The Bullet of Witness: To Walk or to Talk
How does one spot a real Christian? Only two ways … by what he says and by what he does. Most of us always talk a bigger fight than we live, so one has to be exceedingly careful in putting too much stock in someone’s words.
Then there are some folks who don’t say much, yet you are impressed with their life. This is a safer and more effective course to follow (than being a talker), yet even here a serious error crops up. A person who has found the “great life” is selfish and short-sighted if he doesn’t share the source of his strength with others.
So we have the two extremes. The guy who can’t keep quiet because he thinks he has it all together, and the class individual who just sits there in silence and pities all the run-off-at-the-mouths.
Of course, the solution to our dilemma is the model we have in Jesus Christ. Although He lived a perfect life, He still came talking. A great life without talk is mystery. Great talk from a weak life is boredom. Great talk from a great life is exciting!
The wise and happy human is the one who knows how to balance his own talk and his own walk, as well, as honestly evaluating the talk and walk of others.
I’ve know lots of Christians (I still do) who talk a bigger life than they live. But I’d rather hear them talk about a bigger life than a lesser life.
The silent types who seem to have the great life put together ultimately betray their weakness. A crisis come as an off-the-cuff comment is made which reveals their silence was a cover for inadequacy. But I can’t help admiring the guy who seeks to guard his tongue, and not burden others with empty words.
Tuesday, February 27, 2007
Thursday, February 22, 2007
The Bullet of Wisdom: The End of the Matter
Is a man’s value determined by what he makes of himself?
Anyone with any sense ought to desire the maximum of his or her life. I have a passion to live life to the fullest, discover its greatest joys, explore its deepest satisfactions, carry love, hope and meaning to the most people, and above all, to experience the exhilarating joy of knowing God on earth!
But how? Thousands of voices and philosophies are peddling their claims. Who or what is right? The witness of thousands of Christians (including my own) is, that we have discovered that when we place our confidence and trust in Christ, we are never disappointed (Romans 9:33 and 10:11). I can say without exception that I have never been disappointed when I believed God’s Word about some activity, pursuit or decision. On the other hand, my life is filled with “wrecks of the past,” when I lean on my own limitations and immature goals.
King Solomon was a man who tried everything and had everything. Read the book of Ecclesiastes for a real dip into exiting reality literature! He tried wisdom, pleasure and the good life. He said he got everything he laid his eyes on. Still, he wasn’t happy. His final witness to avoid futility and “blowing in the wind,” was to love God and obey His teachings.
I’m convinced of one thing. If I’m going to really make something of my life I must get the basics right. For me … and thousands of Christians like me, that “basic” is Jesus Christ. We’re not completed yet, and there are many imperfections, but we are in process.
Remember the old adage, “close only counts in horseshoes?” I don’t want to stop at being a “horseshoe!” How about you?
The conclusion, when all has been heard, is: fear God and keep His commandments, because this applies to every person. For God will bring every act to judgment, everything which is hidden, whether it is good or evil. Ecclesiastes 12:13-14
Is a man’s value determined by what he makes of himself?
Anyone with any sense ought to desire the maximum of his or her life. I have a passion to live life to the fullest, discover its greatest joys, explore its deepest satisfactions, carry love, hope and meaning to the most people, and above all, to experience the exhilarating joy of knowing God on earth!
But how? Thousands of voices and philosophies are peddling their claims. Who or what is right? The witness of thousands of Christians (including my own) is, that we have discovered that when we place our confidence and trust in Christ, we are never disappointed (Romans 9:33 and 10:11). I can say without exception that I have never been disappointed when I believed God’s Word about some activity, pursuit or decision. On the other hand, my life is filled with “wrecks of the past,” when I lean on my own limitations and immature goals.
King Solomon was a man who tried everything and had everything. Read the book of Ecclesiastes for a real dip into exiting reality literature! He tried wisdom, pleasure and the good life. He said he got everything he laid his eyes on. Still, he wasn’t happy. His final witness to avoid futility and “blowing in the wind,” was to love God and obey His teachings.
I’m convinced of one thing. If I’m going to really make something of my life I must get the basics right. For me … and thousands of Christians like me, that “basic” is Jesus Christ. We’re not completed yet, and there are many imperfections, but we are in process.
Remember the old adage, “close only counts in horseshoes?” I don’t want to stop at being a “horseshoe!” How about you?
The conclusion, when all has been heard, is: fear God and keep His commandments, because this applies to every person. For God will bring every act to judgment, everything which is hidden, whether it is good or evil. Ecclesiastes 12:13-14
Tuesday, February 20, 2007
Who Do You Trust?
“Cursed (frustrated) is the man who trusts in man … Blessed (fulfilled) is the man who trusts’ in the Lord.” (Jeremiah 17:5,7)
FRUSTRATED OR FULFILLED … we are one or the other. Twelve spies sneaked into Canaan. Only two of them trusted God. The other ten didn’t like what they saw … giants and well-defended cities.
Oh, they were intelligent enough. And they were practical enough. But they lacked the one ingredient upon which victory was keyed … trust.
When they saw the odds, they did the logical thing, inventoried their own military assets. After all, you can’t kill giants with slingshots … haven’t we heard a story about that? Their military stockpile didn’t stack up to well so they drug home to make their somber report: “We don’t stand a chance!”
Were they cursed? Well, the graves of those ten are somewhere out there in the wilderness, along with hundreds of thousands of others who placed their trust in them.
The wilderness begins where trust in God ends. “Cursed is the man who trusts in man … He shall swell in the parched places of the wilderness” (Jeremiah 17:5,6). Forty years later, with greater odds against them, their children and grandchildren were victorious. Why? Where was the difference? In implements of war? NO! In the shrinking of the giants? NO! In depleted forces of the enemy? NO! The difference was “the trust factor.” They trusted in the Lord. And they were blessed.
The wilderness ends where trust in God begins. “Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord. He is like a tree planted by the water” (Jeremiah 17:7,9).
The above came to me from an unknown source. I made a few changes and would like to pass it on for your encouragement. Truly God’s people are “… Blessed is he who fears the Lord, who greatly delights in His commandments! He is not afraid of evil tidings; his heart is firm, trusting in the Lord” (Psalm 112:1,7)
FRUSTRATED OR FULFILLED … we are one or the other. Twelve spies sneaked into Canaan. Only two of them trusted God. The other ten didn’t like what they saw … giants and well-defended cities.
Oh, they were intelligent enough. And they were practical enough. But they lacked the one ingredient upon which victory was keyed … trust.
When they saw the odds, they did the logical thing, inventoried their own military assets. After all, you can’t kill giants with slingshots … haven’t we heard a story about that? Their military stockpile didn’t stack up to well so they drug home to make their somber report: “We don’t stand a chance!”
Were they cursed? Well, the graves of those ten are somewhere out there in the wilderness, along with hundreds of thousands of others who placed their trust in them.
The wilderness begins where trust in God ends. “Cursed is the man who trusts in man … He shall swell in the parched places of the wilderness” (Jeremiah 17:5,6). Forty years later, with greater odds against them, their children and grandchildren were victorious. Why? Where was the difference? In implements of war? NO! In the shrinking of the giants? NO! In depleted forces of the enemy? NO! The difference was “the trust factor.” They trusted in the Lord. And they were blessed.
The wilderness ends where trust in God begins. “Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord. He is like a tree planted by the water” (Jeremiah 17:7,9).
The above came to me from an unknown source. I made a few changes and would like to pass it on for your encouragement. Truly God’s people are “… Blessed is he who fears the Lord, who greatly delights in His commandments! He is not afraid of evil tidings; his heart is firm, trusting in the Lord” (Psalm 112:1,7)
Thursday, February 15, 2007
The Bullet of Obedience: To Grasp or to Do
Many parents know the experience of going away for the weekend and leaving the kidos behind. Invariably, mom and dad leave notes all over the house instructing the children what they are to do in their parents’ absence. Notes on the refrigerator, notes on the thermostat, notes on the dog bowl, notes on the trash can, notes on the bathroom mirror. Notes everywhere. Imagine the parents’ surprise if upon their return they found every instruction ignored but their children seated at the kitchen table busily engaged in note reading, note study and note memorization!! The critical issue is not fascination with the notes, but obedience to their content. Upon the return of mom and dad, their children are found to be either in a state of obedience or disobedience and are judged accordingly.
Similarly our heavenly Father has left us 66 “notes” with instructions to occupy the time until Jesus returns to claim His own. This issue is obedience or disobedience. There is no middle ground. Where will he find you?
Many parents know the experience of going away for the weekend and leaving the kidos behind. Invariably, mom and dad leave notes all over the house instructing the children what they are to do in their parents’ absence. Notes on the refrigerator, notes on the thermostat, notes on the dog bowl, notes on the trash can, notes on the bathroom mirror. Notes everywhere. Imagine the parents’ surprise if upon their return they found every instruction ignored but their children seated at the kitchen table busily engaged in note reading, note study and note memorization!! The critical issue is not fascination with the notes, but obedience to their content. Upon the return of mom and dad, their children are found to be either in a state of obedience or disobedience and are judged accordingly.
Similarly our heavenly Father has left us 66 “notes” with instructions to occupy the time until Jesus returns to claim His own. This issue is obedience or disobedience. There is no middle ground. Where will he find you?
Tuesday, February 13, 2007
The Bullet of Obedience: Necessity or Option
Obedience. Our homes and our society would break down without it. Obedience is obvious. Obedience is necessary. Obedience is expected.
As a parent, as an employer, as a coach, as a teacher, as a military officer, in virtually every area of life we see obedience as the factor that makes life and behavior both predictable and orderly. In fact, in many relationships, obedience is not only helpful, it is the basis for fellowship in the relationship; i.e., obedience is the only ground of fellowship with a superior.
And yet, in the Christian life we often have a tendency to view obedience to Jesus Christ as optional. It’s as though we say: “O.K., Jesus, we’ll do it your way this time; and next time we’ll do it my way; and maybe the time after that, you can do “your thing” and I’ll do mine.” In the low view of God which seems to pervade so much of our society and our own personal thinking today, Jesus is reduced to the level of some heavenly “wimp” who isn’t terribly affected one way or the other when we treat His demands on our lives merely as polite but unrealistic suggestions. We are professing Christians but practicing atheists.
Obedience. Our homes and our society would break down without it. Obedience is obvious. Obedience is necessary. Obedience is expected.
As a parent, as an employer, as a coach, as a teacher, as a military officer, in virtually every area of life we see obedience as the factor that makes life and behavior both predictable and orderly. In fact, in many relationships, obedience is not only helpful, it is the basis for fellowship in the relationship; i.e., obedience is the only ground of fellowship with a superior.
And yet, in the Christian life we often have a tendency to view obedience to Jesus Christ as optional. It’s as though we say: “O.K., Jesus, we’ll do it your way this time; and next time we’ll do it my way; and maybe the time after that, you can do “your thing” and I’ll do mine.” In the low view of God which seems to pervade so much of our society and our own personal thinking today, Jesus is reduced to the level of some heavenly “wimp” who isn’t terribly affected one way or the other when we treat His demands on our lives merely as polite but unrealistic suggestions. We are professing Christians but practicing atheists.
Thursday, February 08, 2007
The Bullet of Growth: Growing in Hope
Following Jesus Christ … I mean really following … is no easy thing! It demands a growing honesty with ourselves about our true motives and level of sacrifice. It calls for constant change. None of us like change, especially when it means the surrender of selfish habits and the acceptance of increased spiritual responsibility. All of us are at different stages of our growth in Christ. My philosophy (which is Biblical) is to condemn no one for where you are, but rather, to encourage you to become more for Christ and to do it as quickly as possible. It’s great to sense a new godly tension. We must be sure our growth is not a creation of the flesh but a proper response to the prompting of the Holy Spirit.
As Dr. Baxter would put it … “We must be intensely spiritual, perfectively natural, and thoroughly practical.” May our Lord give us Christians like that throughout the world.
Don’t be deceived by the deceptions and empty attractions of our world. Reject any spirit of cynicism or bitterness! Our little lives given to the Father’s big purposes will alone satisfy our hunger for what He crated within us!
Following Jesus Christ … I mean really following … is no easy thing! It demands a growing honesty with ourselves about our true motives and level of sacrifice. It calls for constant change. None of us like change, especially when it means the surrender of selfish habits and the acceptance of increased spiritual responsibility. All of us are at different stages of our growth in Christ. My philosophy (which is Biblical) is to condemn no one for where you are, but rather, to encourage you to become more for Christ and to do it as quickly as possible. It’s great to sense a new godly tension. We must be sure our growth is not a creation of the flesh but a proper response to the prompting of the Holy Spirit.
As Dr. Baxter would put it … “We must be intensely spiritual, perfectively natural, and thoroughly practical.” May our Lord give us Christians like that throughout the world.
Don’t be deceived by the deceptions and empty attractions of our world. Reject any spirit of cynicism or bitterness! Our little lives given to the Father’s big purposes will alone satisfy our hunger for what He crated within us!
Tuesday, February 06, 2007
The Ice Line
By RA Stites
In mid-January, 2007, a powerful storm encased much of the area from Texas to Illinois in a deadly coating of ice. Power lines fell, trees broke under the weight, Amtrak service was interrupted, flights from area airports were cancelled, several people died as a result of the storm. In its wake, Governors issued disaster decrees. It would take the next two weeks and more to get everything back to normal.
In the days leading up to the storm, the National Weather Service issued watches and warnings. Our area was included. We watched the drama unfold on television and outside our windows. One of the most amazing things about this storm was the clear line between devastating ice and a little winter weather. One newscast had a memorable picture of a mountainside where a line appeared to mark the boundary between ice coated trees and those that were not.
The reaction of the public was predictable. If you lived in the affected part of our state you were doing your best to survive without electricity and, in some cases, heat. Even that effort proved deadly; a Bella Vista, Arkansas, couple died in their home from carbon monoxide poising produced by the fumes of a heater. The Red Cross set up emergency shelters in several communities. Businesses closed putting wage earners out of work for days. If you lived on the ice side of the line you wished you could have done more to prepare.
If you lived on the non-iced side you complained about those fool weathermen getting everyone excited about nothing. It is doubtful that anyone in our area was more than two degrees of separation from the icy side – we all know someone or knew someone who knew someone who was out of power or in distress. But it was not our houses and towns under the ice so we made light of the storm – even though we knew that only a few miles away people suffered.
It seems to me that there is a similar “ice line” between ordinary life and one marred by evil. Like the winter storm, there is a little, normal “bad weather” or there is an “ice storm” of sin and depravity. We all suffer the effects of sin to some degree. We all encounter bad things: arguments with co-workers, finances out of order, fights with a spouse, someone gossiping about us or we gossip about them, children acting up, a raise or promotion denied, criticism of our actions, the list is never ending. That is the normal “bad weather” of life.
Then there are the truly horrible things that happen in our world where sin and depravity seem to outweigh any good; these are the “ice storms” of life. A child is the victim of a serial killer or drive-by shooter or suicide bomber. Bankruptcy is the only way out of debt for the individual or the company. A spouse betrays ones trust and devastates ones happiness in a horrible divorce. Depression settles in for a long stay and the sufferer can not face each day without thoughts of suicide. This list, too, is long and painful.
The “ice line” runs through the lives of individuals and communities. Our responses are as predictable as those to a weather warning. If we are on the “bad weather” side we take little heed of the warning. We see the devastation and offer sympathy or support but we don’t live “there.” We are arrogant in our regard of those who warn of disasters. But if we live on the “ice storm” side we cry out in pain and longing. We wish we had taken heed of the good counsel we had received. We mourn. We fail; we even die in our battle to survive.
This is the state of the world. There is nothing that can completely protect any of us from the storm. Money won’t. Status won’t. Fame won’t. Position won’t. Being a good person won’t. Even being a Believer won’t. What matters is not escaping the storm but how we face it. It is by learning how to “put” all our “bad weather” challenges, difficulties, problems and pains “in Christ” that we prepare to encounter the big “ice storm” when it comes. We may live the greater part of our lives on the “bad weather” side of the line but not all. There will come a time when the predictions are all too true and we are the ones facing the ice. It is the wise man who is prepared!
30 Then I was beside Him, as a master workman; And I was daily His delight, Rejoicing always before Him, 31 Rejoicing in the world, His earth, And having my delight in the sons of men. 32 "Now therefore, O sons, listen to me, For blessed are they who keep my ways. 33 "Heed instruction and be wise, And do not neglect it. 34 "Blessed is the man who listens to me, Watching daily at my gates, Waiting at my doorposts. 35 "For he who finds me finds life, And obtains favor from the LORD. 36 "But he who sins against me injures himself; All those who hate me love death." The words of the Lady Wisdom in Proverbs 8:30-36
By RA Stites
In mid-January, 2007, a powerful storm encased much of the area from Texas to Illinois in a deadly coating of ice. Power lines fell, trees broke under the weight, Amtrak service was interrupted, flights from area airports were cancelled, several people died as a result of the storm. In its wake, Governors issued disaster decrees. It would take the next two weeks and more to get everything back to normal.
In the days leading up to the storm, the National Weather Service issued watches and warnings. Our area was included. We watched the drama unfold on television and outside our windows. One of the most amazing things about this storm was the clear line between devastating ice and a little winter weather. One newscast had a memorable picture of a mountainside where a line appeared to mark the boundary between ice coated trees and those that were not.
The reaction of the public was predictable. If you lived in the affected part of our state you were doing your best to survive without electricity and, in some cases, heat. Even that effort proved deadly; a Bella Vista, Arkansas, couple died in their home from carbon monoxide poising produced by the fumes of a heater. The Red Cross set up emergency shelters in several communities. Businesses closed putting wage earners out of work for days. If you lived on the ice side of the line you wished you could have done more to prepare.
If you lived on the non-iced side you complained about those fool weathermen getting everyone excited about nothing. It is doubtful that anyone in our area was more than two degrees of separation from the icy side – we all know someone or knew someone who knew someone who was out of power or in distress. But it was not our houses and towns under the ice so we made light of the storm – even though we knew that only a few miles away people suffered.
It seems to me that there is a similar “ice line” between ordinary life and one marred by evil. Like the winter storm, there is a little, normal “bad weather” or there is an “ice storm” of sin and depravity. We all suffer the effects of sin to some degree. We all encounter bad things: arguments with co-workers, finances out of order, fights with a spouse, someone gossiping about us or we gossip about them, children acting up, a raise or promotion denied, criticism of our actions, the list is never ending. That is the normal “bad weather” of life.
Then there are the truly horrible things that happen in our world where sin and depravity seem to outweigh any good; these are the “ice storms” of life. A child is the victim of a serial killer or drive-by shooter or suicide bomber. Bankruptcy is the only way out of debt for the individual or the company. A spouse betrays ones trust and devastates ones happiness in a horrible divorce. Depression settles in for a long stay and the sufferer can not face each day without thoughts of suicide. This list, too, is long and painful.
The “ice line” runs through the lives of individuals and communities. Our responses are as predictable as those to a weather warning. If we are on the “bad weather” side we take little heed of the warning. We see the devastation and offer sympathy or support but we don’t live “there.” We are arrogant in our regard of those who warn of disasters. But if we live on the “ice storm” side we cry out in pain and longing. We wish we had taken heed of the good counsel we had received. We mourn. We fail; we even die in our battle to survive.
This is the state of the world. There is nothing that can completely protect any of us from the storm. Money won’t. Status won’t. Fame won’t. Position won’t. Being a good person won’t. Even being a Believer won’t. What matters is not escaping the storm but how we face it. It is by learning how to “put” all our “bad weather” challenges, difficulties, problems and pains “in Christ” that we prepare to encounter the big “ice storm” when it comes. We may live the greater part of our lives on the “bad weather” side of the line but not all. There will come a time when the predictions are all too true and we are the ones facing the ice. It is the wise man who is prepared!
30 Then I was beside Him, as a master workman; And I was daily His delight, Rejoicing always before Him, 31 Rejoicing in the world, His earth, And having my delight in the sons of men. 32 "Now therefore, O sons, listen to me, For blessed are they who keep my ways. 33 "Heed instruction and be wise, And do not neglect it. 34 "Blessed is the man who listens to me, Watching daily at my gates, Waiting at my doorposts. 35 "For he who finds me finds life, And obtains favor from the LORD. 36 "But he who sins against me injures himself; All those who hate me love death." The words of the Lady Wisdom in Proverbs 8:30-36
Thursday, February 01, 2007
Thoughts for a Super Bowl Weekend
Some of the finest specimens of mental and physical toughness in America are those men who play intercollegiate or professional football. To see them thud and crunch into one another with breakneck speed and then jump up for the next play is a wonder to watch. Occasionally, however, one of these "warriors" takes a hard hit that leaves him stunned and lying limp on the field. Even those who are in the best physical shape and who wear the finest equipment are not immune from some of the brutal hits of the game!
When I see hard hits on the football field, I am reminded of the hard hits of life that come to us all. There is no way to escape them if you are in the game. On some plays you won’t even be touched. On others you’ll take a solid but easier hit. Yet there are times you will be hit terribly hard if you are a part of the play! There are some times when an opponent takes a cheap shot that the referee may not see or call! Sometimes the hard hits and cheap shots even come from those on our own team!
The hard hits of life are inevitable for those who play the game for Christ. They are also necessary and beneficial to the one who understands the Heavenly Coach’s process! Hebrews 12:11 puts it beautifully … "no discipline seems pleasant at the time but painful, later on however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it." The old adage "no pain, no gain" is as true as ever! The hard hits of life leave us hurt, confused, and weak. The time it takes to come back from those hits depends on our level of maturity. With the wisdom of Christ and the understanding of His greater purpose in our lives, we discover by faith that hurts can be healed, the confusion can turn to wisdom, and the weakness can become strength!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)