The Bullet of Being Positive: Let Jesus Cancel the Negatives
The negatives of the human dilemma will drive a realist to emotional sickness unless he can develop a positive attitude. If Jesus Christ wants to do anything for Christians, it is to give them a positive, conquering, can-do, optimistic attitude.
We own too much to those who love us to allow ourselves to be weakened by those who hate us. As Robert Schuller so well puts it – Christians should be “possibility thinkers” … never “impossibility thinkers.” The entire human race is divided into one or the other. The “possibility thinker” knows the true joy of living because he … turns dreams into exciting achievements … turns problems into profitable projects … turns obstacles into rare opportunities … turns opportunities into rich enterprises … turns tragedies into inspiring triumphs.
The greatest “deal” a person can discover on this little planet is to let Jesus Christ turn you into a positive thinker! Believe me … all of us are far more negative than we think we are. That’s why we have so many problems and so little joy! Jesus Christ has promised to change anyone who will give Him the opportunity. How about it?
Thursday, September 27, 2007
Tuesday, September 25, 2007
The Bullet of Being Positive: Majoring on the Minor Problems
Kipling said that if you can keep your head on straight while everyone else is losing theirs it proves you are a man. The only way to “keep your cool” in this life is to concentrate on what’s right with God rather than what’s wrong with man!
Some time ago the Consumer Products Safety Commission cited the alarming fact that 0.008 per cent of the population are injured every year in matchbook-related accidents and issued comprehensive matchbook regulations requiring that the striking surface be on the back, that the staple be so placed that it cannot be nicked by the match and that the match must not protrude from the closed matchbook, must not crumble or break or delay for more than two seconds in igniting or afterglow for more than five seconds or reignite. Next the Commission was scheduled to review bobby pins, coal scuttles and plastic squeeze bottles for ketchup and mustard.
The priorities of our government border at times on the brink of insanity! They ignore America’s illness of alcoholism and go all out against sugar substitutes! It’s the same old story of dropping H. Bombs on mosquitoes and firing a BB gun at an elephant.
Else we be too hard on our government we need to remember their mistakes are usually our own only magnified. One of human nature’s greatest frailties is overemphasis on the trivial while ignoring the critical. We spend $4,000 to bury the body of a loved one yet never spent so much as $40.00 on his spiritual betterment while he was alive.
Kipling said that if you can keep your head on straight while everyone else is losing theirs it proves you are a man. The only way to “keep your cool” in this life is to concentrate on what’s right with God rather than what’s wrong with man!
Some time ago the Consumer Products Safety Commission cited the alarming fact that 0.008 per cent of the population are injured every year in matchbook-related accidents and issued comprehensive matchbook regulations requiring that the striking surface be on the back, that the staple be so placed that it cannot be nicked by the match and that the match must not protrude from the closed matchbook, must not crumble or break or delay for more than two seconds in igniting or afterglow for more than five seconds or reignite. Next the Commission was scheduled to review bobby pins, coal scuttles and plastic squeeze bottles for ketchup and mustard.
The priorities of our government border at times on the brink of insanity! They ignore America’s illness of alcoholism and go all out against sugar substitutes! It’s the same old story of dropping H. Bombs on mosquitoes and firing a BB gun at an elephant.
Else we be too hard on our government we need to remember their mistakes are usually our own only magnified. One of human nature’s greatest frailties is overemphasis on the trivial while ignoring the critical. We spend $4,000 to bury the body of a loved one yet never spent so much as $40.00 on his spiritual betterment while he was alive.
Thursday, September 20, 2007
The Bullet of Family Life: Married Love is the Answer
(If you are single this “Answer” is still important. Married or not we all have a stake in good marriages as individuals and as a society. We should all use our opportunities to encourage each other in the kind of love that makes a family all it should be.)
Throughout the country today – especially in Christian circles – there is an explosion of interest in the husband-wife relationship. Thousands have discovered for the first time the true fascination of the “one flesh” union in Christ. Many feel they are past help and long ago buried any expectation – other than minimal – for their married life. Yet, help – real help – great help is available to those who want it.
It’s amazing how much the Bible has to say about love, sex, romance, marriage and children. The Scriptures teach that a man’s greatest joy and fulfillment as a man should have its source in a Godly woman. Children are more greatly affected by love between their mother and father than by love between parent and child. Someone has said that the greatest thing a father can do for his children is to lover their mother.
“Therefore shall a man leave his father and mother and shall cleave (be know together) unto his wife; and they shall be one flesh. And they were both naked, the man and his wife, and were not ashamed” (Genesis 2:24-25). The nakedness spoken of here is that of body, soul and spirit. Many couples have so many walls and so much guilt between them that they never experience the delicious and intoxicating fullness of knowing another human being the way God intended! Only Jesus liberates a man and woman to be together the way God purposed in creation.
Marriage is God’s idea! It won’t work without Him! How are you doing?
(If you are single this “Answer” is still important. Married or not we all have a stake in good marriages as individuals and as a society. We should all use our opportunities to encourage each other in the kind of love that makes a family all it should be.)
Throughout the country today – especially in Christian circles – there is an explosion of interest in the husband-wife relationship. Thousands have discovered for the first time the true fascination of the “one flesh” union in Christ. Many feel they are past help and long ago buried any expectation – other than minimal – for their married life. Yet, help – real help – great help is available to those who want it.
It’s amazing how much the Bible has to say about love, sex, romance, marriage and children. The Scriptures teach that a man’s greatest joy and fulfillment as a man should have its source in a Godly woman. Children are more greatly affected by love between their mother and father than by love between parent and child. Someone has said that the greatest thing a father can do for his children is to lover their mother.
“Therefore shall a man leave his father and mother and shall cleave (be know together) unto his wife; and they shall be one flesh. And they were both naked, the man and his wife, and were not ashamed” (Genesis 2:24-25). The nakedness spoken of here is that of body, soul and spirit. Many couples have so many walls and so much guilt between them that they never experience the delicious and intoxicating fullness of knowing another human being the way God intended! Only Jesus liberates a man and woman to be together the way God purposed in creation.
Marriage is God’s idea! It won’t work without Him! How are you doing?
Tuesday, September 18, 2007
The Bullet of Godly Family Life: The American Family
The number one problem in America today – without question in my mind – is the lack of spiritual leadership in the home. If God designed the family, you’d think He could make it work! He could if men would listen and act out the role God has designed for them. God has designed the husband and father to be the priest and leader of his home. According to the New Testament, he is to act like Jesus Christ toward his wife and his children. A wife and mother, as well as children, can’t help living life to the fullest measure if one like Jesus is in their midst. The vast majority of men don’t live this way, and don’t even understand that they are supposed to! Hence, the tragic instability, drift, unhappiness, drudgery and purposelessness of much family life.
In a recent national survey two things that teenagers would change first in their father was 1) that he wouldn’t get so mad, and 2) that he would admit his mistakes. Another survey indicated that seventy percent of wives seeking psychological help feel that their husbands don’t listen to them when they talk! Conversation in so many homes center on trivia – what’s for dinner, take out the garbage, isn’t it hot today, etc. – and not on the realities that build deep abiding relationships.
The number one problem in America today – without question in my mind – is the lack of spiritual leadership in the home. If God designed the family, you’d think He could make it work! He could if men would listen and act out the role God has designed for them. God has designed the husband and father to be the priest and leader of his home. According to the New Testament, he is to act like Jesus Christ toward his wife and his children. A wife and mother, as well as children, can’t help living life to the fullest measure if one like Jesus is in their midst. The vast majority of men don’t live this way, and don’t even understand that they are supposed to! Hence, the tragic instability, drift, unhappiness, drudgery and purposelessness of much family life.
In a recent national survey two things that teenagers would change first in their father was 1) that he wouldn’t get so mad, and 2) that he would admit his mistakes. Another survey indicated that seventy percent of wives seeking psychological help feel that their husbands don’t listen to them when they talk! Conversation in so many homes center on trivia – what’s for dinner, take out the garbage, isn’t it hot today, etc. – and not on the realities that build deep abiding relationships.
Thursday, September 13, 2007
The Bullet of Success: The Importance of Being Purposeful
Everyone has commitments, but less than three percent of us have written goals. Even some of these written goals are inadequate to help us reach our possibilities. Unless a Christian has committed himself to God given goals then all of his commitments, no matter how successful, will ultimately lead to frustration!
The trouble with most of our commitments is that we just “fall into them,” have them forced on us or choose them too lightly or in ignorance.
Success in life boils down to: one, choosing the best commitments; two, earnestly and sacrificially completing them until; three, you find yourself progressively living up to all your possibilities.
Life knows no sweeter satisfaction or fulfillment than that which comes to the “committed disciple.” Frankly, that’s what God is up to in the experience of every Christian! I pray we’ll allow Him to be successful in your life and mine!
Everyone has commitments, but less than three percent of us have written goals. Even some of these written goals are inadequate to help us reach our possibilities. Unless a Christian has committed himself to God given goals then all of his commitments, no matter how successful, will ultimately lead to frustration!
The trouble with most of our commitments is that we just “fall into them,” have them forced on us or choose them too lightly or in ignorance.
Success in life boils down to: one, choosing the best commitments; two, earnestly and sacrificially completing them until; three, you find yourself progressively living up to all your possibilities.
Life knows no sweeter satisfaction or fulfillment than that which comes to the “committed disciple.” Frankly, that’s what God is up to in the experience of every Christian! I pray we’ll allow Him to be successful in your life and mine!
Tuesday, September 11, 2007
The Bullet of Success: It Takes Commitment
Discipleship, how do we get there? Only by commitment. A working definition of commitment is where most believers experience a break down. Commitment is not activity. It is not even meeting obligations. Nor is it making a living or simply achieving various honors or accomplishments.
True commitment is choosing God given goals and actively seeking them. Coordinating all your resources to reach them and then completing them, you reach your maximum possibilities as a human being.
Discipleship, how do we get there? Only by commitment. A working definition of commitment is where most believers experience a break down. Commitment is not activity. It is not even meeting obligations. Nor is it making a living or simply achieving various honors or accomplishments.
True commitment is choosing God given goals and actively seeking them. Coordinating all your resources to reach them and then completing them, you reach your maximum possibilities as a human being.
Thursday, September 06, 2007
The Bullet of Success: The Revolutionary Disciple
Commitment and discipleship are two concepts Christians toss around continuously. It’s a shame that most of us only “toss them around” and never get a handle on what they really mean. True commitment and discipleship revolutionize lives, homes and churches.
It’s obvious there are not enough revolutions going on! The point of this article is to create vision and action for more personal revolutions.
It seems that the Lord Christ’s favorite word for those who took Him seriously was “disciple.” The Greek word “Mathetes” is used approximately 269 times in the four Gospels and the book of Acts. It means a “trained one” or a “taught one.”
A disciple according to Scripture is one who, first, continuously saturates himself with the teaching of the Bible (John 8:31-32). Second, a disciple is one who continually gives his life, lays it down for others (John 13:33-34 and 15:13). Third, a disciple is one whose life bears fruit … others love God more because of his presence (John 15:16 and 17:20).
So much for the definition of discipleship! Next time we will take a look at one vital element necessary to be a great disciple.
Commitment and discipleship are two concepts Christians toss around continuously. It’s a shame that most of us only “toss them around” and never get a handle on what they really mean. True commitment and discipleship revolutionize lives, homes and churches.
It’s obvious there are not enough revolutions going on! The point of this article is to create vision and action for more personal revolutions.
It seems that the Lord Christ’s favorite word for those who took Him seriously was “disciple.” The Greek word “Mathetes” is used approximately 269 times in the four Gospels and the book of Acts. It means a “trained one” or a “taught one.”
A disciple according to Scripture is one who, first, continuously saturates himself with the teaching of the Bible (John 8:31-32). Second, a disciple is one who continually gives his life, lays it down for others (John 13:33-34 and 15:13). Third, a disciple is one whose life bears fruit … others love God more because of his presence (John 15:16 and 17:20).
So much for the definition of discipleship! Next time we will take a look at one vital element necessary to be a great disciple.
Tuesday, September 04, 2007
The Bullet of Leadership: Creativity
I continue to be challenged by the following excerpts from a great article. Please read, enjoy and take to heart these words from Christianity Today (10-24-1980), “Unlocking the Creative Dimension.”
“All of us have had our creative ideas shot down. The leader who allows these experiences to lead to a cynical, pessimistic attitude is choosing to languish in self-pity and tedious routine. Perhaps only two out of ten creative ideas will blossom into workable programs.
You can forget about being creative if you can’t stand to make a mistake. Any organization must develop a high tolerance for failure. Failures are the necessary price we pay for good, successful, creative ideas!
Many churches (lives) are dead in the water, without power and drifting from crisis to boredom! All because of a lack of creative leadership!”
All of us who try to lead know the continual pressures of folks who say “it can’t be done” or “your motives are wrong” or “why not leave well enough alone.” Sometimes leaders feel as thought they are swimming in a sea of negativism and holding up one candle of optimism!
Those of us who know that the Creator created us to create cannot let the negativism of then non-creators stop us. Ultimately, the joy of the finished creation will overwhelm the wounds received from the critics.
The true Christian creator must learn the lesson of the turtle! Progress may be slow but none will ever be made unless you stick your neck out!!
I continue to be challenged by the following excerpts from a great article. Please read, enjoy and take to heart these words from Christianity Today (10-24-1980), “Unlocking the Creative Dimension.”
“All of us have had our creative ideas shot down. The leader who allows these experiences to lead to a cynical, pessimistic attitude is choosing to languish in self-pity and tedious routine. Perhaps only two out of ten creative ideas will blossom into workable programs.
You can forget about being creative if you can’t stand to make a mistake. Any organization must develop a high tolerance for failure. Failures are the necessary price we pay for good, successful, creative ideas!
Many churches (lives) are dead in the water, without power and drifting from crisis to boredom! All because of a lack of creative leadership!”
All of us who try to lead know the continual pressures of folks who say “it can’t be done” or “your motives are wrong” or “why not leave well enough alone.” Sometimes leaders feel as thought they are swimming in a sea of negativism and holding up one candle of optimism!
Those of us who know that the Creator created us to create cannot let the negativism of then non-creators stop us. Ultimately, the joy of the finished creation will overwhelm the wounds received from the critics.
The true Christian creator must learn the lesson of the turtle! Progress may be slow but none will ever be made unless you stick your neck out!!
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