Jesus didn't teach political correctness.

     It's true!  Jesus didn't teach political correctness.  He taught us to say the truth simply and consistently.  He told us to say "yes" and "no" without excuse.  He shared a means to pray where God was and is the "Father" and he is the "Son."  He recognized the image of God in people and commanded that we do the same.  Jesus confronted the sinner with their sin AND told them to repent.  Jesus, some will say, was God.  That's true and he still is.  I know that God is perfect and I am not.  In Matthew 6:33 Jesus tells us to be "perfect even as our Father in heaven is perfect."  Tall order!  What do we do with all of this.  Keith Green (Christian, songwriter and singer as well as evangelist) wrote a song titled "No Compromise."  In that song he encourages to never compromise our relationship with God regardless of who is pressuring us.  Make no apologies for the faith you have is a summation of what the Apostle Paul proclaimed.  Run the race, claim the prize and hear "Well done, thou good and faithful servant."  Servant of whom?  Servant of the world and it's idea of Christianity?  No.  Servant of the politically correct crowd afraid of telling things like they are?  No.  Servant of the living God who knows our every need and died so that we can have life?  Yes. 
     There is nowhere in Jesus' life any evidence that he bowed to political correctness.  He sat and ate with sinners (here's a clue, all of us were sinners), he met with a Samaritan woman, delivered a prostitute from her demons, raised the dead, healed the sick, fed 5000 with a couple of fish and loaves of bread, threw the money changers out of the temple and chased them away.  No, there was no room in his life among mankind for political correctness.  His stance wasn't without cost though.  During his ministry the religious authorities tried to trap him, trick him, falsely accuse him, ridicule him, have him and his disciples ostracized and followed him everywhere to discredit what he said and did.  Why did they put so much energy into all of this?  Why was it that they feared this man so much?  Because they knew he was God and to admit to that point would demand they drop their political correctness.  They would have to face the fact that they were enslaving God's people and micromanaging their lives.  They would have to admit their fear of the loss of control.
     On a recent airline flight a man had a heart attack.  Tim Tebow was on that plane and went to pray with and be with the wife.  He stayed with the woman and then helped her off the plane, gathered her luggage, put them in the car that was meeting him, took her to the hospital and stayed with her until the doctors came to inform her that her husband was dead.  He did what Jesus would have done.  His reward?  The avalanche of negativity began immediately as lookie loos were busy on the plane taking pictures and posting on social media his "celebrity posturing".  The negativity was countered by others who praised him for doing what NO ONE else was willing to do.  He prayed for a woman.  Blackballed by the NFL for his Christian status, Tim continues to be politically incorrect and doing what his Lord has asked of him.  Tim made a choice.  That choice was to do what Jesus asked wherever and whenever he was called upon to do so.  He did so at the risk of what went on in social media.  They called it a media stunt.  He called it doing the will of God. 
     Jesus didn't teach tolerance.  He taught accountability.  Jesus didn't teach luke warm Christianity.  He taught all or nothing.  Jesus didn't teach acceptance at any level.  He taught step to the standard and live that standard.  Jesus didn't teach multitude of ways to heaven.  He taught that HE was the way to heaven.  Jesus didn't teach us to coexist.  He taught us to be in the world but not a part of the world.  Jesus didn't teach us to not make a choice, to not be involved, to not stand up for him.  He taught us to make disciples of all mankind.  Jesus taught us there was ONE choice.  Will we follow Him or not.  Period.  What's your choice?

CONFESSION IN A CROWDED TRAIN

                Monsignor C. J. Varkey, the late Spiritual Director of Shalom Ministries, India, was once travelling in a train from Mangalore (The Parasuram Express) to South Kerala for conducting a Convention. After a prayer, he started a conversation with the person occupying the opposite seat. He learned that the man was returning from the Central Jail at Kannur after completing a term of imprisonment following conviction for murder by the Court. The Father understood that the man was a Catholic and needed a confession. The priest invited him for a confession but he resisted, explaining that he hated priests. On further enquiry, he revealed to the priest that he had approached three priests for confession but they had ruthlessly turned down his request, labelling him as a murderer. The compartment was full of passengers. Suddenly, Mgr. Varkey knelt down at the feet of the ex-prisoner and kissed his legs, begging his pardon for the priests who had denied him the Sacrament of reconciliation. Seeing a priest in cassock falling at his feet in front of a large number of fellow passengers, the man was transformed totally and immediately confessed his sins in tears before the priest.

                The Late Mgr. C J Varkey was born on 11th June 1921 in the Diocese of Pala in Kerala, South India. He was ordained priest on March 16, 1947 for the Diocese of Calicut. Later, in 1953, he was chosen to serve the newly formed Diocese of Thamarassery. Rev. Fr. C J Varkey, who was aware of the spiritual needs of his parishioners, founded the Congregation of Missionary Sisters of Mary Immaculate (MSMI) on Sept 8th, 1962. He rendered 16 long years of service in the parish of Kulathuvayal.   In 1973, he took charge as the full time Director of MSMI congregation and stayed at its Generalate in Kulathuvayal thereafter.

                In 1976-77, Rev Fr. Varkey came into the charismatic renewal movement and by divine inspiration, conducted charismatic retreats along with MSMI sisters. Seeing the great number of people coming into the experience of God, he decided to start a retreat centre. Thus in 1985, the Nirmala Retreat Centre (NRC) was started in Kulathuvayal. NRC became instrumental in inspiring many Consecrated and lay people to serve in the preaching ministry of the Catholic Church. A small group of young people, transformed by Catholic charismatic renewal, used to come together regularly to pray under the spiritual guidance of Msgr. C. J. Varkey.  This group, developed into the renowned ‘Shalom Ministries’. Shalom ministries have illuminated the lives of millions across the globe through a number of publications, television programmes and other new media initiatives. The ministry organizes retreats and leadership conferences inviting people to open their lives to Jesus Christ, the Prince of Peace.

                Mgr. C J Varkey served as the Spiritual Director of Shalom Ministries till his death. During the 60th year of his ordination, on 4th January, 2007 the title of Monsignor was conferred on Father Varkey. On 24th June, 2009, at 6.10pm Mgr. C.J Varkey left for his heavenly abode. His mortal remains were brought to the Generalate of MSMI Congregation in Kulathuvayal and were solemnly buried there. 

                God offers His mercy, love and forgiveness in the Holy Sacrament of reconciliation. God says to us: "Now, let's settle this matter. You are stained red with sin, but I will wash you as clean as snow. Although your stains are deep red, you will be as white as wool" {Isaiah 1: 18}.

                 When God forgives our sins, he casts our sins into an ocean of mercy, kindness, forgiveness and forgetfulness. St. Isaac the Syrian taught, "Our sins are as so many grains of sand cast into the ocean of God's mercy."

                Jesus had said, "I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine respectable people who do not need to repent."{Luke 15: 7}.

                Archbishop Fulton. J. Sheen says about the confessional in the Church, "In it is to be found the Sacred Heart of the forgiving Christ forgiving sinners through the uplifted hand of His priest as He once forgave through His own uplifted hands on the Cross." It is said that the Church is a hospital for sinners; not a museum for saints.

Frequent trips to my past isn't helpful!

     While it's true that we are to learn from our mistakes, it seems that for some of us the mistakes need to be repeated or we need to be reminded of them so that we can learn yet again those lessons; be they good or bad.  I have what I like to call a "chain of events memory" where I am in the middle of minding my own business when "something comes up."  That something reminds me of a similar time, space or event where there is a past connection.  This is impossible to do for the future.  I have med a person through a Craigslist barter.  Her name is Susan.  She has terminal 4th stage cancer and is soon going to die.  She has breast cancer which was aggressively treated.  My oldest sister has had breast cancer and survived.  My second oldest sister has had breast cancer and survived.  My mother had brain cancer and didn't survive.  My oldest brother had cancer and didn't survive.  Each has put up a strong and exhausting fight to get where they are.  So, meeting Susan has connected the chain of events memory and here I am considering all the "rabbit trails" that go off those stories.  My personal scare of cancer twice and twice found to be negative comes to mind.  Unless you have been there you don't know or appreciate the stress and undoing of people similarly affected. 
     I've tried to rewrite the past for all those who suffer around me.  I've tried to rewrite mine as well.  There is no solace in the fact that only those who have loved much are able to feel hurt so much.  Psychopaths and sociopaths aside, the rest of the world feels others hurt to some degree.  Only those who have tragedy come close to where they live feel the grief that accompanies that degree of hurt.  I'm grieving for Susan similar to what I did for my siblings, mother and others with cancer.  It's no different from so many other tragedies around us on a daily basis.  An innocent child snatched from his father's hands by an alligator.  Some driver high on drugs or alcohol driving into a bunch of bicyclists killing several.  A deranged religious freak opening fire on a bunch of people because of their sexual choice.  They all trigger the chain of events memory.  Some days I don't watch the news and busy myself so that I am not triggered by such memories.  Why does God allow this?  Because he gave us free will.  What's he done about this?  He's given us free will.
     Reading through the Psalm's I see David in one breath praising God and worshipping as a true believer and then in the next moment lamenting that God has abandoned him and he's about to be killed.  David understood.  God understands.  Memories are for a purpose.  They are to set us free and not imprison us.  What I choose to do with my memories is important in my maintaining freedom created and desired by Jesus in my life.  He's done the same for you.  My chain of memories comes and goes as the situations in my life change.  They are there to build empathy, mercy and grace towards others as well as towards myself.  When a Susan comes into your life or my family members have what your family members deal with; there is a renewed sense of why we through the love of God have been given the ability to feel with them, to feel for them and to do something other than turn our eyes away or bury ourselves into our drugs, alcohol or work.  Significant choices lie in front of us.  Jesus said that he wanted us to be all things to all people by allowing him who was all things to us live through us.  It's a choice.  I remember that my history of life with Jesus has been a choice that I've not regretted even when it was terrible.  There was, after the fact usually, a reason why this or that happened.  That reason was so that we can have a relationship with other people that is beneficial in sustaining the body of Christ while displaying what REAL Christian living is all about.
     My choice, your choice, and the rest of the Christian's choices determine whether or not your world, the world sees Jesus or you.  I've chosen to let them see Jesus.  What's your choice?

What Is Wisdom and Why Follow Its Path?

Wisdom Defined

In the Biblical sense, wisdom is the "ability to judge correctly and to follow the best course of action, based on knowledge and understanding" (Lockyer p. 1103). The Wisdom teachings of the Bible follow from the two great themes of the Ten Commandments and the Greatest Commandments of Jesus : reverence to God, our Creator, and respect for all persons, everywhere.

Customs Are not Wisdom

Biblical-era life for the Jews and early Christians was harsh (Ward, pp. 37-118). Slavery was commonplace. Tyrannical rule by outside powers was the norm. Women's status in society was distinctly second class. Children were disciplined with beatings.
These conditions were often accepted in the Bible as customary for society during those times, but they were not taught as being virtuous or wise. True wisdom is always consistent with the two great wisdom themes of the Bible: reverence to God, our Creator, and respect for all persons, everywhere.

Wisdom Is More Than Following the Rules

A set of commandments or rules can give us important examples of wisdom, but they are only examples. No set of rules can cover all situations, and it is up to us to generalize the commandments to all cases. Many times, as in this passage from Matthew, Jesus condemned the hypocrisy of those religious leaders who observed the law in its strict, literal sense, but violated its spirit:

"Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you tithe mint and dill and cummin, and have neglected the weightier provisions of the law: justice and mercy and faithfulness; but these are the things you should have done without neglecting the others. (NAS, Matthew 23:23)

Wisdom means always acting according to the spirit of the Commandments and not looking for an ambiguity or omission which we can use to evade their true intent. Wisdom means understanding the consequences of our actions and words before we act or speak. Wisdom means having the knowledge and understanding to recognize the right course of action and having the will and courage to follow it.

Why Follow Wisdom's Path?

Following the ways of Wisdom helps bring us in harmony with God because these ways are in accordance with His will, as revealed in the Bible, and are pleasing to Him.
The ways of Wisdom also bring us in harmony with other persons because respect for others is the very essence of the Commandments. The wisdom teachings of the Bible are much more than an arbitrarily dictated moral code; they form a prescription for living in peace with the people we interact with daily.
Finally, acting with Wisdom brings us in harmony with ourselves, giving us a sense of self-worth and inner peace. This inner peace is achieved because we are acting in accordance with our consciences and avoiding the shame and guilt of following our baser instincts.

How blessed is the man who finds wisdom, and the man who gains understanding. For its profit is better than the profit of silver, and its gain than fine gold. She is more precious than jewels; and nothing you desire compares with her. Long life is in her right hand; in her left hand are riches and honor. Her ways are pleasant ways, and all her paths are peace. She is a tree of life to those who take hold of her, and happy are all who hold her fast. (NAS, Proverbs 3:13-18)

We often fail in our daily struggle to act with wisdom -- it does not come easily or naturally. Although it is easier to follow our less-than-wise impulses, the reward for acting with wisdom is great. When we give it our best effort, the payoff in self-esteem and inner peace will compensate us many times over.

Judge not lest you be judged.

     You would think that Christians are called to be the most nonjudgmental people on earth.  They are not.  They, according to the Bible are called to be just the opposite.  The definition of "judge" includes the obligation to be discerning between right and wrong and then make the "judgment" based on that criteria outlined in the Bible.  There is and needs to be a caution to not be judgmental of others.  God can do that just fine without us.  Throwing stones at others while we are no different is wrong.  Throwing stones that God gives us to throw is quite another thing.  For instance, God gives us the heart and mind to make decisions that are informed and in line with Scripture.  When we make that decision we "judge" and act/react accordingly.  For instance, our child gets caught shoplifting at the local store; we don't ignore the situation.  We judge that this behavior isn't in line with Scripture and then discipline based on that judgment.  The world also prosecutes and there are consequences for that child's actions.  The reason this is set in place is to guide and direct our child into a more Godly living.  What is set in place through the Word is life to those who believe.  Keep in mind that we don't excuse our own behavior when it's not what God wants. 
     Now we know that we, being human, are not able to live a sinless day.  That means we are constantly under judgment and condemnation.  What does God do about this?  He sent his Son who died for our sins and was resurrected so that we can have life.  That doesn't excuse our choices when they are not what God has ordained.  Because we are called to be a Christian community and have one another's back, we need to say something when we see or hear something out of line with God's Word.  This is not judging with a condemnatory mindset.  This is judging in a loving and discerning way that is meant to help steer the Christian in the narrow way.  This is also called sanctification.  We cannot be sanctified if we excuse away our thoughts, deeds and words that are against God's commands.  So, when you or I are accused of being a hypocrite, we are.  However, this doesn't disqualify us from discerning right from wrong for others as well as ourselves.  The current attitude of the world is to make laws excusing sin in order to have people feel more comfortable in their sin.  Opps!  I just judged!  No, I discerned this act as contrary to what the Word of God says.  When we allow sin to destroy the body, we are participating.  We are required by God to go to our brother/sister who has sinned and plead with them to turn back to God.  In this way, if they turn back to God, we save them from the judgment of God.
     We have judgments we make every day.  What we are going to do.  What we are going to say.  What we are going to think.  However, are they pure and from God or governed by a system manufactured by mankind?  Do we stand firm with God so that we are in obedient to him and above judgment?  That's what many Christians do.  As a result their witness is validated even though the world hates them.  Satan doesn't bother those who do nothing for God.  He doesn't have to because we are doing his job for him.  It's his lie that has taken the Christian to the point of looking the other way, winking at or ignoring sin that eats away at the Christian standard.  The standard has not changed over the centuries.  The decision of mankind has.  What are you and I to do?  Obey.  When we are right with God all else falls into place.  The world will hate you, persecute you and say all kinds of evil things about you.  Who cares!  God is the one who will judge you.  Mankind's judgment is temporary and results in woes here on earth.  God's judgment is forever.  Eternity with God is a goal very much worth choosing.  You choose.

A simple faith in a complex world.

     Never mind that there are over 200 different kinds of Baptists worldwide.  Never mind the differences between various Pentecostal groups.  Never mind the other faiths (false and true) that populate every community in the world.  Faith is made to be simple.  Human beings make it complex.  Why?  Because human beings still want to be the god of their world.  If mankind can make the interpretation and the rules then they hold the control and power.  That's not why Jesus came, lived and died.  Nor is it why he rose from the dead and is coming again.  Jesus came to simply be a means for us to be saved.  Nothing more, nothing less.  Simple!  Just thinking about all the groups who claim to be Christian causes me an intense headache.  How do we wade through all the different renditions of who is right and who is wrong much less what is right and what is wrong?  It's simple.  Just believe in Jesus and avoid anything mankind throws at us.
     Okay, maybe it's not that simple.  For me, there is no such thing as simple math.  I'm math resistant!  I've never liked math, didn't see much of a purpose for math and generally avoided math in my educational achievements.  It's not that I'm unintelligent because I'm not.  It's because I choose to not like math.  There is nothing wrong with not liking math.  There is nothing wrong with others believing what they want just as long as they believe that it's the work of Christ that offers them the choice to be saved and go to heaven or not be saved and go to hell.  Pretty simple if you ask me.  Faith is there in all of us.  We may have faith in our abilities like driving.  Others may look at our driving and ask God for faith!  You may have faith in your ability to be a parent, worker or spouse.  Maybe your faith can take you to the horse track and bet your paycheck on a winner.  There are lots of healthy and unhealthy ways to look at your and my faith.  It's when we begin to take in other's interpretations that we take the simple and move to the complex.  Why?  Because other people expect us to be intelligent enough to believe and have faith like they do. 
     The Bible says that if you believe in Jesus and accept Him as your Savior you will be saved.  Simple.  No other requirement is necessary.  You will be saved.  So why do people demand baptism, speaking in tongues and other "evidence" that we have what we say we have?  Why can't this be simple and forthright?  The choices denominations have made in some of their rules are categorized by Hal Lindsay as "doctrines of demons."  It's difficult to understand why denominations, individuals and groups have to employ manipulation, control and secrecy in order for you to belong.  THERE is the key!  The world wants you to belong to a group, individual or a denomination and not simply belong to Jesus!  The more complex, the better.  Simple faith says that we have no need to be distracted from the race, no need to complicate the race and certainly no carrot dangling in front of us while we run the race.  Simple faith is possible and attainable only if you choose that option.
     KISS:  keep it simple stupid!  It's a choice.  OHIO: only handle it once!  It's a choice.  FEAR:  false evidence appearing real!  It's a choice.  Life is a choice.  What is your choice?  Do you have a simple faith that is much easier to engage and grow with?  Do you want a simple faith?  Are you wanting to break free from the complexity of the world's view on Christianity?  Then make the simple choice.  Choose to live with Jesus as your Savior and nothing else.  It's your choice!

Just because school is out for the summer, don't stop living!

    I'd love to have the summer off for vacation from life.  Wouldn't it be nice to sleep till whenever, eat whatever and dress in whatever you like with your "whatever" friends?  Watching TV late, chatting on line or on your phone, and munching on food your parents intended to have for dinner tomorrow night?  How about turning off your brain and forgetting all you learned so that when you go back to school in the fall you need a week or two of refresher in order to "catch up" so you can make it through another school year.  Chores?  What are chores and who is supposed to do them.  They seemed to get done just fine when I was in school.  But Joey's dad, Judy's mom and other parents don't make me do this, do that, go here, go there.  If you haven't been privy to such thoughts, actions and words, you haven't had children.  That or you weren't a normal child.  The argument today is that if we engage every day then there is no break through the year.  The habits we form and the morals we teach when reinforced tend to be a guiding force in our lives. 
     If you are in the habit of only acting like a Christian on Sunday and when company comes over then that's all you will do.  If you are in the habit of praying only when there are emergencies then that's all you will do.  If you read the Bible religiously on the overhead screen at church then that's all the reading you will do.  We are creatures of habit.  What we do we teach others to do.  When our kids turn out like us we cry unfair and try to tell them to "do as I say and not as I do."  What's worse is that we surround ourselves with people who, like us, don't do anything differently than their parents or friends.  We don't tend to hang out with those who actually have a living relationship with Jesus.  When's the last time you sought out a Christian brother and said, "Hey Joey, let's have some time reading the Bible and praying."  Maybe you have a girlfriend that says, "Judy, was praying and God told me to call you and give you a word of encouragement."  Maybe you are like quite a number of families that send their children to every Vacation Bible School within a 100 mile radius in order to "preoccupy" them during the time you could be with them, praying with them, reading the Bible with them and sharing Jesus with them.  Here's a concept: Be a Christian parent and have morals, expectations and live up to what the Bible says.
     But...  There are no buts.  We have time on our hands and we feel the need to avoid Jesus.  Think not?  They why do we leave our kids alone at home all summer while we traipse off to work, shopping, friends, and other places where we are out of touch with the very world God has blessed us with.  Then when something goes wrong we aren't available, aren't a role model, and don't have any moral expectations of our kids.  THEN they choose without the experience, understanding or knowledge about why and how to choose.  Yes, summer is a wonderful time.  So, why don't we take some time, slow down, spend time with our kids and enjoy the precious moments we have?  Just like our faith, we have abandoned our children to the whims of society and the pressure of peers.  Think not?  Go visit any juvenile detention center.  Better yet, go there on visiting day and see all the parents who visit because of regrets.  Christian living is difficult only if we avoid doing what we need to do out of our love for Jesus.  Garbage in, garbage out. Jesus in, Jesus out.  Simple choice.  What's your choice?

When you make a mistake the whole world knows.

     I belonged to a young married group at a former church.  We had a social outing every now and then.  Once such outing was to a hockey game.  I'd never been to one and thought I would go.  I sat beside a single Christian woman who shall go unnamed.  At one point during the game the crowd was whipped into a frenzy and my friend stood up and shouted, "Get the puck in there!"  The crowd had suddenly gone silent just before she yelled her famous statement.  Many in the crowd looked around towards us where a bunch of Christians were gathered for a social gathering.  She sat down with a very red face even though she hadn't done anything wrong.  We may not have done like she did but we each have had our times when it would have been better to be invisible.  More than once I've heard these words from believers and non-believers alike: "I thought you said you were a Christian?" after I had said or did something that was not aligned with the Christian testimony I should have been sharing.  However, do right and the whole world stays silent.  Why is that?  I would suspect that people expect what is right and are surprised with whatever it is that we've done wrong. 
     There are so many Biblical characters who have done wrong and been noticed.  Not many, in fact, exist that didn't do something wrong, made a mistake or just didn't act like they were supposed to.  Many in the Bible have broken all 10 of the commandments or thought about breaking them.  Many here in my circle break the 10 commandments as well.  Maybe not all of them but I'm in good company.  When we turn to the Bible there is clarity in this verse: "If you know what to do is right and don't do it, you sin." James 4:17.  Why shouldn't the world take note when we do wrong?  The expectation of how we should live is out there floating in front of everyone thanks to different media venues.  They are out there even quicker when a Christian misbehaves, sins, or whatever you would like to term it.  The plumb line is set with the model of living we should have being what Jesus demonstrated to his disciples.  You, if you are a believer, are one of his disciples.  It's not a calling.  It's who you become if you truly follow Jesus and do what he wants you to do.  Other people's lives depend on us doing what Jesus would do. 
     The idea that you or I could live even one day in a state of perfectness is crazy.  We are a fallen people who are in need of the love of God just to take a breath of air each day.  God knows we are a fallen people and doesn't expect us to be perfect.  He doesn't want us to be complacent with being imperfect as well.  That's why the process of sanctification is necessary in each believers lives.  Sanctification is learning from my mistakes and allowing yet another part of the old man in me die so Jesus can live in that area of my life.  It's a job that won't be finished here on earth.  When I get to heaven it won't matter.  The job will be done.  Sometimes the mistakes work for good to those who love him and are called according to His purpose.  Sometimes it's the failures that we go through that remind believer and non alike that we are just as human as they are.  I will fail.  It's not a matter of question.  You will too.  What we do with the mistakes we make makes the big difference.  If we admit the mistake, change our ways, and move forward then we are doing that which Jesus wants us to do.  It's all a matter of you and I making the choice of Jesus or self.  It's our choice.

Now aren't you glad that's over!

     It would seem that I'm not the only Christian to live in dread of some events in life.  I admit that dread isn't something Jesus wants us to do and also acknowledge that he was tempted to dread the Cross.  Being overcomers is more difficult than it seems.  Why?  Because we bring the past with us to the present in preparation for our future.  It's silly but that's the way it works.  Rather than being present in the day and focused on the future we look to the past with either fond memories or not so fond memories.  I've often wondered why people have class reunions, family reunions, and church reunions.  Perhaps you have participated in one of these and asked yourself that very question AFTER you attended.  Jesus talked about one reunion... believers gathered in Heaven.  That should give us a clue.  Rather than dreading so and so's story again and again, perhaps it would be better to skip the past and stay in the present.  For me, reunions were a test where my worth, place in society and success was examined, weighed out and judgment was pronounced either positively or negatively.  That depended on whether those doing so felt good about themselves or not.  Jealousy rises to the top like cream on milk.  The competition of who did this and who failed at that becomes the focus to put so and so in their place...usually behind the person making the judgment.  So we dread these events like some of the holidays celebrated in our country.
     If you are thinking that I'm going to suggest we abandon our family and friends you would be wrong.  If you are thinking that we ignore the get together and be "busy" with something else you would also be wrong.  Neither of those choices reflect the love of God in our lives.  Facing the situation head on with a Christian focus seems the best.  That way we don't have to lie (I have to work, the kids are sick, the car isn't capable of making the trip and etc...), or pretend (it's so good to see you, I'm glad you are here, you look like you have lost weight/gained weight, are you still in treatment?).  Okay, the skeletons come out of the closet when we are with those who are familiar with our past.  At one such class reunion I attended I ran into just this problem.  I had spent 10 years in the military, 8 years as a police officer and was currently pastoring a church when the father of a classmate came up to my son and I eating lunch.  He said, "Well, what jail are you out of now?!"  I've never been in jail except to put my prisoners there.  My son gave me this look like what are you hiding.  The man laughed and walked off.  Have you ever been to a family reunion and been reminded of your birth order, that awful thing you did, or how you failed at this or that?  Guess what!?  Jesus doesn't do any of those things!
     It's not productive to go back.  The Israelites wanted to go back to Egypt.  Didn't they remember those last 400 years?  People want me to go back to the where I was then.  Satan wants us trapped by the past.  Hence the need for present and future focus when we approach any event where we are tempted to be focused on the past.  Reminded of your last years failure at work?  Reminded at your bad decision at home, work, church, school?  Then you need to be free from the reminders.  Yes, our past happened.  No, we don't need the reminders in order to keep history from repeating itself.  What we do need is the renewal of life daily through Jesus and the Holy Spirit.  When someone reminds us of our past we need to remind them of our future.  Yes, I broke 9 of the 10 commandments.  BUT I will breathe my last breath out here on earth and the next one will be an inhale in Heaven.  Not living in the past frees us up to live in the present and bring Jesus to the world around us.  It's a world that needs to be freed from their past.  The forgiveness of sins and the realization people are loved is the goal of the Cross.  If people are so tied up in the past that they can't see the present and future (I'm talking about Christians) they are in no way able to help anyone be anything like them. 
     Choosing to be like Jesus doesn't mean we need to be born of a virgin, at the age of 12 to be found teaching in the temple and then as an adult selecting 12 people to follow us.  Choosing to be like Jesus means to let the past go, focus on the future and deliver the Gospel so that all of mankind can have the information necessary to be saved.  If we are stuck in the past we can't engage the present or the future.  If we teach this to our children we aren't doing them any favors.  If enough people do the wrong thing long enough they become accustomed to doing that thing and believing it's right.  The truth is if we daily die to self and give our lives to Jesus, He renews us daily to bring HIM to the world.  Your choice is to decide whether you will be an excuse or be an example.  It's your choice.  People are watching.  You are the only Gospel some people will ever read.  Choose wisely.

Integrity is who you are when no one is looking.

     I'm not so good at personal integrity when no one is looking.  Well, God sees but human beings around me don't.  That's part of the problem for all who claim to be Christian but don't act like it all the time.  We think that since no one human can see us as we really are, we can continue to think, say and do what we did before we were saved.  Fake people abound.  I've been one of them from time to time.  Putting on a happy face outside while filled with depression or rage inside.  Going along with the crowd/family when you secretly don't want to have anything to do with them.  And so our secret lives are what fuel our anger, rage and resentments.  While we know this isn't good for us we still go about playing this game.  When we do this behavior we "put on a form of godliness but have no God in us."  Well, that's not exactly true.  We have a god within us that is called "I".  Since we know that this violates the first commandment we should also know that there is a conflict in this choice.  There are some who would like to play the "blame" card and put all that isn't well in their lives on someone or something else avoiding personal responsibility.  While it may seem like it's working, we are only fooling ourselves. 
     The very thought that God sees me when no one else sees the real me and loves me overwhelms my thoughts.  Why is it I think I can be me when Christ in me is so much better?  Does anyone else have this struggle?  Am I alone in this dilemma?  The Bible says that Jesus was tempted in all ways that mankind is tempted.  I know that I am not alone.  The Bible says that all mankind has sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.  I know that I am not alone.  The Bible says that through Christ we are more than conquerors.  I know that I am not alone.  What do the Christians think when they have this dual life going on?  I know what I think.  I vacillate between feeling like I can do all things through Christ Jesus my Lord and the old man living in a cave inside of me.  Often there is a reversal of priority and the old man wins out over Jesus...by my choice.  Reliance on God is the only way we can maintain integrity.  Then, it's not our integrity, but the integrity of God living in and through us that is maintained.  The less there is of me, the more there is of God. 
     I remember the first time my first child lied to me.  I wasn't prepared for the lie as I didn't think he would lie to me.  It devastated me.  I was depressed and felt like a failure for a long time.  There was a feeling of my failure combined with how could and why would he do this to me.  Eventually I got past this experience but an innocence was gone.  My son was human like me and not pure like Jesus.  I can remember the first time after becoming a Christian that I consciously sinned against God.  I knew it was wrong.  I knew that there would be consequences but like Eve in the garden with Adam, I felt my sin was okay.  That is until the sin had been committed.  The Father's heart was grieved that day just as it is every time I choose to sin.  We don't accidentally sin.  Sin is intentional just like integrity.  We have the choice to have integrity or to not have integrity.  We have the choice to sin or to not sin.  It's never in God's best interest for me to think I am god.  That's what sinning does though.  Sinning causes us to think we can be the god of our lives with impunity to consequences.  Who are you when no one is looking?  How's that working for you?  It's your choice.

Denial? How's that working for you?

     When we practice denial there is only one person you need to convince that you are right...yourself.  It doesn't matter what others may think or what God thinks.  If you have convinced yourself that what you are thinking, saying an doing are right; denial has taken place.  Even with the best of intentions we practice denial.  There are those who deny they are in denial and obviously are so far away from the truth.  God never gives us the green light on denying our sin, sinful actions or the consequences of those actions.  We have people who have done that for us, done it for ourselves, and perhaps have participated in doing that for others.  Our giving of the green light doesn't make it right.  When mankind talks about being in denial they are referring to not acknowledging that thought, deed or action for what it is.  "I may smoke/drink/do drugs but I can quit anytime."  Really?  "My problem isn't that bad and in fact there are a lot of people out there with worse problems."  Really?  "I love Jesus but don't need to be accountable to God or anyone."  Really?  "I do my best for my spouse/children/employer/others every day."  Really?
     When Jesus talks to us about denial there are two parts to the equation.  The first is we are to deny ourselves and the second is we are to take up the cross and follow him.  In that order.  What does it mean to deny ourselves?  I would suggest that we deny the old man in us that resembles the first paragraph.  Not just deny the old man but deny the thoughts, deeds and words that don't resemble anything Jesus would involve himself in.  That's where picking up the cross is essential.  Let's imagine that we can only hold one thing at a time.  We can hold the old man or we can hold the cross.  We cannot hold both.  If we try to let go of the one we need to grab onto the other.  Some have tried to let go with one hand and grab onto with the other hand.  Living in both worlds or on the fence doesn't work.  It makes us lukewarm believers and Revelation tells us that the lukewarm believer will be puked up!  Denial of any kind renders the power of God out of that area of our lives.  It also means we haven't relinquished areas of our lives to God retaining ourselves as "god" of that part of our life.  If we are not totally his, what are we?
     Believing Christian denial is the most damaging.  "It's not my job."  "I am not comfortable with witnessing."  "I don't believe all the Bible."  "Since God is in charge I don't need to support his ministry."  "I'm not called to do this or that for God."  The list goes on and on.  We deny God access to the use of our lives that we have allegedly given to Him to use for his will and not ours.  In so doing we are denying God in our lives.  Why should we be granted favor from God when we act in this way?  Why should people look at you and I and say, "I want what they have in my life." when we don't have it in our lives in the first place.  While it would be nice to have a positive outcome for the Christian, denial isn't going to let it happen...unless we deny ourselves and pick up our cross and follow Jesus.  It's a simple equation of only 3 steps.  Deny ourselves.  Pick up our Cross.  Follow Jesus.  It's also our choice.  God isn't going to force us to do something we don't want to do.  God wants us to have his heart and his will as our lives are lived our.  That requires us to choose to deny ourselves, pick up our cross and to follow Jesus.  It really is your choice.  What will you choose?  Joshua 24:15

Let's pretend and make believe that everything is okay.

     Once upon a time in a world so out of touch with reality there lived a group of people who decided to be the savior of their world.  Putting on sackcloth and ashes they pushed and pulled and huffed and puffed but seemed to have difficulty bringing humanity kicking and screaming into reality.  Thinking (their first mistake) that perhaps the needed to modify the platform from which they operated, they began to ask humanity what they wanted instead of giving them what they needed.  So instead of casting their nets far and wide they now gathered fish at the local market where they didn't have to work for or offend any of humanity's souls.  At first this seemed to work as church attendance went up and giving went up with it.  That, they thought, must be the real measure of bring Christ to the world.  So they concentrated on relaxing the standards and morals which increased church attendance and of course increased their bottom line of giving.  Saving the world was hard work and soon there were scores of workers who were being paid to help save humanity.  There couldn't be any restrictions on the workers so every belief system was represented including those who didn't believe at all.  The "system" erected continued to grow and ceased to be a church at all.  Christ wasn't preached as everyone had long since threw out the teachings so as to not offend anyone.  Having the interests of the people as a priority was more important than actual adherence to any kind of religious radical who preached repentance. 
     Psalm 1:1 states: "Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way  that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers,"  It's three simple steps that take us away from God.  First let's walk with the wicked.  Let's be there and say and do nothing.  Don't take a stand but don't join in on their activities and beliefs.  Walk down the street of New York City and don't do anything about the woman being raped on the street.  Just keep walking like the hundreds of others who are "Just minding my own business."  This actually happened.  Yet, we say, "Well, that's not me."  Perhaps not.  What do you walk by daily and do, say and think nothing about?  What is it that you just ignore because you are "Just minding your own business."  If you don't want to say then you take the second step.  You stand in the way of sinners.  That simply means that you are complicit when you stand with sinners though you don't join in.  You are justifying their actions by saying nothing, doing nothing and thinking nothing.  You remember that rally you went to in order to support legislation for a woman's right to have an abortion?  How about that bar you visited on the way home intending to witness but having several beers instead and complaining about your home life?  You get the idea.  You and I join others in road rage, name calling, stealing from our employers, and a host of things every day and think it's okay because, "Everyone does it and it doesn't hurt anyone."  Wrong.  Third on the list is when we sit with the sinners.  We, the believer, know better, have been taught better and yet, we, choose to live in sin and then call ourselves righteous.  So, you go to church and stand outside to have a cigarette before service.  Perhaps you go home and instead of being with the family you zone out to sports and a beer or two.  Maybe you decide to go gambling with the money you didn't have for tithe or to care for your family.  I'm still talking about believers here!
     What's the big deal?  Why do I rail against this magical world of believing this way?  What is it about this picture that you aren't getting "IT" and doing "IT"?  Have we thrown away our capacity to carry the love of Jesus to our world?  Do we mesh with civilization (if you can call it that) so well that we are no longer bothered by what's wrong?  Has it become so bad that we've taught our children to do the same?  Why is it we don't care if our kids, spouses, families, neighbors and enemies go to hell or not?  Maybe it's because we have chosen to take three steps away from God.  Maybe we have chosen to pretend and make believe that everything is okay.  Maybe you aren't saved either.  What would happen if you asked God to give you a heart for Jesus instead of against him.?  Would your world change?  Would you change?  Would you care?  We have stepped so far away from Christ within our "Christian" world that we seldom resemble Christian living at all.  I know that I am a sinner and in need of daily grace.  I know that when we continue to sin we heap insult on the Cross.  I know that as long as I don't let Christ live life through me there is nothing good that can come from me.  Do you know that?  What is it that you have chosen?  It's your choice.  Don't blow it.

While I'm talking about the state of the world.

The End

"Do you believe that this is the end of days?" That was the question a friend wrote me a few days ago. It is a question that I have gotten a lot of times over the years. With all the wars, tornados, earthquakes, tsunamis, hurricanes, fires, and nuclear meltdowns we are facing these days, it is easy to understand why people would wonder and ask as well.

The truth is noone knows when the last days of this world will be. Noone knows when their own last day will be either. All that we can do is to live each day we have here to the fullest with love, kindness, goodness, joy, and oneness with God.

This is why I start each day by saying, "Good morning God, thank you for my life!" This is why I watch every sunrise and sunset I can. This is why I stop to smell the flowers and listen to the birds sing every Spring. This is why I hug my grown up children everyday and tell them that I love them. This is why I always take the time to bend down and pet a dog or cat. This is why I lend a hand to a neighbor who needs my help. This is why I share a smile and a friendly wave with the people I pass on life’s road. This is why I do what I can to house the homeless, feed the hungry, and care for the sick. This is why I write my simple words and share them with the world. I want to do all I can to show others that they can choose life, share love, and spread joy. I want to show them that everyday is precious, that every act of kindness is priceless, and that everyone of them is a powerful person who can make this world a better place.

None of us knows when this world will end. None of us knows when our own lives here will end. What we do know is that we can love today. We can learn today. We can laugh today. We can help each other today. We can bring a little Heaven to Earth today. Live today then and when the end does come you will be able to face God with a loving and happy heart.

~ Joseph J. Mazzella ~

The problem with holiday celebrations.

    Here we are at the forefront of yet another manmade holiday.  Father's Day is on Sunday.  We've had Mother's Day, Grandparent's Day and a host of other days to celebrate anything but Jesus.  Father's Day has it's own place in American culture.  It's not celebrated around the world.  It's not celebrated by different religions.  It's not celebrated by those who have no father or they aren't father's themselves.  Like Mother's Day, Father's Day celebrates a segment of society unlike Christmas and Easter that are celebrated universally by the Christian world.  So, why the focus on these "other days" in the Christian life?  What is it that we are doing and why are we doing it.  I don't mean to disrespect anyone's father or grandfather.  Fatherhood is a serious undertaking.  Yet, we spend one day a year celebrating fathers everywhere whether they are living examples of "fathering" or not.  Abandonment of fathering responsibilities are present every month of every year.  Yet, here we are one day of the year and suddenly father's rise up to be celebrated?  What gives?  I'm reminded of Darth Vader's statement, "Luke, I am your father."  We know how that turned out!  Adam is known as the father of mankind and Abraham the father of the Israelite people.  Then we have the Catholic church and their idea of "father".  What about the Bible though?  What does the Bible say?  It says that we as followers of Jesus should call no one on earth father as our Father is in heaven.  God the Father is there, wanting to shed his love and provision on all who would turn to him.  Even Jesus taught his disciples to pray, "Our Father, who is in heaven, hallowed be your name..."  There is a reason for this and hopefully people won't get to offended as I try to convey what I believe the Bible wants us to focus on.
     Don't get me wrong, the Bible lists "honor your father and mother" in the Ten Commandments.  Even Jesus on the cross tells John to take care of his earthly mother.  The promise of honoring your father and mother is that "you will live long and prosper."  We are called upon to honor God the Father first and foremost.  It's the first of the Ten Commandments.  The first 4 of the commandments are how we are to honor and serve God.  The last 6 relate to our relationships with other people.  What we are to do in honoring God and honoring others was summed up by Jesus regarding the greatest commandment of "love the Lord God with all your heart, soul and might."  The second commandment is to "love your neighbor as yourself."  Honoring should be easy.  We take the honoring part of the two commands and make them difficult, impossible and on certain days irrelevant.  If I plant a seed in the soil, water it, and give it sunshine the seed will sprout and grow into a plant.  If I have planted a seed that results in vegetables or fruit I have succeeded in having something to eat.  God provides the seed, soil, water, and sunshine.  He causes it to grow and mature.  He provides the fruit so that man and animal alike have something for nourishment.  God is the source of life.  He's to be honored as the source of life in you and I.  That would mean we would need to put God first before ANYTHING else.  Should we honor God in this manner, we like the seed, will produce and the nurturing will be spread out from us to others.  Because we honor God with all of our heart, soul and might, we have love for Him who gives us life and sustains us.  In this position we give God the Father to the world.  Get this!  If we are His, are doing His will, and He is living through us; we cannot help but honor those he puts in our lives.  It's a side effect if you will.  When we give up our life and God takes up our life, it is no longer I who live but Christ who lives in me.  Thus the Father is our father and it is He alone that we are to honor. 
     When you get together to celebrate, remember that God the Father is your father.  Jesus was approached and told that his brothers and sisters were outside wanting to see him.  He responded, "Who is my brother and sister and mother and father?  It is they who do my will."  When we become that "new creation" we say goodbye to the old man and hi to the new man.  We say goodbye to death and hello to life.  This is a conscious choice made by the prompting of the Holy Spirit.  God the Father is our father.  The Holy Spirit is our comforter and companion.  Jesus is our Lord and Savior.  Do we honor them as we should?  Do we do this only on Sunday or Wednesday night?  Do we make it a point to show up and honor them on Christmas and Easter?  Just how do you understand "love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul and might"?  Do you gather to have the bbq and then go away forgetting the "day"?  It's because we set aside only one day to honor father, mother, birthdays, and first and foremost God the Father.  It's our choice.  It's my choice.  It's your choice.  Remember that you live with your choices just as I do mine. 

Basically, the world IS going to hell in a hand basket!

     Our biggest delusion as Christians is that we can somehow halt the flush of the toilet and make everything okay.  We can't, won't and shouldn't.  That's not to say we shouldn't go on telling others of Jesus' saving grace.  We should do that...until the day we pass from here to there.  The devil carries the hand basket.  He's the god of this world.  God cast him to earth as punishment for rebelling against him and taking a lot of angels (now demons) with him.  The devil and the demons are still here and continue to rebel taking names and kicking butt.  From the beginning of time the devils focus has been to turn the hearts and minds of men, women and children away from God and his love.  They will use any and every way imaginable to bring down those who are doing anything for God.  It's called persecution.  If you aren't feeling persecuted for your faith in Jesus Christ, you aren't doing anything for God.  That's right.  If you aren't feeling the persecution that comes from the devil and his demons, you aren't a threat to him and his message.  If you were a threat to the devil, you would know it.  As it is, the church is full of unpersecuted Christians.  Jesus promised that if we followed him that we would be persecuted.  He said we would have all kinds of evil things said about us to discredit us and to derail the mission God has for everyone.  That mission is to preach, teach and live Jesus to others so that some may be saved.  Someone did this preaching, teaching and living of Jesus to you or you wouldn't be reading this blog and serving Jesus.
     We can couch the world's problems anyway we like.  It still doesn't change the picture or make things better than they really are.  We have our church picnics, home groups, and a host of other Christian activities including celebration of the Easter Bunny, Halloween, and Santa Claus.  All the while we should be celebrating the Resurrection of Jesus, the victory of Jesus over Satan and the birth of our Savior.  But we go even further and pervert the Gospel by making it say what we like instead of liking what it says.  We encourage those who are sinning and living sinful lives while chastising those who stand up to the heresy being preached.  The alleged Christian church does more damage to it's saints than the non-believing world.  Make a stand against what God says is wrong and you are not understanding.  Hold someone accountable for what they are or are not doing and you are being judgmental.  Tell someone the truth about their spiritual depravity and you are some kind of weirdo who must be starting a cult.  We have it backwards.  We've abandoned the Gospel.  WE are wrong.  It is WE who are carrying the devils hand basket.  By choice. 
     All it takes for evil to win is for good men and women to do nothing.  It's your choice.  Do nothing and be used by Satan or do something and be persecuted by Satan.  It's your choice.  Do what Jesus told and tells you to do and see lives come to him for salvation.  It's your choice.  We are commanded to go forth and make all men disciples of Jesus.  Are you?

Somewhere in the jungle of life there is reason.

     Can't help but reflect a bit on the state of Florida's problems.  Well, they are not just Florida's problems as every one of the 50 states have the same problems to one degree or another.  For the Christian there may be a difference of opinions as to why the shootings happened from that of the non-Christian.  Here's why.  We know the history of religious conflict (or should know) throughout time beginning with Adam and Eve.  We know the propensity of mankind to destroy each other in order to make ourselves superior since the beginning of time with Cain and Abel.  We know the history of the select people Abraham and Sarah birthed.  Well, Sarah and her hand maiden which she gave to Abraham to have kids because she wasn't able to give Abraham a son.  Two son's emerged to go on to form the massive and divisive ongoing and complex attempt to usurp the other.  We know that there has been a moral decay ongoing since Adam and Eve were kicked out of the garden.  We know that Satan goes about the earth seeking whomever he can consume and destroy.  We know that there is an end to the story and Jesus has already won, redeemed the believer and set captivity and destruction in place for Satan, his demons, and those who don't or won't believe.  The end of the story is told.  In the meantime we are told that mankind has to get to a place of moral decay worse than it was during the days of Noah before Jesus comes back.  We are told there will be wars and rumors of wars.  We are told that parents and children will be turned against each other.  We are told that government control will increase and people will be enslaved by the desires of the Beast and the one world government.  We know this.  The Bible has told us all of this.  While we were doing felt displays with our kids in Sunday school telling them all the good and happy stuff, the world was preparing them for where we are today. 
     So, here we are.  We are our own worst enemy.  We are destructive, unforgiving, vindictive and unreasonable.  We are taught to be these things by a world gone crazy.  Yes, since the beginning of time.  Do you realize that prior to the fall that time didn't exist?  Did you realize that when you die time ceases to exist?  Prior to and after the end of time there is peace.  In between we have to deal with what comes our ways.  We are told to tell the truth and it will set us free.  Yet, we are encouraged to support and include those who have and are continuing to sin of their own free will.  They, like us, bring the consequences of our sin with our choices.  When I had an affair, I brought the consequences of that affair to my home, my children, my profession, friends and even the community.  I chose to sin and everyone paid for my sin.  Why should it be different for anyone else?  Why should we be appalled when a young person is shot and killed when he robs a store and then points a gun at the police?  Why should we be making it an issue of discrimination, color or sex?  Why should we be making excuses for the natural reaction to sin?  That's what it is.  It's sin.  Parents who don't parent...is sin.  Schools that don't teach...is sin.  Leaders who don't lead...is sin.  The wages of sin is death.  That's what the Bible says whether you like it or not.  I should have been dead a hundred times for my sin.  I'm talking about my sin after becoming a believer.  You know what I mean.  I'm telling your story as well.  It doesn't matter if you and I don't like the story.  The story is still true.
     How do we escape such a great condemnation?  To what part of the earth do we flee to avoid the sin that is all around us?  We cannot avoid that which permeates our lives, world and future.  It's said that mankind will turn on each other, that children will betray their parents, that the various peoples on the earth will seek to destroy or be destroyed.  Yet, we don't listen and the moral decline continues.  We shouldn't be shaking our heads and stating "how could that happen" when we are the ones who put all of "that" in motion?  We tell our kids that we are to be peace lovers and then buy them the most violent video games on earth where they kill thousands and never feel the pain.  We tell Hollywood it's not only great but fantastic to produce horror and violent movies and then are appalled when the scene is played out in real life.  Just what did we expect a morally bankrupt society to do?!  Stop the blame game!  We are the "reason" and the earth is ripe for the consequences of what we have been doing for thousands of years.  The Christian, more than any, have the obligation to not tolerate sinful choices of individuals, groups and nations.  The message Jesus proclaimed was that He is the "way, truth and life." and not some religious leader who is dead but told his people to kill everyone who believes differently.  Things are not good in the world because of your and my choice.  Whether we like that or not, it's true.  It's always our choice.

What do I REALLY believe and why?

     Sometimes it's easier to state what we don't believe rather than what we do believe.  When we are having those times on the mountain tops beliefs are easier to stand on and exercise.  It's when we are in the valley's of life that our beliefs are tested and we discover what we really believe.  Our language betrays our position on believing.  When I find myself saying, "God will..." it's belief in him.  When I find myself saying, "I will..." it's belief in me talking.  It's still believing but one is believing in God and one is not.  You can guess which is which.  My life has been speckled with belief in me more than God.  Maybe you can identify with that in your life.  And so the question is begged of why do I have two belief systems?  Why is there this fluctuation in my life that gives me this split personality?  Is it so important that I have identity in me that I compromise my identity in Christ?  The why is not easily answered but really comes down to the fact that all of us in one way or another want to be the god of our own world.  We aren't a people to submit and devote ourselves to God.  We don't trust Him.  We have faith in what we can see, feel and hear with our own being.  That's not to say that this is good or that God doesn't work in lives today.  He is wanting us to get out of the way and let him do what he does...love us. 
     I can tell you that I believe in the Trinity, Jesus Christ, the Bible and all of those other recitable things we teach our children to believe in.  Preachers do it every Sunday or whenever they worship with their congregations.  I can tell you of the miracles and other ways God has provided for me and those I love over the 40+ years I've been a Christian.  So can a lot of other people you may know or have experienced yourself.  Does that really mean I believe?  Does it mean you really believe?  Sporadic belief is still belief just as situational belief is still believing.  Then why don't we find ourselves transformed by the evidence that God has presented for why we should believe in Him?  Because we want more.  The story is told of a man hiking a narrow mountain path in the fog when he slips over the edge.  On his way down he grabs a small tree growing out of the cliff side. He begins to yell for help. God answers him and says "Let go."  The man asks who is talking to him and God identifies himself and again says "Let go."  The man begins yelling, "Is there anyone else out there?"  Believing the invisible God is difficult for the unbeliever and sometimes impossible.  The believer should be able to believe in God and trust that God is orchestrating their lives.  So, why do we choose to believe in God only at dramatic points in our lives? 
     The simple answer is that we are a fallen creation.  The complex answer is we are self consumed and self centered and self driven.  "You can do it!"  No, you can't.  It may seem that you have done this or that, said this or that or even brought about this or that about.  But, if you are truthful, it's been God working through you (unless it's sin).  If we choose to call ourselves believers then we must believe.  Belief in God is a total belief.  Should we choose to believe in God situationally, then we are situational Christians and there is no reason why anyone should be attracted to Jesus through the example of our lives.  You may be thinking then who really believes?  Can we believe in God and yet not believe in God.  Yes, we can and do.  Is it right?  No, it's not.  What is the result of dual beliefs?    We miss out on the blessings of God and settle for less.  That's the point!  Why settle for less?  Why be self deceived (you only have to convince one person) and miss the blessings of God?  Because it's your and my choice.  Practice believing in God and put to death the old man who wants to be the god of your world.  It's always your choice.

Why do we seem to wait for the other foot to fall?

a      Living with dread or foreboding are awful and waste a lot of our energy, focus and happiness.  There seems to be no end to the negative while we are waiting for the other foot to fall.  Having one foot already on our neck is bad enough.  But when the other foot falls it may seem like it's more than we can bear.  It's not like we plan on things to go wrong as most of us don't do that.  It's more like our plate is full, we are at the buffet and someone puts yet something more on our plate.  We can't do it all.  We can't say it all.  We can't be everything to everyone.  We reach overload capacity and it seems as if something has to give.  Then it comes, that feeling of dread or hopelessness that puts us in a defensive position and we wonder if the other foot is going to fall.  That last straw on the camels back causing us to break.  Will it come?  What will happen?  For the Christian this may be a familiar feeling, repeated often and without solution.  That's not how God intends our lives to be lived.  There is no forward focus in this kind of living.  There is no victory and there is no peace.  That's when it may hit you and you turn to someone, something, or yourself to make your world or situation better. 
     Wrong move.  Every step we take to control or fix our situation are going to be less than what God can do and wants to do in our lives.  If we are without peace we know we are out of the will of God.  The proverbial other foot is manufactured by a world that wants us to abandon God.  Speaking from personal experience I can tell you that this works and we do abandon God.  Sometimes it's just the big stuff that overwhelms us and we see no answer or solution.  Sometimes it's the small stuff that seems to crowd into our lives when we aren't looking.  Nevertheless, it happens and when it does we are not in a good space.  Living with anxiety, guilt, shame and loneliness are destructive forces that tear at the fabric of who God is in your life.  That last 5 words should be sticking in your mind as something that is wrong.  It's not who God is in our lives that counts.  It's who we are in the life God gives us that counts.  We turn things around and suddenly we find ourselves in a bad space. Taking our eyes off Jesus and putting them on ourselves or others to make everything work doesn't work. 
     Whether you and I admit it, we try to be the god of our life.  We fail miserably but we still try to do this futile act.  It happens quite often and subtly so we don't tend to notice the take over.  It may begin with YOU deciding you don't have time to pray.  YOU deciding what to wear.  YOU deciding what you will do during your day.  YOU deciding whom to talk to and who to not talk to.  YOU deciding how best to conquer problems, seek solutions and divide the truth without asking God.  The Bible says in James that you ask and receive not because you ask with wrong motives.  If we aren't seeking God's answer to our situations then we are bound to ask ourselves and others.  Bad move.  But it's our choice.  We can choose to live our life or we can choose to abandon our life and let God live through us.  When we choose the latter we choose peace.  When we choose the former we should expect lack of peace.  It's your choice and it's my choice.  What will we choose today?

Looking back does little good for the Christian

     Sometimes in life looking back seems like a good idea.  Like remembering the past so that we don't repeat the mistakes.  We don't often look back to repeat the good stuff.  We look at the present or the future for the good stuff.  The world is intent on looking back.  That's one of the ways that the world holds captive those who are entangled in it's claws.  I grew up on a farm.  There was always work to be done on the farm.  One such chore was putting in the crop.  Plowing the fields and seeding them so that the crop would grow and produce in the fall.  So, in early spring we went to the field.  The beginning of plowing the field is the most important part.  When you have a field a half mile long there needs to be focus in order to draw a straight line from one end of the field to the other.  You start at the middle of the field and pick out a landmark somewhere toward the horizon.  When you find such a landmark you engage the drill (machine that actually plants the seeds) and drop the plow into the ground and start your first line.  It's important to keep your eyes on the landmark so that the line will be straight and the field will end up equally plowed and planted.  When I first began plowing and planting I looked back to make sure everything was okay.  When I look forward again I found that my landmark had moved!  I was off track.  Two things need to be in place for the line to be straight.  The first is focus on the landmark.  The second is faith in the machinery that it will do it's job.  If you don't have the first, your line is off.  If you don't have the faith in your machinery the tendency is to look back and violate the first.  When I arrived at the end of the journey and looked back the truth would be evident whether the line was straight or if I had looked back.  Never look back and always have faith in your machinery.
     When we are involved in Christian ministry (and we all should be) there is the need to have faith that God will lead and direct your path.  This would be His path if we truly have decided to follow Jesus.  When God sends people out, he sends them into the future.  When he asks us to do something it's for the future.  In speaking the word of God there is only the future we look at.  We may remind people of what has happened in the past but the focus is always on the future.  That future would be conversion to Jesus and then to follow Jesus.  God doesn't show us the end of the story.  Well, kinda in a general way with the Rapture and what follows.  But ministry is in the "right now" mode.  We plant a seed with the prayer and hope that it will grow and mature producing a harvest.  We can only plant seeds that we have.  If we aren't true believers and dedicated to Jesus then the seeds we have are false and will not reap a harvest for God.  The Bible tells us that "narrow is the path" of righteousness and wide is the path of destruction.  When we live in the wide path we lose sight of the landmark and go astray to the right or the left.  There is less and less contact with those who are on the straight and narrow and more contact with those who are perishing.  Eventually we are called to choose whom we will follow.  All to many Christians choose to follow the world.  Not only are they betraying their love of Jesus but they are teaching others to do the same.  Not good.  Been there and done that. 
     The question is put to us to check what kind of field we are sowing?  What are we using for the landmark to go through the field of life we are placed within?  How will we focus in order to keep Jesus first in our lives?  What will happen to those who are perishing if we don't stay focused on what God wants?  Unable to plant his seeds we become ineffective and harmful for the Kingdom of God.  It's still a choice.  You and I can choose every day whether we go the straight and narrow and please God or whether we compromise our love for Jesus and become anathema (a curse) to God.  There are no more choices.  You are doing one or the other.  It's always your choice.  However, the results of your choice determines whether the field is planted or whether it's not planted.  Choose today what you will.  It's your choice.

1984 and other warnings

     We tend to brush aside warnings that come across the various mediums of communication.  George Orwell foretold of the world where Big Brother ruled and history changed with the whims of those who were in control.  I would have said "in charge" but the book clearly depicts a people who were controlled in pretty much every facet of their lives.  Along with you, I would like to sit comfortably in my recliner and believe that everything is okay and that people have my best interests at heart with decisions they make.  Along with you, I'd like to think that "they" know what's good and profitable for mankind.  Along with you, I'd like to believe their promises of a turkey on every table at Thanksgiving.  Okay, reality check, none of these are reality.  Everything is not okay.  People don't have my best interests at heart.  "They" don't have knowledge of the individual me and thus can't possibly have my best interests at heart.  Nor do they have any idea of what's best for the world and who has to sacrifice in order to make their beliefs, actions and laws work for all of mankind.  Oh, and there will not be a turkey on every table at Thanksgiving this year or any year to come.  The signs of the times point in quite a different direction.  Warnings are there if we will see them.  Warnings are visible to all through the media, through people's lives and through the prophecies of the Bible and the failure of systems within our world. 
     Working as a gardener in California I was always out in and amongst nature.  I listened to the weather on the nightly news but didn't rely on weather people to give me the truth or accurate prediction.  I knew there was a better way.  When I went to work I would look at the gopher holes.  If they were open there would be no rain.  If those same holes were plugged I could bet it was going to rain sometime soon.  Gophers were never wrong.  I wish I could say the same for the weather people. I don't need my car to start sputtering to tell me that I'm running out of gas any more than the refrigerator to tell me I'm running out of food.  Simple observation of the gas gauge and the refrigerator is enough to convince me to listen to the message and to take care of both!   The same goes for when I run out of underwear.  Time to go and do laundry!  You get the picture.  We see things, read things, and hear things all the time.  We know that the world has a god that wants us to be deceived.  Satan loves to laugh at our folly.  So, when we run out of gas, food or underwear he is there to laugh at us for trusting something other than the signs and warnings.  When my child lies to me it's a warning that something is wrong.  When my boss suggests the company is going in a different direction there is a warning to me.  Whenever something goes on out of the ordinary we need to question as to why rather than ignore out of the different day, same stuff mentality.
     Complacency is one of the culprits of our doing nothing about everything.  Complacency is that state where we are satisfied with the status quo whatever that might be for you.  It's the homeless who are content to be where and what they are.  It's the CEO that's content to take enormous salaries but has no relationship with his children, wife and family. It's the Christian who maybe goes to church on Sunday but doesn't live the Christian life the rest of the week.  It's you and I not doing anything out of our comfort zone and watching family, friends and enemies alike trudge on to an eternity in hell...all because of our complacency.  We don't want to see the warning signs.  If we saw them we might be expected to do something.  If we did something our status quo would be upset.  If our status quo was upset what would people think, say and do?  Would we, like so many Christians around the world, be imprisoned for our faith if we expressed that faith?  Would we, like so many Christians around the world put our lives on the line if we knew we might very well be killed for our faith?  Complacency is what takes us to destruction.  That's both a corporate and a personal element that you and I can do something about.  We need to do SOMETHING!  The warnings are there.  What is going to be your choice today?  Remember, it's always your choice.

Advice for those who are weak like me.

     It never dawned on me that I was weak.  I cannot say with any belief at all that I was, am or ever will be a weak person...at least physically.  Mentally, spiritually and psychologically there are many situations that prove I'm anything but strong or resolved.  When I look at myself in the mirror I see a physically strong (though somewhat fat) man who has worked hard all his life.  But when I look in the eyes I see the faltering of spirit, the weakness of resolve and the questioning of my intentions.  Do you ever feel that way?  I can't say that I like this about myself as I don't like it at all.  I was raised in the era when men were men and if you were weak, you weren't a man.  There seems to be rites of passage for physical prowess.  Look to any sport and you will find marks of bronze, silver and gold.  Men and women are measured by what they can do physically even if they are incapable of much else on the inside.  Paul was an incredible example of both sides of the coin.  He was all that a Roman Jew could be and more.  He was fluent in languages, travelled to persecute the Christians, kill and imprison them with the intention of eradicating them.  Yet, he was prone to remembering that his sin, like that of King David, was ever before him even if God had forgiven it.  Physically, psychologically, emotionally and spiritually Paul, David, Peter and many others were not perfect.
     There are several tactics we can take to combat and overcome our weaknesses.  First, we can acknowledge them, expose them, and take away their power over us.  Many have weaknesses tied to secrets they feel they must keep.  As long as the secret is kept, the secret has the power.  Once told the secret loses it's power.  Second, we can confess the failures we have had knowing that we will fail again.  At least the past failures can be put away with the full knowledge that God "will remember them no more."  Accepting the forgiveness of God releases the power of failure over ourselves.  Third, we can forgive others and stop holding grudges, keeping score, or keeping up with whomever.  Forgiving others releases that energy best reserved to do the will of God.  Forgiving someone doesn't mean they are right; nor does it mean you were wrong.  Forgiving lets go of whatever hold that incident, word, or action has had on you for who knows how long.  Fourth, we can proclaim victory over the devil and his angels in Jesus' name.  In so doing the shackles of guilt and the burden of regret can begin to fall away from our ankles and release us to move forward.  That's what we really need and want anyway.
     It's not enough to take these 4 steps only once.  We must take them every day and sometimes many times a day in order to break the hold that has keep us weak.  In "my weakness Christ is strong."  Do you believe that?  It's what the Scripture says but do you really believe that?  Do you believe that he can take your weaknesses and work them for His good?  That's what our lives are all about.  It's not about lifting 600 pounds or being able to quote Scripture day and night.  It's not about the degree you hold or the designation of your title at work.  It's not about the house you live in, the person you are married to, the children you have or anything else in life that you are holding onto.  It's about Jesus and him glorified through ALL of your and my life.  I can't put away the weaknesses.  God can.  I cannot make up for the damage my choices have caused.  God can.  I cannot bring anyone to salvation through Jesus.  God can.  I can't even speak words of wisdom without the blessing of God, the anointing of the Holy Spirit and the salvation afforded to me by the atoning work of Jesus.  I can choose to die to me.  That's about it.  You can to.

Taking the day off.

     I'm taking the day off.  I'll be back tomorrow.  Thanks for following the blog.  I hope and pray it helps someone.

Ever get that creepy feeling like there is a bug crawling on you?

    I do and I don't like it.  Being deathly afraid of spiders doesn't help me to deal with the creepy feeling like something is crawling on me.  I don't know why I'm afraid of spiders but I am.  I've always been afraid of spiders.  I grew up on a farm where there are lots of spiders.  You'd think I'd been able to outgrow the fear but I haven't.  Sometimes there are events that take place that leave us feeling like there is something spiritually creepy going on around us.  Since I am a Christian, I cannot be possessed by demons.  That's what the Bible tells us.  That certainly doesn't mean that I can't be tempted and tormented by demons.  I am at times.  Perhaps you are as well.  My spirit witnesses that the demons are real and desire to distract me from looking at Jesus.  Whenever I look at somewhere else than the Cross, I open myself up to the creepiness of the satanic world we live in.  The Bible tells us that Satan goes around the earth like a roaring lion seeking whom he desires.  he doesn't do that to bring us cookies and milk.  He does this so that we fear him more than have faith in God.  Physics tells us that for every action there is a reaction.  We choose that reaction even if we don't choose the action.  Rather than choosing to let God have the situation we go about our feeble way trying to do the work that God wants to do in our lives. 
     Like many people I have allergies.  When I drink a sugar soda I almost immediately have my hands swell up.  This doesn't happen with sugar free sodas.  I don't have this happen with other sugars in other foods I eat.  The sugar is both a blessing to be enjoyed and a bane for me when I have some.  I can usually tell if I've been given a real soda or a sugar free one with the first sip.  However, I, like you, probably will drink the rest of the drink once again causing my hands to swell up.  I didn't heed the warning and took the consequences as well.  It's the same thing with the creepy feeling I've introduced.  Once engaged there doesn't even need to be a creepy spider around to have me overcome with that creepy feeling as if one is walking on me.  If, you are similar to me, the location of those creepy feelings are as specific as the reaction to the sugar soda.  I feel them as a consequence of my fear.  Fear is manufactured in the demonic spiritual realm.  Deal with the fear and the problem disappears.  Don't deal with it and you carry the problem for the rest of your life. 
     I've taken steps to keep spiders and other insects out of my house.  I have plug in deterrents that give off a vibe that only insects hear and they flee the area where they are placed.  I have at least one in every room!  It's been a life saver for me.  However, I do have to go outside and face the world of my garden, sheds, greenhouse, orchard and other places where bugs are plentiful.  It's the same in our Christian lives. Satan wants to keep us bottled up in our houses fearful of what people will think, day and do if they find out we are Christian.  It's when we step out in faith that we begin to see the hand of God working to quell our fears, embolden our witness and the lives of those around us changing.  Shake off the creepy feelings and walk forward in confidence that everything is going just as God wants it to go in your world.  Maybe the creepy feeling you are having is sin that hasn't been dealt with?  Sometimes we need to pause and let God clear out the sin that we have stacked up over the day, week or maybe even a lifetime.  Those sins are creepy when we encounter the Spirit of the living God.  Jesus calms the storm and calms the spirit.  It may be your choice to let Him do that but it is his work that allows you to make the choice.  Choose wisely.

The Room

     In that place between wakefulness and dreams, I found myself in the room. There were no distinguishing features except for the one wall covered with small index card files. They were like the ones in libraries that list titles by author or subject in alphabetical order. But these files, which stretched from floor to ceiling and seemingly endless in either direction, had very different headings. As I drew near the wall of files, the first to catch my attention was one that read "Girls I have liked". I opened it and began flipping through the cards. I quickly shut it, shocked to realize that I recognized the names written on each one.
     And then without being told, I knew exactly where I was. This lifeless room with its small files was a crude catalog system for my life. Here were written the actions of my every moment, big and small, in a detail my memory couldn't match. A sense of wonder and curiosity, coupled with horror, stirred within me as I began randomly opening files and exploring their content. Some brought joy and sweet memories; others a sense of shame and regret so intense that I would look over my shoulder to see if anyone was watching.      A file named "Friends" was next to one marked "Friends I have betrayed." The titles ranged from the mundane to the outright weird. "Books I Have Read," "Lies I Have Told," "Comfort I have given," "Jokes I Have Laughed at." Some were almost hilarious in their exactness: "Things I've yelled at my brothers". Others I couldn't laugh at: "Things I Have Done in My Anger", "Things I Have Muttered Under My Breath at My Parents." I never ceased to be surprised by the contents.      Often, there were many more cards than I expected, sometimes, fewer than I hoped. I was overwhelmed by the sheer volume of the life I had lived. Could it be possible that I had the time in my years to fill each of these thousands or even millions of cards? But each card confirmed this truth. Each was written in my own handwriting, each signed with my signature. When I pulled out the file marked "TV Shows I have watched", I realized the files grew to contain their contents. The cards were packed tightly, and yet after two or three yards, I hadn't found the end of the file. I shut it, shamed, not so much by the quality of shows but more by the vast time I knew that file represented.      When I came to a file marked "Lustful Thoughts," I felt a chill run through my body. I pulled the file out only an inch, not willing to test its size, and drew out a card. I shuddered at its detailed content.      I felt sick to think that such a moment had been recorded. An almost animal rage broke on me. One thought dominated my mind: "No one must ever see these cards! No one must ever see this room! I have to destroy them!" In insane frenzy, I yanked the file out. Its size didn't matter now. I had to empty it and burn the cards. But as I took it at one end and began pounding it on the floor, I could not dislodge a single card. I became desperate and pulled out a card, only to find it as strong as steel when I tried to tear it.      Defeated and utterly helpless, I returned the file to its slot. Leaning my forehead against the wall, I let out a long self-pitying sigh. And then I saw it... The title bore "People I Have Shared the Gospel With." The handle was brighter than those around it, newer, almost unused. I pulled on its handle, and a small box not more than three inches long fell into my hands. I could count the cards it contained on one hand.      And then the tears came. I began to weep: sobs so deep that they hurt. They started in my stomach and shook through me. I fell on my knees and cried. I cried out of shame, from the overwhelming shame of it all. The rows of file shelves swirled in my tear-filled eyes. No one must ever, ever know of this room. I must lock it up and hide the key. But then as I pushed away the tears, I saw Him.      No, please not Him. Not here. Oh, anyone but Jesus. I watched helplessly as He began to open the files and read the cards. I couldn't bear to watch his response. And in the moments I could bring myself to look at His face, I saw a sorrow deeper than my own. He seemed to intuitively go to the worst boxes. Why did He have to read every one? Finally, He turned and looked at me from across the room. He looked at me with pity in His eyes. But this was a pity that didn't anger me. I dropped my head, covered my face with my hands, and began to cry again. He walked over and put His arm around me. He could have said so many things, but He didn't say a word. He just cried with me.      Then, He got up and walked back to the wall of files. Starting at one end of the room, He took out a file and, one by one, began to sign His name over mine on each card. "No!" I shouted, rushing to Him. All I could find to say was "No, no," as I pulled the card from Him. His name shouldn't be on these cards. But there it was, written in red so rich, so dark, so alive. The name of Jesus covered mine. It was written with His blood. He gently took the card back. He smiled a sad smile and began to sign the cards. I don't think I'll ever understand how He did it so quickly, but the next instant, it seemed I heard Him close the last file and walk back to my side.      He placed His hand on my shoulder and said, "It is finished." I stood up, and He led me out of the room. There were still cards to be written.