Not a Good Fit

Does it strike you as odd that brown paper sandwich bags are actually not wide enough to accommodate a normal size sandwich to lay flat in the bag without scrunching it? Either that or the usual size loaf of bread is made too large. Wouldn't you think these guys could get together and either make the bag larger or the loaf smaller?

There are several things that do not fit properly in my life right now. I am not sure whether that means my understanding of God  needs to be larger or my faith and expectations smaller.

Granted, faith is not some substance that can be measured or quantified. Nor should it be. However, there are times when I wonder, "If my faith were bigger, things would work out differently." After all, Jesus said, "If your faith is the size of a mustard seed..." That is not necessarily quantifiable, but it does put certain perceptions in my mind. It does cause one to think perhaps their faith is not "big" enough - not even mustard seed size.

When Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were about to be thrown in the proverbial fiery furnace, their comment to Nebuchadnezzer was basically this - If our God chooses to deliver us fine, if not, that will not diminish our faith. (Daniel 3:16-18) This seems to indicate their faith was not in faith, rather in God. And they were prepared for either outcome. However, we do not see them asking God for deliverance.

Often times I ask for "deliverance" and then just to cover my bases, I add - "Nevertheless, let your will be done." It's kind of a catch all. Just in case my faith is not big enough, or misappropriated I am covered. Rather juvenile I know, but not uncommon among Christians.

I must confess, I am not quite certain how to manage all of this, whether to enlarge my bag or make my loaf smaller. Do I expand my understanding of God or shrink the faith aspect? Do I continue to seek "deliverance" in situations or enlarge my ability to be content in whatever circumstances I find myself in? (Phil. 4:11) I suspect the latter.

If you'll excuse me, I have a lunch to pack!

Psalm 119

In 1984 the film Karate Kid made its debut. It was a story of a young boy who suddenly found himself in a new environment and out of step with his peers. He is taken under the wing of Mr. Miyagi, a simple handyman with profound wisdom and a  master in Karate. The two form a bonding relationship and the boy not only learns the fine art of Karate, but the wisdom of living an honest and good life.

In one of the scenes Mr. Miyagi is teaching Daniel how to balance  himself and maintain control. In that scene, Mr. Miyagi talks to the young boy about balance and says, "the whole world needs balance."

In Psalm 119 the theme of balance is a critical point to understanding what the Psalmist is saying about God's Word.  There is an obvious and regular tension between the Psalmist's understanding of his obedience to God's law and the fear of falling short of what God's law requires. Verses 8 and 120 are good examples of this.

I will keep your statutes; do not utterly forsake me!"

My flesh trembles for fear of you, and I am afraid of your judgments.

That is also why there seems to be sense of self-centeredness about the writing. It is often that the psalmist has a "look at me, then look at them" theme that draws attention to his own righteousness compared to the sinfulness of others. (vs. 97-104) I am not quite ready to say it is a holier-than-thou attitude, but it borders pretty close to it.

Nevertheless, that should not cause us loose sight of the tremendous devotion directed in this piece and its ultimate focus: "The sum of God's Word is truth, and every one of His righteous rules endures forever." (v. 160)

Probably the two most quoted verses from this psalm are verse 11; "I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you." And "Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path." (v. 105)  However, I would contend that perhaps the verse we ought to hide in our heart is verse 165

Great peace have those who love your law; nothing can make them stumble.

It certainly speaks to the issue we all face in our Christian pilgrimage - understanding how God's principles strengthen our ability to stand in the midst of adversity and temptation. It is similar to what Jesus conveyed in his words, "Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness..." (Matthew 6:33) It is also indicative of why Jesus quoted God's principles when tempted by the evil one.

Knowing truth when confronted with a lie, is imperative for a balanced life.

Let my soul live and praise you, and let your rules help me. (v. 175)

Hung up on Judas

It has taken me several days this time to navigate my way through the last few chapters of the Gospel of Matthew.  Part of it is due to time, other aspects of it relate to the content.

When I came to 27:3 about Judas I paused again and wondered why it is that most people will not consider Judas' "repentance" as genuine. Some scholars use verbal gymnastics meticulously defining the use of "metamelomai" versus "metanoeo" but that dog won't hunt. Others say it is because his repentance was not toward God, but inward grief, as a result he hung himself. Translated as anyone who commits suicide surely cannot be truly repentant.

Don't most of us, in some sense, even after repenting and turning to God, have some lasting personal agony over the things we may have done that lead to that repentance? Part of it may be a result of our own unbelief regarding our behavior - "how could I have done such a thing?" - Or part of it may be overwhelming guilt that leads to depression. A condition many people refuse to acknowledge or attempt to understand.

I tend to side with Judas' genuine repentance. But more than that my desire is to understand his response and this "demon" called depression. Here is a short article I've written on that subject.

The Depressed

Dressed and in his right mind. That was the condition of the Gerasene demoniac as Jesus left him. (Luke 8:26ff)

Demon possession is not something that people are comfortable talking about these days. Nor is it a common occurrence in this culture. Nevertheless, people who are not in their right mind is more common than one might expect.

Severe depression can put a person in such a state of mind that there is nothing “right” about it. Conducting a life under the burden of that affliction can often be masked, but never controlled. It is as though the body is outside itself looking on as the activities of daily living are carried out.

Unlike the Gerasene man possessed by demons, the person suffering from acute depression is not chained to a wall naked and erratic; In their mind perhaps, but seldom in reality. The only suffering that goes on goes on within the confines of their own distorted reality. Their lifeless form simply mimics living since they know what it was like and can repeat it as though by rote.

It is easier for people to understand demons than to understand the depressed. You can describe demons and put a form to something imaginary. With depression, the imaginary has no form. The mind cannot wrap itself around anything coherent. People find it difficult to accept because there is no rash, no oozing sores, nor fever to control. It is simply there. It is not as though the severely depressed are crazy. They are not. They are merely tormented by their own lack of meaning or purpose.

At worse those of us who suffer from this condition hope that the right combination of medicine and, if needed, counseling will help to bring it under control. At best an encounter with the healing power of Christ could help us find ourselves dressed and in our right mind. The combination of the two is most likely where the truth lies.

Should you encounter one of us, fear not. We seldom harm anyone but ourselves. However, love and understanding go a long way in our finding “normal” again.

*****

Maybe Judas' reaction does not fit our mold of the truly repentant. But then what gives us the right to make a mold in the first place. So don't be surprised if you see him when you get to Glory.

I Wonder

I am not certain why it is that some things stand out to me when I read and others do not. What strikes me as important seems, at times,  trivial to others. Nevertheless, these impressions settle in my mind and it is hard to shake them. Here are a few examples of from what I have been reading this week.

• In the Friday Charlotte Observer newspaper (1/25/08)there is a story about two schools in Georgia that are going to pay students who are struggling with Math and Science to attend study hall.  $8 an hour to go to study hall to focus on Math and Science.! This includes students who may be doing very well in other classes.  Plus, they receive a bonus if they raise their grades to a "B".   My question is, if they are not getting it in class, what does paying them to attend study hall accomplish? All it does is set a precedent for the student that says, if you have trouble learning we will pay you to focus. Then, soon many will simply fall off in other classes waiting to be "paid" to learn other subjects as well.  It is the old stick and carrot routine.
• In the February issue of Christianity Today, there is an extended article about Southern Baptists and their interaction with Reformed Theology.  Apparently, "reformers" have been infiltrating the ranks of the SBC and they see it as a threat.  Now they are trying to determine how to combat it.  I suspect you would combat it just as you would any other so called "heresy", with an accurate interpretation of Scripture.
• In the Gospel of Matthew 26:36-46 where Jesus prays at the garden of Gethsemane, the disciples sleep while Jesus prays.  If that is true, how does anyone know what he was praying? It is not as though the gospel writers indicate, "This is what Jesus told us he was praying about."
• Also in the same gospel, 26:13, after the woman anoints  Jesus with oil, Christ says, "Truly, I say to you, wherever this gospel is proclaimed in the whole world, what she has done will also be told in memory of her."   When was the last time you heard anyone speak of this incident outside a Bible study or preaching point on this gospel or the theme of the crucifixion?

I wonder about all of these things. I also wonder about their implication for our culture, both outside and inside the church. For each will have an impact one way or the other. Go ahead, think on these things. The ramifications are interesting.

The Three "Ds"

Below is a picture of our friends Jerry and Dianna Jenkins. This picture is one they took for their 37th wedding anniversary. They truly are wonderful people. But what I want you to notice - look at Jerry's shirt. It looks rather large on him. There was a time in his life when rather large was his body style, not how his shirt fit. However, over the years he has shed a great deal of weight through desire, discipline, and dedication. I am not sure he would win "the biggest loser" contest, but he would rank right up there.

Jerry is a good man and a prolific writer. What impresses me more than Jerry's prolific writing career, is his total dedication to family. I remember one day back in IL, where we both attended the same church, he talked about a book he had written in an afternoon. It was called "Hedges" and it has since been revised. The book was a how-to for men regarding faithfulness to their wives. The theme was building "hedges" around the marriage relationship so that, as husbands, we could defend and preserve our dedication and commitment to our marriage relationship. Well, I reckon, after 37 years of marriage, he has been practicing what he "preaches".

Of course having a beautiful, wonderful and dedicated wife makes the task somewhat more manageable. CONGRATULATIONS you two!!!

What Now?

We have many "obligations" as believers when it comes to discipleship and how we function in the body of Christ, I.e. the church. Jesus makes that clear in his final parables as noted in the Gospel of Matthew. (Matthew 25)

It is a rather interesting scenario when it comes to time management and resource management. Nevertheless, it is laid out rather distinctly. Our obligations consists of three elements:

1. Watch - that is be prepared

2. Be active - invest time, talent, and resources effectively

3. Minister to one another

Our role as Christians is not to change society, our role is to live our lives as a reflection of Christ. We are called to be uniquely bonded to God through His only begotten Son. That bonding expresses itself in a lifestyle that is intended to bring glory to the Father and love for one another.

In light of the proposed second coming of Christ a.k.a. judgment, we have certain responsibilities. We are to be prepared by making certain we have "resources" to last through the period of anticipation. We are to be active and involved in life through the investment of our "resources". Whether those be financial, special gifts, or acquired talents. And finally, we are to do what it takes to minister to one another based on needs.

Now I cannot speak for anyone else - although I am prone to make observations from time to time - but I can say these are challenges for me. I often find myself absent minded when it comes to the return of Christ. I do not always know that I am prepared. I also know I have squandered talents and resources often laying them on the shelf to atrophy. The one place where I believe I have done well is ministering to others. That is not a horn-blowing observation, simply a matter of fact.  As well as I could? probably not. Yet, consistent and willing when I am aware of needs.

Whether Christ is returning today or not, these obligations or characteristics should be common to every believer, simply because we are believers.  As I indicated earlier, our role is not to change society, our role is to live in relationship to God in a way that is glorifying to Him. If that results in a changed society, so be it. However that is not and never has been the goal of Christianity.  My gosh, I have enough trouble trimming my own lamp and managing my own discipleship without having to think there is responsibility to all societies in all nations.

What now? I am called to watch, be busy, and careful to minister to the needs of my brothers and sisters in Christ. Doing those things may indeed bring a "Well done, good and faithful servant." (Matthew 25:23)

Legalism

It was not too long after my conversion, that I began "dating" the daughter of the pastor of the church I was attending. Of course, dating her meant I spent a good deal of time in their home. We had meals together, talked, and often played games. One evening, they were teaching me the game of cards called "Hearts". While we were playing, the doorbell rang. My pastor quickly gathered up all the cards and put them in a drawer before answering the door. I found that behavior odd.

His reaction to the door gave me a clear impression that what we were doing was apparently "wrong" in somebody's eyes. He did not want to be found playing cards if the person at the door happened to be a member of the church or a leader in the church.  He, my pastor, did not think it was wrong, but apparently he knew others would.

It was my first exposure to "legalism". Apparently, the church I joined, a Southern Baptist Church, had a lot of those kind of "thou shalt not do" rules. The old drink, smoke, chew, or go with girls that do mentality. Of course my pastor had to beg the people to do evangelism, but they had no problem looking for offenders of their laws.

I resisted most of that type of thinking the best I could. Even without being familiar with all the scripture, I was pretty sure that kind of pettiness was not right, let alone Christian.

In Matthew 23, Jesus also addresses that kind of thinking. He shakes a very pointed finger at the scribes and pharisaic rulers for their "straining the gnat and swallowing the camel" mentality. (Matthew 23:24)  These so called leaders had become so mired in the details of the minutiae regarding the law that they had forgotten its original intent. Jesus warns his disciples to "practice and observe whatever they tell you, but not what they do." (23:3)

Of course, things can swing the other way as well where "everyone does what is right in their own eyes." (Judges. 21:25)  The result becomes almost American when that happens.

Is there a balance? A tender oasis between "do this and don't do that" compared to "do whatever you like".  I suspect there is.

Mat 22:37-40  And he (Jesus) said to him, "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets."

What issues from the heart of love, the heart consumed and controlled by the "mind of Christ", will not err.  This is not a state of mind that comes easy, but it is a state of mind that seems to have its own moral compass. The weight of legalism then becomes replaced with the yoke of Christ. (Matthew 11:29-30)

God's Non-Negotiables

In many business negotiations there are what is called non-negotiables, those items that are not up for discussion under any circumstances. For some employee - employer relationships, when negotiating an employment contract, vacation time may be a non-negotiable. Salary, benefits, expenses, etc., may all be up for discussion, but vacation time is not.

I began thinking about this while reading the book of Matthew. Specifically chapter 19:3-12. The topic is divorce and the Pharisees are asking Jesus about it. Jesus said it was "Because of your hardness of heart Moses allowed you to divorce your wives, but in the beginning it was not so." (v. 8 ESV) Jesus goes on to allow only one reason for divorce and that is immorality.

Two observations: 1) Apparently Moses allowed multiple reasons for divorce to accommodate the people's stubbornness. (Deut. 24:1) 2) Jesus now brings them back to the original intent from the beginning and allows only for immorality. Not specifically adultery, but immorality. [The Greek word is porniah. It can be translated harlotry, including adultery and incest, and fornication. I suspect it is where we get our word pornography today. ]

He does not specifically say what Moses did was wrong, but apparently Moses, God's spokesman, was "interpreting the constitution" of their day to fit the expectations of the people, not the expectations of God.

What exactly are God's non-negotiables? As we look around the world today, everyone seems to be adjusting their belief system to accommodate someone or something. There is an attitude of "surely God won't" do this or that based on an individual's, a group's, or even a nation's behavior. So have we watered things down to the point that there are no absolutes? No, non-negotiables?

I am not equipped to answer that question, except to say, "I am not equipped to answer that question." Are you?

Out of Sorts

I am not sure what "out of sorts" means exactly. I have often heard it in the context of being out of kilter. I am not sure what that means either. I have often heard that used in the context of being thrown off guard. And, you guessed it, I am not exactly sure what that means.  What they all have in common however is to be all cattywompus.  Now, I do know what that means!

My routine is fairly structured, at least in the mornings. But today is an exception. Last night, my wife took a tumble while walking the dog and did some significant damage to her face. Consequently we spent about 4 hours in the local emergency room. Naturally, she is at home today and in some discomfort. So we sat and talked this morning until she decided to go back to bed and get some rest. That threw me off stride - my mind is not as focused on my reading as it usually is and my thoughts are for her, and not much else.

I like routine. I like consistency. I am not one to deal with "change" or an upset in the way things normally go. I can adjust if I know it is coming, but when it catches me by surprise, it is awkward.

My suspicion is many people are creatures of habit.  We like at least some level of consistency, some sense of normality. It gives us a feeling of control or a measure of power. When that is disrupted it causes anxiety and a modicum of frustration. How we adjust is critical to our well being. I suppose that is why my "well being" is not well at times. Nevertheless, in the long run I can adapt. That is, of course, until someone or some thing comes along to push me out of sorts. 

Father, help me to be more flexible and adaptive to life as it happens. Let me enjoy the benefits that come from the "new" and "different".

I wonder

Come March, we will have been in NC for a year. It is amazing how quickly time passes when you reflect back. It seldom moves as quickly when you look forward. I suspect that is the nature of time. Anyway, we still have not found a church we call "home".  I cannot tell you how frustrating that is.

Currently, or at least the past three weeks, we have been attending an Evangelical Free church.  It operates in a manner like no other church we've attended, so it is taking some adjustment in our thinking. Outside of the fact that they have four different worship leaders so you really never know what to expect from Sunday to Sunday (I like consistency), they also do not have a Sunday Bible Study program. They have "Care Groups".  I'm not sure I care for "Care Groups".

Care Groups are small clusters of folks who gather after the morning worship to discuss the Pastor's sermon. Of course, by the implication of their name, they are also designed to build a "caring" community among the people in those groups. Similar to what might happen in a small group, Bible Study group or Sunday School.

Here is my dilemma. I am not sure what the objective of the discussion is. It is not as though there is a deeper look into the passages the pastor used - he just started a series on the Book of Revelation - rather they discuss some questions suggested by the pastor.  So it is primarily a discussion group. It's perhaps a little too free when you simply throw out different ideas, with no clear objective in mind. At least, that is my feeling about it.

We like the people, they are extremely friendly. We like the pastor, he is low key and of course a graduate of TEDS, my alma mater. However, we are struggling with this format.

I wonder if that really matters. Is it my rigid expectations for the familiar that causes me to hesitate? Is it the fear that we won't be engaged by the preaching or the "teaching"?  They do have a Wednesday night service for Bible Study three weeks of the month and prayer the other week. Of course, the chances that a large percentage of the congregation attends Wednesday may be questionable. I suppose we will need to attend to find out.

Should these kind of things interrupt or prevent my worship of God?  I wonder about that.  What is my motive or intent when it comes to worship? I wonder about that.  I have had a plenty of opportunities to examine this the past eleven months. I am not sure I have a conclusion and I wonder about that. Nevertheless, I am learning a great deal about the forms of worship and the methodology of different churches when it comes to studying God's Word and growing disciples. Of course, I wonder about that also.

Even so.... "Come Lord Jesus".

The Bible

Fifteen...that is how many Bibles we have in our home. Seven of them are different translations, the others are duplicates of the same translation. Some are leather-bound and others hardcover. For the past ten years or so, I have been strictly a hardcover guy. 

I have written several comments about the current Bible I am reading - the "virgin" text one. I am a fan of it. Even though it is a Reformation Study Bible, the notes are thorough and often unbiased. Nevertheless, I keep my trusty NRSV Study Bible open on my desk during each reading of the other.

The past few days I have been working on an article regarding Bible reading among "born again Christians." Did you know that almost 41% of those in a recent survey seldom, if ever, read their Bible during the week? That's is sad when you consider its implications. Yet, that same group will freely admit they believe the Bible is the Word of God.

My suspicion is, reading the Bible daily does not necessarily make one a better Christian. However, not reading it at all will surely make one a weak Christian.

Having just finished the book of Ezekiel, reading the final chapters with the specifications of the new temple, the dividing of the land between the twelve tribes, etc., is confusing at best - boring at the outside.  Revelation can also take its toll on the average reader. However, those examples are the exception not the rule. Nevertheless, it is indicative of why people may get frustrated with reading this grand book.  It is similar to the Ethiopian eunuch, who indicated to Philip, "how can I understand unless someone guide me." (Acts 8:31)

Perhaps, the best encouragement is for all believers to focus on what we DO understand. Leave the issues with what we do not understand to other times or times where we can be guided. That should keep everyone busy for some time to come.

Somebody's Knocking

My mind is spinning with prophecy, symbols, analogies, dates and times. Partly because I am reading the book of Ezekiel as my primary reading, then reading Revelation as a secondary. (The church we are attending has started a series on Revelation, so I thought it would be good to get up to speed.)

I have mentioned before the joy of reading a virgin text of the Bible and how it allows me to see new things and make new observations. This is true and continues to be so. A good example is today when reading Revelation. I came across that verse most of us have seen, can quote, and know as a part of our "plan of salvation" speech. It is Revelation 3:20

Behold I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me.

This verse is a good example of pulling a text out of context and using it for something that it may not be intended for. As I mentioned above, it is a verse that is often used with reference to someone inviting Christ in to their life as a part of the "born again" experience. However, the context seems to give it not an evangelistic flavor, rather an admonishing one.

The letter to Laodicea is a fairly specific example of a church out of kilter. They have become fence sitters. Neither totally committed to their Lord, nor totally rebellious. They are just there. Similar to some churches today. 

The invitation in 3:20 then becomes a challenge to them to open the door to total commitment and enjoy the full fellowship of Christ and the joy that relationship brings. Not only the joy, but motivation to service and the strength to be conquerors.

In our culture we tend to be concrete thinkers. That does not mean to say our mind is set and hardened. It means to say that we like things that are black and white, tangible, touchable, observable, and in some cases, provable. It is as though we are all citizens of the "show me" state of Missouri.  Unless we can touch it, taste it, see it and smell it, it is does not exist.

We carry this thinking over into many areas of our lives even our theology. That is, in the example of Rev. 3:20, the terms or phrases we have adopted for coming to salvation seem to have one and only one meaning.  We cannot envision that verse applying to believers. It does not fit our scheme of thinking. So our tendency is to force it into a meaning that makes sense to us. We do that with a wide variety of scripture passages or biblical words.  Consequently, as one commentator said about this passage:

"...The terminology and context suggest that the Laodiceans were for the most part mere professing Christians who lacked authentic conversion to Christ, which is the essential prerequisite for true discipleship." (Alan Johnson, EBC, Vol.,12., p. 459)

I would argue the contrary. The context speaks loudly for just the opposite. But you can see how Mr. Johnson has molded the passage and that particular "letter" to fit his way of thinking.  I probably do the same at times.

My level of commitment to Christ is often a shadow of what I see addressed to the Laodiceans. Therefore, I am encouraged by this verse. Christ does not cast me out, rather encourages me to invite him in to restore full and meaningful fellowship. It is as simple as opening the door. After all, it is not just any ol' somebody that is knocking, it is my savior!

Cluttered Mind

"A cluttered desk means a cluttered mind."  That was or is a common saying among organizational specialists or time management consultants. 

I have a cluttered desk and indeed a cluttered mind. There are five different writing projects that I have going on at the same time. It seems that I cannot make up my mind which one should garner my attention. Sometimes I think I just don't want to finish them because then I will have to do something with them. That entails an agony that defies description - seeking someone to publish them.

A cluttered mind is nothing new for me. I have tried the organizational route and it just does not fit my personality. I have stints of time when I am so organized it is scary. However, it only lasts a few days or weeks then things start piling up again and my mind starts eyeing different targets. I suspect this is not unusual, there are many in this predicament.

The problem I have, when it comes to my mind, is communicating ideas. I start down a road, then my mind starts interjecting something new or different and I begin to follow it. Anyone that is listening begins to wonder, what in the world started that? My wife is especially subjected to this kind of loosey goosey stuff.  It is a mind form of "restless leg syndrome". 

Why am I putting this down for the world to see. Primarily because it affects my devotion to Christ. One minute I am hopelessly devoted, the next minute my mind begins to challenge that commitment and tear it down.  One minute it is "yes", the next minute "no" or "maybe" or "let me think about that further."

"The devil is doing that," you say - perhaps. He is rather cunning and sometimes subtle about how he approaches his dastardly deeds. I would rather conclude that it is my own doing. A challenge in my own mind that struggles to make decisions and stay on course.

Paul talks about "being transformed by the renewing of your mind." (Romans 12:2)  Perhaps on this journey to wholeness, my mind is still being transformed.

Last night while waiting for sleep to come, I wondered if other people's minds struggle like mine, or if I am the only one. Maybe everyone else has things set in place and they do not wrestle with the thoughts, doubts, confusion, that I wrestle with. Or maybe they just do not care and dismiss it all. I am not sure which. I suppose there are like-minded people out there who do not have the peace that some folks enjoy. The problem is not many are willing to confess it. Maybe I shouldn't either.  Oops, too late.

Uhmmm... what shall I work on today?

"The Celestial Con Man"

That was the title of a recent article in Leadership Magazine, written by James Walters.  You can read it for yourself, but the summary is basically this. Mr. Walters follows God's leading to go to another state for a specific type of ministry position. When things do not quite work out as planned, he determines that it was a "con" by God in order to teach him specific things and he ultimately moves back home.

Here is my response to that article. One that I sent to the magazine.

________

Oh please!  This has to be the tritest explanation for not paying attention that I have seen published by a mainline magazine.

Mr. Walters puts the onus on God for the failure of his move and ministry. He uses the failure of it as a reason to inflate God’s ability to teach him a lesson on dependency. I suspect God is much smarter than that and can do those types of things without moving someone clear across country. Perhaps Mr. Walters should have paid a bit more attention in the first place and inquired in more detail on his potential ministry under the churches leadership.

This type of “blame God” mentality is frequent in modern day faith. We want something so bad that we convince ourselves that God is “leading us” to a new land, a new ministry, a new job. Then when we get there and things do not go according to the blessings we expect, we conclude that God must have been conning us.  Did Mr. Walters stop to think that perhaps God was putting him there for a purpose that, had he stayed long enough to find out, would be a tremendous blessing to all involved? On the other hand, perhaps Mr. Walters was merely conning himself into believing the move was “God’s will”.

I recall a story from a friend of mine. He had run across a fleece jacket that had been hanging in his closet for years. It was something that he had seldom worn and was like new. His intent was to give it to Goodwill. Prior to the holidays they had a friend visiting from an African country. My buddy pulled the jacket out of the closet and asked his friend if we would like it. The man went wild with joy. He told my friend that he had wanted a jacket like that for a “long time”. In excitement, he went on to say, “While I was in the States I had hoped to purchase one but now, God has provided one for me.”  My friend asked him, “How long have you wanted a jacket like this?”  The response stunned him. ”Oh for almost five years I have been asking God for a jacket like this.”

Five years, my goodness, most of us get impatient after 5 minutes if God has not responded!

For all those folks who take pride in quoting 2Pe 3:8,  But do not overlook this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. Perhaps it is time to learn that this verse may not just apply to the second coming.  God’s timetable is not ours. Never has been, never will be.

We have recently moved to NC from Texas. I keep wondering why God has not allowed us to sell our house in Texas. Do I interpret that to mean God did not want us in NC and we should move back to Texas? I hope not, because I am staying put!   Mr. Walters thought Southeastern Washington was bad (I grew up there) he ought to have God send him to West Texas!

______

It strikes me as odd that people's faith is so shallow that they would conjure up such a story. Yet, Mr. Walters is by no means alone.

Now I will admit. Determining God's will can be at least tricky and at best complicated. We all have heard stories of people who said, "God I will go where you want me to go, just don't send me to Africa." And guess what, God apparently sends them to Africa.  Or the people who say, "God I will serve you anyway you want, just don't make me a preacher."  And guess what, God apparently calls  them  to be a preacher. 

It is like we have this "theology" that God does the opposite of what we ask. If that's the case, "God, I will be a good steward of all you have given me, but don't give me a million dollars."

I do not mean to be critical of God's calling, leading, or sending. I simply want to point out how cavalier we can be about it at times.

It is my opinion that if we are committed to our life in Christ, then serving him in a worthy manner can be or may be all that is required. If God lays on our heart a specific ministry in a specific place than following that can be or may be all that is required. If for some reason, when getting there, we cannot adjust or our family cannot adjust and it begins to strain that relationship and we cannot work through it, then go back home. But please, let's not blame God for it.  Like John Mark, another opportunity may present itself.

Father Spirit, I truly believe that most of us committed to our life in Christ desire to be and do what brings glory to you. Give us peace to know that that can be in our own "backyard" as well as some foreign land. Teach me to be content to serve you, first where I am, then deal with what may result from that later.

Managing Expectations

When I was managing a training team several years ago the one thing we stressed to our new hires was to manage our customer's expectations. Tell them proper pricing, proper deliver times, proper use of coupons or discounts, etc. When you manage customer's expectations it is then easy to exceed that mark.

My particular belief system know incorporates that idea, specifically in relationship to God. Not so much what His expectations are of me, rather my expectations of Him.

In a recent online newsletter from Christianity Today, there were a series of articles about God's word and applying it to our lives. In that series there is a story from Shaun Alexander, running back for the Seattle Seahawks. In the articles he talks about he and his family's struggle to stay in Seattle and purchasing a home there. To sum up the article, he and his wife write down a set of criteria for the house they want and the price they want to pay. If God provides that then that will be a sign that He wants them to stay in Seattle.  Well, in the subsequent article, God does indeed provide the house - at the specific price they had in mind. Problem solved.

Now I ask you, "What is wrong with that picture?" That type of wet fleece belief system is essentially testing God. Not only that, it is a system that is practiced by the Norman Vincent Peale positive thinkers and the health wealth and prosperity crowd.  Now the latter two may indeed get their formula from the former, but I suspect not.

My wife and I used the same technique one time when we were selling our house in Mahomet, IL.  It "worked", so we packed our bags and moved North.  I remember using that system as a young Christian. For example, I would say to God, "If you do not want me to attend this meeting make one of the tires flat on my car, then I will know."  You might say that is rather infantile, but it is no different than what Shaun Alexander did.

As many of my friends know, we have not sold our house in Texas. Is that a sign from God that we should not have moved to NC or just a reflection of the housing market.  If my wife, who is a far better Christian than I, were to pray, "God I know that even in a bad housing market, you can bring a buyer for that house by the end of the week. Then I will know we are truly where you want us to be in NC."  Is that a proper use of one's relationship to God? 

Managing our expectations of how God interacts with us and how we engage Him is essential to a proper balance in the Christian life. It goes back to an earlier post about "God's Will". Does God's will change whether we are in TX or NC? Will what He wants to accomplish get done whether I am in one place or the other? Does His knowing every hair on my head (Matt. 10:30) indicate He is controlling every moment of my life?

I would love it if I could set down the criteria I wanted God to follow in order to show me His will. However, I am not certain it works that way.  But I would dearly love to sell that house! :)

Father, I would delight in knowing what's next. Nevertheless, I reckon I will need to take the next step in order to find out.

The Mute Watchman

It is not a very effective use of talent when one is appointed as a "watchman" - one who warns the people of approaching danger - if that person is mute. Nevertheless, that is exactly the case with Ezekiel. In chapter three he is appointed as a watchman over the city of Jerusalem and the people of Israel. Then God chooses to have him bound (figuratively or literally) and made mute. Mute only to a degree. If God gives him a message, God will free his tongue to deliver it. Other than that he is to remain unable to prophecy or function as a watchman.

For some seven years this is the way Ezekiel carried out his ministry. Restricted to home and speaking only when God spoke to him. Then, once Jerusalem was captured and destroyed, God released the restrictions.

I am not sure of all the ramifications of Ezekiel's muteness. However it is unique to him as prophet of God. Consequently, it serves as a special mark of his ministry at least up until 586 B.C. or near that time. Then in chapter 24 God releases him from that restriction.

There are times when it would be good if modern day "prophets" were bound and muted. Messengers that were allowed to speak only when God spoke to them. I suppose my reference here is more to literature than the spoken word.

I am always impressed by the number of written works some modern day evangelicals can produce.  This is not conclusive, just a rough estimation based on a simple search at Amazon or Christian Books Web site:

Wiersbe, some 146 books

Norman Geisler several hundred

John MacArthur close to a thousand

Rick Warren several hundred

Granted, some of these may be co-authored works, nevertheless, the number reaches into the hundreds for each of these men.  How can anyone have that much to say of any significance or originality?  I suspect they do not. They simply ride the coattail of a previous success because people are willing to buy their material.

While I was attending a class at Southern Evangelical Seminary, Geisler was reportedly working on eight different manuscripts simultaneously!

The marketplace is flooded with books and magazines that have perhaps little or no value. Nevertheless publishers turn them out in hopes that people will buy them, and indeed they do, to a degree.

Would we benefit if God would perhaps call some of these "worshipped" authors to silence until He decided to give them something significant to say?

It is like a sequel to a movie. Seldom, if ever, is the sequel as good as the first. There are exceptions, The Bourne series is one of them and perhaps the Indiana Jones series. Those kind of follow-ups are rare. So turning out volume after volume on the part of some of those men mentioned above can result in very little quality.

Are you thinking, this is nothing more than "sour grapes" on MacD's part?  Not at all. My goodness, there is not even that kind of discipline in my mind or body, let alone that volume of information to dispense. I simply long for some rationality to it all.

The again, I wonder....if the Apostle Paul were alive today, would he be keeping the publishers busy?

Life's Frustration

I have absolutely no love for the New England patriots. Partly because a team that has to cheat deserves nothing. The other part is that they continue to befuddle their opposition with basic execution.

The thing about professional sports is not so much who wins or who looses, but the fact that grown men are paid millions of dollars because of their apparent skill, but cannot execute when it is critical to do so. They cannot catch the ball, keep their hands off other peoples face masks, make a tackle or stay on their side of line when they are supposed to etc., etc. Maybe it would be best if all lineman were paid the same, all quarterbacks, all receivers, all running backs, ALL paid the same per category. That way when non-super human people make normal mistakes they can do so simply because they are really average, not billed as super human.

Personally, I have already stopped watching professional basketball and baseball because of the excess money players make and their inability to do what they need to do when they are paid to do it. I strongly suspect that this will be my last year for football and NASCAR may not be far behind.  Besides, I can use the extra time and don't need all the snacks and beer that go with watching these programs. :)

What will I do with my new found hours? Read more, spend more time with my wife doing things she enjoys, volunteering, and finding a hobby that can peak my interest. Heck, I might even write more obnoxious posts like this one.

Ain't life grand!!!

"Then You Will Know..."

In the early days of Israel's history, the time of the patriarchs and former prophets, God often did what He did to the foreign nations and enemies of Israel so that "..They will know that I am the LORD."

In the late years of Israel's history, God did what He did to ISRAEL in order that "...They will know that I am the LORD."

How ironic is that?

What do you think God will do now, in order that we may know that He is the LORD?

I doubt it will come through a Huckabee. It is unlikely that it will come from the next mega-church, or the overturning of Roe V Wade. Nevertheless, I expect it will come.  "Then (we) will know that (He) is the LORD."

Follow Up To "Sunday Visit"

In an earlier post regarding the visit we had from the church ladies, I approached the topic of biblical competency in the pew. As I did my morning reading today, I pondered this idea some more.

Let's say that there are four types of Bible readers. One type reads or listens to only what is read or said from the pulpit each Sunday morning. One group is the "devotional" group. They read select passages from a devotional book and then the attended comments or devotional thoughts from the writer. Next we have the "annual" readers. They are the ones that read, often with little comprehension, chapters of the Bible in order to complete a goal of reading the Bible in a year. Finally, there are the pure text folks. These people read the text for context and understanding.

I have been in each category at one point or another in my life. Sometimes, two categories simultaneously. However, I am a fan of the last one, as you might expect.

It is my suspicion that many people avoid the "read for context and understanding" category because it takes time and effort. Nevertheless, some of these same folks will spend 3 hours watching a football game or reading half a romance novel. So it may simply be an issue of priority.

Is the Bible difficult to understand? Perhaps, in some places, because of the language gap and the lack of cultural awareness, yes it can be difficult. However, those portions are far less frequent than one might expect. By in large, the text can be understood with little effort.

Achieving understanding is hard when you read only a few verses or even a single chapter. However, with today's modern translations and study Bibles, reading blocks that relate to a single idea is relatively easy to do.

Here is how I do it:

• When starting a new Book of the Bible, I read the introduction material provided in my study Bible. This may be all I get read that day because of time. But that is where I start. This gives me a good idea of where the book fits in relation to other books or in the history of Israel.
• When it comes to the text, I first look for a reasonable stopping point. That may be a chapter break or, as noted in many study Bibles, a "theme" break. It is my goal to read at least that much before stopping. This gives me context and a fuller understanding of what the author is saying.
• I keep a steno pad next to my Bible as I read and jot down notes or key verses that catch my attention. Not on every verse but only those that stand out with a theme or idea that is important.
• Finally, I divide my time between OT and NT. Sometimes on a single day, I only get the OT read. Other times I can read in both.
• Then I ponder, pray, or meditate on what I have read.

Because my mind does not work as efficiently as it once did. It is hard for me to hold on to specifics, like chapter and verse. But I can hold on to main concepts and topics, usually. Nevertheless, repetition is the key.

I am not naive enough to think that anyone really cares about my reading habits. However, it seems important that if I am going to look at an issue, it seems only fair to divulge how I might approach things.

It is a New Year. It could be a new beginning toward enjoying your Bible and its dynamic and wonderful message.

P.S. It is hard to be a disciple without knowing God's instructions

The Measure of Love

How do you measure love? If you say to some one, "I love you with all my heart," what does that mean?  If I say to my wife, "You are the best thing that ever happened to me." Is that a measure of love? If I say, "My love for you knows no bounds." What does that mean?

Hallmark cards has become famous by catching just the right phrase or lyric to express a person's deepest devotion to another. But are those just words or do they really measure the depth of love we have for that person?

There are many things my wife does to show that she loves me, but if anyone were to ask me what one thing means the most, I would always say, "She takes the crumbs from the bottom of the chip bag and gives me the whole ones."  Pretty silly for some, but for me it demonstrates her putting my needs before her own.

When it comes to spouse, mothers, fathers, sisters or brothers, sons or daughters, often times our love is so deep that we would put ourselves in harms way if it meant shielding them.

In Matthew 10:34-39, Jesus makes if clear that our love - or if you prefer, allegiance - for family is to be secondary to our love for him. In fact our commitment to him may indeed bring strife and division among families. If someone makes that kind of commitment today to someone else of authority we would call it cult-like. But when it comes to a persons commitment to Christ over family we call it devotion.

I would further suggest that if someone where to walk away from mother or father, son our daughter, husband or wife in order to pursue "Christ's call", it would be viewed as hypocritical. We would say, "How can a person love God yet abandon his family?"

Part of me wants to think that Christ is speaking symbolically, but from his own life it appears that he is not. (Matthew 12:46-50)

This is a hard concept. It is not easy to wrap my arms around the kind of devotion Christ talks about in his call to discipleship.  Is it just a matter of being "willing to"? That would certainly soften the concept. However words like, "I have not come to bring peace but a sword..." seem pretty concise. This is difficult thing.

As a new Christian, I remember this exact thing happened in my family. I even quoted the words of Christ when my parents were fed up with my constant attendance at Church and Bible studies; exasperated with my verbal testimony to them and reading my Bible at home. They actually told me to leave.

Of course all of that sounded good in my testimony. The young man so committed to Christ that it cost him his family. In fact, it cost me even more than that. Nevertheless, the bottom line is basically this - my testimony had little impact on my family as a result of that "commitment".

So I simply ask, "What is the measure of love?"

Sunday Evening Visit

Last Sunday evening we had some ladies stop by for a visit. They were from a church we had gone to a couple Sundays before.  One of the women we had met and talked to at some length the Sunday morning we had visited the church. The other woman was her sister.

We talked and exchanged pleasantries and skirted around a variety of topics.  They began to tell us of an "apologetic" study of Creation the church was about to embark on sponsored by Focus on the Family. The ladies said they had previewed it in small groups before going ahead with it church-wide. One lady said that a girl was converted during one of the studies and another said that a woman who was a devout Darwinist had changed her mind.

I asked them, "if the woman changed her mind, did she come away believing in a young earth, an old earth, or a 7-day view of creation?" She had no idea what I was talking about. Then the other woman chimed in and said the study promoted a 7-day view of creation and had all sorts of scientific evidence to support it.

Now I'm not an expert on creation, but it would seem to me if you had just gone trough a study on that topic and were touting it to possible members, you would have some idea of what creation theories entailed.

We later got on a discussion regarding Bible study and exegetical preaching verses topical preaching. Their point was that the people in the pew could not handle in-depth Bible preaching, it had to be "dumbed down" in order for people to understand. AHAAH! There is the primary problem in churches today. Dumbing down so that people can understand, when in fact, if we raised the bar, people might indeed raise their level of understanding.  It is like the idea that you get what you expect.

In a survey done by Barna research, regarding "Personal Spiritual Goals of Born-Again Adults", only 14% said "read the Bible more or know more Bible content" would facilitate their growth.  When  asked, "What would make you spiritually successful?", 15% said following Jesus - being like him and only 7% said reading the Bible and doing what the Bible says.    No wonder our pews are packed with pitiful Bible proficiency. No one is reading it!  And how could a person ever hope to "be like Jesus" if they do not read the Gospels to see what Jesus was like?

I don't get it. People can read market analysis books, Leadership/Management tomes, romance novels up the whazoo, Time, Newsweek, even the New York Times & Wall Street Journal, but somehow they do not read or "understand" the Bible. Is it really that hard or is the Church just not doing a good job of giving people the tools they need to understand it or enjoy it?

 

(George Barna, Growing True Disciples, Waterbrook Press, Colorado Springs, CO 2001)

Knowing God

My desire to know God is genuine and motivating. I may approach it differently than most people, but nonetheless it is my quest, not anyone else's.

The thing about seeking God is His elusiveness. In the OT He had a hard time distinguishing Himself and had to often remind people that He was indeed "The LORD God to the land of Israel." (Ezekiel 7:2 ESV) In the NT His presence was demonstrated in the Christ, who himself, had difficult establishing his credentials.

I suppose there are a variety of ways God could make Himself known absolutely. Instead of sending destroyers to the city of Jerusalem, He could have sent plagues like He did to Egypt and perhaps the people would have remembered. However, the evidence indicates that they would most likely not.  I often wonder what they received from their other gods, that they did not receive from Yahweh that would make them more devoted to those gods than to the one true God.

Jesus could have done more miracles. It seemed that healing people on every hand in his early days did nothing but publicize his ability to heal the sick and diseased. ((Matthew 4:23-25) Changing water into wine did nothing for him.(John 2:6-11) Cursing fig tress was not a clincher. (Mark 11:12-14) Even feeding thousands with mere morsels was not enough. (Luke 9:10-17) And God knows the Cross - yes even the Cross - did not ultimately convince all people.

I am not sure what my expectations are when it comes to convincing evidence, or intimately knowing God. I suspect in reality it is an internal issue. A changed life, a servant life, a life characterized by doing the right things and doing things right.  Would a sign of some kind help? Probably not any more than it helped people in the past.

It is an issue of faith. An issue that challenges my heart and my mind daily. I suspect that is why Jesus taught us to pray with this line included, "And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil." (Matthew 6:9-13) He knew that if God were to lead us to the wilderness as he was led, the outcome could be quite different.

Therefore, what is the bottom line. Besides admitting my quest? Continuing to ask, seek and knock, (Matthew 7:7) will indeed find the door open.

Thank you Father for the mystery of the divine.

What Is Your Motivation?

What motivates you to serve the LORD?  Before you answer that question, take a moment to think about it.

In most churches we usually see three types of people: those who are motivated to serve Christ; those who are marginally interested; and those who merely go through the motions with a take it or leave it mentality.

In a recent "friends survey" I received via email, two of my friends answered this question, "What is your greatest fear?" with this type of response, not pleasing God. If one reads that correctly, lack of approval is the motivator. Fearing the ultimate outcome of not being approved by God; not hearing those words "well done, my good and faithful servant."

One of my greatest fears as a child and young teen was not pleasing my step-father. It seemed that having that fear was rather futile, since there was very little I could do that pleased him. Nothing I did seemed good enough. I still have some residue regarding all of that, but I am not certain I have translated that over to my relationship with God. Perhaps I should, but I have not.

Growing up my mom used to use "fear of God" a lot. She would say things like, "If you do that, I'll put the fear of God in you."  I was never certain what "fear of God" meant, but I assumed it was not a good thing and indeed it is not. At least an over abundance of the "fear of God".

God did some pretty obscene things to Israel for their rebellion, but somehow it never seemed to cultivate an appropriate level of "fear" regarding their behavior. Still they rebelled against Him in spite of what He did. Yes, there were times when they had a momentary retreat and served Him with some level of "joy", but mostly they lived their lives in rebellion and apparent apostasy.

I think that most people feel that when Christ came on the scene that "fear of God" dissipated. However if you read the NT carefully, that may not be the case. Judgement for behavior is still alive and well. And rightly so. There should be consequences for our moral and "spiritual" behavior.

I am not certain what my current level of "fear of God" is right now. I suppose on a scale of 1-10 it might be a 4. Serving Him seems like it should flow from love and respect not fear. Yet I admit the ever-present cloud of judgment still seems to float above my head keeping fear alive.

So, I ask again, what motivates you to serve the LORD?

Rated "R" for Extreme Violence

This is no "action" movie. This is real life. However, it is unlikely that even though it is in book form, a movie would be made. It is just too violent and abhorrent.

Almost every day we read in the paper of violence and war in Iraq, Afghanistan, Iran, and India. However, nothing compares to what you can read in Jeremiah 46-51. And I might remind everyone, this is done at the hand of God.

What is it about human nature that violence is often the final means of getting someone's attention? That is not to say there is not an appropriate time for war or destruction, it is simply to say, appealing to the senses, to honor, to commitment, seldom brings the desired results.

Israel continued to be resistant toward their commitment to God. Daily it seems they thwarted their position and excused their "idolatry" as though it were a mere nothing in the eyes of God. Prophet after Prophet would caution them of the ultimate outcome, yet still they turned their back to Yahweh. The outcome was inevitable and even historical. It is like the adage, keep doing he same thing in the same manner and you will get the same results.  They just did not learn from experience.

The destruction sequences in these chapters of Jeremiah are not pretty. More than their violent content, everyone reading them knows that not much will come of it. God's people will continue their resistance. Ultimately it will take one final act of violence by God to turn the tide - the crucified Christ. Yet still, they resist, our nation resists, individuals resist, even I resist that lesson at times.

What will it take for the lesson to be learned? Outside of the second coming of Christ, are there any arrows left in the quiver of God?

We say we are a "Christian Nation". If that is true, will God bring violent judgement against the US from an invading force. I suspect He will. We are no longer a nation of American citizens, we are a homogenized nation, one that is quickly loosing its personal identity. We seem to be loosing our pride and internal strength. Our cities, businesses, and economic strength is held more and more in the hands of foreign nations. The day is coming when the legs of this nation will buckle. Not only will people not stand and feebly sing the national anthem, they will not longer remember the words.

**********

Well, that is not exactly the direction I had intended to go with this entry, but I will stand by it.

God please Bless the USA!

Conflict of Interest

In business it is not unusual to find people who have been promoted beyond their capability. There are also people who have requested more responsibility and once they received it discovered that they were not adequate to the task. Those who observe these phenomenon who actually DO possess the necessary skills to perform the job wonder why this has happened they wonder why they were not selected for the job.

Through daily living we observe people who seem to prosper in their un-godly lifestyle. People who flaunt their unbelief yet prosper in spite of it, even because of it. We wonder why that happens when we are being faithful, yet suffering distress and hard times.

We occasionally see those who live as though money is their god and prosper accordingly. Then, when they have made their fortune, suddenly realize that they have served the wrong god and want to redirect their devotion. (How convenient.)

Then there are those who bargain with God. "You let me do this and then I will serve You."

All of this appears to me as a conflict of interest. Not so much a "why me?" syndrome, rather a "what's up with that?"

In Jeremiah 42 we see even a larger conflict of interest. The people of Judah, basically a remnant that is left from the Babylonian onslaught, say to Jeremiah,

"...Pray to the LORD your God for us...that the LORD your God may show us the way we should go, and the thing we should do."  (Jeremiah 42:3)

Jeremiah does intercede for the people and comes to them with what the LORD has said. Of course, what God has said is a severe conflict of interest for them, so they say it is a lie and they will not do what God said. (43: 2, 4) They want safety and a sense of security, God is offering a desolate community and almost certain discomfort.  However, when they make a choice that seems to be more in line with their personal interests, they put themselves directly in the path of certain destruction.

I often make choices that are not in my personal interest, although at the time I believe they are absolutely in my best interest.  I often confuse comfort as a gauge for conforming to God's will. When in reality, comfort may be the farthest thing from His overall plan. It is just not what I bargained for.

Yes it does rain on the just and the unjust. It simply seems at times that the unjust are the only ones with the umbrellas. The just are the ones left standing in the rain. It then becomes easy to see how a conflict of interest could develop.

I am hoping that this year will be a year of specific interest. That I will invest my energies on things that benefit and strengthen my interest in the divine. That I will be able to put into perspective the dictate "Seek first the kingdom of God..."

Was it a Lie?

Since we are in the midst of an onslaught of political ads and news, there surfaces this issue of lies and half-truths.  Politicians, when either criticizing their opponents or explaining their position on issues, often tell only what they want their hearers to know. On occasion they may flat out lie, but that is becoming harder to do with the media scrutiny and information available on the Internet.

As Christians, is it acceptable to lie or tell half-truths knowing that what we are saying, in the case of half-truths, is misleading or deceptive?  Can we fall back on the "everybody does it" ethic or the "it was for their own good" principle to justify our deception?

These are hard questions. I know in our lives, my wife lost a job because she refused to be misleading, deceptive, or flat out lie to sub-contractors. 

We may all have things in our past or present that if someone where to ask us flat out, "Did you....?" We may be faced with a tough decision regarding our response. Truth hurts sometimes. Lies may serve a purpose of postponing that hurt, but seldom does it justify the hurt and possible healing that follows. Notice I said "seldom".

Jeremiah was asked to be deceptive in his response if asked about what his conversation entailed with King Zedekiah. ( Jer. 38:24-28). Some would say he lied. Others say he simply told a half-truth, others say he did not lie based on verses 15-16. I have my opinion but you must make your own choice. If you say he told a half-truth, you may find yourself in good company, because it appears that God instructed Samuel to do a similar thing in 1Samuel 16:1-3.

It is unfortunate the scripture puts us in these kind of positions. Nevertheless, they are issues we must come to acknowledge. Could a prophet lie and still be credible?  Can a parent lie, a politician lie, a pastor or priest lie, or speak half-truths and still remain credible. Can it be justified and validated based on any circumstance?

It's the old "chicken and egg" question or the "What would you do if you had to survive?" dilemma. Would you kill and justify it even though you know it is wrong to kill? When I took my concealed hand gun course in Texas, that was one of the first questions they asked. "Could you take the life of another human being?" Answering that question was crucial in whether or not you would own or carry a gun for protection and defense.

Ethics or morals is sometimes a moving target when it comes to society. They call it situational ethics. Based on the situation or the culture, you do what you need to do. Is it similar when it comes to scripture?

God's Will and Plan

I suspect we've all heard it before. It comes straight out of the 4 Spiritual Laws from Campus Crusade for Christ, "God loves you and has a wonderful plan for your life." But is that true? Not the love part rather the "plan for your life" part.

There seems to be little support in scripture that I recall which supports the idea of a personal plan for individual lives. Perhaps it comes from God knowing the hairs on our head, or His words from Jeremiah, "For I know the plans I have for you..." (29:11) Although that passage is directed toward Israel and not toward individuals.

Maybe the best way to look at this concept is that God has a universal plan for mankind and there is a role we play in that plan as individuals.

As we move into the New Year, it is important that we be aware of God's will for Christians. That we be sensitive to the needs of others, and that we be conscious of our own personal health and well being. If that translates to a personal will for our lives, than so be it, however it is not individually dictated by God. It is simply living a responsible life in light of scripture and our interaction with other people.

I believe most of us are sensitive to being within the "will of God". Nevertheless, we might want to keep it in perspective and understand that when it comes to a personal plan for our lives, if there were one, it would be found in the Sermon on the Mount.  Were we all to flesh those instructions out with commitment and consistency everyone would live a better life.

Happy New Year!