Most Sundays I have the privilege of standing before people who are faithful to God and have a belief in the mission of Canoe Creek Christian Church. It is a blessing to preach God's word. There are times when I God designs an incident in my life so that the sermon I can preach is more rich and passionate for those who hear it. There are also times when I work out a passage and preach a message only to find the following week that the message was even more for me than I could have ever imagined. God is good and He knows exactly what we need to hear and when we need to hear it.
I have just had one of those moments where there is a situation in my life that is exactly what my message last week was. I find myself reviewing my thoughts and God's word that I just preached less than a week ago. Sometimes we want this bong on the head and God to speak out loud His will into our ears. I am confident that God gives very clear markers as to the directions he wants us to go. The question is, are we close enough in our relationship with God to hear what He has to say? Are we tuned into God having our minds fixed on the heavens above so when he lands a street sign pointing out the direction we recognize it?
I so desperately want what I preach to be to the glory of God and the salvation of His people. I have to be honest, my pride and ego have gotten in the way of that too many times. I thought that I had reached the place where I could say, "I have finally realized that I don't have everything figured out but at least I know I don't have it figured out", but I regretfully have to say that may not be true because there are still times I think I do. There is still so much to learn and so much work to be done in my mind and heart.
I am thankful the Lord is patient.
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
Thursday, May 28, 2009
Does the Dog Wag the Tail Or the Tail the Dog?
In Matthew chapter six Jesus offers His perspective on some of the actions God's people were involved in. He exposes the hypocritical religious culture while offering a simple and brief commentary on the law and religious practice. Jesus mentions prayer and fasting one after the other because these two actions often went together.
Notice that Jesus gives very little instructions in regards to fasting. He is determined to NOT make it law by adding all kinds of rules and regulations about it. If we want to fast we might read this passage and say, "Where are the directions. I wish Jesus had said more about it." What Jesus does not say is liberating. He is determined to allow freedom with fasting. It is not something you are required to do. You could live your entire life as a Christian following after Christ and never fast and that is fine. I must say though, I believe fasting to be a very helpful tool in our relationship with Jesus.
As our church (Canoe Creek Christian Church) prepares for a mission trip to Arizona this summer to help AYM (Apache Youth Ministries: http://www.apacheyouth.com/ ) I presented a challenge to the group to pray and fast for the 40 days prior to the trip. We desire to be a spiritual church and one way to increase this is to rely on God 7 times as much as we rely on the strength of our own hand. We play a role in Kingdom work but the Kingdom work we seek to achieve will move mountains if God is going ahead of us. I fear we can only move pebbles if we go alone.
Something has struck me in regards to fasting. It struck me like that blow you realize you have received where when you wake up with a severe ache and a small loss of memory as to what took place. As I explained to my children fasting and we discussed its purpose it dawned on me just how dependent on things we are. We have given things a foothold in our lives and we live with extreme comforts. If you wish to see just how deep your dedication to Jesus Christ and His Kingdom is start crossing off luxuries from your list.
I told my kids that I am going to fast TV for 40 days and asked them to join me (I asked and did not require. Remember, fasting is not a required action although I believe it is required of anyone who wants to experience the deep end of the swimming pool). When I mentioned this you would have thought I asked them to remove their left arm. In comparison, their mother said that is an excellent idea. Then I took it a step farther. I said that we could even fast air conditioning by placing the thermostat on 80 to which their mother said that is a horrible idea. lol! She didn't see that one coming!
The Bible describes those who follow Jesus as slaves. Romans 6:22 puts it this way, "But now having been freed from sin and enslaved to God..." Read it all in context. We say Lord and Savior when we accept Jesus and we mean the "Savior" part but we don't understand or care about the "Lord" part. Slaves in bible times were people who willingly placed their lives in slavery because they loved their master. They were bought, just as we have been bought with a price and that price is the blood of Jesus (1 Corinthians 6:20; 7:23. Read them).
Don't look at me like that! You made the decision to follow Jesus and be baptized, and if this is the first time you have heard it put to you like this then you have two choices; accept the truth and be excited that you serve a perfect master or choose your own way and turn back to your old life.
How many things control you without you even knowing it? How many things are you a slave to? I can tell you how to find out but be careful it is a dangerous and painful road that will expose the true depth of your sacrifice. We sing, "I love you Lord...and I lift my voice..., but do we really? There is a test that will reveal your depth of love and that test is fasting. Fasting is not so much a test as it is the preparation for a test. We are not commanded to use fasting as a tool but it can be one of the most helpful tools.
Do you want to know if something in your life is controlling you, then put it down for 40 days. Was it hard? You better believe it! If you are unable to say no to something then you don't have control over that thing, it has control over you. This is why we either serve one master or the other. There is no middle ground. The only direction Jesus gave about fasting in Matthew chapter six is that we do it for the right reason. It is not to be done so that people see us and say, "Wow, don't they look all religious." But what if people were to look at us and say, "I wish I had that same kind of desire, sacrifice and dedication in my life."
As you fast allow that desire for what you are fasting to remind you of the kind of desire we should have for God. When your flesh cries out for the thing you want most use that time to remind you to read and pray and allow that fast to deepen your relationship with the only one worthy of desire.
Notice that Jesus gives very little instructions in regards to fasting. He is determined to NOT make it law by adding all kinds of rules and regulations about it. If we want to fast we might read this passage and say, "Where are the directions. I wish Jesus had said more about it." What Jesus does not say is liberating. He is determined to allow freedom with fasting. It is not something you are required to do. You could live your entire life as a Christian following after Christ and never fast and that is fine. I must say though, I believe fasting to be a very helpful tool in our relationship with Jesus.
As our church (Canoe Creek Christian Church) prepares for a mission trip to Arizona this summer to help AYM (Apache Youth Ministries: http://www.apacheyouth.com/ ) I presented a challenge to the group to pray and fast for the 40 days prior to the trip. We desire to be a spiritual church and one way to increase this is to rely on God 7 times as much as we rely on the strength of our own hand. We play a role in Kingdom work but the Kingdom work we seek to achieve will move mountains if God is going ahead of us. I fear we can only move pebbles if we go alone.
Something has struck me in regards to fasting. It struck me like that blow you realize you have received where when you wake up with a severe ache and a small loss of memory as to what took place. As I explained to my children fasting and we discussed its purpose it dawned on me just how dependent on things we are. We have given things a foothold in our lives and we live with extreme comforts. If you wish to see just how deep your dedication to Jesus Christ and His Kingdom is start crossing off luxuries from your list.
I told my kids that I am going to fast TV for 40 days and asked them to join me (I asked and did not require. Remember, fasting is not a required action although I believe it is required of anyone who wants to experience the deep end of the swimming pool). When I mentioned this you would have thought I asked them to remove their left arm. In comparison, their mother said that is an excellent idea. Then I took it a step farther. I said that we could even fast air conditioning by placing the thermostat on 80 to which their mother said that is a horrible idea. lol! She didn't see that one coming!
The Bible describes those who follow Jesus as slaves. Romans 6:22 puts it this way, "But now having been freed from sin and enslaved to God..." Read it all in context. We say Lord and Savior when we accept Jesus and we mean the "Savior" part but we don't understand or care about the "Lord" part. Slaves in bible times were people who willingly placed their lives in slavery because they loved their master. They were bought, just as we have been bought with a price and that price is the blood of Jesus (1 Corinthians 6:20; 7:23. Read them).
Don't look at me like that! You made the decision to follow Jesus and be baptized, and if this is the first time you have heard it put to you like this then you have two choices; accept the truth and be excited that you serve a perfect master or choose your own way and turn back to your old life.
How many things control you without you even knowing it? How many things are you a slave to? I can tell you how to find out but be careful it is a dangerous and painful road that will expose the true depth of your sacrifice. We sing, "I love you Lord...and I lift my voice..., but do we really? There is a test that will reveal your depth of love and that test is fasting. Fasting is not so much a test as it is the preparation for a test. We are not commanded to use fasting as a tool but it can be one of the most helpful tools.
Do you want to know if something in your life is controlling you, then put it down for 40 days. Was it hard? You better believe it! If you are unable to say no to something then you don't have control over that thing, it has control over you. This is why we either serve one master or the other. There is no middle ground. The only direction Jesus gave about fasting in Matthew chapter six is that we do it for the right reason. It is not to be done so that people see us and say, "Wow, don't they look all religious." But what if people were to look at us and say, "I wish I had that same kind of desire, sacrifice and dedication in my life."
As you fast allow that desire for what you are fasting to remind you of the kind of desire we should have for God. When your flesh cries out for the thing you want most use that time to remind you to read and pray and allow that fast to deepen your relationship with the only one worthy of desire.
Monday, October 6, 2008
Tension
I suppose there are some things in life you just can't get away from. I wish we could pick and choose like a buffet line and leave all of those high fat and unhealthy things underneath the warming lights. But just as we struggle to select the healthy food items while looking at the choices we also struggle in life to make the spiritually healthy choices. As Christians it would be a wonderful thing to be able to only choose the things that we know are healthy for a Christ Follower and put all of the other attributes down. The tension that exists in doing what is right for God and His people is simply one tension that exists and it only exists for those who are focused on God and His path.
The other great tension is intrinsically tied to the previous issue but revolves around relationships. If we could accomplish step one all of our relationships would be tension free. What I would give to have a tension free life. Some people say it is easy. They might say it is just a matter of controlling your mind. Maybe, but sooner or later it is inescapable. Some say you can retreat to a secluded beach, live off of microwavable burritos and Corona while surfing your days away. This is true and tempting, but to shrink back or retreat away from what I know and the truth I have come to understand would be devastating. While the retreat may be pleasing for a time I know that I am on a crash course life that will end with a face to face, heart to heart encounter with the creator of the universe. I fear that brief sit-down more than the tension I currently live in.
I suppose if you wind up a rope, or say a towel and then unwind it, it now has a little less potential for tension. For another example, I used to put up fence. Metal chain-link fence has a certain tension to it. You stretch it out and tie it off and it stays strong and tight. Take it down and try to put it back up again and you will find that it does not have the same potential for tension.
So, even though there will be moments of tension it is important to find ways where we can release the tension and unwind, allowing our self and the loved ones around us opportunity to enjoy the God given relational joy that He so graciously shared. If we are careful to learn from the moments of tension then I suppose it is also possible to develop a character that is less prone to tension due to ware. In a relational and human perspective we might call that wisdom, or growing in glory.
We, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord's glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit. 2 Corinthians 3:18.
The other great tension is intrinsically tied to the previous issue but revolves around relationships. If we could accomplish step one all of our relationships would be tension free. What I would give to have a tension free life. Some people say it is easy. They might say it is just a matter of controlling your mind. Maybe, but sooner or later it is inescapable. Some say you can retreat to a secluded beach, live off of microwavable burritos and Corona while surfing your days away. This is true and tempting, but to shrink back or retreat away from what I know and the truth I have come to understand would be devastating. While the retreat may be pleasing for a time I know that I am on a crash course life that will end with a face to face, heart to heart encounter with the creator of the universe. I fear that brief sit-down more than the tension I currently live in.
I suppose if you wind up a rope, or say a towel and then unwind it, it now has a little less potential for tension. For another example, I used to put up fence. Metal chain-link fence has a certain tension to it. You stretch it out and tie it off and it stays strong and tight. Take it down and try to put it back up again and you will find that it does not have the same potential for tension.
So, even though there will be moments of tension it is important to find ways where we can release the tension and unwind, allowing our self and the loved ones around us opportunity to enjoy the God given relational joy that He so graciously shared. If we are careful to learn from the moments of tension then I suppose it is also possible to develop a character that is less prone to tension due to ware. In a relational and human perspective we might call that wisdom, or growing in glory.
We, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord's glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit. 2 Corinthians 3:18.
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
WhiteRiver
I've been world traveling. Not that I write consistently when I am here. Arizona was awesome. Sometimes I raise my expectations too high and then end up in a let down. Arizona was more than I thought it would be. Se dona was amazing...slide rock. Got home and starting looking through a magazine about vacations and slide rock was one of the suggested places to visit. Done that! I miss the kids on the rez already. So here we go, a list of all the things I miss about the rez.
1. Pulling up in the van to pick up kids and watching little kids pour out of windows, doors, backyards and such.
2. The view.
3. The smiles on the court.
4. The multiple opportunities to share Jesus Christ.
5. Running at 6000 feet.
6. Did I mention driving the kids around.
7. Being looked at as the minority.
8. Sleeping on an air mattress. Just kidding!
9. Josinia, Nadia, Tesha, Shafawn, Xavier, Thea, Tristin, Delmer, Ray and Sarah.
10. Aurthur, Shandy, Sharlimar, Jade, Dejah, Keenan, Darien, Jalen, Jamie and Darwin.
11. Packing 25 people into a 15 passenger van.
12. Taking off road 4-wheel drive trips up and down muddy slopes with a 2-wheel drive van. It is amazing what you can do with 15 people in the back two seats.
13. Hanging at the Kennel.
14. The rock jump at Se dona.
15. Driving all over the rez with a van full of kids.
1. Pulling up in the van to pick up kids and watching little kids pour out of windows, doors, backyards and such.
2. The view.
3. The smiles on the court.
4. The multiple opportunities to share Jesus Christ.
5. Running at 6000 feet.
6. Did I mention driving the kids around.
7. Being looked at as the minority.
8. Sleeping on an air mattress. Just kidding!
9. Josinia, Nadia, Tesha, Shafawn, Xavier, Thea, Tristin, Delmer, Ray and Sarah.
10. Aurthur, Shandy, Sharlimar, Jade, Dejah, Keenan, Darien, Jalen, Jamie and Darwin.
11. Packing 25 people into a 15 passenger van.
12. Taking off road 4-wheel drive trips up and down muddy slopes with a 2-wheel drive van. It is amazing what you can do with 15 people in the back two seats.
13. Hanging at the Kennel.
14. The rock jump at Se dona.
15. Driving all over the rez with a van full of kids.
16. Sequoia and her new chubby bunny named Ross.
I am already looking forward to next year and have it on my calendar. I hope i can get back there before that just to hang out for a few days. Until then i promise to stay in touch.
I am already looking forward to next year and have it on my calendar. I hope i can get back there before that just to hang out for a few days. Until then i promise to stay in touch.
Monday, June 9, 2008
Strong Message
I have seen dramas and have had music move me and at times have experienced the two of them put together to provide an engaging way of communicating the truth of the Gospel message. The following video clip is one that communicates the joy that God finds in creating us, the frustration and pain He experiences when we turn from Him, and His power in redeeming us. I pray that they video, though extreme at moments will draw you closer to God.
Monday, June 2, 2008
A Video For All Parents
Many people have heard about the tragic death of Steven & Mary Beth Chapman's litter daughter Maria Sue Chapman. The following is a video every parent needs to see.
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
What Can A Building Do?
I realize that the New Testament Church did not have their own building to meet in. I also realize that the New Testament Church is the same Church alive and well today even though some things have changed.
I would like to think that we do everything exactly like the earliest model of church but I also believe that is not practical in our current culture. However, I am confident that one thing is still very much the same. God is in charge and He is calling people to Himself and it is the Churches responsibility to share the good news to them. Sometimes we find them and sometimes they find us.
Someone called me this morning, broken and in need of direction. I am honored and humbled to think that God considers me able to minister to such a person. I look forward to it. I pray that a changed life is at hand and God continues to work His wonders as we continue to faithfully serve.
By the way, you might be wondering how he found us. Call it divine intervention, or perhaps blind luck, or it could be that he passes by our building project every day. A building can be a beacon of hope, but only if God's grace can be found among the people inside of it. "We should not make it difficult for the Gentiles who are turning to God." Acts 15:19
Love them and share the good news of God grace. Capture their hearts and you will acquire their hands. God knew what He was doing. Thank Him for that.
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