Ahhhh, Facebook.
I hope not to offend anyone with this, but it's what I believe and I mean it in the nicest possible way. I think you will understand. The more you post on FB, the less likely people are to read your posts. Anyone else agree?
Ok, now take that same idea and roll it over to your words. The more you talk, the less likely people are to listen. I love both of these verses:
My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, for man's anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires. (James 1:19-20)
When words are many, sin is not absent, but he who holds his tongue is wise. (Proverbs 10:19)
God help me when I have diarrhea of the mouth. Help me to speak only those words that are beneficial and purposed according to Your will.
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
Zitch
My family plays a car game we refer to as "Zitch Cop." The rules are simple: (1) More than one person must be in the car, and (2) The first person to say "Zitch Cop" when he/she sees a police officer gets a point.
My friend let me borrower her car, and today when we got inside of it, my son asked if we could play Zitch Cop in it. I told him, "Yes, it's not about what car we're in. It's about us being together."
Then it struck me - this is the way the church is. It's not about the building, the location, or even the activity. Whenever God' people are together, we're having church.
As time has progressed my kids want to add more and more rules. Isn't it funny how most people say they hate rules yet tend to make up more rules than necessary? Again, it's the same with our faith.
In Jesus' day the Jews suffered through this same dilemma as they tried to honor the law. But that which began as 10 commandments had become hundreds, even thousands of laws, and with far reaching implications. So it's no surprise to read in Matthew 22:36-40 when one day Jesus had the following encounter:
That makes it pretty easy, doesn't it? Let's keep it simple today.
My friend let me borrower her car, and today when we got inside of it, my son asked if we could play Zitch Cop in it. I told him, "Yes, it's not about what car we're in. It's about us being together."
Then it struck me - this is the way the church is. It's not about the building, the location, or even the activity. Whenever God' people are together, we're having church.
As time has progressed my kids want to add more and more rules. Isn't it funny how most people say they hate rules yet tend to make up more rules than necessary? Again, it's the same with our faith.
In Jesus' day the Jews suffered through this same dilemma as they tried to honor the law. But that which began as 10 commandments had become hundreds, even thousands of laws, and with far reaching implications. So it's no surprise to read in Matthew 22:36-40 when one day Jesus had the following encounter:
“Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?”
Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”
That makes it pretty easy, doesn't it? Let's keep it simple today.
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
Chinese Handcuffs
Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it. For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul? (Matthew 16:24-26, NKJ)
A few weeks ago, my family and I attended a birthday party. When we left, the kids were given generous goody-bags filled with all kinds of toys. There was one toy that the kids were most intrigued by, the Chinese Handcuffs (aka Chinese Finger Trap). The longer they studied the toy, the less they understood it. If you have kids you know that studying a toy is not sufficient, eventually they had to put their fingers in it. The toy suddenly became a source of frustrations. They couldn't understand why, if they wanted to pull their fingers out, would they push them in?
As I watched my children, I realized life is the same way sometimes. We find our selves doing what we can to "take control" of our lives, and end up no better off than my children in the finger trap - frustrated, confused, and quickly reaching their limits. We may even laugh at the folly of others and then fall into the same trap.
Yet, Jesus offers us a solution - lose your life for Him, and you will truly find it. And like my kids, I don't think we can really believe this until we actually do it and see that it works. So... what's stopping you?
A few weeks ago, my family and I attended a birthday party. When we left, the kids were given generous goody-bags filled with all kinds of toys. There was one toy that the kids were most intrigued by, the Chinese Handcuffs (aka Chinese Finger Trap). The longer they studied the toy, the less they understood it. If you have kids you know that studying a toy is not sufficient, eventually they had to put their fingers in it. The toy suddenly became a source of frustrations. They couldn't understand why, if they wanted to pull their fingers out, would they push them in?
As I watched my children, I realized life is the same way sometimes. We find our selves doing what we can to "take control" of our lives, and end up no better off than my children in the finger trap - frustrated, confused, and quickly reaching their limits. We may even laugh at the folly of others and then fall into the same trap.
Yet, Jesus offers us a solution - lose your life for Him, and you will truly find it. And like my kids, I don't think we can really believe this until we actually do it and see that it works. So... what's stopping you?
Monday, July 12, 2010
Delight in the Law
Praise the LORD. Blessed is the man who fears the LORD, who finds great delight in his commands. (Psalm 112:1)
So I find this law at work: When I want to do good, evil is right there with me. For in my inner being I delight in God's law; but I see another law at work in the members of my body, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within my members. (Romans 7:21-23, NIV)
There are a lot of things I delight in - a new achievement, the love of my spouse, a compliment from a friend, seeing my children make a good decision - but I can't say I've often found myself delighting in a law or command. Over the last two years we've seen about a half dozen major regulatory changes in the lending industry. Each one met with a groan, and the a question of how the ideals of government would meet the practicality of the workplace. Then, almost begrudgingly, we trudge through... because we must, and for no other reason.
Yet the psalmist knew that the person who finds delight in God's commands would be blessed. Why?
First of all, the commands God gives us are for our own protection. God tells us to not lie, steal, covet, etc because He wants to lift our burdens. He knows there are earthly consequences to our actions. We clearly understand consequences: if you murder, you will go to jail. Anyone want to object? Yet, many times we fool ourselves into believing there will be no consequences if I ___ (lie? cheat? covet? ignore that person in need?).
Secondly, God doesn't want us living life thinking about all the things we can't do. He wants us to celebrate the life He has given us and rejoice in the love He has shown us. He wants to be our focus, not the sin we are trying to avoid (because, after all, if you're focusing on a sin - even if you're not doing it - you're not avoiding it... duh!).
With these ideas in mind, re-read a portion of the Old Testament. Does it seem a little different? Now, go about your life, and make it different too.
There are a lot of things I delight in - a new achievement, the love of my spouse, a compliment from a friend, seeing my children make a good decision - but I can't say I've often found myself delighting in a law or command. Over the last two years we've seen about a half dozen major regulatory changes in the lending industry. Each one met with a groan, and the a question of how the ideals of government would meet the practicality of the workplace. Then, almost begrudgingly, we trudge through... because we must, and for no other reason.
Yet the psalmist knew that the person who finds delight in God's commands would be blessed. Why?
First of all, the commands God gives us are for our own protection. God tells us to not lie, steal, covet, etc because He wants to lift our burdens. He knows there are earthly consequences to our actions. We clearly understand consequences: if you murder, you will go to jail. Anyone want to object? Yet, many times we fool ourselves into believing there will be no consequences if I ___ (lie? cheat? covet? ignore that person in need?).
Secondly, God doesn't want us living life thinking about all the things we can't do. He wants us to celebrate the life He has given us and rejoice in the love He has shown us. He wants to be our focus, not the sin we are trying to avoid (because, after all, if you're focusing on a sin - even if you're not doing it - you're not avoiding it... duh!).
With these ideas in mind, re-read a portion of the Old Testament. Does it seem a little different? Now, go about your life, and make it different too.
Thursday, June 24, 2010
A Price I Couldn't Pay
I recently made a mistake that cost almost $2,000. Not one of my finest hours, but it was truly a mistake - something I didn't plan on and would have avoided if at all possible. Accidents happen, but I felt horrible and apologized to the person who was shorted that money. I told him I'd repay him if I could, but it wasn't possible right now, and I wanted to find a way. His response was unexpected and such a relief - he forgave me and expected nothing more from me. My debt had been forgiven.
His kindness was a reminder of my greater debt that was settled:
His kindness was a reminder of my greater debt that was settled:
For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 6:23)Thank you, Jesus, for paying a debt that I couldn't pay.
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