2 Samuel 6: 12 – 23
I love to have a good time. Always have.
How about you?
If not, why not?
God wants us to have fun, He designed us that way.
The way that I have a fun time is to hang with my family. For example, every year on Christmas, we go to my cousin Marilyn's house for dinner. After we eat and the table is clear, we play games. It doesn't matter heat the game is, we just have fun. My stepson Steven becomes the game show host, (lately he calls on his inner Howie Mandel) and we play and laugh for hours until it's time to go home.
That's just one of the ways that I have fun. I wouldn't change those days for anything.
If the government made it illegal, I am sure that all of us would find some way to have a good time.
It's in our nature.
And, I don't care what other people think about how I behave when I am celebrating the joy of my life.
Even King David was willing to sacrifice his dignity to be able to rejoice in the presence of God.
14 David, ceremonially dressed in priest’s linen, danced with great abandon before GOD.
15 The whole country was with him as he accompanied the Chest of GOD with shouts and trumpet blasts.
As the song goes, “Every party has a Pooper”..
16 But as the Chest of GOD came into the City of David, Michal, Saul’s daughter, happened to be looking out a window. When she saw King David leaping and dancing before GOD, her heart filled with scorn.
20 ¶ David returned home to bless his family. Michal, Saul’s daughter, came out to greet him: "How wonderfully the king has distinguished himself today—exposing himself to the eyes of the servants’ maids like some burlesque street dancer!"
But nothing was going to dampen the joy David felt for God, not even the scorn of his wife.
21 David replied to Michal, "In GOD’s presence I’ll dance all I want! He chose me over your father and the rest of our family and made me prince over GOD’s people, over Israel. Oh yes, I’ll dance to GOD’s glory
22 —more recklessly even than this. And as far as I’m concerned…I’ll gladly look like a fool…but among these maids you’re so worried about, I’ll be honored no end."
That's what I call a good time.
To me, David has given us an example of letting go. Letting go of all the cares that were in his heart and just basking in the presence and dancing for joy in the sight of God.
I know that I want to rejoice like that and hope that I do.
How about you?
Thursday, August 27, 2009
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
HOW DO I MOURN?
1 Samuel 1: 11, 17 – 27
11 Then David and all the men with him took hold of their clothes and tore them.
As I write this, I am listening to a podcast by Greg Laurie where he is sharing about the grief he experienced when his son died in a car accident.
To have a loved one taken from us hurts. Even though that loved person was saved and we know that hey have gone to heaven, we are happy for them, being in the presence of God, but we selfishly miss their existence in our lives. So we mourn.
There was a time when I had no clue what that was. When I was young, I lost both grandfathers. I witnessed the tears of my family, but I felt nothing. It was the same when my uncle and my cousin passed on.
I felt nothing.
I discovered drugs and alcohol at an early age, and found that I could more easily feel my emotions. But, what I felt was inappropriate emotions, rarely did it make sense when I laughed or cried.
When more loss came to my life, there was still no feeling of grief. So when there was no one else around, I would hit the bottle or whatever, then and only then was I able to express my sorrow.
17 David took up this lament concerning Saul and his son Jonathan,
18 and ordered that the men of Judah be taught this lament of the bow (it is written in the Book of Jashar):
19 "Your glory, O Israel, lies slain on your heights. How the mighty have fallen!
25 "How the mighty have fallen in battle! Jonathan lies slain on your heights.
26 I grieve for you, Jonathan my brother; you were very dear to me. Your love for me was wonderful, more wonderful than that of women.
Oh how I would have loved to able to feel those feelings when my father passed away, but I was a blank slate. I felt nothing.
It was with waves of crazy emotions when I got sober that I was finally able to feel sadness and mourning over the death of my father. Then those same feelings washed over me for all those friends and relatives that I lost. I had learned to grieve.
I learned that I could feel.
This story of David and the loss he felt over his king and best friend shows me once again that God knows how and what we are to experience in our life.
Mourning a loved one sucks! But, it needs to happen.
We have to be able to give them the respect of remembering their lives, not just shedding a few tears then moving on to somebody else.
I pray that you are able to feel the emotions that I was once unable to.
11 Then David and all the men with him took hold of their clothes and tore them.
As I write this, I am listening to a podcast by Greg Laurie where he is sharing about the grief he experienced when his son died in a car accident.
To have a loved one taken from us hurts. Even though that loved person was saved and we know that hey have gone to heaven, we are happy for them, being in the presence of God, but we selfishly miss their existence in our lives. So we mourn.
There was a time when I had no clue what that was. When I was young, I lost both grandfathers. I witnessed the tears of my family, but I felt nothing. It was the same when my uncle and my cousin passed on.
I felt nothing.
I discovered drugs and alcohol at an early age, and found that I could more easily feel my emotions. But, what I felt was inappropriate emotions, rarely did it make sense when I laughed or cried.
When more loss came to my life, there was still no feeling of grief. So when there was no one else around, I would hit the bottle or whatever, then and only then was I able to express my sorrow.
17 David took up this lament concerning Saul and his son Jonathan,
18 and ordered that the men of Judah be taught this lament of the bow (it is written in the Book of Jashar):
19 "Your glory, O Israel, lies slain on your heights. How the mighty have fallen!
25 "How the mighty have fallen in battle! Jonathan lies slain on your heights.
26 I grieve for you, Jonathan my brother; you were very dear to me. Your love for me was wonderful, more wonderful than that of women.
Oh how I would have loved to able to feel those feelings when my father passed away, but I was a blank slate. I felt nothing.
It was with waves of crazy emotions when I got sober that I was finally able to feel sadness and mourning over the death of my father. Then those same feelings washed over me for all those friends and relatives that I lost. I had learned to grieve.
I learned that I could feel.
This story of David and the loss he felt over his king and best friend shows me once again that God knows how and what we are to experience in our life.
Mourning a loved one sucks! But, it needs to happen.
We have to be able to give them the respect of remembering their lives, not just shedding a few tears then moving on to somebody else.
I pray that you are able to feel the emotions that I was once unable to.
Monday, August 24, 2009
MOB
Mark 5: 1 – 20
Unruly crowds can show up any place at any time. Today, that's how the press is defining conservatives who disagree with the goals of the President's health plan.
If we call a large group of people a mob, how bad do you think it was for that one guy who was so filled with demons, that he called himself Mob?
Okay. So it wasn't the guy, but the demons inside him that spoke to Jesus, the issue here is that a riotous mob is a bad thing to have to deal with.
2 As Jesus got out of the boat, a madman from the cemetery came up to him.
3 He lived there among the tombs and graves. No one could restrain him—he couldn’t be chained, couldn’t be tied down.
4 He had been tied up many times with chains and ropes, but he broke the chains, snapped the ropes. No one was strong enough to tame him.
5 Night and day he roamed through the graves and the hills, screaming out and slashing himself with sharp stones.
This was a scary guy. Not only to the people who lived in the area who tried to restrain him, but he himself must have been frightened of what was happening to him.
Yet, as messed up and confusing his actions were, the demons within him saw and knew Jesus, and they were afraid of what He could do to them.
6 When he saw Jesus a long way off, he ran and bowed in worship before him—
7 then bellowed in protest, "What business do you have, Jesus, Son of the High God, messing with me? I swear to God, don’t give me a hard time!"
9 Jesus asked him, "Tell me your name." He replied, "My name is Mob. I’m a rioting mob."
10 Then he desperately begged Jesus not to banish them from the country.
We all know how this story ends. But, there was a time that we all may have felt the way that the mad man must have felt when our lives seemed to tumble and fall apart.
We didn't know how we were going to end up, but we prayed that it would end well.
When we first came to know God, we still weren't sure what was going to happen to us.
We knew what God looked like to us, and we were afraid of what He could do to us.
Thankfully, Jesus has treated us with the same compassion that He showed the mad man. He brought calmness to our “La Vida Loca”, which has helped us to live a better life.
The actions that God takes in our lives can lead us to follow him and fill us with the need to tell everyone about what He has done for us. Luckily, God wants us to tell everybody we know.
Anyway, I hope that this one made sense to you all.
Unruly crowds can show up any place at any time. Today, that's how the press is defining conservatives who disagree with the goals of the President's health plan.
If we call a large group of people a mob, how bad do you think it was for that one guy who was so filled with demons, that he called himself Mob?
Okay. So it wasn't the guy, but the demons inside him that spoke to Jesus, the issue here is that a riotous mob is a bad thing to have to deal with.
2 As Jesus got out of the boat, a madman from the cemetery came up to him.
3 He lived there among the tombs and graves. No one could restrain him—he couldn’t be chained, couldn’t be tied down.
4 He had been tied up many times with chains and ropes, but he broke the chains, snapped the ropes. No one was strong enough to tame him.
5 Night and day he roamed through the graves and the hills, screaming out and slashing himself with sharp stones.
This was a scary guy. Not only to the people who lived in the area who tried to restrain him, but he himself must have been frightened of what was happening to him.
Yet, as messed up and confusing his actions were, the demons within him saw and knew Jesus, and they were afraid of what He could do to them.
6 When he saw Jesus a long way off, he ran and bowed in worship before him—
7 then bellowed in protest, "What business do you have, Jesus, Son of the High God, messing with me? I swear to God, don’t give me a hard time!"
9 Jesus asked him, "Tell me your name." He replied, "My name is Mob. I’m a rioting mob."
10 Then he desperately begged Jesus not to banish them from the country.
We all know how this story ends. But, there was a time that we all may have felt the way that the mad man must have felt when our lives seemed to tumble and fall apart.
We didn't know how we were going to end up, but we prayed that it would end well.
When we first came to know God, we still weren't sure what was going to happen to us.
We knew what God looked like to us, and we were afraid of what He could do to us.
Thankfully, Jesus has treated us with the same compassion that He showed the mad man. He brought calmness to our “La Vida Loca”, which has helped us to live a better life.
The actions that God takes in our lives can lead us to follow him and fill us with the need to tell everyone about what He has done for us. Luckily, God wants us to tell everybody we know.
Anyway, I hope that this one made sense to you all.
Saturday, August 22, 2009
AKATALUTOS
AKATALUTOS
Hebrews 7: 11 – 21
Endless, insoluble, indestructible, permanent, these are just a few of the Greek meanings of the above word. It is the life promised to us when we follow Jesus.
Hey this life ain't all skittles and beer, and we were never promised a rose garden, but, God will never leave us even to the ends of the earth, and we'll be right there with Him with our Akatalutos life.
11 If the priesthood of Levi and Aaron, which provided the framework for the giving of the law, could really make people perfect, there wouldn’t have been need for a new priesthood like that of Melchizedek.
12 But since it didn’t get the job done, there was a change of priesthood, which brought with it a radical new kind of law.
13 There is no way of understanding this in terms of the old Levitical priesthood,
14 which is why there is nothing in Jesus’ family tree connecting him with that priestly line.
15 But the Melchizedek story provides a perfect analogy: Jesus, a priest like Melchizedek,
16 not by genealogical descent but by the sheer force of resurrection life—he lives!—
17 "priest forever in the royal order of Melchizedek."
18 The former way of doing things, a system of commandments that never worked out the way it was supposed to, was set aside;
19 the law brought nothing to maturity. Another way—Jesus!—a way that does work, that brings us right into the presence of God, is put in its place.
20 The old priesthood of Aaron perpetuated itself automatically, father to son, without explicit confirmation by God.
21 But then God intervened and called this new, permanent priesthood into being with an added promise: God gave his word; he won’t take it back: "You’re the permanent priest."
Hebrews 7: 11 – 21
Endless, insoluble, indestructible, permanent, these are just a few of the Greek meanings of the above word. It is the life promised to us when we follow Jesus.
Hey this life ain't all skittles and beer, and we were never promised a rose garden, but, God will never leave us even to the ends of the earth, and we'll be right there with Him with our Akatalutos life.
11 If the priesthood of Levi and Aaron, which provided the framework for the giving of the law, could really make people perfect, there wouldn’t have been need for a new priesthood like that of Melchizedek.
12 But since it didn’t get the job done, there was a change of priesthood, which brought with it a radical new kind of law.
13 There is no way of understanding this in terms of the old Levitical priesthood,
14 which is why there is nothing in Jesus’ family tree connecting him with that priestly line.
15 But the Melchizedek story provides a perfect analogy: Jesus, a priest like Melchizedek,
16 not by genealogical descent but by the sheer force of resurrection life—he lives!—
17 "priest forever in the royal order of Melchizedek."
18 The former way of doing things, a system of commandments that never worked out the way it was supposed to, was set aside;
19 the law brought nothing to maturity. Another way—Jesus!—a way that does work, that brings us right into the presence of God, is put in its place.
20 The old priesthood of Aaron perpetuated itself automatically, father to son, without explicit confirmation by God.
21 But then God intervened and called this new, permanent priesthood into being with an added promise: God gave his word; he won’t take it back: "You’re the permanent priest."
Thursday, August 20, 2009
I KNOW WHAT I KNOW AND THAT'S ALL THAT I KNOW
Ephesians 3: 14 – 21
20 God can do anything, you know—far more than you could ever imagine or guess or request in your wildest dreams! He does it not by pushing us around but by working within us, his Spirit deeply and gently within us.
21 Glory to God in the church! Glory to God in the Messiah, in Jesus! Glory down all the generations! Glory through all millennia! Oh, yes!
Do you know that this is true?
Do you feel the presence of the Holy Spirit within you?
Borrowing from ODB, I think of, “The Little Engine That Could.”
Remember that story?
At first he couldn't, then he thought that he might, then, finally, he knew that he could.
I felt like that little train when I first came to know the Lord. I was convinced that what I was about to do was foolishness. I saw those crazy church ladies on the Boston Common yelling at passers by that they should repent or go to hell. I didn't want to be like that.
As I began to read the word and “experiment” with the beliefs of my Grandmother, I thought that it was too much. There was no way that I could live up to what was required.
But, then again, maybe I could just dabble around the edges of this odd little faith.
Then one day, beyond what I could do.
Boy Howdy!
The Holy Spirit began a work in me, and I knew.
That's the only way that I can explain it.
I knew.
Suddenly God's word jumped from the page of the Bible I once found boring, I knew that there really was a Savior named Jesus, and he wanted to be with me. I knew that God loved me.
It had nothing to do with me.
I knew that there was no way that I could come to believe. But, with God I can do anything.
Today I know what I know.
Do you know?
20 God can do anything, you know—far more than you could ever imagine or guess or request in your wildest dreams! He does it not by pushing us around but by working within us, his Spirit deeply and gently within us.
21 Glory to God in the church! Glory to God in the Messiah, in Jesus! Glory down all the generations! Glory through all millennia! Oh, yes!
Do you know that this is true?
Do you feel the presence of the Holy Spirit within you?
Borrowing from ODB, I think of, “The Little Engine That Could.”
Remember that story?
At first he couldn't, then he thought that he might, then, finally, he knew that he could.
I felt like that little train when I first came to know the Lord. I was convinced that what I was about to do was foolishness. I saw those crazy church ladies on the Boston Common yelling at passers by that they should repent or go to hell. I didn't want to be like that.
As I began to read the word and “experiment” with the beliefs of my Grandmother, I thought that it was too much. There was no way that I could live up to what was required.
But, then again, maybe I could just dabble around the edges of this odd little faith.
Then one day, beyond what I could do.
Boy Howdy!
The Holy Spirit began a work in me, and I knew.
That's the only way that I can explain it.
I knew.
Suddenly God's word jumped from the page of the Bible I once found boring, I knew that there really was a Savior named Jesus, and he wanted to be with me. I knew that God loved me.
It had nothing to do with me.
I knew that there was no way that I could come to believe. But, with God I can do anything.
Today I know what I know.
Do you know?
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
IS IT THE WAY IN? OR, IS IT THE WAY OUT?
Mathew 15: 7 – 20
When I finally got married to my lovely wife, she was surprised that when she went to do the laundry, found out that a guy has more than the usual two states of clothing.
To her clothes were either clean or they were dirty.
She didn't know that to a man, there are varying degrees of clothing cleanliness.
Guys have clean clothes, dirty clothes, and a couple of degrees of cleanliness called “clirty.”
If I am to be truthful, she had the right idea. It was I who had the wrong attitude.
My question is, what makes my clothes become dirty?
A shirt can stay on a hanger for years and remain clean, but as soon as I wear it for a few minutes it becomes dirty. The only conclusion that I can draw from this information is that it is “me” that makes the clothes both clean, and dirty.
7 Frauds! Isaiah’s prophecy of you hit the bull’s-eye:
8 These people make a big show of saying the right thing, but their heart isn’t in it.
9 They act like they’re worshiping me, but they don’t mean it. They just use me as a cover for teaching whatever suits their fancy."
10 He then called the crowd together and said, "Listen, and take this to heart.
11 It’s not what you swallow that pollutes your life, but what you vomit up."
Clothing covers our nakedness. When we first put them on, to the world, we appear to be fresh and clean. But, after we wear them for awhile, we no longer seem to be as fresh as we once were.
17 Don’t you know that anything that is swallowed works its way through the intestines and is finally defecated?
18 But what comes out of the mouth gets its start in the heart.
19 It’s from the heart that we vomit up evil arguments, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, lies, and cussing.
20 That’s what pollutes. Eating or not eating certain foods, washing or not washing your hands—that’s neither here nor there."
So in other words, it's not what we put on to cover our sins, it's the sin itself that makes us , and our clothing dirty.
I'm not saying that we are to walk around nude, but, we do need to live a cleaner life.
When I finally got married to my lovely wife, she was surprised that when she went to do the laundry, found out that a guy has more than the usual two states of clothing.
To her clothes were either clean or they were dirty.
She didn't know that to a man, there are varying degrees of clothing cleanliness.
Guys have clean clothes, dirty clothes, and a couple of degrees of cleanliness called “clirty.”
If I am to be truthful, she had the right idea. It was I who had the wrong attitude.
My question is, what makes my clothes become dirty?
A shirt can stay on a hanger for years and remain clean, but as soon as I wear it for a few minutes it becomes dirty. The only conclusion that I can draw from this information is that it is “me” that makes the clothes both clean, and dirty.
7 Frauds! Isaiah’s prophecy of you hit the bull’s-eye:
8 These people make a big show of saying the right thing, but their heart isn’t in it.
9 They act like they’re worshiping me, but they don’t mean it. They just use me as a cover for teaching whatever suits their fancy."
10 He then called the crowd together and said, "Listen, and take this to heart.
11 It’s not what you swallow that pollutes your life, but what you vomit up."
Clothing covers our nakedness. When we first put them on, to the world, we appear to be fresh and clean. But, after we wear them for awhile, we no longer seem to be as fresh as we once were.
17 Don’t you know that anything that is swallowed works its way through the intestines and is finally defecated?
18 But what comes out of the mouth gets its start in the heart.
19 It’s from the heart that we vomit up evil arguments, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, lies, and cussing.
20 That’s what pollutes. Eating or not eating certain foods, washing or not washing your hands—that’s neither here nor there."
So in other words, it's not what we put on to cover our sins, it's the sin itself that makes us , and our clothing dirty.
I'm not saying that we are to walk around nude, but, we do need to live a cleaner life.
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
ZAT YOU SATAN?
2 Corinthians 11: 3 – 4, 12 – 15
Deception occurs everyday. If we were to go to a magic show, we would be amazed at the tricks and illusions the magician performs. He is able to performs such stunts by using misdirection. While we watch where he wants us too, we don't see what is really happening right before our eyes.
3 But I am afraid that just as Eve was deceived by the serpent’s cunning, your minds may somehow be led astray from your sincere and pure devotion to Christ.
4 For if someone comes to you and preaches a Jesus other than the Jesus we preached, or if you receive a different spirit from the one you received, or a different gospel from the one you accepted, you put up with it easily enough.
Just like the magician, Satan uses misdirection.
Why?
Because if he came at us straight up, we would be able to see the lies almost before he tells them.
So he sends his minions to blaze a trail and he comes in looking for all the world like some western hero riding at the head of a column of the Calvary.
12 And I will keep on doing what I am doing in order to cut the ground from under those who want an opportunity to be considered equal with us in the things they boast about.
13 For such men are false apostles, deceitful workmen, masquerading as apostles of Christ.
14 And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light.
15 It is not surprising, then, if his servants masquerade as servants of righteousness. Their end will be what their actions deserve.
Be on guard my friends. Watch out for the false teachers.
Watch the left hand when the magician is showing you his right.
You'll see the trick every time.
Deception occurs everyday. If we were to go to a magic show, we would be amazed at the tricks and illusions the magician performs. He is able to performs such stunts by using misdirection. While we watch where he wants us too, we don't see what is really happening right before our eyes.
3 But I am afraid that just as Eve was deceived by the serpent’s cunning, your minds may somehow be led astray from your sincere and pure devotion to Christ.
4 For if someone comes to you and preaches a Jesus other than the Jesus we preached, or if you receive a different spirit from the one you received, or a different gospel from the one you accepted, you put up with it easily enough.
Just like the magician, Satan uses misdirection.
Why?
Because if he came at us straight up, we would be able to see the lies almost before he tells them.
So he sends his minions to blaze a trail and he comes in looking for all the world like some western hero riding at the head of a column of the Calvary.
12 And I will keep on doing what I am doing in order to cut the ground from under those who want an opportunity to be considered equal with us in the things they boast about.
13 For such men are false apostles, deceitful workmen, masquerading as apostles of Christ.
14 And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light.
15 It is not surprising, then, if his servants masquerade as servants of righteousness. Their end will be what their actions deserve.
Be on guard my friends. Watch out for the false teachers.
Watch the left hand when the magician is showing you his right.
You'll see the trick every time.
Monday, August 17, 2009
COOL BABY, COOL.
Psalm 98
When I first came to know the Lord, for real, I was amazed to find out that there was music that gave glory to God that didn't suck. I began to think that this Jesus music was pretty alright, and wanted more.
I listened to Vineyard stuff (liked it), Hill song (liked that too) and others, each one lighting up a different phase in my life with God. I have listened to many local church worship teams that I really enjoyed.
Then yesterday, I was floored.
It was Sunday service at New Hope Chapel of Plymouth, which began as usual, then the worship team started to sing and play, I, along with the whole congregation, were lifted up and transported by a band that those others that I used to listen to, couldn't hold a candle too.
1 Sing to GOD a brand-new song. He’s made a world of wonders! He rolled up his sleeves, He set things right.
2 GOD made history with salvation, He showed the world what he could do.
3 He remembered to love us, a bonus To his dear family, Israel—indefatigable love. The whole earth comes to attention. Look—God’s work of salvation!
4 Shout your praises to GOD, everybody! Let loose and sing! Strike up the band!
WOW!
Where did this worship team and choir come from, and what did they do to our band?
We have a very good worship team at New Hope, but yesterday, something changed in them. They definitely sang brand new songs with shouts of praise. Maybe this means that my walk with God is getting ready to turn another corner and go down a new street?
5 Round up an orchestra to play for GOD, Add on a hundred-voice choir.
6 Feature trumpets and big trombones, Fill the air with praises to King GOD.
7 Let the sea and its fish give a round of applause, With everything living on earth joining in.
8 Let ocean breakers call out, "Encore!" And mountains harmonize the finale—
9 A tribute to GOD when he comes, When he comes to set the earth right. He’ll straighten out the whole world, He’ll put the world right, and everyone in it.
Sing a new song folks. Get ready for the change that life is bringing.
Shout, and sing a new song of praise to God.
When I first came to know the Lord, for real, I was amazed to find out that there was music that gave glory to God that didn't suck. I began to think that this Jesus music was pretty alright, and wanted more.
I listened to Vineyard stuff (liked it), Hill song (liked that too) and others, each one lighting up a different phase in my life with God. I have listened to many local church worship teams that I really enjoyed.
Then yesterday, I was floored.
It was Sunday service at New Hope Chapel of Plymouth, which began as usual, then the worship team started to sing and play, I, along with the whole congregation, were lifted up and transported by a band that those others that I used to listen to, couldn't hold a candle too.
1 Sing to GOD a brand-new song. He’s made a world of wonders! He rolled up his sleeves, He set things right.
2 GOD made history with salvation, He showed the world what he could do.
3 He remembered to love us, a bonus To his dear family, Israel—indefatigable love. The whole earth comes to attention. Look—God’s work of salvation!
4 Shout your praises to GOD, everybody! Let loose and sing! Strike up the band!
WOW!
Where did this worship team and choir come from, and what did they do to our band?
We have a very good worship team at New Hope, but yesterday, something changed in them. They definitely sang brand new songs with shouts of praise. Maybe this means that my walk with God is getting ready to turn another corner and go down a new street?
5 Round up an orchestra to play for GOD, Add on a hundred-voice choir.
6 Feature trumpets and big trombones, Fill the air with praises to King GOD.
7 Let the sea and its fish give a round of applause, With everything living on earth joining in.
8 Let ocean breakers call out, "Encore!" And mountains harmonize the finale—
9 A tribute to GOD when he comes, When he comes to set the earth right. He’ll straighten out the whole world, He’ll put the world right, and everyone in it.
Sing a new song folks. Get ready for the change that life is bringing.
Shout, and sing a new song of praise to God.
Saturday, August 15, 2009
RUN, RUN, RUN, AS FAST AS YOU CAN.......
1 Corinthians 9: 24 – 27
24 You’ve all been to the stadium and seen the athletes race. Everyone runs; one wins. Run to win.
25 All good athletes train hard. They do it for a gold medal that tarnishes and fades. You’re after one that’s gold eternally.
26 I don’t know about you, but I’m running hard for the finish line. I’m giving it everything I’ve got. No sloppy living for me!
27 I’m staying alert and in top condition. I’m not going to get caught napping, telling everyone else all about it and then missing out myself.
I love the Message translation. There are times when it misses the mark, but then again, it hits the nail right on the head. Modern translations, some time, can be really silly when they attempt to male sense to contemporary readers, but I really think that the Message, if read with a southern accent, can be fun.
But, I digress.
How many people do you know that decided to run the Boston Marathon the day before the race?
I think we all know the answer to that. Now don't get me wrong, there is a group of runners that they call pirate runners. These guys just show up and after all the official runners leave the starting line, they start running. The problem is that many will run a few yards, run out of breath, and head for the side of the road so that they can puke before walking back to where they parked their car.
Paul's talking about that in the scripture.
You can't hear the word of God once and become a world class preacher the next day.
Paul had to learn by doing long before he got good at teaching effectively.
He committed himself to God, and began running.
Let's do it.
Start training so that we may get the prize that is talked about.
Win the race.
24 You’ve all been to the stadium and seen the athletes race. Everyone runs; one wins. Run to win.
25 All good athletes train hard. They do it for a gold medal that tarnishes and fades. You’re after one that’s gold eternally.
26 I don’t know about you, but I’m running hard for the finish line. I’m giving it everything I’ve got. No sloppy living for me!
27 I’m staying alert and in top condition. I’m not going to get caught napping, telling everyone else all about it and then missing out myself.
I love the Message translation. There are times when it misses the mark, but then again, it hits the nail right on the head. Modern translations, some time, can be really silly when they attempt to male sense to contemporary readers, but I really think that the Message, if read with a southern accent, can be fun.
But, I digress.
How many people do you know that decided to run the Boston Marathon the day before the race?
I think we all know the answer to that. Now don't get me wrong, there is a group of runners that they call pirate runners. These guys just show up and after all the official runners leave the starting line, they start running. The problem is that many will run a few yards, run out of breath, and head for the side of the road so that they can puke before walking back to where they parked their car.
Paul's talking about that in the scripture.
You can't hear the word of God once and become a world class preacher the next day.
Paul had to learn by doing long before he got good at teaching effectively.
He committed himself to God, and began running.
Let's do it.
Start training so that we may get the prize that is talked about.
Win the race.
Friday, August 14, 2009
I PROBABLY SHOULDN'T HAVE DONE THAT
Joshua 7: 1, 19 – 26
There are lots of things in this world that happen to us that we have no control over. There are also things that happen to us that we caused and sometimes we do, and sometimes we don't have control once they are set into motion.
But, no matter what, there is going to be calamity one way or another.
Some of the things that we had nothing to do with are, natural disasters, fire, and even accidents caused by others.
The things that we did ourselves are what we call “SIN.”
Sin is everywhere. It hangs out on the street corner, down the road, in our cars, and even in our own houses. We can't escape sin and there are very severe consequences that go along with it.
1 ¶ Then the People of Israel violated the holy curse. Achan son of Carmi, the son of Zabdi, the son of Zerah of the tribe of Judah, took some of the cursed things. GOD became angry with the People of Israel.
19 Joshua spoke to Achan, "My son, give glory to GOD, the God of Israel. Make your confession to him. Tell me what you did. Don’t keep back anything from me."
20 Achan answered Joshua, "It’s true. I sinned against GOD, the God of Israel. This is how I did it.
This sounds like what the crooks say after Monk gives his summation of the crime he investigated.
Sin sucks and so does what happens to us. Thankfully we have God who will forgive us for what we do, and will offer us salvation. But, even though we are forgiven, make no mistake, we will still have to pay the consequences for those sins.
25 Joshua said, "Why have you troubled us? GOD will now trouble you. Today!" And all Israel stoned him—burned him with fire and stoned him with stones.
26 They piled a huge pile of stones over him. It’s still there. Only then did GOD turn from his hot anger. That’s how the place came to be called Trouble Valley right up to the present time.
Greed, or covetousness, is one of the hardest sins to resist. After all we all want more than we have, and when the object of our attraction is right there in front of us, we look in both directions to see if we are being watched then take it.
Then we have to hide the booty we took, and where's the fun in that?
So why bother doing it?
There are lots of things in this world that happen to us that we have no control over. There are also things that happen to us that we caused and sometimes we do, and sometimes we don't have control once they are set into motion.
But, no matter what, there is going to be calamity one way or another.
Some of the things that we had nothing to do with are, natural disasters, fire, and even accidents caused by others.
The things that we did ourselves are what we call “SIN.”
Sin is everywhere. It hangs out on the street corner, down the road, in our cars, and even in our own houses. We can't escape sin and there are very severe consequences that go along with it.
1 ¶ Then the People of Israel violated the holy curse. Achan son of Carmi, the son of Zabdi, the son of Zerah of the tribe of Judah, took some of the cursed things. GOD became angry with the People of Israel.
19 Joshua spoke to Achan, "My son, give glory to GOD, the God of Israel. Make your confession to him. Tell me what you did. Don’t keep back anything from me."
20 Achan answered Joshua, "It’s true. I sinned against GOD, the God of Israel. This is how I did it.
This sounds like what the crooks say after Monk gives his summation of the crime he investigated.
Sin sucks and so does what happens to us. Thankfully we have God who will forgive us for what we do, and will offer us salvation. But, even though we are forgiven, make no mistake, we will still have to pay the consequences for those sins.
25 Joshua said, "Why have you troubled us? GOD will now trouble you. Today!" And all Israel stoned him—burned him with fire and stoned him with stones.
26 They piled a huge pile of stones over him. It’s still there. Only then did GOD turn from his hot anger. That’s how the place came to be called Trouble Valley right up to the present time.
Greed, or covetousness, is one of the hardest sins to resist. After all we all want more than we have, and when the object of our attraction is right there in front of us, we look in both directions to see if we are being watched then take it.
Then we have to hide the booty we took, and where's the fun in that?
So why bother doing it?
Monday, August 10, 2009
IT REALLY IS SIMPLE.
2 Corinthians 4: 1 – 6
Prayer, Care, Share. These are the three ingredients for meaningful discipleship.
If we ask ourselves, as Christians, how can we best improve our evangelistic skills and impact our nation with the Gospel?
To me, the answer is, Prayer, Care, Share.(Special thanks to Pastor Neil)
1 Since God has so generously let us in on what he is doing, we’re not about to throw up our hands and walk off the job just because we run into occasional hard times.
2 We refuse to wear masks and play games. We don’t maneuver and manipulate behind the scenes. And we don’t twist God’s Word to suit ourselves. Rather, we keep everything we do and say out in the open, the whole truth on display, so that those who want to can see and judge for themselves in the presence of God.
3 If our Message is obscure to anyone, it’s not because we’re holding back in any way. No, it’s because these other people are looking or going the wrong way and refuse to give it serious attention.
I just love the Message translation. Don't you?
God's word surely presents us with a dilemma here.
We should know the word, and that God has a plan for us all.
We are to present the truth of His word even if people refuse to see it, or hear what it is we have to say.
4 All they have eyes for is the fashionable god of darkness. They think he can give them what they want, and that they won’t have to bother believing a Truth they can’t see. They’re stone-blind to the dayspring brightness of the Message that shines with Christ, who gives us the best picture of God we’ll ever get.
5 Remember, our Message is not about ourselves; we’re proclaiming Jesus Christ, the Master. All we are is messengers, errand runners from Jesus for you.
6 It started when God said, "Light up the darkness!" and our lives filled up with light as we saw and understood God in the face of Christ, all bright and beautiful.
I have heard be said that God has no plan “B”. (Thanks Vance)
So, all we have to do is present our faith to the masses, and they will flock to us to hear more. Right?
I'd like to think that this would happen. We have an uphill battle on this one. I once said that the biggest trick the devil has pulled off is to convince the world that he doesn't exist.
People then think that if Satan isn't here, then using reverse logic, God ain't here either.
It is amazing how foolish we can be, isn't it?
Okay. I'm wandering and I have to get back to the point I'm trying to present.
If we enter into a time of prayer, God will give us the ability to bring the word, effectively, to others.
Then we can show that we care enough for others, we will be able to share the love of Jesus with other people.
It all boils down to caring enough for others to live the way we say we do so that we will believed when we talk to people.
Prayer, care, Share.
It's all there, we just gotta do it.
Prayer, Care, Share. These are the three ingredients for meaningful discipleship.
If we ask ourselves, as Christians, how can we best improve our evangelistic skills and impact our nation with the Gospel?
To me, the answer is, Prayer, Care, Share.(Special thanks to Pastor Neil)
1 Since God has so generously let us in on what he is doing, we’re not about to throw up our hands and walk off the job just because we run into occasional hard times.
2 We refuse to wear masks and play games. We don’t maneuver and manipulate behind the scenes. And we don’t twist God’s Word to suit ourselves. Rather, we keep everything we do and say out in the open, the whole truth on display, so that those who want to can see and judge for themselves in the presence of God.
3 If our Message is obscure to anyone, it’s not because we’re holding back in any way. No, it’s because these other people are looking or going the wrong way and refuse to give it serious attention.
I just love the Message translation. Don't you?
God's word surely presents us with a dilemma here.
We should know the word, and that God has a plan for us all.
We are to present the truth of His word even if people refuse to see it, or hear what it is we have to say.
4 All they have eyes for is the fashionable god of darkness. They think he can give them what they want, and that they won’t have to bother believing a Truth they can’t see. They’re stone-blind to the dayspring brightness of the Message that shines with Christ, who gives us the best picture of God we’ll ever get.
5 Remember, our Message is not about ourselves; we’re proclaiming Jesus Christ, the Master. All we are is messengers, errand runners from Jesus for you.
6 It started when God said, "Light up the darkness!" and our lives filled up with light as we saw and understood God in the face of Christ, all bright and beautiful.
I have heard be said that God has no plan “B”. (Thanks Vance)
So, all we have to do is present our faith to the masses, and they will flock to us to hear more. Right?
I'd like to think that this would happen. We have an uphill battle on this one. I once said that the biggest trick the devil has pulled off is to convince the world that he doesn't exist.
People then think that if Satan isn't here, then using reverse logic, God ain't here either.
It is amazing how foolish we can be, isn't it?
Okay. I'm wandering and I have to get back to the point I'm trying to present.
If we enter into a time of prayer, God will give us the ability to bring the word, effectively, to others.
Then we can show that we care enough for others, we will be able to share the love of Jesus with other people.
It all boils down to caring enough for others to live the way we say we do so that we will believed when we talk to people.
Prayer, care, Share.
It's all there, we just gotta do it.
Saturday, August 8, 2009
CROSSROADS
James 1 19 – 27
19 Post this at all the intersections, dear friends: Lead with your ears, follow up with your tongue, and let anger straggle along in the rear.
20 God’s righteousness doesn’t grow from human anger.
21 So throw all spoiled virtue and cancerous evil in the garbage. In simple humility, let our gardener, God, landscape you with the Word, making a salvation-garden of your life.
I sort of like the thought of God being a gardener in my “salvation garden.” When I was a boy, my father planted a vegetable garden. I remember the lessons that this experience taught me, and I'm not just talking about digging holes and filling them with fertilizer. What I remember most was my Dad showing me that if we wanted to eat what we planted, we had to take care of the garden.
Everyday I had to weed the garden, keep the soil aerated, and water it. Not too much water now, and not too little, there is a balance that needs to be reached when tending to the veggies.
I had to do what my Dad said, not just listen to what he said. If all I did was hear and not do, then there would be no veggies to eat.
22 Don’t fool yourself into thinking that you are a listener when you are anything but, letting the Word go in one ear and out the other. Act on what you hear!
23 Those who hear and don’t act are like those who glance in the mirror,
24 walk away, and two minutes later have no idea who they are, what they look like.
That may be the hardest thing about the word of God, acting upon what we hear.
You know what I mean, walking the walk and all that.
I'm sure that we are all guilty of hearing what is taught on Sunday morning, swearing that we will apply the lesson to our lives on the way home, and by the time we get there we've forgotten what the message was all about, and don't really care. After all, we have to live in the real world.
Right?
Yet if we do what the word says, well then the reward is tremendous'
25 But whoever catches a glimpse of the revealed counsel of God—the free life!—even out of the corner of his eye, and sticks with it, is no distracted scatterbrain but a man or woman of action. That person will find delight and affirmation in the action.
Go. catch a glimpse, find that delight.
Work it baby. Work it.
19 Post this at all the intersections, dear friends: Lead with your ears, follow up with your tongue, and let anger straggle along in the rear.
20 God’s righteousness doesn’t grow from human anger.
21 So throw all spoiled virtue and cancerous evil in the garbage. In simple humility, let our gardener, God, landscape you with the Word, making a salvation-garden of your life.
I sort of like the thought of God being a gardener in my “salvation garden.” When I was a boy, my father planted a vegetable garden. I remember the lessons that this experience taught me, and I'm not just talking about digging holes and filling them with fertilizer. What I remember most was my Dad showing me that if we wanted to eat what we planted, we had to take care of the garden.
Everyday I had to weed the garden, keep the soil aerated, and water it. Not too much water now, and not too little, there is a balance that needs to be reached when tending to the veggies.
I had to do what my Dad said, not just listen to what he said. If all I did was hear and not do, then there would be no veggies to eat.
22 Don’t fool yourself into thinking that you are a listener when you are anything but, letting the Word go in one ear and out the other. Act on what you hear!
23 Those who hear and don’t act are like those who glance in the mirror,
24 walk away, and two minutes later have no idea who they are, what they look like.
That may be the hardest thing about the word of God, acting upon what we hear.
You know what I mean, walking the walk and all that.
I'm sure that we are all guilty of hearing what is taught on Sunday morning, swearing that we will apply the lesson to our lives on the way home, and by the time we get there we've forgotten what the message was all about, and don't really care. After all, we have to live in the real world.
Right?
Yet if we do what the word says, well then the reward is tremendous'
25 But whoever catches a glimpse of the revealed counsel of God—the free life!—even out of the corner of his eye, and sticks with it, is no distracted scatterbrain but a man or woman of action. That person will find delight and affirmation in the action.
Go. catch a glimpse, find that delight.
Work it baby. Work it.
Thursday, August 6, 2009
I'M OKAY. YOU? NOT SO MUCH.
Galatians 6: 1 – 5
I have this friend, that I haven't seen in a year or so, who never really left the hippie stage of life. He's Mr. natural. Everything about him tells you that he is a child of the earth from the way he dresses, talks to you constantly using phrases like groovy, far out, righteous man, and he is kind of a tree hugger. Another thing that shows his hippieness is his refusal to use perfumes or colognes because of animal testing. Apparently deodorants are on the banned list too. There were times that he was so ripe, that I had to keep my distance.
My problem was, I didn't know how to confront his offensiveness. I love the guy and didn't want to embarrass him.
What's a Po' boy to do?
1 Live creatively, friends. If someone falls into sin, forgivingly restore him, saving your critical comments for yourself. You might be needing forgiveness before the day’s out.
2 Stoop down and reach out to those who are oppressed. Share their burdens, and so complete Christ’s law.
Errr, does that mean I have to invite him to a community shower to teach him the benefits of soap?
Growing up together, I know that he had at least a working knowledge of personal hygiene.
All kidding aside, I'm sure that I'm not the only one who has run into a problem like this.
There is always someone who crosses our path that needs a talking to about how they are or what they are doing. However, we do have to be careful of that whole log in the eye thing.
3 If you think you are too good for that, you are badly deceived.
4 Make a careful exploration of who you are and the work you have been given, and then sink yourself into that. Don’t be impressed with yourself. Don’t compare yourself with others.
5 Each of you must take responsibility for doing the creative best you can with your own life.
Guess that means to use the “truth in love” that we have all heard about, walk beside them, and love on them until they are able to walk on their own once again.
TAKE A SHOWER HIPPIE!
Not really the way to go.
It takes guts to confront a friend and it takes strength to help them back to the right road.
I have this friend, that I haven't seen in a year or so, who never really left the hippie stage of life. He's Mr. natural. Everything about him tells you that he is a child of the earth from the way he dresses, talks to you constantly using phrases like groovy, far out, righteous man, and he is kind of a tree hugger. Another thing that shows his hippieness is his refusal to use perfumes or colognes because of animal testing. Apparently deodorants are on the banned list too. There were times that he was so ripe, that I had to keep my distance.
My problem was, I didn't know how to confront his offensiveness. I love the guy and didn't want to embarrass him.
What's a Po' boy to do?
1 Live creatively, friends. If someone falls into sin, forgivingly restore him, saving your critical comments for yourself. You might be needing forgiveness before the day’s out.
2 Stoop down and reach out to those who are oppressed. Share their burdens, and so complete Christ’s law.
Errr, does that mean I have to invite him to a community shower to teach him the benefits of soap?
Growing up together, I know that he had at least a working knowledge of personal hygiene.
All kidding aside, I'm sure that I'm not the only one who has run into a problem like this.
There is always someone who crosses our path that needs a talking to about how they are or what they are doing. However, we do have to be careful of that whole log in the eye thing.
3 If you think you are too good for that, you are badly deceived.
4 Make a careful exploration of who you are and the work you have been given, and then sink yourself into that. Don’t be impressed with yourself. Don’t compare yourself with others.
5 Each of you must take responsibility for doing the creative best you can with your own life.
Guess that means to use the “truth in love” that we have all heard about, walk beside them, and love on them until they are able to walk on their own once again.
TAKE A SHOWER HIPPIE!
Not really the way to go.
It takes guts to confront a friend and it takes strength to help them back to the right road.
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
HEART SOUNDS
Mathew 13: 10 – 15
Back in the old days when I was a paramedic, we used to spend time almost every day listening to recordings of heart beats so that we may be able to diagnose problems and let the Dr's at the hospital know what we found. The recordings were called heart sounds.
Instead of listening to our hearts, as I used to, Jesus calls us to “listen” with our hearts.
13 This is why I speak to them in parables: "Though seeing, they do not see; though hearing, they do not hear or understand.
14 In them is fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah: "‘You will be ever hearing but never understanding; you will be ever seeing but never perceiving.
15 For this people’s heart has become calloused; they hardly hear with their ears, and they have closed their eyes. Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts and turn, and I would heal them.’
Okay.
So what.
Jesus said to understand with our hearts not to hear with them.
But how can we understand if we don't hear? And don't try to give that whole ear thing, I know how they work, but if we don't hear with our hearts, it's just noise that we usually block out because we cab get overwhelmed by what it is we hear.
That is why Jesus spoke with stories that people could relate to so that they could understand the points that he was trying to get across.
10 The disciples came to him and asked, "Why do you speak to the people in parables?"
11 He replied, "The knowledge of the secrets of the kingdom of heaven has been given to you, but not to them.
Wanna' understand what Jesus talks about?
Wanna' know what God is trying to say to you?
Just listen with your heart.
Back in the old days when I was a paramedic, we used to spend time almost every day listening to recordings of heart beats so that we may be able to diagnose problems and let the Dr's at the hospital know what we found. The recordings were called heart sounds.
Instead of listening to our hearts, as I used to, Jesus calls us to “listen” with our hearts.
13 This is why I speak to them in parables: "Though seeing, they do not see; though hearing, they do not hear or understand.
14 In them is fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah: "‘You will be ever hearing but never understanding; you will be ever seeing but never perceiving.
15 For this people’s heart has become calloused; they hardly hear with their ears, and they have closed their eyes. Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts and turn, and I would heal them.’
Okay.
So what.
Jesus said to understand with our hearts not to hear with them.
But how can we understand if we don't hear? And don't try to give that whole ear thing, I know how they work, but if we don't hear with our hearts, it's just noise that we usually block out because we cab get overwhelmed by what it is we hear.
That is why Jesus spoke with stories that people could relate to so that they could understand the points that he was trying to get across.
10 The disciples came to him and asked, "Why do you speak to the people in parables?"
11 He replied, "The knowledge of the secrets of the kingdom of heaven has been given to you, but not to them.
Wanna' understand what Jesus talks about?
Wanna' know what God is trying to say to you?
Just listen with your heart.
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