Something to Consider

There is a great deal of truth in this saying: 

"With people, slow is fast and fast is slow."

...with thankfulness in your hearts to God...

"Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body, and be thankful.  Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God.  And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father."  - Colossians 3:15-17

In my heart, I am thankful for the following:

• Jesus Christ, my redeemer, 
• a family that I love,
• friends who put up with my quirks, 
• the riches of His grace,
• mercy that overflows,
• blood that cleanses,
• work I love, 
• love that works, 
• joy that overflows,
• patience that grows,
• Peace that guides,
• Light that cleanses,
• Truth that frees,
• Hope that endures,
• faithfulness that surprises,
• the indwelling Spirit,
• seed whose fruit yields righteousness,
• genuine fellowship,
• diligent waiting,
• uncomfortable stretching,
• a kindred spirit,
• eager anticipation,
• delightful yielding,
• fighting to win,
• a quieted spirit,
• exultant joy,
• freedom,
• abundant life,
• enlightenment,
• praise filled worship,
• convicting teaching,
• an encouraging word,
• heartfelt prayer,
• the true Word,
• the meekness of wisdom,
• a loving rebuke,
• partaking in the Divine nature,
• a devoted seeking,
• the river of life,

just to name 40 or so...

I have so much to be thankful for that it overwhelms me!  Praise Jesus from whom all blessings flow. 

Living a Life of Faith

Last night as I read the beginning of Romans to my family at the dinner table I was struck by the 5 verse of chapter 1, "First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, that your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world."  As I read the emphasized praise above I was struck by stories of others whom I know whose life is a story of God's faithfulness.  I was even reminded of times in my own life where God expanded His testimony of faithfulness in my experience. 

When I read those words I simply put down my Bible and began to tell the kids about some of the stories of faith that I have seen in the lives of others around me recently.  We were all greatly encouraged by each of the stories of God's faithfulness.  It is a reminder of how He does not change and that His faithfulness last from generation to generation throughout all the age.  Whether it be the old testament stories of God's providential hand guiding Israel for generations or the story of God's faithfulness in the life of Brad Dacus, with Pacific Justice Institute, which I heard yesterday at breakfast, sharing the story of God's faithfulness in ones life is an encouragement!

What are you doing to lead a life of faith?  When one chooses to walk by faith, he choose to let God write a story of His faithfulness on that individual's life.  Sometimes this story is written for others to see and be encouraged by as they hear the story recounted again and again. 

Sometimes we get confused because we think that faith is the something that is not tangible, because it is in the unseen realm that one chooses to live by faith.  Hebrews 11:1-2 state, "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.  For by it the elders obtained a good testimony."  We know from this passage that faith is definitely played out in the inner man.  It is in this inner man that we choose to believe that God framed the word of God, that He spoke the earth into existence, that I am sanctified and justified through Jesus work on the cross, that Jesus rose from the dead, etc.  I also see in this passage the evidence of one's faith in the unseen realm is evidenced as a good testimony of God's faithfulness in my life.  Though we cannot see the thoughts or the heart of a man, we can see the fruit of a life of faithfulness. 

When we see the evidence of faith in the lives of others we would do well to make notes and recount it to others.  Giving an account of the faith of others is praising God for His faithfulness and the evidence He's showing us. 

May we learn to live by faith!

A Life of Impact

It is so obvious that we only get one chance to live this life.  This is often used as the motivator to go get all you can and enjoy everything you've ever wanted to try, because "it's your life."  As I age I see ever so vividly the vanity of living for one's self exclusively.  No matter the level of "success," if it is centered on yourself it will end in empty disappointment.  If you don't believe me, consider the lives of people like Michael Jackson, Madalyn Murry O'Hair, OJ Simpson, Madonna, Mike Tyson, Brittany Spears etc...  They've spent their lives in pursuit of self which has led to utter vanity in each case. It seems to reflect what I read in Proverbs 22: 8 the other day, "He who sows iniquity will reap sorrow."

This is not the case for those who've choosen to live in a way that will positively impact others.  I think of many Biblical stories of men and women.  I also think of R.G. LeTourneau, Ron Blue, Martin Luther King Jr., Ghandi, Mother Teresa, George Muller, Rick Warren, Ronald Regan, Truett Cathy and many others.  The stories of their lives have a very different flavor that those listed in the previous paragraph.  Why?  I believe it is because they chose to follow a wisdom that is not of this world.  They've chosen to place others above themselves and spent their lives following the call God placed on their lives, whether that call be selling chicken sandwiches, inventing earth moving equipment, serving orphans or even as a politician.  It seems to me that is a mirror of what we see in the life of Jesus Christ.  He constantly placed himself below the people around him and served them from a Spiritual perspective, encouraging them to grow in their own Spiritual vision for their lives. 

I would sum it up by saying, life is to short to not impact others!  Live your life forgetting about yourself and placing others above yourself, all the while keeping the Spiritual perspective of Whom you really serve. 

When I Got Saved

The last few days I have met a couple of people who love the Lord and are walking according to His call on their life.  What a joy it is to meet saints who are really on fire for Jesus.  But I've really become sensitive to where the credit is given for their salvation.

One told of how his uncle, a baptist minister, preached a sermon that cut to his heart.  Right then and there he gave his life to Jesus and committed to exit the gang with which he had been a part since he was 7 years old.  Today he is a Baptist minister with daughters who are self describes as being in God's army.  As he finished his testimony he said that he, "Got saved when he heard his uncle's sermon 17 years ago." 

Yesterday I listened to another man who had been living a life of addiction including drugs, alcohol, and the rest that comes with this intoxicating sin.  God got through to him about 6 years ago and now he has established a non-profit entity focused on raising money to fund overseas missionaries.  He has put Jesus at the center of his work life as well as the rest of his life.  As he delivered the quick version of his testimony to me, he said numerous times that he got saved that day as he listened to John MacArthur and was baptized.

In both of these instances these men are definitely on fire for Jesus and a part of His kingdom because their good fruit seems quite evident.  I feel blessed to have heard their testimony and to have met both of them.  Maybe it's just semantics and therefore it should be dismissed, but I'm struck that in both cases it seems to reflect what Paul addressed in I Corinthians 1:10 and continued into chapter 3.  For one to say that someone other than Jesus is responsible to for his salvation is not giving the credit where it is due.  For every person who believes that Jesus Christ is the only Son of God and that He is the Savior of the world they are granted salvation by His death some 2000 years ago.  That is right, we all have the same salvation day.  The day Jesus died the death that we deserve.  Let Him receive the glory for saving us and not any man!

"The Room"

 The Room by Joshua Harris

In that place between wakefulness and dreams, I found myself in the room. There were no distinguishing features except for the one wall covered with small index card files. They were like the ones in libraries that list titles by author or subject in alphabetical order. But these files, which stretched from floor to ceiling and seemingly endlessly in either direction, had very different headings.

As I drew near the wall of files, the first to catch my attention was one that read "Girls I Have Liked." I opened it and began flipping through the cards. I quickly shut it, shocked to realize that I recognized the names written on each one.

And then without being told, I knew exactly where I was. This lifeless room with its small files was a crude catalog system for my life. Here were written the actions of my every moment, big and small, in a detail my memory couldn't match.

A sense of wonder and curiosity, coupled with horror, stirred within me as I began randomly opening files and exploring their content. Some brought joy and sweet memories; others a sense of shame and regret so intense that I would look over my shoulder to see if anyone was watching. A file named "Friends" was next to one marked "Friends I Have Betrayed".

The titles ranged from the mundane to the outright weird. "Books I Have Read," "Lies I Have Told," "Comfort I Have Given," "Jokes I Have Laughed At." Some were almost hilarious in their exactness: "Things I've Yelled At My Brothers." Others I couldn't laugh at: "Things I Have Done In My Anger," "Things I Have Muttered Under My Breath At My Parents." I never ceased to be surprised by the contents. Often there were many more cards than I expected. Sometimes fewer than I hoped.

I was overwhelmed by the sheer volume of the life I had lived. Could it be possible that I had the time in my years to write each of these thousands or even millions of cards? But each card confirmed this truth. Each was written in my own handwriting. Each signed with my signature.

When I pulled out the file marked "Songs I Have Listened To," I realized the files grew to contain their contents. The cards were packed tightly, and yet after two or three yards, I hadn't found the end of the file. I shut it, shamed, not so much by the quality of music, but more by the vast amount of time I knew that file represented. When I came to a file marked "Lustful Thoughts," I felt a chill run through my body. I pulled the file out only an inch, not willing to test its size, and drew out a card. I shuddered at its detailed content. I felt sick to think that such a moment had been recorded.

An almost animal rage broke on me. One thought dominated my mind: "No one must ever see these cards! No one must ever see this room! I have to destroy them!" In insane frenzy I yanked the file out. Its size didn't mattered now. I had to empty it and burn the cards. But as I took it at one end and began pounding it on the floor, I could not dislodge a single card. I became desperate and pulled out a card, only to find it as strong as steel when I tried to tear it.

Defeated and utterly helpless, I returned the file to its slot. Leaning my forehead against the wall, I let out a long, self-pitying sigh. And then I saw it. The title bore "People I Have Shared With About My Belief In Jesus." The handle was brighter than those around it, newer, almost unused. I pulled on its handle and a small box fell into my hands. I could count the cards it contained on one hand.

And then the tears came. I began to weep. Sobs so deep that the hurt started in my stomach and shook through me. I fell on my knees and cried. I cried out of shame, from the overwhelming shame of it all. The rows of file shelves swirled in my tear-filled eyes. No one must ever, ever know of this room. I must lock it up and hide the key. But then as I pushed away the tears, I saw Him. No, please not Him. Not here. Oh, anyone but Jesus.

I watched helplessly as He began to open the files and read the cards. I couldn't bear to watch His response. And in the moments I could bring myself to look at His face, I saw a sorrow deeper than my own. He seemed to intuitively go to the worst boxes. Why did He have to read every one?

Finally He turned and looked at me from across the room. He looked at me with pity in His eyes. But this was a pity that didn't anger me. I dropped my head, covered my face with my hands and began to cry again. He walked over and put His arm around me. He could have said so many things. But He didn't say a word. He just cried with me.

Then He got up and walked back to the wall of files. Starting at one end of the room, He took out a file and, one by one, began to sign His name over mine on each card.

"No!" I shouted rushing to Him. All I could find to say was "No, no," as I pulled the card from Him. His name shouldn't be on these cards. But there it was, written in red so rich, so dark, so alive. The name of Jesus covered mine. It was written with His blood. He gently took the card back. He smiled a sad smile and began to sign the cards. I don't think I'll ever understand how He did it so quickly, but the next instant it seemed I heard Him close the last file and walk back to my side. He placed His hand on my shoulder and said, "It is finished!"

I stood up, and He led me out of the room. There was no lock on its door. There were still cards to be written.

By Joshua Harris. Originally published in New Attitude Magazine © Copyright New Attitude 1995

Some Things I've Learned...

This morning, after ringing in the new year for the 40th time, I was awakened early with the thoughts of how many things I've learned over the years. Here are 40 reflections to start off the year:

• The best thing I can be for my children is a good husband to their mother.

• Trust is of the utmost importance in both personal and professional relationships.

• Being a good father, husband, brother and businessman do not have to be mutually exclusive.

• Diligence is more than just a nice concept, it's hard work.

• Life is full of a bunch of props used to mold, test and check our hearts.

• Real unity only comes through self sacrifice.

• Expecting another to fix my problems only leads to disappointment and frustration.

• If all you can do is what you're doing, then you're doing enough.

• Besides Jesus, my family is my most valuable asset.

• Learning to forgive is as important as learning to love.

• Living with integrity means eating humble pie once in a while.

• Some battles can only be fought through fasting and prayer.

• My wife is my "helpmeet." Therefore, I'm the one actually responsible for making sure everything gets done, not her.

• My children are simply a reflection of me. The good, as well as the bad in me.

• When I become frustrated with others, it is most productive to first look within myself to see how I am frustrating to others and to God himself.

• Honoring and being honorable are decisions that must be made before a situation demands it.

• The more I have to accomplish, the more important the time I need to spend with the Lord each morning becomes.

• The church is an invaluable asset that I do not deserve.

• It is a divine blessing to love what you do and do what you love.

• When God directs us to speak or do, we must obey, because the aftertaste of willful disobedience is not pleasant and lasts a long time.

• Choosing to walk with Jesus, means I will have enemies whom I need to love.

• Persecution often begins with those who are close to you.

• Humor is a priceless asset that lightens one's load.

• Humor is best used toward one's self.

• Close relationships are worth the hurt one risks.

• Through assumption comes nothing but strife.

• Fellowship always begins between an individual and God.

• Communication is an essential skill needed to thrive in relationships.

• Learning to listen is more valuable than learning to talk.

• Teaching is more valuable when delivered in a one on one relationship, rather than as an edict from on high.

• The innocence of children is the best source of humor.

• When you have an abundance of children, you have all the entertainment one needs.

• Walking in the Light, means having nothing to hide.

• We must be careful to let God be God, not government.

• Assessing where a person spends their time and money exposes their values.

• Growing older is a valuable asset if one is striving for wisdom.

• One's worldview matters.

• The body is an intricately designed mechanism that functions as one, and hurts when it doesn't function as it's been designed.

• Having a good name is more valuable than abundant riches.

• I still have a lot to learn.