inside out. The acid-eating effects of bitterness do not merely stop with a mere emotional pain. Left unchecked, bitterness has a way of insidiously and unsuspectingly affecting us physically. One medical journal notes that the stress [which derives from pent-up feelings of anger and resentment] can cause severe health problems and, in extreme cases, can cause death.

The most important issue to address is not merely to identify the effects, but the cause of bitterness. In order to overcome the stronghold of bitterness, we must first understand that the feeling of bitterness is self imposed. Indeed, we are initially hurt by those who intentionally or unintentionally caused us harm, but the pain that comes from holding onto that hurt is self-inflicted. While the hurt caused by the other person was real and was perhaps deserving of the offended parties anger, the pain that comes from the anger and bitterness long after that terrible period when they were hurt, is a pain which can no longer be blamed on the original perpetrator.

We must recognize that this acid-eating, cancerous disease of bitterness is one that is not caused by someone else, but one which is caused by us. Just like cancer, it would be senseless for me, as your doctor, to say that you, the patient, can rid yourself of this rapidly growing disease on your own. In fact, you can’t do it at all. You need someone or something (from outside of yourself) to cure you- if you desire complete healing. You could say “No, thank you” and attempt to do it on your own, perhaps choosing to take an over-the-counter medicine. You may say that this response by you would be ridiculous. You understand that over-the-counter medicines won’t help rid you of cancer, much less its symptoms. Yet, we may respond to the root of bitterness - and the pain that it causes - with a similar attitude: “I can deal with it on my own (I don’t need anything or anyone)”. Like the cancer patient who is in need of a doctor and medicines that work, we need to deal with the cancer of bitterness, not looking within, but looking to something - or rather, Someone - outside of ourselves...

Second Chances

2008-07-29T06:30:00.000-07:00

I recall last year meeting a man named Tom at the park. Tom and I had something in common, we were both dads. We talked a bit that day about our jobs, the area, and a little bit about this and that. Most of our conversation though, was spent talking about our children.

Tom related to me that years ago he visited a poor orphanage in the Ukraine- in fact, it was the poorest orphanage in the country. He illustrated to me how he saw many children living in less than desirable conditions. While there, he saw a baby that was literally left alone in the corner. The baby was ill, untreated, underfed, and left alone to die. The baby was classified as FTT, or "Failure to Thrive".

Tom had compassion on the baby and adopted him. For the baby, all it took was one bottle of medicine to help him start the recovery and head in a whole new direction in life.

That baby that he adopted was with us that day in the park…only he was then a healthy, happy, bike-riding 7 year old boy. Praise God for second chances!

Sometimes in our lives, we also find ourselves left alone and abandoned with what appears to be no hope. But in truth, like the little baby, we too have the hope of adoption into a life of joy, forgiveness, and peace.

God the Father has compassion on those with no hope and wants to adopt them into His family. This new life as a member of His family begins only when we we follow and place our faith in His Son Jesus Christ.

If you are finding a "Failure to Thrive" in your life, submit your life to God. You'll gain the second chance that you long for.

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11

Real Music

2008-07-27T18:58:00.000-07:00

There was a piano recital today at my local mall. It was very interesting because the kids playing in this recital were very young, and VERY talented!

A little tidbit about myself- I also play the piano. The amazing thing about these kids though, was that they were as good, if not better than me! Waaay better!

I was very impressed by the show that these young kids put on and I’ll admit, I was a little envious!

After all these years that I’ve invested in learning how to play the piano, I couldn’t believe that children 1/4 my age were playing as good or better than me. Wow!

Then I started thinking how this is similar to our spiritual walk. I find it amazing when I meet people who claim to have been Christians for 20 or more years, yet are no further in their spiritual walk than someone who has been a Christian for just 2 years. How can this be???

Going back to the piano recital, I’ve come to the conclusion that I just didn’t invest enough time in practicing as those young kids did. I recall dreading my Thursday night lessons, and I remember not rehearsing and studying when I should have been...In truth, my heart was just never in it.

If our heart is with Christ, as we claim it to be, then shouldn’t we spend some quality time studying, serving, praying...and growing in our walk?

...Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. Matthew 22:37-38

Unthinkable Pardon

2008-07-27T07:28:00.000-07:00

A robber enters a bank, steals the money and whips around to find a security guard standing before him with his gun drawn. The robber ruthlessly shoots down the security guard, killing him. The criminal stands before the judge to have his story heard and the unthinkable occurs… the judge releases the man acquitting him of all guilt.

While a flood of questions may come to the reader, like, On what basis can any just judge make such a decision? we know, for the purpose of this story, that the robber was guilty and the security guard, innocent.

What is justice? Most people have some universal view of fairness and righteousness, regardless of what, or to whom, they may attribute these standards of right and wrong. Some give God the credit (or blame) for this list of moral absolutes, however, for others, God is too nebulous and impersonal a concept to attribute any standard which apply to relational beings such as ourselves. Those who believe in God yet find it difficult to reconcile a God who allows evil to exist, or for that matter, who condemns people to Hell, may find themselves angry at the God of the Bible. They may say, The God that I believe in is purely a God of love. The truth of the matter is that, if we get to the heart of it, the god of whom they speak is one of their own making. What do I mean? Most people are familiar with the Exodus account wherein God lays down a standard that “You shall have no other gods before me” and “You shall not make of yourself a graven image”.

Some may hold no claim to believing in any god, much less making an image of a god. But when trials come, many look to the “God of the Bible” merely as one who exists to provide them with joy and happiness. In his book, The Law of Perfect Freedom, Michael Horton writes, “We think it would be unfair for God to let a twelve-year-old child die from a tragic illness, but He ends up doing just that- and so we become angry because He has violated our image of Him. We assume somehow that it is in God’s character to give us only joy and happiness. Then when things begin to fall apart, we lose our faith in the image.”

Many know the claims of the Bible, wherein God possesses the attribute of love, but some of these same people refuse to accept, or fail to understand, God’s attribute of justice. I make reference to the passages where God sends sinners to Hell.

Do you believe the passages which make references to God’s love and His redeeming people for Heaven, yet deny the passages which speak to God’s justice and sending sinners to Hell? If so, you do not believe in the God of the Bible, but are guilty of worshipping a mere image.

You may say, Well, that is because I believe that only some of the Bible is true.

If a witness stands before the court room for a period of time and it is later discovered that he lied on one account, what shall we do with all of the testimony prior to the lie? We must throw it away. The witness is deemed no longer credible. If the Bible is only true in part and we deem that some parts are not true, then how can we know that the parts that we do believe in are also not true? If there is any hint of fallaciousness, the entire Bible must be deemed no longer credible. Either the Bible retains its validity and we accept it in whole, or some parts of the Bible are invalid, leaving us with no choice but to reject it in whole.

Adam and Eve, our first parents, were made to love God freely. The Creator made them sinless. He made them to be in right relationship with Him. However, that relationship was broken when they sinned. When Adam sinned, the whole human race fell into sin (Romans 5:12). Everyone, even the indigenous tribesman in a jungle in the far corner of the earth, is born with a sin nature (Psalm 51:5). The Bible tells us that our sin nature produces sinful behavior and that all are guilty (Romans 3:23).

Using our opening illustration, most people rightly discern that the judge would be unfair in not swiftly pronouncing a proper sentencing on the criminal. Yet, the judge of the universe makes a pronouncement. While we may shake our fists at the judge who unjustly releases the criminal in our story, what is our response to the God who has decreed that sin is deserving of death (Romans 6:23)?

Jonathan Edwards, an early American preacher, speaking of the supreme Judge wrote, “The bow of God’s wrath is bent, and the arrow made ready on the string, and justice bends the arrow at your heart, and strains the bow, and it is nothing but the mere pleasure of God, and that of an angry God, without promise or obligation at all, that keeps the arrow one moment from being made drunk with blood.”

While some may accuse Jonathan Edwards of literary sensationalism, note that he took seriously, as most would have in our opening illustration, a judge’s duty and obligation to take each offense seriously. As a criminal before his judge, it is very good for him to have a healthy fear of his impending fate, but the Judge of the universe says, “…Be not afraid of them that kill the body… but I will forewarn you whom you shall fear: fear Him, which after he hath killed, hath the power to cast into Hell: yea, I say unto you, fear Him.”

Some perhaps write-off preachers of Edwards’ day as too extreme and contemporarily irrelevant, contrasting him with what we approvingly hear in many pulpits today: an emphasis on God’s attribute of love. But we cannot really know the meaning of God’s attribute of love without knowing God’s attribute of divine justice. Have you ever asked the question, Saved? Saved from what? Many hold little regard for what the Bible may say on the matter. If people knew of the consequences of their eternal fate, they would think differently on the matter of the Christian message of Salvation.

Jonathan Edwards wrote, “O sinner! Consider the fearful danger you are in: it is a great furnace of wrath, a wide bottomless pit, full of the fire of wrath, that you are held over in the hand of that God, whose wrath is provoked and incensed as much against you, as against many of the damned in Hell. You hang by a slender thread, with the flames of divine wrath flashing about it, and ready every moment to singe it, and burn it asunder; and you have no interest in any Mediator, and nothing to lay hold of to save yourself, nothing to keep off the flames of wrath, nothing of your own, nothing that you ever have done, nothing that you can do, to induce God to spare you one moment.”

Are Jonathan Edwards’ words palatable to the modern day ear? Perhaps not.
The question that ought to be asked is, What is truth? (John 18:38). If someone presented a piece of very important information to you which you were required to act upon, would you say, I care nothing of the truth, but of what merely sounds good. Of course not. Yet, when presented with the message of salvation, many are “turned off” by the truth that it brings.

Consider this verse: Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” Do you mean to say that the only way for anyone to go to Heaven is through the God of the Bible- that we must believe in Jesus Christ?

In order to examine the claims of Jesus Christ, it is important to first examine the person of Jesus Christ. Is He merely a historical figure that was injected into history two thousand years ago, who lived a good life and did a lot of really good things? What did His death accomplish? If what we have read about sin, eternal punishment, and a divine judge are true, how does Jesus Christ fit into this picture? How has Jesus’ death on a cross a long time ago have the capacity, or the relevancy, to influence the way we think and act, much less change the heart of a sinner?

Let’s begin with the question, Who is Jesus? The Bible tells us that He is God. But you said it yourself- He was injected in a point in time in human history, two thousand years ago. Any historian can point to this fact. Jesus, who was introduced as a baby in the New Testament, says that He existed before Abraham (John 8:58), who is recorded in the Old Testament. Is there an error in the text? How could this be? The Bible tells us that Jesus existed before the foundations of the world (John 1:1). The passage goes on further to say that Jesus – God, came down to earth through human flesh (John 1:14). Why would He do such a thing?

This is where God’s attribute of love comes in. Because Jesus is God, He is sinless. Mankind’s sin deserves God’s wrath and curse (Ephesians 5:6, Psalm 11:6). The Bible says that we are dead in trespasses and sins (Ephesians 2:1). I cited a verse earlier relating to God’s decree of justice: Romans 3:23, which reads, “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God…” If we read on, we find the verse which speaks of God’s attribute of love: “…and are justified by His grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Jesus Christ.” Another verse I cited was Romans 6:23: “For the wages of sin are death…” but the passage goes on, “…but the free gift of God is eternal life.” You see, Christ’s purpose was not to make good people better people, nor was it to make bad people good. Rather, it was to make dead people live!

Many ask the question, How can Jesus be the only way? How arrogant for any belief system to be so narrow-minded! The question that ought to be asked is, What sort of people can stand before a Holy God? The answer? Only those who are pure, righteous, sinless, and holy. Do you know anyone like that? Probably not. So it would stand to reason that:

1) None are in Heaven, or
2) Christians are duping themselves into thinking that they are going to Heaven.

The conclusion then is that there must be more to the answer, right? There is.

Jesus, because He is God, is the only one who is sinless, pure, righteous, and holy, thus the only One who deserves to stand before a Holy God. We who are sinful and without righteousness, purity or holiness are deserving of God’s wrath and curse. Yet, because God loves us, He makes an exchange. He says, “I will become the wrath and curse on the cross, bearing the full and complete punishment for your sin… and in exchange I will not count your sin against you and I will declare you righteous.” When God looks down at the believer, who is deserving of God’s wrath and punishment, He sees them, not through any righteousness or work of his or her own doing, but rather through the righteousness and work of Christ alone.

Because we are sinful, without righteousness, purity, and holiness and are deserving of God’s wrath and curse, none deserve to go to Heaven, much less stand before the holiness of God… But if we believe in the One who is sinless, pure, righteous, and holy, we are then, without fear or shame, able to stand before the Lord of creation and Savior of our souls.

Most Bible believing people will firmly say that we are not saved by works. But I disagree… We are saved by a work, but not a work that is accomplished by we the sinner. It is a work Jesus Christ accomplished two thousand years ago on an old rugged cross. This work, done by Christ on our behalf, is called GRACE. Jesus takes our punishment (a punishment we deserve) and in exchange gives us grace (something we don’t deserve).

You see, God, the eternal judge, is able to execute the just punishment which our sin deserves. All the guilt and shame of our sin is credited to Christ (and His righteousness credited to us, the sinner) in order that we may be saved. This is what was accomplished on the cross. As you can see, the correct response of the believer is that of humility- not arrogance.

The picture of the robber in the story above is a picture of you and I. Only in this case, the judge himself calls upon his son, who is innocent, to take upon himself the sentence of death which rightly belongs to the offender. The unthinkableness of this pardon is not that the sinner is set free, but that the One who is undeserving of God’s wrath and curse would willingly die in our place.

"For while we were still helpless, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. For one will hardly die for a righteous man; though perhaps for the good man someone would dare even to die. But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from the wrath of God through Him. For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life. And not only this, but we also exult in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received the reconciliation" - Romans 5:6-11

Addiction and the Will of God

2008-07-26T21:06:00.000-07:00

Today, about 10 in the morning, I developed this sudden urge, which began to increase the more I would dwell on it. It was the temptation to give-in to the very thing I have been vowing for some time to do in moderation: drink coffee. I found a small coffee stand which did not accept a Visa card, only cash (I didn’t have cash). The very rejection to accept my card, spiraled me into a relentless pursuit where I soon found myself willing to push through any obstacle to satisfy, what I now considered a necessary, unmet need.

The reason why I promised myself to lay off the coffee is because my doctor told me that it wasn’t good for my stomach, due to a currently dormant ulcer condition. He prescribed medication, which I take intermittently, but ought to take more regularly. He told me that coffee is o.k. to drink from time to time, but to refrain from drinking it before getting food in my stomach. Needless to say, as you might guess, I didn’t eat anything this morning. I had already predicted for certain, before I bought any coffee, that while I would enjoy immensely satisfying this undeniable craving, that hours later I would have the inevitable stomach pains.

Of course, after fulfilling this supposed need, I soon began to experience the all too familiar stomach pains, caused by my willful act of rebellion to the doctor’s admonition, and my sheer lack of self control. As the anticipated regret crept in, it began to be as equally prominent as the very drive I had to succumb to this fleshly compulsion.

While there is nothing sinful about drinking coffee, I became consciously aware of, what I would probably call a growing obsession to satisfy this craving-- no matter what. The thought immediately came to mind, and I believe by the power of the Holy Spirit, to ask myself a convicting question…

When was the last time you thirsted and hungered after righteousness as much as you are in your present quest to gratify this seemingly insatiable thirst?

The Lord may bring these things to the mind of the Christian, and while we should respond to the Lord’s obvious admonition in obedience, we may instead find ourselves in a place in our lives where we would willfully be determined to ignore His commands and pursue living as those in the world. Of course, if we are His, the regret of submitting to temptations in our lives will follow. Because the Christian is a new creation, belonging to the one who not only made him, but bought him by His precious blood, God has given the Christian His Spirit, which wars with the flesh.

As in the case where I chose to ignore my doctor’s instruction, we may sometimes find ourselves making conscious, willful decisions to ignore the light, and selfishly immerse ourselves in the darkness for the moment, where the Lord does not dwell. Whatever the sin, if we choose to spend enough time in it, our spirits may eventually become callous and our hearts hard to hearing the Lord’s call for our repentance.

Do you feel that you have been robbing yourself of the joy that you once had (or maybe never experienced)? Have you been flirting with a particular sin? Has it reached a point where it has become such an obsession that you continually give-in to it?

Christ is able to sift the dross out of your life and to make you whole. However great the sin you think it is, no matter how long you have been wrestling with it, you can rest all of it at the foot of the cross and Christ will deliver you!Ask for His grace and come to Him today. Your rightful place is in fellowship with Him.

"There is therefore no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus" - Romans 8:1

"If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness" - 1 John 1:9

A New Walk

2008-07-26T18:38:00.000-07:00

I’ve been using a pair of old work boots that I’ve had now for over a decade. I know, I should’ve tried to replace them a long time ago, but hey- I didn’t want the change! These old boots were familiar and comfortable. After all, if I got a new pair of boots, I’d have to go through that “breaking in” period. I just wasn’t up for it. Until yesterday...

My old boots got so old that the sole on the right boot was falling off and my toe was sticking out through a hole in the bottom. The left heel was worn down and the faded black leather now looked grayish brown. It got so ugly that I could no longer pretend that I didn’t need a change.

Because of the condition of these old boots, I found myself walking different than my normal walk. Instead of the boots supporting me the way that they were supposed to, I was changing my walk to compensate for the condition of the boots.

Well, a few people finally noticed and one friend was kind enough to replace them with a brand new pair- For free! Praise God!

With these new boots, I can now walk the way that I was meant to walk. I don’t have to try and compensate for the shortcomings of those old boots. My feet have been given new life and their walk will now represent that. Ahhh, the comfort of a nice new pair!

Our lives are very similar to what I just shared. Sometimes we don’t want to get rid of those old hang-ups of ours because we know that if we do, we’ll be required to make a change. We want to stick with what’s old and what’s comfortable. But the truth is, some of us are walking in ways that God never meant for us to walk.

For others of us, we have the new pair of boots but we haven’t changed our walk. We’re still walking like we had the old pair of boots on.

If you’re still wearing those old boots, why not trade them in for a new pair? God is offering, and His gift is free. You’ll love your new walk.

If you’re already wearing that new pair of boots and you’re not walking like you should, don’t you think that it’s time to walk in the manner that you were meant to?

In either case, give it a try. Your feet will thank you for it.

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! 2 Corinthians 5:17