Made in the image of God

The Genesis creation account says that God “created human beings in His own image. In the image of God He created them; male and female He created them.” (Genesis 1:27 NLT)

The phrase ‘in the image of God’ has significant importance that over the centuries has lost much of its significance. When Moses, under the direction of the Holy Spirit, wrote what we know as the book of Genesis the world was significantly different than it is today.

In the years that Moses walked the earth and down through the centuries the common practice of people and nations was to make ‘images’ of the gods that people served and of the kings that were in power. There were no newspapers, TV, or Internet. In order that people would remember the ‘god’ that they were to serve people would erect a statue of the ‘god.’ The statues would be found in all kinds of places and they would be all different sizes. The statues were to serve as a continual reminder of who was god.

Kings would likewise erect statues of themselves across the region that they ruled. One of the common artifacts that archeologists find is statues of kings. The statues were scattered throughout the kingdom and served to remind the people in the region who was in charge.

The closest practice that modern Americans have is the portrait of the President, who is in currently in power, which is displayed in many Post Offices across the country. The portrait reminds people, as they walk into the Post Office, who the leader of the land is.

The significance of God creating people ‘in His own image’ is found in these practices. Everywhere a person walks, sits, works or plays there is the image of God. There is a living representation of the God of the universe. There is a living representation of the God who is the king of the land.

The 2nd Commandment that God gave to Moses on the mountain was to make no ‘image’ of God or a statue that would represent any god or power. God commanded people that they were not to worship any image.

Why? God created people – living beings – to be his ‘image’ in the world. God’s intention was that people would look at one another and they would be reminded of God and reminded of who the King is.

Chasing God

Anyone who has been around cats very much has probably had occasion to be entertained by watching a cat chase its tail. Round and round and round the cat goes, the tip of the tail just out of reach. Eventually the cat tires and gives up. Then out of the corner of his eye he sees a tail twitch and the entertainment starts up again as the cat goes round and round and round with the tail illuding him one more time.

I was talking to someone recently who is living life like that. He is spending his life, at the cost of health, relationships and his ‘soul’ chasing after the illusive money, illusive pleasure, illusive fulfillment, illusive success and illusive ‘attainment.’ I asked him about all the chasing in his life and his response was accurate. He responded: “People are made to chase.” I agree with him. People are made to chase. The question is what are people made to chase? Are humans designed to chase money, pleasure, fame, fortune, power and success or something or someone else?

The Bible is a record of people chasing after the illusive ‘twitching of the tail.’ The twitching forbidden fruit caught Eve’s eye. The twitching lure of power caught Saul’s eye. The twitch lure of beauty and lust caught David’s eye. The twitching lure of possessions, success and a bigger empire caught Solomon’s eye. Each generation and every person experiences the allure of chasing the ‘twitching tail.’

Humans were not created to chase whatever catches the eye. Humans were created to chase God. Paul told the people of Athens:

Starting from scratch, he made the entire human race and made the earth hospitable, with plenty of time and space for living so we could seek after God, and not just grope around in the dark but actually find him. He doesn't play hide-and-seek with us. He's not remote; he's near. (Acts 17:26-27 MSG)

What are you chasing? Are you chasing the latest ‘twitching tail’ that caught your eye or are you chasing the one who created us to ‘seek after God, and not just grope around in the dark but actually find Him.’

Chase after God!

Specimens of Holiness?

Oswald Chambers in his classic daily devotional My Utmost For His Highest wrote: “God’s purpose is to make us one with Himself. The emphasis of holiness movements tends to be that God is producing specimens of holiness to put in His museum.”

Recently, when I read those words, I was challenged to consider how I view holiness, what holiness means and how it is worked out in a person’s life. Is God trying to make me into a ‘specimen of holiness’ to show off? I don’t think so. If that is what He is trying to do – may I be bold enough to say: He’s not doing a very good job. He’ll never have a trophy for His trophy case.

God is at work to make us like Jesus. God is at work to get our will to the place where we are open and available for His work. The Old Testament book of Zechariah records a conversation between the Devil and God regarding the High Priest Jeshua and it reveals an interesting truth about humans.

And the LORD said to Satan, "I, the LORD, reject your accusations, Satan. … this man is like a burning stick that has been snatched from the fire."

Jeshua's clothing was filthy as he stood there before the angel.

So the angel said to the others standing there, "Take off his filthy clothes." And turning to Jeshua he said, "See, I have taken away your sins, and now I am giving you these fine new clothes." (Zechariah 3:2- 4 NLT)

God is not looking for perfect people, even perfect High Priests or perfect Prophets. He is looking for people who He can ‘take away their sins’ and make them into a ‘burning stick.’ Where does God find those people? He ‘snatches them from the fire.’

God is looking for people to ‘snatch from the fires’ of life and then HE takes their sins away and HE gives them ‘fine new clothes.’

God isn’t trying to find trophies or make trophies. God is looking for people to transform and then to use to ‘snatch from the fire’ and ‘take away their sins’ and ‘give them new clothes’ and then do it all over again with someone in the fires of life!

That is what Biblical holiness is – God transforming one so that He can use them. Over and Over and Over again!

Here we are Lord, Rescue us from the ‘fires’ of life. Take away our sins. Give us clean clothes. Use us to rescue others. Amen

Give Thanks

Thanksgiving is a great day to spend with family and other loved ones. Almost everyone looks forward to the week of Thanksgiving and the day. There are lots of reasons for that. For some the shortened work week is a much anticipated respite. For others it is the time with family. For others it is the turkey and dressing. For others it is the endless football.

The scriptures teach that thanksgiving is not only a ‘day’ but that it should be a way of life. From the earliest days of Israel’s history the people of God would respond to life with a line that is recorded dozens of times in the Old Testament --- Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever. (1 Chronicles 16:34 NIV)

Jesus half-brother James wrote: Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. (James 1:17 NIV)

The Apostle Paul wrote: Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. (1 Thessalonians 5:18 NIV)

Whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. (Colossians 3:17 NIV)

A good verse to live the rest of life by is: Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. (Colossians 4:2 NIV)

Thankfulness centers our heart on the reality that everything we have is not ours because of our strength, ingenuity, talents, beauty or family heritage. What we have does come from the Father. What about what doesn’t happen? Has tragedy, struggle, sickness, etc not happened to us because of our ability to control all of life, protect ourselves and keep ‘bad’ away? No! The truth is protection and ‘being spared from’ things is also a gift from the Father above.

In different settings I’ve been personally challenged by people who start EVERY prayer with thanksgiving. My tendency is to jump into business. There are so many needs in life. There are things that I would really like to see God do. There are people who need miracles. So I just jump into business.

I walk away from those times of praying with others challenged to slow down, to not be in such a rush to get to business but instead to take time to give thanks.

I need to grow in making thanksgiving a way of life. How about you?

Jesus - The Defining Reality

What is the ‘defining reality’ of your life? What is it about your life that defines everything else about you? If some part of your life were to be taken away – what part would have the most impact on who you are and how you live?

The answers to those questions are complex and they are varied. For some the ‘defining reality’ is their racial class. For some it is their work, for some it is there roll as a parent, for some it is their talents, for some it is their marriage and for some it is their standard of living. There are many ways that a person defines their life.

For those who ‘define reality’ by their race – if that were changed or taken away – the reference point for everything else is taken away. For those who ‘define reality’ by their work, their parenting, their marriage, their talents, and so on - when the ‘defining reality’ is taken away – the reference point for everything is taken away.

For a follower of Jesus – the ‘defining reality’ is meant to be Jesus. Disciples are meant to define everything in life based on Jesus. Jesus is the point by which everything else in life finds a ‘relative place.’ Just like the North Star and the North Pole are points upon which navigation is calculated Jesus is the point where all of life is calculated. Just like all clocks are coordinated relative to Greenwich Mean Time Jesus is what everything in life is coordinated to.

Paul wrote to the church in Colossi - “…, set your hearts on things above, … Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. … your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, …” (Colossians 3:1-4 NIV)

Set your hearts on things above – navigate by that. Set your minds on things above – coordinate to Jesus.

Notice the last four words – Christ, who is your life ….

There is the defining reality of life. Christ, who is your life. Christ, who is my life.

Jesus, help us to define everything else in our life by you and not you by the other things in our life. Amen.

Seeing the Future

If I could only see the future! We just finished a prolonged season of political commentators, reading the tea leaves of the political polls and giving us a daily forecast of the political weather. We’ve heard a lot the last few months about ‘La Nina’ and the strong winter we are going to have. After the record high temperatures this week, one news anchor reported that they had gone back to 1949-50, the previous record for high temperature in November, to find out what had happened in the winter of 1950. Seattle had 51”of snow that winter – then she said: I’m not forecasting but …

It will be only a few short weeks until we hear all of the forecasters telling us what 2011 will be like in the area of finances, politics, weather, sports and even the relationship of the ‘stars.’ These predictions will be online, in the tabloids, on TV, radio and in most newspapers. Some will start out … “Nostradamus predicts…”

How much of the future do we really see? As followers of Jesus, the One who knows the future, we really see very little. Nicki Gumble, the teacher for the ALPHA series, uses an illustration of the headlights on a vehicle for how far we really see into the future. Just as a car’s headlights only light a minimal amount of the road ahead, God usually only shows people a minimal amount of the road ahead. We can’t see around the corner. We can’t see over the hill. We can’t see what is off the side of the road. We see only that short distance ahead.

Here are some thoughts by Eugene Peterson, author of the Message Bible, regarding ‘seeing the future:’
•When we follow Jesus, it means that we don’t know exactly what it means, at least in detail. We follow him, letting him pick the roads, set the timetables, tell us what we need to know but only when we need to know it.

•When Jesus says “Follow me” and we follow, we don’t know where we will go next or what we will do next.

•No matter how much we know, we don’t know enough to know what Jesus is going to do next.

•Following Jesus doesn’t get us where we want to go. It gets us to where Jesus goes…

Following Jesus requires continually listening for His direction, trusting that He knows best, remembering that He will not forsake us and then walking in the direction that we hear His voice calling us.

Jesus said not to worry about tomorrow because tomorrow will worry about itself.

Jesus, help us to hear you more clearly and follow you more thoroughly. Amen.

Rest in Jesus

Over the last few decades medical researchers have been actively studying the subject of rest and sleep. The researchers are primarily trying to understand what exactly happens when our body rests and when a person sleeps.

Some of the important results of the research reveal what happens to various parts of our body during what is often referred to as ‘recovery.’ Recovery is when, during a time of inactivity, the muscles, tendons, joints and even down to the very cells the body is healed and rebuilt.

Some of the important results of the research reveal what happens to the brain when a person is sleeping. What occurs at a tissue level when someone is sleeping? What stage of the sleep cycle is most important for tissue to be rebuilt, etc.? What happens to the actual memories, emotions and thought processes as a person sleeps? What happens during the various stages of sleep? Which stage of sleep is needed most for optimal brain function?

One of the theories is that during certain sleep stages the brain organizes and rearranges bits of information and memories into reusable patterns. One thing that is becoming very clear is that without adequate sleep neither the body nor the brain functions correctly or even close to correctly. It is well known that without sleep people will go ‘crazy’ and ultimately dies from lack of sleep.

Jesus said: “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28 NIV) The writer of the book of Hebrews writes about “the promise of entering his rest.”(Hebrews 4:1 NIV) The writer also declares: “Now we who have believed enter that rest, ….” (Hebrews 4:3 NIV)

Is it possible that when believers REST in Jesus’ love, acceptance, forgiveness and purposes instead of continually trying to gain his love, acceptance, forgiveness and purposes, that spiritual bodies were healed and rebuilt and in a time of rest or an attitude of rest their spiritual ‘brains, memories and emotions’ were rearranged and cataloged? What if continual striving, working and labor is a cause of people’s spiritual lives that go ‘crazy’ and ultimately ‘die?’

What is the application? Rest in Jesus’ love – He loves you. Rest in Jesus’ acceptance – He accepts you. Rest in Jesus’ forgiveness – He forgives you. Rest in Jesus’ purposes – He will work out His purposes in your life.

Relationship Quagmire

Don’t those words describe the reality of life? Relationship Quagmire!

No matter how short or long someone has lived they have experienced the blessings of relationships working well and the curses of relationships going sideways! It starts young: “She won’t play with me!” “He’s not playing fair!” It seems to continue into later years: “She won’t play with me!” “He’s not playing fair!” You and I have heard it from children and we’ve heard it from people way further along in life.

When does a person experience the greatest amount of growth in life? When life is perfect or when life pushes imperfection straight into our path? When the road is smooth and easy or when the road is rough and hard?

I’ve come to believe that God often uses people and relationship ‘processes and events’ to confront areas in my life where I need to find freedom in and experience growth.

Let me illustrate: If ‘fear of rejection’ or ‘fear of betrayal’ are underlying issues in a person’s life, does the most growth come from always experiencing acceptance and loyalty or does the most growth come from experiencing the very thing that is feared – rejection and betrayal? I believe that the answer is not one or the other but – the answer is both.

Experience and what is written in God’s Word teach me that growth happens when I experience acceptance and loyalty from others – but even greater growth happens when I have to wrestle through rejection and betrayal and come face to face with my fears.

How do I come face to face with the fear of rejection and betrayal? By being rejected and betrayed! Then I can either become bitter – letting rejection and betrayal have full destructive license with my heart and life, or I process the rejection and betrayal and let the Holy Spirit and God’s Word bring freedom and growth in the very area of weakness and fear. That happens in ‘Relationship Quagmires!’

Choose to let the Holy Spirit and God’s Word bring freedom and growth in your life!

Have life and have it abundantly

One of the most often quoted statements of Jesus is: “I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.” (John 10:10 ESV) Have life abundantly!

What does having life abundantly mean? What is the first thing that you think of? Is one of the things that you think of an “All You Can Eat” buffet? Does it mean – any car I want to drive? Does it mean a plethora of shoes in the closet? Does it mean a different outfit for everyday? Does it mean one of each type of hobby tool? Does it mean the latest, greatest, fastest and coolest technology? Does it mean traveling anywhere? Does it mean having enough money in your pocket to do anything you want anytime you want?

What did having life abundantly mean to the Disciples that first heard these words? What has having life abundantly meant to generations of believers across the cultures of the world down through the centuries?

Have life abundantly does have a ‘material’ aspect to it but it is so much more! There are plenty of people that are followers of Jesus, who have full pantries that have no abundance in their life. There are plenty of followers of Jesus that have ‘everything’ but would not describe their lives as abundant.

The context of Jesus’ statement about abundant life is relationship. It is about the relationship of the shepherd to the sheep. The context is the relationship of Jesus to the Father and the Father to Jesus and those following Jesus.

Abundant life is not even about having more relationships. In our ‘Facebook’ world it has become normal for people to have dozens or hundreds of ‘friends’ but no friend. Abundant life is describing relationship with Jesus, with the Father and then ‘rich’ relationships with others.

No one worries about ‘stuff’ at the end of their life – they worry about relationships. At the end of life people don’t regret ‘not enough stuff’ but they do regret shallow and empty relationships.

When does ‘abundance’ become ‘indulgence?’ I’m not sure that there is a clearly defined line but when abundance becomes indulgence – no one wins and there is no ‘abundant life.’

Jesus, Teach us what you meant: to ‘have life and have it abundantly.’ Amen

I am the Gate

“I am the Gate,” is one of the statements that Jesus made about himself that we are going to look at in this Portraits of Jesus series. When Jesus referred to himself as the gate the real picture is much different than the one that people would often think of. When people hear the word ‘gate’ they often have a very specific picture in mind. Maybe it is a gate from their childhood. Maybe it is a gate at their present residence. Whatever ‘gate’ it is – it is probably a very specific picture.
Another statement that Jesus made about gates is found in Matthew 7. Jesus said: You can enter God's Kingdom only through the narrow gate. The highway to hell is broad, and its gate is wide for the many who choose that way. But the gateway to life is very narrow and the road is difficult, and only a few ever find it. (Matthew 7:13-14 NLT)
People gain entrance into God’s Kingdom through the narrow gate. The gateway to life is ‘very narrow.’ What restrictive statements. How exclusive. How ungracious and harsh. How NARROW!
There are many people in this culture who see Christianity and the church as just that – NARROW, exclusive, restrictive, ungracious and harsh.
I’m reminded of a story I heard recently about a Bible teacher who was playing golf with a fairly famous professional golfer. As they started their day together the golfer asked the Bible teacher what he did for a living. When the Bible teacher told the golf pro what he did – the golf pro’s response was something like: That’s too bad. Bible people and church people have to live such restricted and narrow lives.
The Bible teacher, ingeniously, responded something along the lines of: I live a restricted life? What about you? You restrict your life to these little fairways with very strict rules. I have seen areas of this golf course that you have never seen and experienced parts of the game of golf that you’ve never been a part of – yet you would see me as the poorer of the two of us because of that.
When the Bible teacher said these words it was like a light bulb lit up in the pro’s mind. He saw a truth about life that he’d never seen before.
Life lived without an element of ‘narrowness’ is a dangerous life. This is true financially, relationally, sexually, verbally and in almost every way. People who go ‘four wheel’ with their finances are quickly stuck in the mud. People who go ‘four wheel’ in their relationships, with their sexual life, with their mouth, etc. etc. are quickly stuck in the mud and are often looking for someone to pull them out of the mud.
Yes there is a ‘narrowness’ in following Jesus but the ‘narrowness’ is the way of freedom and not the way into the mud hole!
Go through the narrow – the very narrow – gate. It may be restrictive but it is the way to great freedom!

Who really was Jesus?

Who really was Jesus? What did He say about Himself? Is what we believe what He intended that we would believe?

There are many varying views of who Jesus was, what He was like and what He did. Many of these views are built on the preconceived wishes of those who teach them, rather then on truth.

For instance, for years there have been those that teach that, at the Wedding in Cana, Jesus didn’t really turn water into wine but into grape juice. This is taught based not in fact but in a belief that Jesus could never and would never create something that had the power to harm people?

There are those who teach that Jesus didn’t have brothers and sisters and that ‘His family’ that is referred to in the Bible were actually just cousins. This is taught based not in reality but on the view that there is no way that Mary, Jesus’ mother, could have ever had had sexual relations with a man.

There are those who teach that Jesus was married and had children. This is taught by those who cannot understand a man having such a close relationship with a woman and it be a pure platonic relationship. Each of these teachings is founded in one or more preconceived idea or wish.

During our teaching series, The Portraits of Jesus, I hope that you and I will gain a fresh look at Jesus, who He is, what He does and how our lives find their meaning and strength in Him.

Jesus is the Good Shepherd. He is the Gate. He is the Way. He is the Truth. He is the Light of the World. He is the Bread of Life. He is the Vine. He is the Resurrection and the Life.

He is so much more! To say that He is so much more seems so inadequate. But that is what He is SO MUCH MORE!

Jesus, help us see you more clearly! Amen.

Life and Death

There are dozens of passages in the book of Proverbs that compare and contrast ‘life or death.’ This ‘life or death’ can either be literal regarding the length of life or it can be symbolic of the quality of life. There are numerous illustrations in life of people who are ‘alive’ but smell in one or more areas of life like ‘death.’

The passages in Proverbs regarding ‘life or death’ teach that every year, every month, every day and even every hour we each make multiple choices that either lead to life or lead to death. Those choices either carry with them the fragrance of life or the fragrance of death. Jesus is continually at work to lead us, teach us and motivate us to make choices for ‘life’ but ultimately WE make the choices. He won’t make the choices for us. We choose ‘life or death.’

Here are a couple of the Proverbs that Solomon wrote down to teach future generations:

The way of the godly leads to life; that path does not lead to death. (Proverbs 12:28 NLT)

There is a path before each person that seems right, but it ends in death. (Proverbs 14:12 NLT)

The choices that you and I make with our thoughts – lean towards ‘life or death.’ The choices we make with our words, with our actions, with our attitudes, with our finances, with our habits and with our time all either lean towards ‘life or death.’

“Lord, teach us to choose life and not death. When we come to one of those moments, make us very conscience of our options and in that split second, help us to choose wisely. Amen.”

Better peace with a dry piece of crust ...

Better a dry crust eaten in peace than a house filled with feasting--and conflict. (Proverbs 17:1 NLT)

Peace! What a wonderful word, what a wonderful idea – but not very common. Peace is not common in nations, peace is not common in states, cities, or community groups, and it’s not very common in families. Peace is something everyone wants but not something that people are willing to pay the price to get. They talk about peace and the desire for peace is high, but the sacrifice that people are willing to make to have peace is not as high.

People in our society often desire ‘a house filled with feasting’ instead of ‘a dry crust.’ Humans have a tendency to over-work, over-collect, over-consume and over-indulge all at the cost of peace. Is a ‘house filled with feasting’ really better than a ‘dry crust’?

Solomon looked out over the lives of people and over his life and made this observation: ‘Better a dry crust eaten in peace than a house filled with feasting--and conflict.’ Solomon had a ‘house filled with feasting.’ He had everything. Riches beyond imagination but was there peace? He must have noticed others who had nothing and yet there was peace in their home.

An interesting commentary people often make after having visited a country or village with much less than others have is, ‘they had almost nothing but they were so happy’ and ‘they had joy.’

Proverbs 17:1 is not really about stuff though. This Proverb is about the value of peace. Peace is way better than ‘stuff.’ If a person has a choice between peace or ‘stuff’ – it is wise to choose peace.

What are you willing to change in your life, in your marriage, in your home, in your habits so that you can have peace? Are you willing to make the trade? Will you serve your family so as to have peace? Will you stop demanding your way so that you can have peace? What are you willing to do? Do financial decisions and practices need to change? Do work habits need to change?

Better a dry crust eaten in peace ….

Make your choice today. I know I want peace and I’m willing to change to get it.

ReDiscover Church

ReDiscover Church

In your bulletin today is an invitation for you to utilize as you invite others to come to SWAG for our next teaching series. The invitation is labeled ‘ReDiscover Church’ as an encouragement to those that have dropped out of church as well as for those who have never had a regular routine of gathering with others in a church setting.

Recent surveys reveal that somewhere in the neighborhood of 150,000 people drop out of church every weekend across the country. There are all kinds of reasons why people decide to drop out of church or never begin in the first place.

Some of the most common reasons are:
• I don’t believe in organized religion.
• I have my own way of connecting with God.
• I get tired of the church always ask for money.
• My life situation changed and I just never went back to church.
• I don’t have to go to church to be a good person.
• I’m too busy and Sunday is my only day of rest.

October 3rd will start a new teaching series that I want to encourage you to invite those in your circle of friends, co-workers, co-commuters, neighbors, family and business associates to join you for the series. The series is called “Portraits of Jesus.” Each of the teachings will be a glimpse into who Jesus is directly from his description of who he is. My hope is that you and those you invite to join you will see Jesus in ways that he may not have been seen before.

Oct 3rd we are going to kick off the Portraits of Jesus series with breakfast and one service at 10:00 AM.
We will continue our normal service times of 8:30 and 10:30 on Oct 10th.

Next week we will have booklets available that might help those that you are spending time with think through ReDiscoving Church. Please pray and consider who to invite and then invite them.

Grace and Truth

Grace and Truth

The Apostle John wrote: “The law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.
(John 1:17 ESV)

Grace the Truth, what a great combination. The two aspects of the work and the nature of God are held in perfect tension in Jesus and are seen in Jesus ministry on this earth. Jesus is not ‘grace’ alone and He is not ‘truth’ alone. He is ‘grace and truth.’

These two aspects of the nature and work of God are seen in perfect tension in the account of the ‘Woman Caught in Adultery.’ The religious leaders found a woman who was at the time committing adultery with someone. They brought the woman to Jesus demanding that Jesus uphold the Old Testament Law and sentence her to execution by stoning. Jesus, in the end of the account, says to the woman: “I don’t condemn you;” [mercy and grace] “go away and sin no more.” [truth] Jesus extended amazing grace to her, yet he confronted, in truth, her sinful actions, exhorting her to change her heart and her way of life.

Often people, especially religious people, lean in one direction or the other. They lean towards grace or they lean towards truth. Only through the work of the Holy Spirit and the Word of God over a period of time do believers begin to, at times, hold grace and truth in tension.

Grace is giving someone what they don’t deserve. The person who leans towards ‘grace’ loves people and communicates a non-judgmental spirit. They accept others, extending a hand to people no matter what.

Truth is the reality about self, others and life that is held in opposition to falsehood. The person who leans towards truth loves truth and judges everything and everyone by what they see as truth. There are no extenuating circumstances, there are no excuses and there are no reasons. There is no room for mercy nor grace.

This is not the case with Jesus. Jesus held truth and grace in perfect tension. As you and I grow in our faith journey – Jesus wants to create in you and me – grace and truth in tension. Lord Jesus, create it in my life!

The Turtle on the Fence Post

Humility is rooted in the Fear of the Lord. As we’ve seen throughout the teaching from the Book of Proverbs on Wise Living, the Fear of the Lord is simply recognizing that He’s God and I’m not. Recognizing that premise is what humility is all about.

Alex Haley, the author of the book on slavery in America, ROOTS, has a picture in his office, showing a turtle sitting atop a fence. The picture is there to remind him of a lesson he learned long ago: 'If you see a turtle on a fence post, you know he had some help getting up there,' explains Alex.

'Any time I start thinking, WOW, ISN'T THIS MARVELOUS WHAT I'VE DONE! I look at that picture and remember how this turtle--me--got up on that post.'

When I lose site of the fact that God is the Creator of all things, the One who holds everything together and the One to whom all of creation will ultimately be accountable. It is easy to get arrogant.

Arrogance is an ego that is out of control. EGO – Edging God Out. Even insecure people can have an ego that is out of place. An ego is out of place when people think that everything is about them and that all of the universe resolves around them.

Humility has been described this way: Humility is not thinking less of myself, humility is thinking of my self less.

How often do you think about you? Are you always thinking about you? Is it hard for you to figure out why other people aren’t always thinking about you?

The Turtle Didn’t Get There On His Own.

Happy Heart

The book of Proverbs is filled with topics that should guide each of our lives. There are so many topics in Proverbs, a teacher could probably spend a few years going through each of the truths found in this rich book! This summer we are touching on 12 of them during our Sunday morning teachings.

One of the topics that we are not going to look at on a Sunday morning is the truth of the impact a joyful or happy heart can have on a person. There are numerous Scriptures in Proverbs that talk about a ‘happy heart.’

Here’s how Proverbs puts it:
A happy heart makes the face cheerful, … (Proverbs 15:13 NIV)

… the cheerful heart has a continual feast. (Proverbs 15:15 NIV)

A cheerful look brings joy to the heart, … (Proverbs 15:30 NIV)

A cheerful heart is good medicine, … (Proverbs 17:22 NIV)

The idea is not one of just thinking positive thoughts or the ‘Power of Positive Thinking.’ The idea of joy, cheerfulness and happiness in the Scriptures is based in the truth of who God is, His love for each individual person, His mercy and grace, His guiding hand all wrapped up in the work of Jesus on the Cross.

As David wrote in the Psalms: Happy is the man whose sins are forgiven! This only happens because of Jesus. True happiness, joy and cheerfulness comes when a heart is clean and free in Jesus.

Spend some time meditating on this truth this week. It will probably impact you in significant ways.

The Right Path

The book of Proverbs is filled with topics that should guide each of our lives. There are so many topics in Proverbs, a teacher could probably spend a few years going through each of the truths found in this rich book! This summer we are touching on 12 of them during our Sunday morning teachings.

One of the topics that we are not going to look at on a Sunday morning is what Proverbs refers to as the ‘path’ or the ‘straight course.’ The implication is that there is a path that should be taken, and that deviating from that path is detrimental to the person who deviates.

Here’s how Proverbs puts it:
There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death. (Proverbs 14:12 NIV)

The ides is so significant that it is repeated again:
There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death. (Proverbs 16:25 NIV)

Here are a couple more verses:
Stern discipline awaits him who leaves the path; (Proverbs 15:10 NIV)

… a man of understanding keeps a straight course. (Proverbs 15:21 NIV)

The Lord has not left it up to each person to choose their path. Every time a person chooses their own path it leads someone in a way that is detrimental to their well being.

The philosophy of many is: Follow your heart. Let your heart be your guide. Be true to yourself.

This idea led Adam and Eve to eat the fruit, Cain to kill Abel, the children of Israel to worship a golden calf, the nation of Israel to choose a king over God, David to sleep with Bathsheba and the religious leaders to kill Jesus – you get the idea don’t you?

One of the significant reasons for making Scripture reading, studying, meditation and memorization a part of your faith journey is that the Scriptures lay out the path clearly for us.

His Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path!

Spend some time meditating on this truth this week. It will probably impact you in significant ways.

Be Careful Little Eyes

The book of Proverbs is filled with topics that should guide each of our lives. There are so many topics in Proverbs, a teacher could probably spend a few years going through each of the truths found in this rich book! This summer we are touching on 12 of them during our Sunday morning teachings.

One of the topics that we are not going to look at on a Sunday morning is the truth that God sees everything each person does. He sees what those who have chosen to follow Him do, and He sees what those who don’t want to have anything to do with Him do.

Here’s how Proverbs puts it:

For a man's ways are in full view of the LORD, and he examines all his paths. (Proverbs 5:21 NIV)

The eyes of the LORD are everywhere, keeping watch on the wicked and the good. (Proverbs 15:3 NIV)

Death and Destruction lie open before the LORD— how much more the hearts of men! (Proverbs 15:11 NIV)

There is a children’s song that I learned when I first started following Jesus that speaks about this reality. Even though I learned the children’s song as a young adult it still speaks powerfully to this truth.

Be careful little eyes what you see, Be careful little eyes what you see, for the Father up above is looking down in love, so be careful little eyes what you see. The song continues with ears what you hear, hands what you touch, and feet where you go.

The words of the song serve to illustrate the truth of Proverbs – our ways are in full view of the Lord; His eyes are everywhere keeping watch and how much more the hearts of men!

Spend some time meditating on this truth this week. It will probably impact you in significant ways.

Celebrate America

Celebrate America is only 10 days away! Most of the preparations are in place. We are busy wrapping up all of the last planning and details. This year CA happens on a Saturday and it should be a very busy day and night.

Organizing and hosting this event requires a lot of work by a large number of people. There are people that are part of SWAG that work long hard hours to make it happen. There are people from other churches that work hard to help. There are people in the community that work long hard hours to make it happen.

It takes a small tribe of people to put on this event. I am thankful for every person that gives time and money to give this gift to our community every year. That is exactly how I see CA – a gift from the SWAG family to the community.

We could use your help!

We still need:
More help with Set-up, tear-down and clean-up – I hope that you’ll do what you can to help!

About $1,000. We are still about $1,000 short from reaching our expenses. I hope that you’ll do what you can to help!

We need sunshine! Please pray that God will blow away all the clouds and give us sunshine the day of the event.

Thanks for doing your part to help the SWAG family host this event for our community!
- Pastor Matt

Wise Living

Wise Living

This summer we are going to be studying the book of Proverbs. Proverbs was written by Solomon who has been called the wisest man who ever lived. The Bible in fact talks about his wisdom but it never says that he was the wisest man to ever live. Actually the Bible would imply that Jesus was the wisest man to ever live on the face of the earth.

A proverb is a literary device that has existed for centuries. People were using proverbs long before Solomon wrote and the men of Hezekiah collected what is in the book of Proverbs. (Proverbs 25)

A proverb is not a promise. A proverb is a conclusion from observation about how things most often work in life. A proverb is a short, memorable saying, or a general truth, that condenses people’s common experience into a form that is very memorable.

The purpose for the book of Proverbs is laid out clearly and is in fact very specific. In short form – the purpose of the book of Proverbs is to teach people how to look at life through a pair of glasses that ask the question – What is the wise thing?

Eugene Peterson, the author of the Message version of the Bible, wrote as part of the introduction to the book of Proverbs:

Many people think that what’s written in the Bible has mostly to do with getting people into heaven- getting right with God, saving their eternal souls. It does have to do with that, of course, but not mostly. It is equally concerned with living on this earth-living well, living in robust sanity. In our Scriptures, heaven is not the primary concern, to which earth is tag-along afterthought. “On earth as it is in heaven” is Jesus’ prayer.

“Wisdom” is the biblical term for this on-earth-as-it-is-in-heaven everyday living. Wisdom is the art of living skillfully in whatever actual conditions we find ourselves.

Our study is going to be about Wise Living. We will be constantly asking the question: What is the wise thing?

Bring your Bibles each week. Catch what you miss at www.swag-online.org .

- Pastor Matt

What is the Wise thing to do?

Wise Living

The book of Proverbs is about wisdom. The men of Hezekiah who collected the proverbs of Solomon and others (Proverbs 25) were often comparing and contrasting the wise person and the fool.

The question that Proverbs is encouraging people to ask as part of the way they process life is:
What is the wise thing to do?

James, Jesus’ half brother, wrote about wisdom in his letter to the Jewish believers who had been scattered in Diaspora because of persecution. James wrote that the wisdom of a person will be seen more than heard. This is not how wisdom is often looked at. People think more of ‘words of wisdom’ than they do wise actions. We talk to people to get their wisdom. We seek out wise people for their counsel. Wisdom most often is about words and not actions. This is not what the Bible teaches. The Bible teaches that wisdom is more about action than it is about words.

Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show it by his good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. (James 3:13)

Wisdom is not revealed in the words a person speaks but in a 'good life' and in 'deeds done in humility.' When a person claims to be wise but isn't living a good life or doing good deeds in humility - they aren't really wise. They only think that they are wise. Wisdom is seen in a good life, good deeds and humility.

Before trusting someone who claims to be wise or tells you their description or definition of wisdom and start telling you their ‘great’ words of wisdom - check them out for a 'good life,' good 'deeds' and 'humility.' If good life, good deeds and humility are absent - move slowly, use discernment and prudence.

This is the wise thing to do when you see someone who is not practicing wise living! - Pastor Matt

Gain the whole world ... loose you soul

My Money and Me --- Really?

Jesus asked his disciples a question that has been pondered by people down through the centuries: “What good is it if someone gains the whole world but loses his soul?” (Mark 8:36 NIrV)

One of the brooding realities of human nature is the continual desire for more. It does not matter who a person is, their cultural and familial background or how old they are – there seems to be a continual drive for more. Put a group of people together and the individuals in the group won’t necessarily want more of the same thing but the individuals in the group will want more of some thing.

People don’t seem satisfied with one of a collection or few pieces of a collection. There seems to be a need to have the whole collection. Nobody can eat just one … Will the whole collection really satisfy anyway? Once I have the whole collection - what comes next? What is the next collection that I’ll need to have? What price am I willing to pay to have the collection?

History records countless people from all times, cultures, socio-economic levels and family backgrounds who have ‘lost their soul’ trying to gain something or someone. Some have lost their soul trying to gain money. Some have lost their soul trying to gain fame, status, pleasure, power, a certain person, position or possession. Some have lost their soul trying to gain acceptance and others trying to gain a continually elusive level of success.

Fortunately many people learn the lesson that nothing is worth the value of their soul before they ‘loose’ their soul. The wrestle with ‘gaining’ vs. ‘losing our soul’ is a wrestle that never ends and has to be continually fought. We never seem to get away from the desire for more. Within a short time of pushing the desire out it seems to creep back in. What ‘gain’ has tempted you? What ‘desire for more’ has been trying to pin you to the mat? What have you gone after at a cost to some of your soul?

Jesus, we need your strength to fight against the perpetual ‘desire for more’ in our life. We recognize that it is there and that it rears its ugly head pretty often. Give us courage, wisdom and strength to continually fight against that desire. Make us into people who know what it means to be content. Amen

Generosity and Trust

My Money and Me – Really?

One of the duties of a church leader is to encourage, challenge and help people in the family of faith “grow in the grace and knowledge” of Christ. Part of that means teaching stewardship. Stewardship is the practice of managing what we have been given: money, possessions, time, talents, etc. Teaching on giving, tithing and generosity is part of the responsibility of helping ‘Christ followers’ mature. Generosity isn’t spur of the moment, but rather an ongoing commitment to trusting in God.

It is impossible to consider Jesus’ character, priorities, attitudes, outlook, and thought patterns being formed in a person without considering the implication in the areas of money and possessions. Jesus didn’t blink when talking to people about their possessions, money, income, responsibility, generosity and sacrifice. Jesus just talked to the people ‘straight up!’

Nearly 50% of Jesus’ teachings emphasized how people of faith are to honor God with their financial resources and possessions. The fact that almost 50% of Jesus’ teaching was on ‘money’ shows the priority He placed on money, possessions and rightly managing those resources.

Generosity is the value the Scriptures teach and give the most direction on. The Scriptures do talk about saving, loaning, borrowing, repaying, etc.; however, by far the value that the Holy Spirit talks about above all others in the Scripture is the value and the priority of generosity.

Giving isn’t something a person does to help God or even help others. Giving is an exercise God calls people to because money and material possessions are directly connected to the human heart. Giving addresses a person’s need to grow in dependence on Him. Every time a person gives they are, in a very practical way, reengaging in dependence upon God. Writing a check that is given with no tangible ‘payback’ is in essence saying to God: ‘Because I know that you are good, that you are the provider of everything I have and that you will provide for my future needs, I will give. Now I’m waiting to see how you will continue to provide and bless.’

Jesus wants to create in each of person who is on a journey of faith an attitude of generosity and trust that surpasses the generosity and trust of those not walking on a journey of faith. Let me encourage you to open yourself fully and allow Jesus to create new levels of generosity and trust.

Matt

Mother's Day

Here are some sayings that I’ve collected over the years about mothers. I hope that you will laugh a little and that you will be encouraged to appreciate moms more.

HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY!

A suburban mother's role is to deliver children obstetrically once, and by car forever after. ~ Peter De Vries

The phrase "working mother" is redundant. ~Jane Sellman

The hand that rocks the cradle is the hand that rules the world. ~ W. R. Wallace

My mother was the most beautiful woman I ever saw. All I am I owe to my mother. I attribute all my success in life to the moral, intellectual and physical education I received from her. ~ George Washington

"A mother's love for her child is like nothing else in the world. It knows no law, no pity, it dares all things and crushes down remorselessly all that stands in its path." ~ Agatha Christie

"You do not really understand something unless you can explain it to your grandmother." ~ Albert Einstein

"By and large, mothers and housewives are the only workers who do not have regular time off. They are the great vacation-less class." ~ Anne Morrow Lindbergh

A mother is a person who seeing there are only four pieces of pie for five people, promptly announces she never did care for pie. ~ Tenneva Jordan

I remember my mother's prayers and they have always followed me. They have clung to me all my life. ~Abraham Lincoln

Some mothers are kissing mothers and some are scolding mothers, but it is love just the same, and most mothers kiss and scold together. ~Pearl S. Buck

Run the Race Well

This Sunday, while you are reading this, I’ll be running a marathon in Eugene. A marathon is always 26.2 miles. If the distance is not the full 26.2 miles it will be qualified somehow – ½ marathon, ultra marathon.

There is months of running that go into preparing for the marathon. It is not unheard of that someone would attempt a marathon without preparing for it but it almost always turns out really, really, really ugly!

Paul wrote to the church in Corinth these words:
Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. Therefore I do not run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating the air. No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize. 1 Corinthians 9:24-27

For Paul every step along the way had purpose and every step along the way had consequences. ‘Strict training’ is how he described an athlete’s preparation for the race. I often tell kids when I coach them – “You play what you practice.” The idea I want them to get is that you can’t practice poorly and perform well in game situation. An athlete ‘plays what he practices.’

Run sloppy, run too little, run too much, run carelessly or foolishly and there are consequences that impact the ability to finish a race well.

Choose sloppy, too little, too much, carelessly or foolishly and there are consequences that impact the ability to finish the race of life well.

Are you striving to make every step count, understand the purpose of your steps all the while aware of the consequences?

That mindset will help you ‘run the race’ well!

Perfect in your relationship to Christ

There is a verse in Paul’s letter to the church in Colosse that describes my mission as a pastor here on the South End of Whidbey Island. Paul said: We tell others about Christ, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all the wisdom God has given us. We want to present them to God, perfect in their relationship to Christ. That's why I work and struggle so hard, depending on Christ's mighty power that works within me. (Colossians 1:28-29 NLT)

I want to do my part to warn and teach you so that you will be presented to God, perfect in your relationship with Christ. That is really the mission of a pastor. To do everything that is possible to help people grow and mature so that their relationship with Christ becomes everything that God has planned for their relationship to become.

Sometimes a pastor has to warn someone. A warning might sound something like this: The choices you are making right now are not going to help you, your marriage, your family or your future. The choices you are making are dangerous and may very well lead to some very negative consequences.

Most of the time a pastor teaches people. I love teaching God’s Word to people. I love talking to people one on one about their spiritual journey and helping them understand God and God’s Word. I love talking to groups about the Word and how it applies to our life and relationships.

I count it as an honor and privilege to help people in their journey with Jesus towards maturity. Thank you for giving me the honor of warning you and teaching you. I want to help you grow so that you will be perfect in your relationship with Jesus.

Thanks from Rocky and Wendy Dede in Papua New Guinea

Dear SWAG family,
We would like to say a HUGE thank you to all of you for your many prayers and financial gifts. The total offering from SWAG covered the traveling costs for Cynthia and Rocky and even some of the medical bills. Thank you! And we are praising God for what appears to be a miracle! When Cynthia saw the ophthalmologist here in Papua New Guinea, he saw what appeared to be holes in the back of both of her eyes. But, by the time she saw the ophthalmologist in Brisbane, the holes were nowhere to be found. And after numerous test and scans to make sure, everything came up normal. And we have pictures of the inside of her eyes, the outside of her eyes and even her whole brain and everything looks great. We are so grateful to know for certain that nothing serious is wrong. She does continue to struggle a bit with focusing properly, and she has glasses coming (in the mail) to help her with seeing better in school. The eye doctor told us her eyesight should go back to normal again in a few months. We continue to pray that it does. Cynthia’s faith was challenged and strengthened in all this, along with some of her close friends who had been praying for her through this. God continues to amaze us with His goodness and grace.
With love,
Rocky, Wendy, Cynthia & Leah Dede.

Relationships: Complex and Confusioning

Is anything in life more confusing than relationships? It doesn’t matter whether the relationship is marriage, parenting, in-laws, siblings, church family, neighbors, co-workers or extended community, they always have bumps and there is always some measure of confusion.

Some people handle relationships by just doing what comes naturally to them. These people of course don’t have very many relationships. The relationships that they do have are often broken, one-sided and not very pretty.

Some people have numerous relationships but, only with those that they want to relate to. They are very selective in their relationships. Some people have lots of relationships but they are not very deep. Others have just a few relationships that tend to be deeper. We could probably all agree that whatever the relationship landscape looks like relationships can be complex and confusing.

The book titles: Men are from Mars, Women are from Venus or Men Are Like Waffles, Women Are Like Spaghetti or the parenting quote: Raising teenagers is like nailing Jell-o to a tree, ring true because they describe the confusion and complexity of relationships.

Much of Jesus teaching was either about relationships – Love one another … (John 13:34) or used relationships to illustrate a point – the story of the Prodigal Son. Jesus was an expert at relationships. Since He was never selfish his motives were pure, his attitudes correct, his responses appropriate and his actions loving.

Jesus wants to create in us the selfless, pure, correct motives, attitudes, responses and actions towards others. We are to ‘Love our neighbors as we love ourselves.’ This will happen only as Jesus creates in us His nature, priorities, perspectives and purposes. Jesus being formed in us will revolutionize how relationships happen in our lives. If how relationships look in our life is not different than those around us – Jesus nature may not be being formed in us.

If Jesus is being formed in me – my relationships will be impacted by integrity and love.

Resurrection

You have no doubt heard Peter referred to as the Apostle Peter, or Paul referred to as the Apostle Paul. There were a number of leaders who were referred to as apostles but the number of those referred to as ‘The Apostles’ was limited by a number of factors. One of the factors that determined whether a leader was an apostle or was recognized as one of The Apostles was that the person had to be an eyewitness of the resurrected Jesus. Only those who were leaders in the church and who had seen the resurrected Jesus with their own eyes were counted among The Apostles.

Jesus’ resurrection from the dead was the foundation for, and the basis of, the incredible increase in the number of those who committed their lives to follow Him as the Messiah. If Jesus had not been raised from the dead, then everything else we know about Him would amount to little more than a good example and someone to quote. Millions of people, down through two millennia, would not pledge their life, family, fortune and security based on a good example or a good teacher.

Here is something you might not know:
“But here's the amazing thing that the media isn't telling you: More Iranians will celebrate Easter this year -- the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ -- than at any other time in human history. That's because more Iranians have renounced Islam and become followers of Jesus Christ in the last 31 years than the past 14 centuries combined.”

A Christian is not just someone who follows an example or who is a student of a good teacher. A Christian is someone who surrenders to Jesus, the resurrected Messiah, making Him the master, leader and Lord of their life. A Christian is someone who relies upon Jesus to continually change their life and to make them into the person God intended for them to be. Changing a person’s life and making them into the person God intends for them to be happens by the resurrection power of Jesus.

Have you surrendered to the resurrected Messiah Jesus? Is He the master, leader and Lord of your life? Are you continually relying upon Him to change you and to make you into the person that God intends for you to be? If not, today is the day to surrender to the resurrected Messiah and rely upon him to change you and make you into the person God intends for you to be.

MORE Blessed

Jesus said: “It is MORE BLESSED to give then to receive.” I am willing to bet that almost every one of us would like to be MORE BLESSED rather than LESS BLESSED. If this is true why do we give so little? Why do we give in such a way that we end up less blessed?

Jesus said: “Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you." (Luke 6:38 NIV)

In Jesus day the land was owned by a relatively few people. These people were the rich people. The rich were those in power and who controlled most aspects of society and life.

In the harvest field there were two classes of people that would be found in the field.

One class was the laborers who Jesus often spoke of in stories and parables. These workers were paid not by the amount of work they did but by the amount of hours they put in. The parable of the Landowner – Matthew 20 illustrates those who got paid based on the number of hours they would put in.

The other class of people was the poor people. These people were given the right to ‘glean’ from the field. They would follow the harvesters and gather the leftovers to supply their personal need. What they gleaned was free. It was theirs.

The laborers would fill a basket only partially full. They had to carry the basket from where they were working to the main holding area. They didn’t fill the basket all the way full because it would spill as they carried it across the field and what would be the point of that?

The poor, the gleaners, on the other hand would fill the basket full, they would shake it, they would press it down and as they walked away it would be running over. What they had was theirs and there was no cost to them. They were going to carry as much as they possibly could.

Being MORE BLESSED is what Jesus was referring to when He said: “Give, and it will be given to you. … For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”

You and I are in complete control of MORE BLESSED and LESS BLESSED!

“I NEED that!”

“I NEED that!”

At one time or another and more than just one time, I have heard each of our children exclaim, rather forcefully, that they had NEED of something.

It might have been at a grocery store, a stop along the road on vacation or in a restaurant somewhere – one of more of them would make the declaration. It was always somewhat comical. Barbara or I would remind the child that they didn’t NEED anything. I will be the first to admit that my children have never NEEDED anything. Of course they have lots of needs but those needs are always provided for. They’ve never been naked – (Well mostly never!) They’ve never gone hungry. They’ve never gone without a house or doctor visit or shots or toys or for that matter they almost never went without dessert due to their Dad’s sweet tooth.

Sometime along the way the “I NEED that!” declaration became more truthful. Each child, at some point, would change their declaration to “I WANT that!” For a parent, the new declaration is just as annoying as the old one but at least the new one is honest.

With each declaration Barbara or I would respond: “But I thought you wanted …” and they would reply – “Well, I WANT that too!” or “That was yesterday or last week or …” You get the idea.

Things don’t change much as we get old, do they? We don’t say to someone else “I NEED that!” But we convince ourselves that we NEED that. We have to rationalize, think through, argue with circumstances and the reasons that we don’t NEED that but eventually with enough finesse we convince ourselves that we need it.

I don’t have the that color of shirt though!
What if the other one breaks?
This will reduce the time that it takes to do the job now – it’s worth it.

You get the idea.

As teens and adults we would be better off telling ourselves the truth – I WANT that.
At least then we could ask the some helpful questions like:
Why do I WANT that?
Can I really afford all of my WANTS?
Is this WANT going to last or is this an impulse?

WANT is a powerful force … let’s be honest and let’s not let WANT rule our lives!

Are you ‘steeping’?

Anyone who has made a cup of tea knows that tea colors and flavors the water when the bag is put into water. This process is known as ‘steeping.’ For the tea to color and flavor the water the water has to be hot. Cold water doesn’t make a good cup of tea.

Transformation of a person’s emotions is not a quick process. There is no quick memory ‘flash’ that will change habits and ways of feeling and responding in an instantaneous procedure. There are times, when treating a patient who is experiencing significant emotional or mental struggles, that a psychiatrist will prescribe medicine. Some of these medicines function to block the normal ‘electrical pathways’ in the brain and by doing so, allow new pathways to be created. Over a period of time the electrical currents in the brain find new paths to travel in. When that occurs, a person’s mental and emotional patterns and responses can change. Hopefully the new paths are healthier than the old pathways. The new pathways, if they are given time and repletion, will become the default pathways. None of this change happens quickly.

In a similar way, emotional and mental transformation of a follower of Jesus Christ is the creation of new paths and habits of living and thinking. These new paths eventually become the default habits and patterns of living. None of this change happens quickly. Paul wrote: Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. (Romans 12:2 NIV)

Transformation usually happens during these different conditions: Tension, Trouble, Transition and Trials. People often change when the tension between bills and available finances are in conflict with one another. People often change when they find themselves in trouble for some reason. People often make changes in life during times of transition. People often change when they are experiencing some sort of trial in life.

It is interesting that these are the conditions when transformation most often occurs, but people do almost everything they can to avoid tension, trouble, transition and trials, thereby removing the very conditions under which transformation takes place.

The Bible says: Consider it a sheer gift, friends, when tests and challenges come at you from all sides. You know that under pressure, your faith-life is forced into the open and shows its true colors. So don't try to get out of anything prematurely. Let it do its work so you become mature and well-developed, not deficient in any way. (James 1:2-4 MSG) Could it be that followers are instructed to see trials, tests and challenges in a positive way because they are an advantage? I think so.

Going through times of tension, trouble, transition and trials is a sort of spiritual ‘steeping.’ Transformation happens in more powerful ways when we are steeping in tension, trouble, transition and trial.

Are you ‘steeping’ and being transformed, or are you trying to get out of the conditions of spiritual steeping?

Matt

Worry - Fear

Almost 30 years ago, on Barbara’s and my wedding day, my Dad, in his early 50’s at the time, gave me some sage advice that I have always remembered and tried to apply to life. (My dad and mom had nine children. By the time I married, five older siblings had already married; so dad and mom had been through this event in life before!)

Barbara and I were getting ready to leave the church when my dad told me, “Most of the things in life I’ve spent time worrying about have never happened. Don’t waste your time worrying.”

I have to say that, at the time, I didn’t really understand what he was referring to or talking about. Now I am just a few years younger than my Dad was when Barbara and I got married, and I have a much better understanding of what he was trying to tell me.

I have to admit that I’ve spent my fair share of time worrying about things - family, financial, church relationships, church finances – just to name a few.

My Dad was right. Most of the things I’ve worried about have never happened. I’ve spent time and energy worrying when I should have trusted more. I spent time worrying about things that I had no control over. I spent energy worrying about things that I had very little ability to impact the outcome.

Jesus said: I tell you not to worry about everyday life—whether you have enough food and drink, or enough clothes to wear. (Matthew 6:25 NLT)

And: Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. (Matthew 6:34 NIV)

Paul wrote: Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank Him for all He has done. (Philippians 4:6 NLT)

Peter wrote: Give all your worries and cares to God, for He cares about you. (1 Peter 5:7 NLT)

‘For tomorrow will worry about itself.’

Lord, teach me not to worry but instead teach me to trust. I give you my worries and my cares. Thank you that you care about me! Amen

Confession

Two of the greatest promises in God’s Word are:

Oh, what joy for those whose disobedience is forgiven, whose sin is put out of sight! Yes, what joy for those whose record the LORD has cleared of guilt, whose lives are lived in complete honesty! When I refused to confess my sin, my body wasted away, and I groaned all day long. Day and night Your hand of discipline was heavy on me. My strength evaporated like water in the summer heat. Finally, I confessed all my sins to You and stopped trying to hide my guilt. I said to myself, "I will confess my rebellion to the LORD." And You forgave me! All my guilt is gone. (Psalms 32:1-5 NLT)

If we confess our sins to Him, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness. (1 John 1:9 NLT)

There is nothing in this world or the next greater than the forgiveness that is promised and given because of Jesus’ death on the Cross! That forgiveness is worked in our spirit and soul through confession.

Confession requires, though, an embracing of guilt and shame. If I am not guilty, if I don’t feel shame, why would I need to confess? What would there be to confess? Guilt, shame and confession are forever connected. Without guilt and shame, there is no confession. Without confession, guilt and shame remain.

How often do you ‘confess’ a wrong to God? Are you in the habit of, or the practice of, confession?

It is possible to sin against God and not against people but it is never possible to sin against people without also sinning against God. In David’s processing of his guilt and shame over his sin with Bathsheba and the murder of Uriah, David declared: Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight, so that you are proved right when you speak and justified when you judge. (Psalms 51:4 NIV)

I want to encourage you to make confession of specific sin a part of your daily walk with God. It is one of the means by which the Holy Spirit forms ‘Christ in you.’ Confession is a lost art. I want to challenge you to rediscover the art of Confession. Confession is good for the soul!

“Father, forgive me and forgive your people for our neglect of the practice and the habit of confessing our sins. Make us sensitive to our conscience and teach us how to be quick to confess our sin. Amen!”

Judging and Criticism

As I have been considering the reality of spiritual formation in my own life (‘Christ being formed in me’), I have been reading The Imitation of Christ, written by Thomas A. Kempis almost 600 years ago. In Book 1, Chapter 14 he wrote: “Watch over yourself and take care not to judge the actions of other people. We gain nothing from criticizing others, but often are mistaken and thereby offend God.”

One line in this section has gripped my heart: “We gain nothing from criticizing others.” How often in my life I have criticized or even allowed a critical attitude to arise. I have done so with no thought about its effect on me. I know that it has not very often been beneficial to others, but when I think, ‘I gain nothing from criticizing’ it changes my outlook on criticism.

Does anyone benefit from ‘criticism’?
Can I think of even one time that being critical has helped someone else?
Can I think of one time that being critical has served any beneficial purpose in my life?

There are, of course, times when words of correction, suggestion, and oversight are needed. As a parent it is necessary to correct, suggest and give oversight. As an employer there are times that correction, suggestion and oversight are necessary. There is a difference between correcting, suggesting, oversight and being critical. Critical comes from a negative outlook rather than a positive outlook. Critical is an attitude of superiority, not an honest attitude of trying to help. Critical is about ‘beating down’ instead of ‘building up.’

The Apostle Paul wrote: Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. (Ephesians 4:29 NIV)

Talk comes out of attitude. The only way to have ‘wholesome talk’ is to have ‘wholesome attitudes.’ Critical, unwholesome attitudes will create critical, unwholesome talk.

Jesus, change me so that I have wholesome attitudes and wholesome words. Teach me to build up and not beat down. I gain nothing by criticizing and neither does anyone else. Teach me and change me. Christ form yourself in me!

Devotional Practices aren't the measure

Churches regularly emphasize ‘devotional practices’ such as Bible reading, prayer, fasting, meditation, etc. To some it could seem that those are the most important parts of what a person can do as a Christian. Over time it is easy to believe that the sign of spiritual growth or maturity is Bible reading or giving or prayer or fasting or any number of ‘devotional practices.’ A person’s commitment is then gauged by some of these items. Evaluating ourselves and gauging our devotional practices is not a bad thing, but it might be the wrong aspect to calculate.

Devotional practices are not the measure of what God is doing in a person’s life. The Pharisees were experts at ‘devotional practices.’ In Jesus’ story in which the heart attitudes of the Pharisee and the tax collector were described, the Pharisee prayed, “God, I thank you that I am not like other men … I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.” This Pharisee was an expert in doing his devotional practices.

I am all for devotional practices. I am ‘religious’ about some of them but, they are the means to me growing and being transformed and not the final point. They are routines which God uses so that Christ will be formed in me. These devotional practices are part of my relationship and communication with Jesus. In the same way that there are certain routines and practices I have that communicate my love and devotion to Barbara.

In the area of ‘Christ being formed in us’ that we’ve been talking about, devotional practices are part of what God uses to form the nature of Christ in us. They are the tools. They are the means and not the end.

Sometimes the question is asked: Did I read my Bible? Good question, but maybe not the best question.

What if the question was: Am I growing more or less easily irritated these days? or, Am I growing more or less easily discouraged these days?

Those might be better questions because they would be the indicator of what is really happening in our spiritual life. They might be the indicator of whether Christ is being formed in us. There are lots of people who fast, read, pray, sing, etc. who are not becoming more Christ-like. The reading, praying, fasting, giving, etc. has become an end. Sadly, it has become the reason and the purpose.

Father, develop Christ in us!

Thirsty

One of the aspects of human beings that I’m fascinated with is how many different interests people have. It has always intrigued me how many different periodicals there are at Barnes and Noble about an amazing variety of interests. There are periodicals on: model railroading, airplanes, boating, quilting, bird watching, chess, dress making, weight lifting, kite boarding, skate boarding, guns and ammo, motorcycles, etc, etc, etc. The list is almost endless!

These various periodicals exist because people are ‘thirsty’ for information about their area of interest. What do others know? What are some of the other ideas out there about my interest? What’s new, what’s being tried?

You and I know what being ‘thirsty’ for an interest is about. We’ve experienced that thirst. We think about the interest. We spend time on the interest. We research, we plan, we talk to others, we ‘flock’ with people who share our interest and often times we are willing to make sacrifices to pursue our interest.

There is a spiritual application to this reality in life. When a person is ‘thirsty’ for God, they will read, plan, think, research, talk about their thirst and flock with other people who are thirsty for God.

The sons of Korah were ‘thirsty’ for God. They wanted more because they had experienced some. What they had experienced made them ‘thirsty’ for more.

As the deer longs for streams of water, so I long for You, O God. I thirst for God, the living God. When can I go and stand before Him? (Psalms 42:1-2 NLT)

‘God make me thirsty!’ is a great, simple prayer for each of us to pray daily.

God is the one who can create a thirst in our life. I can try to work up a thirst. I can try to force myself to thirst. If I do get thirsty, it only lasts for a short time. When God makes us thirsty – it lasts and it causes us to pursue Him!

God make me thirsty!