As I have been processing why Christians treat other Christians so poorly, I have come up with a few observations. I would like to share these observations with you. You can take them or leave them, but please give them consideration.
First of all many who call themselves Christians are not truly Christians at all. To quote Chuck Jones’ comment on my Facebook post, “Going to church does not make you a Christian anymore then standing is a garage makes you a car”. Being a Christian is to be a follower of Christ and Christ ALONE! Many who go to church are simply keeping up appearances. Many church goers go to church because it makes them feel good and they believe it makes them look good to others. A large amount of churches have become nothing but the equivalent to the country clubs of the 50’s and 60’s. These churches have become nothing but a place for social gatherings and various clubs to meet. Please do not misunderstand, Christians need fellowship with other Christ Followers, but gathering together should not only be about growth in relationship with each other, but more importantly about growth in a relationship with Jesus Christ.
I believe with ALL my heart that there is ONE and ONLY ONE way to God! It is only through a RELATIONSHIP with Jesus that we are allowed access to God. We are not allowed access to God because we have heard of Jesus or even because we believe in Jesus. Access is through relationship alone. Many, even Satan, know and believe in Jesus, but because there is no relationship with Him, there will be NO eternal life with Him. So that being said, being a Christian in simple terms is an individual who has a relationship with Jesus Christ, through which the individual is allowed access to God and granted an eternity in God’s presence.
I fear that over time we fall away from relationship and into works. We start to spend so much time doing the work of God that we neglect the relationship. We get so busy doing for God that we have left no time for Christ. The bible states in James 2:26, “Faith without works is dead”, but in retrospect works without relationship is in vain. If we are focused on the relationship the work will come naturally. Making much of you, making much of God equals self righteousness. Isaiah 42:6 states that we are called to righteousness, NOT SELF righteousness. If too much time is spent in doing the works of God without enough time spent in relationship with Jesus, our human sinful nature is to become not righteous, but self righteous.
We all have been born into a sinful world, filled with a sinful nature, and separated from God. The only thing that makes Christians different from anyone else in the world is that Christians have accepted the gift God has given them in Jesus.
We as Christians are called to judge one another, but we are called to do so ONLY in LOVE. We are not called to judge out of self righteousness. When we are aware of another Christ Follower who is doing things that may be harmful to their relationship with Christ we are to pull them aside and lovingly tell them our concerns. Not because we are better than them or without sin ourselves, but because we TRULY care about the path they are choosing and the effects their choices will have on their relationship with Jesus Christ. Ultimately we all have free will and they have the choice to listen to your concerns or ignore your observations. In this we are not called to discuss the sins of others even with fellow Followers. This would be gossip and harmful. Not only harmful to the individual being discussed, but also harmful to the cause of Christ. When we gossip we turn what we believe to be someone else’s sin into our own sin.
One of the most obvious observations I have made is that Christians put unrealistic expectations on other Christians. When the other Christians are not capable of meeting these expectations, we become disappointed. As Christians we also have a tendency to put unrealistic expectations on ourselves and once again become disappointed. In truth all Christians are simply sinners saved by God’s grace and we need to extend that same grace to others that God has given to us. We as Christians often treat non Christians better than our brothers and sisters in Christ; because we feel Christians should know better. We must take into consideration that just because we or they may know better, we or they may not always chose the best choice. We are all still SINNERS! We as Christians just have knowledge of how to overcome sin and should always be striving to move forward in our RELATIONHSHIP with Christ!
Now let’s add the desire of people to push their own agendas and the fact that we want things the way we want them. This is true even in the church. Christianity isn’t ministry and Christ on our terms; the terms are all set by Christ. After all Christ isn’t asking to follow us, Christians claim to be choosing to follow Christ. In our selfish sinful nature we lash out and become defensive when we do not get our own way. So when we don’t get to have our own way in the church or even in Christ’s will for us the easiest place to lash out is at the church or other Christians.
All this being said, I believe the purest and most truthful reason Christians are mean to one another is that it is easier to point out the sin in others lives then DEAL WITH THE SIN IN OUR OWN!!!! It is easier to rip someone else apart then truly look into ourselves and see the wretchedness hiding inside. Being a Christian does not give us the right to tear each other down; we are supposed to build each other up. Christ wants us to fall broken before Him so He can rebuild us perfect, not in each other’s standards, but in RELATIONSHIP with Him. We will not be perfect until we are with Him in eternity. Our hope is not in this lifetime, our hope is in eternity.
I can’t take responsibility for the relationship, decisions or actions of those around me who call themselves Christians. All I can do is pray that I’m being the example and representation of HIM that He has chosen me to be. “Many have been called, but few have been chosen”, Matthew 22:14.
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Sunday, November 28, 2010
Thursday, June 10, 2010
Step by Step
Proverbs 22:6
Train a child in the way he should go,
and when he is old he will not turn from it.
During a recent visit to my mother’s house she made the comment, “Parents love their
children more than children love their parents.” I had to stop briefly and role that statement around in my head. After doing so, I came to the conclusion that this is an absolute truth. After all, parents create children out of love, to love and be loved.
Although I love my parents very much, I now have children of my own. My children have become the focus and have taken priority over my parents in my life. When we are first born everything we do revolves around our parents. When we have children of our own, everything we do suddenly revolves around them. We may try to deny this fact, but it can be no other way. All plans concern the children. Even plans with your spouse require a plan for the children first.
Our lives don’t begin this way. When we are first born all we know is a relationship with our parents. Our world is very small and rotates completely around our parents and their plans for our days. We know nothing different, so we fall into step with our parents as they lead us one step at a time down the path they fell best for us to follow.
In the timeline of our lives this moment in time is just a small dot at the very beginning of our lifeline. Sometime within the first two years of our lives we take our first steps. When we first begin walking we will often look down to see where we are placing our feet making sure that we do not step wrong. When we are not looking down we have our eyes on our parents not wanting them too far from our line of vision. After all they are guiding us, keeping us safe.
Our parents no longer need to hold our hands. They are no longer guiding the direction of every one of our steps. We begin gaining independence and what began as a slow crawl quickly transforms into a giggling, frantic run.
Running is usually our first act of defiance, testing the limits in a game of “catch me if you can”. We want to know our parents love us and want them to chase us. This game is a lot more fun for the child then the worried, protective and often frustrated parent. Time and again our parents will let us run as long as we are safe, only intervening when we have run so far off the path that we are now in danger.
As we proceed farther down the timeline of our lives we gain more and more independence creating lives of our own, making our own choices and decisions. Out of love our parents step aside allowing us to run ahead, only giving directions when asked. Quietly our parents watch, longing to be a part of our lives, yet knowing we not only need to run but we need to fly!
The roll of parents has taken on a new meaning and comfort can be found in Proverbs 22:6 Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it. Being a parent never truly ends. Parents will always be a part of their children’s lives, because children will always fly home.
When we first come to a saving knowledge of Jesus and are reborn into a new relationship with God the Father we have the same experience. When our new relationship with God begins, everything we do revolves around God. We spend as much time with Him as possible, allowing Him to teach us a new way to walk. At first we stay very close letting God guide our steps. We bow our heads in prayer often and look up to the heavens for directions. We hold tight to God’s hand not wanting Him to be too far from our line of vision.
It doesn’t take long and we get a little too big for our britches, thinking we know all God has for us. We start to make plans and run ahead of God, taking things into our own hands. Psalm 119:105 reads, “Your word is a lamp onto my feet and a light onto my path.” The problem is that if we run too fast and too far we run ahead of the light God has used to light our path. When this happens we will trip, stub our toes and don’t see the danger that lies ahead.
The difference between God our Father and our earthly parents is God simply watches as we run, playing “catch me if you can”. He does not worry or get frustrated with us and more importantly He will not chase us. What God will do is wait on us. He waits patiently for us to trip and stub our toes knowing that we will return to Him once we realize the unlit path is too difficult to follow. Knowing that early in our relationship with Him, we were trained up in the way we should go and we will turn back to it.
Ultimately God will always love us more then we love Him. After all God created us out of love, to love and to be loved.
Train a child in the way he should go,
and when he is old he will not turn from it.
During a recent visit to my mother’s house she made the comment, “Parents love their
children more than children love their parents.” I had to stop briefly and role that statement around in my head. After doing so, I came to the conclusion that this is an absolute truth. After all, parents create children out of love, to love and be loved.
Although I love my parents very much, I now have children of my own. My children have become the focus and have taken priority over my parents in my life. When we are first born everything we do revolves around our parents. When we have children of our own, everything we do suddenly revolves around them. We may try to deny this fact, but it can be no other way. All plans concern the children. Even plans with your spouse require a plan for the children first.
Our lives don’t begin this way. When we are first born all we know is a relationship with our parents. Our world is very small and rotates completely around our parents and their plans for our days. We know nothing different, so we fall into step with our parents as they lead us one step at a time down the path they fell best for us to follow.
In the timeline of our lives this moment in time is just a small dot at the very beginning of our lifeline. Sometime within the first two years of our lives we take our first steps. When we first begin walking we will often look down to see where we are placing our feet making sure that we do not step wrong. When we are not looking down we have our eyes on our parents not wanting them too far from our line of vision. After all they are guiding us, keeping us safe.
Our parents no longer need to hold our hands. They are no longer guiding the direction of every one of our steps. We begin gaining independence and what began as a slow crawl quickly transforms into a giggling, frantic run.
Running is usually our first act of defiance, testing the limits in a game of “catch me if you can”. We want to know our parents love us and want them to chase us. This game is a lot more fun for the child then the worried, protective and often frustrated parent. Time and again our parents will let us run as long as we are safe, only intervening when we have run so far off the path that we are now in danger.
As we proceed farther down the timeline of our lives we gain more and more independence creating lives of our own, making our own choices and decisions. Out of love our parents step aside allowing us to run ahead, only giving directions when asked. Quietly our parents watch, longing to be a part of our lives, yet knowing we not only need to run but we need to fly!
The roll of parents has taken on a new meaning and comfort can be found in Proverbs 22:6 Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it. Being a parent never truly ends. Parents will always be a part of their children’s lives, because children will always fly home.
When we first come to a saving knowledge of Jesus and are reborn into a new relationship with God the Father we have the same experience. When our new relationship with God begins, everything we do revolves around God. We spend as much time with Him as possible, allowing Him to teach us a new way to walk. At first we stay very close letting God guide our steps. We bow our heads in prayer often and look up to the heavens for directions. We hold tight to God’s hand not wanting Him to be too far from our line of vision.
It doesn’t take long and we get a little too big for our britches, thinking we know all God has for us. We start to make plans and run ahead of God, taking things into our own hands. Psalm 119:105 reads, “Your word is a lamp onto my feet and a light onto my path.” The problem is that if we run too fast and too far we run ahead of the light God has used to light our path. When this happens we will trip, stub our toes and don’t see the danger that lies ahead.
The difference between God our Father and our earthly parents is God simply watches as we run, playing “catch me if you can”. He does not worry or get frustrated with us and more importantly He will not chase us. What God will do is wait on us. He waits patiently for us to trip and stub our toes knowing that we will return to Him once we realize the unlit path is too difficult to follow. Knowing that early in our relationship with Him, we were trained up in the way we should go and we will turn back to it.
Ultimately God will always love us more then we love Him. After all God created us out of love, to love and to be loved.
Thursday, June 3, 2010
Pardon Me Your life is Showing
Luke 12:2
2There is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, or hidden that will not be made known.
In the 1970’s the slip reigned supreme as the must have accessory. Dresses were the fashion. From floor length to just under the butt check and everything in between, your dress length defined your mood. And if you were wearing a dress, you were wearing a slip of the same length. Ladies dresser drawers were filled with these unmentionables.
I had a favorite slip given to me by my grandmother. It had belonged to one of my aunts in the 1960’s. It was bright fuchsia pink with a taffeta texture. It didn’t matter what dress I was wearing I wanted to wear it under everything.
There was only one real problem with slips. Periodically they would do just that, they would slip, peeking out from the bottom of your dress. You only knew because someone would stelthfully tap you on the shoulder and whisper into your ear. “Pardon me, your slip is showing”.
At that point you would sheepishly duck into the nearest powder room and adjust your slip. Then walk out with our head held high as if nothing had happened and all was right with the world.
The slip has a very important job. It is worn to help hide flaws. It prevents the dress from clinging to your legs or from letting the sunshine through for everyone to see you in all your glory. The funny thing about the slip is everyone knows you are wearing one, yet you don’t want anyone to know. So you pretend that you don’t know that they know until you receive that little tap on the shoulder.
Our real lives are a lot like a slip. Only our real lives don’t hide our flaws, our real lives are our flaws. We hide these flaws under our Christian lives praying they won’t slip and peak out.
In our Christian lives we are perfect. We look gorgeous, our house is always clean, our bills are paid in a timely manner and our kids are angels. The heavens shine down upon us because; we reflect the complete image of Christ.
In our real lives we are sinners. Under our perfect image we are frazzled, our house is in disarray, we misplace and at times ignore the bills and our kids only listen to every other word we say. I’m pretty sure God shakes His head wondering why?
Everyone knows that we have real lives under our ridiculous sugar sweet Christian persona. You will do everything you can to keep your real life from slipping and peaking out. So you go through life pretending that you don’t know, that you know, that they know, that you have a real life. Until one day it accidentally peaks out. The problem is when your real life does slip out it is usually such a large piece of life material that you cannot just tuck it back in. Maybe someone stopped at your house unexpectedly or you lose your temper with your kids. It is at this point someone has cuffed you upside the head and yelled, “Pardon me, your life is showing”.
Take a deep breath; because I’m about to give you some advise that will help you when your life peaks out. Just be you. If you are born again, your Christian life is your real life. Stop making excuses. You are a work in progress. You will only be perfect when you reach heaven or when Christ returns. Don’t be a hypocritical Christian living one life on the inside and another on the outside. Let your life show. We are all reaching for the same goal. If we let our real lives show, maybe we can help each other make our real lives mirror the Christian lives we want people to see.
I already know, that you know, that I am not perfect. And you know, that I know, that you are not perfect. So until Christ returns, let’s let Christ be our slip and hide our flaws in Him.
Until then I’ll show you my life, if you show me yours. You may as well agree, because I already know you have one. And every so often just for fun let’s let our lives be “FUCHSIA.”
2There is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, or hidden that will not be made known.
In the 1970’s the slip reigned supreme as the must have accessory. Dresses were the fashion. From floor length to just under the butt check and everything in between, your dress length defined your mood. And if you were wearing a dress, you were wearing a slip of the same length. Ladies dresser drawers were filled with these unmentionables.
I had a favorite slip given to me by my grandmother. It had belonged to one of my aunts in the 1960’s. It was bright fuchsia pink with a taffeta texture. It didn’t matter what dress I was wearing I wanted to wear it under everything.
There was only one real problem with slips. Periodically they would do just that, they would slip, peeking out from the bottom of your dress. You only knew because someone would stelthfully tap you on the shoulder and whisper into your ear. “Pardon me, your slip is showing”.
At that point you would sheepishly duck into the nearest powder room and adjust your slip. Then walk out with our head held high as if nothing had happened and all was right with the world.
The slip has a very important job. It is worn to help hide flaws. It prevents the dress from clinging to your legs or from letting the sunshine through for everyone to see you in all your glory. The funny thing about the slip is everyone knows you are wearing one, yet you don’t want anyone to know. So you pretend that you don’t know that they know until you receive that little tap on the shoulder.
Our real lives are a lot like a slip. Only our real lives don’t hide our flaws, our real lives are our flaws. We hide these flaws under our Christian lives praying they won’t slip and peak out.
In our Christian lives we are perfect. We look gorgeous, our house is always clean, our bills are paid in a timely manner and our kids are angels. The heavens shine down upon us because; we reflect the complete image of Christ.
In our real lives we are sinners. Under our perfect image we are frazzled, our house is in disarray, we misplace and at times ignore the bills and our kids only listen to every other word we say. I’m pretty sure God shakes His head wondering why?
Everyone knows that we have real lives under our ridiculous sugar sweet Christian persona. You will do everything you can to keep your real life from slipping and peaking out. So you go through life pretending that you don’t know, that you know, that they know, that you have a real life. Until one day it accidentally peaks out. The problem is when your real life does slip out it is usually such a large piece of life material that you cannot just tuck it back in. Maybe someone stopped at your house unexpectedly or you lose your temper with your kids. It is at this point someone has cuffed you upside the head and yelled, “Pardon me, your life is showing”.
Take a deep breath; because I’m about to give you some advise that will help you when your life peaks out. Just be you. If you are born again, your Christian life is your real life. Stop making excuses. You are a work in progress. You will only be perfect when you reach heaven or when Christ returns. Don’t be a hypocritical Christian living one life on the inside and another on the outside. Let your life show. We are all reaching for the same goal. If we let our real lives show, maybe we can help each other make our real lives mirror the Christian lives we want people to see.
I already know, that you know, that I am not perfect. And you know, that I know, that you are not perfect. So until Christ returns, let’s let Christ be our slip and hide our flaws in Him.
Until then I’ll show you my life, if you show me yours. You may as well agree, because I already know you have one. And every so often just for fun let’s let our lives be “FUCHSIA.”
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
Tending the Fire
John the Baptist said,
Matthew 3:11
11"I baptize you with[a] water for repentance. But after me will come one who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not fit to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.”
The Holy Spirit is a gift to us from God; He dwells within us and to keep the fire burning in us we must continually do what Paul encouraged Timothy to do in
2 Timothy 1:6-7
I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands. 7For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline.
There are three ingredients that must be present for fire to exist heat, fuel and oxygen. By eliminating any of these factors the fire will burnout and be ineffective for its purpose. In essence the fire will die.
A heat source is responsible for the initial ignition of a fire. Heat is also needed to maintain the fire and permit it to spread.
Our heat source is our relationship with Christ. It is what drives us to do fulfill our purpose, which is what Christ commissioned us to do in
Mark 16:15 He said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation. Spread the fire. Remind yourself of what God has done for you. Don’t forget, it’s your heat. He has done too much for you to remain idle. All God is asking is that you be willing to tell others what you already know and to share His gift.
Over the years I have come up with a couple of rules I use when sharing Christ with a non-believer.
1. Be you when sharing, be careful not to get over spiritual. Christianease will confuse a non-believer, do not assume that just because you understand the words and phrases you are using that they will. Keep it simple.
2. Be observant of the person’s response. Don’t be afraid to back off. Maybe all you were meant to do is create a spark.
“Don’t be so on fire
That you burn the first person you see.”
I understand your excitement and desire to share the gift you have been given. . Spread the fire to everyone you know, but sometimes you have to simply be nothing more than the kindling.
After I came to a saving knowledge of Christ I wanted desperately to share my fire with one of my closet and dearest friends. We grew up together and shared so many experiences in life together that I could not imagine not sharing this with her. This was the most precious gift I was ever given. I desperately wanted her to be experience it for herself. So I came at her with the force of a back draft, telling her all about heaven, hell, sin and salvation. To which she replied, “I have lots of time. For now I want to have fun and I don’t think I believe in hell.” So I went home and loaded my flamethrower writing her a letter quoting every verse in the bible where hell and Gehenna were mentioned. Guess what she did? She shut down wanting nothing to do with my new religion or me. What I failed to realize was the she didn’t believe the bible was the inspired word of God, so she didn’t believe in hell. I could have thrown the flaming darts of bible verses all day; it was not going to matter.
I did not have all the time she thought she did. She died at 33 of coronary artery disease. The thing that upsets me the most is that we were not even close enough as friends that anyone thought to call me. I found out to late and could not attend the funeral. We had been through so much together over 25 years of friendship, but in sharing the most important thing a friend could share I managed to burn her. I choose to consume her in the bon fire, instead of letting a spark fly into her heart and light it’s own fire within her.
The fire also needs a continuous source of fuel. Fuel is what we feed the fire to keep it burning. What is the fuel that we as Christians need to feed the fire? Jesus says in Matthew 4:4, "It is written: 'Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.' " Read, memorize, medatate, study, consume your Bible. Spend time in prayer. Not only speaking to God, but spend even more time listening to God. He has things he wants to tell you, but if you are never quiet how will you hear? Let God engulf you in His Words.
The last element to a fire is Oxygen. Once you have accepted Christ as your Savior He sends the Holy Spirit to live with in you. Jesus says in John 20:21-22 "Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you." 22 And with that he breathed on them and said, "Receive the Holy Spirit.
The Holy Spirit works equally with the other two elements to support them.
The Holy Spirit gives us the strength, power and authority to accomplish the great commission. In Acts 2 the disciples were filled with the Holy Spirit, by of all things tongues of FIRE coming down from heaven. Immediately after receiving the Holy Spirit Peter stood up and shared his relationship with Christ, 3000 were brought into relationship with Jesus. He fulfilled the great commission. (Our Heat)
The Holy Spirit helps us to pray and hear God. (Our Fuel)
Romans 8: 26-27 says,“ In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express. 27And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God's will”.
Giving us the ability to discern God’s voice from others 1 John 2:26-27
26 “I am writing these things to you about those who are trying to lead you astray. 27As for you, the anointing you received from him remains in you, and you do not need anyone to teach you. But as his anointing teaches you about all things and as that anointing is real, not counterfeit—just as it has taught you, remain in him”.
Without any of these factors your fire will die, and you will be ineffective for the Kingdom of God. Remember your fire is your responsibility no one else’s, not the person who lead you to Christ, not your pastors, but yours. And on the flip side you are not responsible for tending anyone else’s fire. But you should do everything possible not to extinguish it. Be an encourager, don’t judge and feel it is your job to point out the sin in their lives. You give them the kindling and God will burn off the chaff. If you are busy tending other people’s fire you won’t have the time to tend to yours and from personal experience I can honestly tell you, your fire will burn out.
Our Heat is our relationship with Christ, which needs fuel in the form of the word of God, written and spoken, understood by the presence of the Holy Spirit living within us.
Jesus, God and Holy Spirit three separate yet one
Heat, Fuel, and oxygen three separate elements yet one, FIRE.
Matthew 3:11
11"I baptize you with[a] water for repentance. But after me will come one who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not fit to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.”
The Holy Spirit is a gift to us from God; He dwells within us and to keep the fire burning in us we must continually do what Paul encouraged Timothy to do in
2 Timothy 1:6-7
I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands. 7For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline.
There are three ingredients that must be present for fire to exist heat, fuel and oxygen. By eliminating any of these factors the fire will burnout and be ineffective for its purpose. In essence the fire will die.
A heat source is responsible for the initial ignition of a fire. Heat is also needed to maintain the fire and permit it to spread.
Our heat source is our relationship with Christ. It is what drives us to do fulfill our purpose, which is what Christ commissioned us to do in
Mark 16:15 He said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation. Spread the fire. Remind yourself of what God has done for you. Don’t forget, it’s your heat. He has done too much for you to remain idle. All God is asking is that you be willing to tell others what you already know and to share His gift.
Over the years I have come up with a couple of rules I use when sharing Christ with a non-believer.
1. Be you when sharing, be careful not to get over spiritual. Christianease will confuse a non-believer, do not assume that just because you understand the words and phrases you are using that they will. Keep it simple.
2. Be observant of the person’s response. Don’t be afraid to back off. Maybe all you were meant to do is create a spark.
“Don’t be so on fire
That you burn the first person you see.”
I understand your excitement and desire to share the gift you have been given. . Spread the fire to everyone you know, but sometimes you have to simply be nothing more than the kindling.
After I came to a saving knowledge of Christ I wanted desperately to share my fire with one of my closet and dearest friends. We grew up together and shared so many experiences in life together that I could not imagine not sharing this with her. This was the most precious gift I was ever given. I desperately wanted her to be experience it for herself. So I came at her with the force of a back draft, telling her all about heaven, hell, sin and salvation. To which she replied, “I have lots of time. For now I want to have fun and I don’t think I believe in hell.” So I went home and loaded my flamethrower writing her a letter quoting every verse in the bible where hell and Gehenna were mentioned. Guess what she did? She shut down wanting nothing to do with my new religion or me. What I failed to realize was the she didn’t believe the bible was the inspired word of God, so she didn’t believe in hell. I could have thrown the flaming darts of bible verses all day; it was not going to matter.
I did not have all the time she thought she did. She died at 33 of coronary artery disease. The thing that upsets me the most is that we were not even close enough as friends that anyone thought to call me. I found out to late and could not attend the funeral. We had been through so much together over 25 years of friendship, but in sharing the most important thing a friend could share I managed to burn her. I choose to consume her in the bon fire, instead of letting a spark fly into her heart and light it’s own fire within her.
The fire also needs a continuous source of fuel. Fuel is what we feed the fire to keep it burning. What is the fuel that we as Christians need to feed the fire? Jesus says in Matthew 4:4, "It is written: 'Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.' " Read, memorize, medatate, study, consume your Bible. Spend time in prayer. Not only speaking to God, but spend even more time listening to God. He has things he wants to tell you, but if you are never quiet how will you hear? Let God engulf you in His Words.
The last element to a fire is Oxygen. Once you have accepted Christ as your Savior He sends the Holy Spirit to live with in you. Jesus says in John 20:21-22 "Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you." 22 And with that he breathed on them and said, "Receive the Holy Spirit.
The Holy Spirit works equally with the other two elements to support them.
The Holy Spirit gives us the strength, power and authority to accomplish the great commission. In Acts 2 the disciples were filled with the Holy Spirit, by of all things tongues of FIRE coming down from heaven. Immediately after receiving the Holy Spirit Peter stood up and shared his relationship with Christ, 3000 were brought into relationship with Jesus. He fulfilled the great commission. (Our Heat)
The Holy Spirit helps us to pray and hear God. (Our Fuel)
Romans 8: 26-27 says,“ In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express. 27And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God's will”.
Giving us the ability to discern God’s voice from others 1 John 2:26-27
26 “I am writing these things to you about those who are trying to lead you astray. 27As for you, the anointing you received from him remains in you, and you do not need anyone to teach you. But as his anointing teaches you about all things and as that anointing is real, not counterfeit—just as it has taught you, remain in him”.
Without any of these factors your fire will die, and you will be ineffective for the Kingdom of God. Remember your fire is your responsibility no one else’s, not the person who lead you to Christ, not your pastors, but yours. And on the flip side you are not responsible for tending anyone else’s fire. But you should do everything possible not to extinguish it. Be an encourager, don’t judge and feel it is your job to point out the sin in their lives. You give them the kindling and God will burn off the chaff. If you are busy tending other people’s fire you won’t have the time to tend to yours and from personal experience I can honestly tell you, your fire will burn out.
Our Heat is our relationship with Christ, which needs fuel in the form of the word of God, written and spoken, understood by the presence of the Holy Spirit living within us.
Jesus, God and Holy Spirit three separate yet one
Heat, Fuel, and oxygen three separate elements yet one, FIRE.
For the Least of These
Matthew 25:40
40"The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me
What were they thinking? This building has approximately 6,000 seats. This church has roughly 8,000 members. And I’m just guessing that there are 5,000 visiting pastors and other ministry leaders. What could they possibly be thinking by sending forty busses out into the inner city? And on top of all that they rented forty more busses.
This is a huge event. I know they could have planned better. They know how many regular members they have and they have a reasonable head count of the number of visitors. All I want is a seat for my family and me. Let’s get real they know how many to expect. Why would you possibly think it was a brilliant idea to send out all those busses? Now where would everyone possibly sit or even stand. The church is only so BIG!
Those were my thoughts going through my head on a Tuesday night of pastor’s school. It was a huge night. There was going to be an illustrated sermon and I wanted to be comfortable.
When my family finally found seats, I moved into mine somewhat begrudgedly, because I wanted to be comfortable. I could not believe that the church would knowingly bus all these extra people, when there were not enough seats for those who had registered and paid for this conference.
Once worship began I felt better. Okay God it’s You and me touch me. I know You are here God and can feel Your presence. That is until the guy next to me stepped on my foot. Then the only thing I felt was the guy next to me. At that point I felt crowded again. Once again side tracked and preoccupied with the fact that it could have been planned better.
As I watched the illustrated sermon tears weld up in my heart and eyes as I remembered what God had done for me. And then the senior pastor made the altar call. I had never seen anything like what was happening around me. People stood up and ran like a stampede of buffalo to the altar. Crying wanting God to do for them what He had done for me so long ago. And that is when God met me.
Not the kind loving God who gives you a warm fuzzy feeling when you come into His presence. But Daddy God with a scolding and reality check. He said very quietly and sternly “You see Mikki, it’s not about you. It’s not about your comfort. It’s about them, and it is THEIR turn to meet Me.”
As I looked up I understood. The equivalent to the entire population of my hometown had gone to the altar to receive Christ as their Savior. Those 80 plus busses were filled with lost souls who had a divine appointment to meet God that evening. They were supposed to be there. That was their predetermined spot on God’s time line to except or deny Him. That was my predetermined spot on God’s time line to be called on the carpet for being the selfish little brat I really am.
God came down and met me that night. Not the way I wanted or ever expected. But in a way God knew I needed.
God said to me “You pampered, prissy little pastor’s wife. Whatever you do for the least of these you do for me. All I’m asking of you is a little discomfort, but all you were concerned with was your comfort. I love you, but you already know me. Tonight was not about our relationship, it is already established. It is about them and My concern is for their souls. So get off you high horse and put away your fancy shoes. Tonight we are going down into the depths and fighting for souls. It might get a little dirty and I know you will be uncomfortable. It’s okay, because I am fighting beside you. I will provide all you need to fight.”
So once I picked my now inch high self up off the floor and began to pray and worship, I had a whole new attitude. And I thanked God for people who heard His voice and followed. I thanked Him for not always being warm and fuzzy, but always real. I cried for the lost in my hometown, I had witnessed the equivalent of its population being saved.
In God’s sanctuary there is room for everyone. We will all have a seat. But until then we may have to step out of where we are comfortable. It may be as simple as giving up our seat.
40"The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me
What were they thinking? This building has approximately 6,000 seats. This church has roughly 8,000 members. And I’m just guessing that there are 5,000 visiting pastors and other ministry leaders. What could they possibly be thinking by sending forty busses out into the inner city? And on top of all that they rented forty more busses.
This is a huge event. I know they could have planned better. They know how many regular members they have and they have a reasonable head count of the number of visitors. All I want is a seat for my family and me. Let’s get real they know how many to expect. Why would you possibly think it was a brilliant idea to send out all those busses? Now where would everyone possibly sit or even stand. The church is only so BIG!
Those were my thoughts going through my head on a Tuesday night of pastor’s school. It was a huge night. There was going to be an illustrated sermon and I wanted to be comfortable.
When my family finally found seats, I moved into mine somewhat begrudgedly, because I wanted to be comfortable. I could not believe that the church would knowingly bus all these extra people, when there were not enough seats for those who had registered and paid for this conference.
Once worship began I felt better. Okay God it’s You and me touch me. I know You are here God and can feel Your presence. That is until the guy next to me stepped on my foot. Then the only thing I felt was the guy next to me. At that point I felt crowded again. Once again side tracked and preoccupied with the fact that it could have been planned better.
As I watched the illustrated sermon tears weld up in my heart and eyes as I remembered what God had done for me. And then the senior pastor made the altar call. I had never seen anything like what was happening around me. People stood up and ran like a stampede of buffalo to the altar. Crying wanting God to do for them what He had done for me so long ago. And that is when God met me.
Not the kind loving God who gives you a warm fuzzy feeling when you come into His presence. But Daddy God with a scolding and reality check. He said very quietly and sternly “You see Mikki, it’s not about you. It’s not about your comfort. It’s about them, and it is THEIR turn to meet Me.”
As I looked up I understood. The equivalent to the entire population of my hometown had gone to the altar to receive Christ as their Savior. Those 80 plus busses were filled with lost souls who had a divine appointment to meet God that evening. They were supposed to be there. That was their predetermined spot on God’s time line to except or deny Him. That was my predetermined spot on God’s time line to be called on the carpet for being the selfish little brat I really am.
God came down and met me that night. Not the way I wanted or ever expected. But in a way God knew I needed.
God said to me “You pampered, prissy little pastor’s wife. Whatever you do for the least of these you do for me. All I’m asking of you is a little discomfort, but all you were concerned with was your comfort. I love you, but you already know me. Tonight was not about our relationship, it is already established. It is about them and My concern is for their souls. So get off you high horse and put away your fancy shoes. Tonight we are going down into the depths and fighting for souls. It might get a little dirty and I know you will be uncomfortable. It’s okay, because I am fighting beside you. I will provide all you need to fight.”
So once I picked my now inch high self up off the floor and began to pray and worship, I had a whole new attitude. And I thanked God for people who heard His voice and followed. I thanked Him for not always being warm and fuzzy, but always real. I cried for the lost in my hometown, I had witnessed the equivalent of its population being saved.
In God’s sanctuary there is room for everyone. We will all have a seat. But until then we may have to step out of where we are comfortable. It may be as simple as giving up our seat.
Thursday, May 27, 2010
10 Things the Pastor’s Wife Would like You to Know,
1. Thank you for the groceries you bring to our home. They are very much appreciated. Have you considered a gift card in the amount you would spend instead? Some foods my family just does not like and we don’t always have freezer space for a gallon of ice cream and ten frozen pizzas.
2. Thank you for thinking of us when you are replacing your furniture. Your old living room or dining room set was lovely ten years ago. I understand that at times you find it necessary to purchase new items. I would like the opportunity to do the same. If an item is no longer good enough for your family why do you believe it is good enough for mine?
3. Our home is OUR sanctuary. It is where our family goes to be a family. Please call before you drop by. Do not assume that because the lights are on and the cars are in the driveway that our family wants to stop everything and converse in deep conversation or entertain you. In fact at times our busy life keeps our home from being in a condition where we are comfortable having guests. We may also be dealing with a family issue that we would not like to be your concern. We need time for our family in order to give time back to yours.
4. Your problems are not my children’s concern. Please try to keep your problems out of my home. There are other places they can be discussed.
5. Thank you for your concern and desire to help. But the only welcome advice is the advice solicited. You have a right to an opinion of us, but unless it is positive please keep it between you and God. It is not your responsibility to point out our faults. We are fully aware of them. Discussing them with others does not hurt us as much as it hurts the church body and causes division. If you believe my husband has been called to be the shepherd, don’t you believe that God will deal with the faults? If you cannot follow the shepherd, please leave the flock without eating the shepherd alive. By snacking on the shepherd you endanger the other sheep.
6. My children are just that, mine! I take the ministry of raising them very seriously. So decisions I make in doing so are none of your business. I do not have to justify them.
7. My number one responsibility in my roll as pastor’s wife is just that, pastor’s wife. It is my first and foremost responsibility to care for him so He can care for you. Please do not over step your boundaries of concern for him. You need to care for him, but some parts of his emotions are mine alone!
8. If you come to us for counseling, advice or help, it is your right to apply or not apply the suggestions or advise you are given. However, I will not listen over and over again to the same struggle through the same situation if you have not applied the steps given to you to try correcting the problem. I will not take responsibility for your problem, decisions you make or the sin in your life.
9. It is hard not to take it personally when people leave the church. I will not chase you. You are adults and have the right to come and go as you please. I would like you to be aware of the fact that it hurts when you leave. It pulls at our hearts. When so much time, energy and love have been expended to make your lives part of ours. When you turn you back on the church it is impossible not to take it as a person rejection. Like a rebellious child rejecting the love a guidance of a parent. Some times we need to set aside your immediate happiness because our ultimate concern in your eternal life. You are free to come and go, but if this starts to affect the others in the flock in a negative way, you will be asked to just go.
10. When all is said and done we love you, whether you believe it or not. Please, if I could ask one thing; remember the heavens do not open above our home. Angels do not sing AAAHHH as you walk through our front door, and we are not in a constant state of worshipping and praising. We are human just like you. The only difference is the call God has put on our lives. We are living our lives as the people God created us to be, not necessarily who you expect us to be.
2. Thank you for thinking of us when you are replacing your furniture. Your old living room or dining room set was lovely ten years ago. I understand that at times you find it necessary to purchase new items. I would like the opportunity to do the same. If an item is no longer good enough for your family why do you believe it is good enough for mine?
3. Our home is OUR sanctuary. It is where our family goes to be a family. Please call before you drop by. Do not assume that because the lights are on and the cars are in the driveway that our family wants to stop everything and converse in deep conversation or entertain you. In fact at times our busy life keeps our home from being in a condition where we are comfortable having guests. We may also be dealing with a family issue that we would not like to be your concern. We need time for our family in order to give time back to yours.
4. Your problems are not my children’s concern. Please try to keep your problems out of my home. There are other places they can be discussed.
5. Thank you for your concern and desire to help. But the only welcome advice is the advice solicited. You have a right to an opinion of us, but unless it is positive please keep it between you and God. It is not your responsibility to point out our faults. We are fully aware of them. Discussing them with others does not hurt us as much as it hurts the church body and causes division. If you believe my husband has been called to be the shepherd, don’t you believe that God will deal with the faults? If you cannot follow the shepherd, please leave the flock without eating the shepherd alive. By snacking on the shepherd you endanger the other sheep.
6. My children are just that, mine! I take the ministry of raising them very seriously. So decisions I make in doing so are none of your business. I do not have to justify them.
7. My number one responsibility in my roll as pastor’s wife is just that, pastor’s wife. It is my first and foremost responsibility to care for him so He can care for you. Please do not over step your boundaries of concern for him. You need to care for him, but some parts of his emotions are mine alone!
8. If you come to us for counseling, advice or help, it is your right to apply or not apply the suggestions or advise you are given. However, I will not listen over and over again to the same struggle through the same situation if you have not applied the steps given to you to try correcting the problem. I will not take responsibility for your problem, decisions you make or the sin in your life.
9. It is hard not to take it personally when people leave the church. I will not chase you. You are adults and have the right to come and go as you please. I would like you to be aware of the fact that it hurts when you leave. It pulls at our hearts. When so much time, energy and love have been expended to make your lives part of ours. When you turn you back on the church it is impossible not to take it as a person rejection. Like a rebellious child rejecting the love a guidance of a parent. Some times we need to set aside your immediate happiness because our ultimate concern in your eternal life. You are free to come and go, but if this starts to affect the others in the flock in a negative way, you will be asked to just go.
10. When all is said and done we love you, whether you believe it or not. Please, if I could ask one thing; remember the heavens do not open above our home. Angels do not sing AAAHHH as you walk through our front door, and we are not in a constant state of worshipping and praising. We are human just like you. The only difference is the call God has put on our lives. We are living our lives as the people God created us to be, not necessarily who you expect us to be.
Just Turned Five
Matthew 19:14
14Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.”
Just Turned five is the perfect age. Not going to be five, because people still see you as little. Not five and on half, because there is a chance you are in school. But when you are just turned five people look at you and say, “My how big you’ve gotten.” And you can’t wait to go to school in the fall.
At just turned five you are not yet big enough to have many chores. So your biggest responsibility is to play. When you are just turned five playing is your job. You get to sleep late, go to bed early and take naps. You can spend the entire time between dinnertime and bedtime in a bath. You have a complete disregard for the water temperature. You will play with boats, measuring cups and a colander until your lips are blue, your teeth are chattering and your toes and fingers are shriveled like raisins. The only way you will ever be warm again is to have mommy help you into your fuzzy footie pajamas and curl up in daddy’s lap with your favorite blanket. It doesn’t take long and you’ve fallen asleep in daddy’s lap while he strokes your hair and you watch T.V. Then daddy carries you off to bed, tucks you in, says a quick prayer and kisses your forehead. The best part is the next day you get to wake up and do it all over the next day.
The problem is when you are just turned five you have no concept of what the future holds, so you can’t appreciate being just turned five. Instead we whine because we don’t always get what we want. We complain about having to pick up our toys. Battle our parents over naps. Tantrum at the thought of taking a bath and fight to keep our eyes open as we drift off to sleep.
I don’t know at what age it happened, but it happens to a to everyone, we realize that sleeping late, going to bed early, long bathes or a new appliance makes us as happy as a small child on Christmas morning. I think it was at that moment in my life that I realized I was an adult.
At just turned five you don’t worry about what’s for dinner. If you don’t like what mom cooked you can always fall back on your favorite standby peanut butter and jelly. As you walk through the house room to room and flip the light switches and a ceiling light comes on to light your way. When you’re thirsty you go to the bathroom sink, pull up your stool, turn on the faucet and water comes out to fill your glass. You feel free to fall asleep while riding in the back seat of the car. You’re confident in the fact that daddy is behind the wheel and will get you home safely. You don’t worry about these things because in you trust in your heart that daddy is taking care of everything.
Something happens to us when we reach adulthood and we don’t even realize it is sneaking up, until one day it kicks you squarely in the butt! That something is reality with a capitol R!
When you realize you are no longer footloose and fancy free, but it is your turn to be responsible. You are the one cooking dinner, making the PB & J’s, making sure the bills are paid and trying to stay awake as you drive those who are precious to you safely home. It happens so gradually that you don’t ever see it coming; it is just the natural progression of how life works. We become overwhelmingly aware that daddy is no longer taking care of everything, but others are looking to us to do so.
Now that we all feel as if we are suffocating under an avalanche of responsibility, sit back, close your eyes and take a deep breathe, because the pressure valve is about to be released.
Daddy is taking care of everything! God has it all in control. He sees it all from the beginning to the end and all he asks is that we trust with all our heart, coming to Him as a child who just turned five.
You will still have to cook dinner, but Daddy God knows what you will have and from where it will come. It is still acceptable to have P B & J for dinner. Daddy God is also providing you with a job giving you the ability to pay the bills. So the lights will come on and the water will run. If you look to God He will always light your path
Take a day let the house be a mess. It will still be a mess tomorrow. I can promise that no little fairies will come in and clean while you sleep. Be sure to plan just a little by staying up as late as you want the night before, sleep late into the next morning, take a nap in the sun, play hard at something you truly enjoy, eat peanut butter and jelly for dinner, take a long bath, put on your favorite pajamas, wrap yourself in your favorite blanket and curl up in daddy God’s lap. His lap is big enough for everyone. Let Him stroke your hair while you watch your favorite old movie until you drift off to sleep. For just one day try being just turned five. I strongly suggest you repeat monthly. Daddy God will be pleased.
14Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.”
Just Turned five is the perfect age. Not going to be five, because people still see you as little. Not five and on half, because there is a chance you are in school. But when you are just turned five people look at you and say, “My how big you’ve gotten.” And you can’t wait to go to school in the fall.
At just turned five you are not yet big enough to have many chores. So your biggest responsibility is to play. When you are just turned five playing is your job. You get to sleep late, go to bed early and take naps. You can spend the entire time between dinnertime and bedtime in a bath. You have a complete disregard for the water temperature. You will play with boats, measuring cups and a colander until your lips are blue, your teeth are chattering and your toes and fingers are shriveled like raisins. The only way you will ever be warm again is to have mommy help you into your fuzzy footie pajamas and curl up in daddy’s lap with your favorite blanket. It doesn’t take long and you’ve fallen asleep in daddy’s lap while he strokes your hair and you watch T.V. Then daddy carries you off to bed, tucks you in, says a quick prayer and kisses your forehead. The best part is the next day you get to wake up and do it all over the next day.
The problem is when you are just turned five you have no concept of what the future holds, so you can’t appreciate being just turned five. Instead we whine because we don’t always get what we want. We complain about having to pick up our toys. Battle our parents over naps. Tantrum at the thought of taking a bath and fight to keep our eyes open as we drift off to sleep.
I don’t know at what age it happened, but it happens to a to everyone, we realize that sleeping late, going to bed early, long bathes or a new appliance makes us as happy as a small child on Christmas morning. I think it was at that moment in my life that I realized I was an adult.
At just turned five you don’t worry about what’s for dinner. If you don’t like what mom cooked you can always fall back on your favorite standby peanut butter and jelly. As you walk through the house room to room and flip the light switches and a ceiling light comes on to light your way. When you’re thirsty you go to the bathroom sink, pull up your stool, turn on the faucet and water comes out to fill your glass. You feel free to fall asleep while riding in the back seat of the car. You’re confident in the fact that daddy is behind the wheel and will get you home safely. You don’t worry about these things because in you trust in your heart that daddy is taking care of everything.
Something happens to us when we reach adulthood and we don’t even realize it is sneaking up, until one day it kicks you squarely in the butt! That something is reality with a capitol R!
When you realize you are no longer footloose and fancy free, but it is your turn to be responsible. You are the one cooking dinner, making the PB & J’s, making sure the bills are paid and trying to stay awake as you drive those who are precious to you safely home. It happens so gradually that you don’t ever see it coming; it is just the natural progression of how life works. We become overwhelmingly aware that daddy is no longer taking care of everything, but others are looking to us to do so.
Now that we all feel as if we are suffocating under an avalanche of responsibility, sit back, close your eyes and take a deep breathe, because the pressure valve is about to be released.
Daddy is taking care of everything! God has it all in control. He sees it all from the beginning to the end and all he asks is that we trust with all our heart, coming to Him as a child who just turned five.
You will still have to cook dinner, but Daddy God knows what you will have and from where it will come. It is still acceptable to have P B & J for dinner. Daddy God is also providing you with a job giving you the ability to pay the bills. So the lights will come on and the water will run. If you look to God He will always light your path
Take a day let the house be a mess. It will still be a mess tomorrow. I can promise that no little fairies will come in and clean while you sleep. Be sure to plan just a little by staying up as late as you want the night before, sleep late into the next morning, take a nap in the sun, play hard at something you truly enjoy, eat peanut butter and jelly for dinner, take a long bath, put on your favorite pajamas, wrap yourself in your favorite blanket and curl up in daddy God’s lap. His lap is big enough for everyone. Let Him stroke your hair while you watch your favorite old movie until you drift off to sleep. For just one day try being just turned five. I strongly suggest you repeat monthly. Daddy God will be pleased.
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