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Thursday, August 14, 2008
Friday, August 1, 2008
Thankful
What is it about vacation that requires that the days immediately preceding and succeeding must be the most horrific and task-rich days of the year? Well, it's not that bad for me but it seems to consistently follow that trend.
I've just returned from four days of rest, relaxation, and bliss. It has truly been a holiday for Carrie and I. The general trend for times like these seem to include getting sick, maybe getting into an argument or two, getting sucked into work email or phone calls, but none of that was present. We got to settle into our lounge chairs by the pool and let all the cares melt away with the sun.
I'm returning a very thankful and aware man. Thankful for the wife God has given me, for the home and comforts allotted to me, and aware of how blessed my life is. It feels very Disney to say it, like you should imagine these words coming from a furry pink bunny sitting atop a green grassy knoll, but it is so true. I am so content with life, so much so that it surprises me. Not that I can be or am content but that it's so contrary to what the world prescribes for someone my age in my position. Instead of contentedness I should feel contention. I should be fighting and clawing and perhaps backstabbing my way to the top of the money heap so that my family is well taken care of.
But what I've learned these past four days is that simplicity is where total satisfaction is hidden. Paul said that in all things he had learned how to be abased and to abound, to suffer need and to be without need or want. Being content is a hard lesson to learn, one I feel I'm just beginning to learn, but it is so essential to overall health and well-being.
God is such an gracious and faithful provider.
I've just returned from four days of rest, relaxation, and bliss. It has truly been a holiday for Carrie and I. The general trend for times like these seem to include getting sick, maybe getting into an argument or two, getting sucked into work email or phone calls, but none of that was present. We got to settle into our lounge chairs by the pool and let all the cares melt away with the sun.
I'm returning a very thankful and aware man. Thankful for the wife God has given me, for the home and comforts allotted to me, and aware of how blessed my life is. It feels very Disney to say it, like you should imagine these words coming from a furry pink bunny sitting atop a green grassy knoll, but it is so true. I am so content with life, so much so that it surprises me. Not that I can be or am content but that it's so contrary to what the world prescribes for someone my age in my position. Instead of contentedness I should feel contention. I should be fighting and clawing and perhaps backstabbing my way to the top of the money heap so that my family is well taken care of.
But what I've learned these past four days is that simplicity is where total satisfaction is hidden. Paul said that in all things he had learned how to be abased and to abound, to suffer need and to be without need or want. Being content is a hard lesson to learn, one I feel I'm just beginning to learn, but it is so essential to overall health and well-being.
God is such an gracious and faithful provider.
Thursday, June 19, 2008
Fear and Reservation - Deut 1
vv. 6-8
“The LORD our God spoke to us in Horeb, saying: ‘You have dwelt long enough at this mountain.
'Turn and take your journey, and go to the mountains of the Amorites, to all the neighboring places in the plain, in the mountains and in the lowland, in the South and on the seacoast, to the land of the Canaanites and to Lebanon, as far as the great river, the River Euphrates.
'See, I have set the land before you; go in and possess the land which the LORD swore to your fathers--to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob--to give to them and their descendants after them.'”
vv. 29-31
“Then I said to you, 'Do not be terrified, or afraid of them.
'The LORD your God, who goes before you, He will fight for you, according to all He did for you in Egypt before your eyes, and in the wilderness where you saw how the LORD your God carried you, as a man carries his son, in all the way that you went until you came to this place.’”
Why is it that our natural tendency when approaching God’s plan for our lives is to hold back, to retreat, to reserve ourselves? Is it sin? I’m not sure.
You think about the faith of a child, willing to jump of roofs and stairs and slides into the arms of their fathers because they have no doubt they’ll be caught. But we grow up and start thinking about self preservation and our futures and begin tumbling down the rabbit hole of plans and preparation, having no guarantees save the false assurances we allot ourselves. We plan and execute, end of story, yet the word is clear that we are guaranteed nothing, and more than that we are commanded not to live like we do (James 4).
But we find a picture of ourselves in the hearts and actions of the Children of Israel in Deuteronomy.
I’ll agree that drawing an idea of fear from verse six is a stretch. The Children were being obedient to the Lord, who told them to stay at the mountain. “Long enough”, when I first read it, seemed to suggest that they remained there too long, they were tarrying, but the Hebrew word “rab” just means, “much, many, or great.” They just dwelt there for a long time. Okay, but we then come to verse 29 and find a theme that is embedded in all 34 chapters of the book...fear.
God tells them of His promises upon their Exodus decades prior. He has blessed them, saved them, performed miracles before them, and now He reminds them of the purposes and plans for them: “journey”, “go”, “possess”, “see.” The promise is before their eyes, they have every assurance that their God will be with them, He hasn’t let them down yet, but then we come to verse 29 and their true colors are found. We can’t blame them for being afraid. They weren’t a battle tested people, they were slaves. Even though God could see the victory before hand, they could find no reason why or how victory was possible.
They have to be reminded (vv. 30-31) that God is the moving part in this machine. He does the work but we get to be the instrument. The victory is won, it’s a done deal. Oh, but fear is crippling.
Deuteronomy is a fantastic picture of the human tendency to fear. We find that word fear is written 29 times in this book, afraid 13 times, and terrified, dread, and tremble another 8 times. God’s promises are sure but His methods are not always what we’d plan.
What then is the key to ridding ourselves from fear? Is it just faith? Is it remembrance? Moses seems to suggest that it’s a combination of both. Being reminded of God’s faithfulness is a spiritual dose of HGH (maybe SGH...Spirit Growth Hormone). It strengthens us to do what is necessary to let God control the situation and get out of His way. Sometimes it seems like an insurmountable summit to let go of a situation. The axiom rings true here that we MUST “let go and let God.” Sure, it’s not easy but then again it’s not supposed to be.
The Children of Israel would pay for their hesitation and God would not allow that generation to enter into the promise land. We glean from this that we too can unwittingly sacrifice God’s blessing for a momentary lapse of faith and a healthy fear of the Lord.
“The fear of man is a snare” but “the fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom.”
“The LORD our God spoke to us in Horeb, saying: ‘You have dwelt long enough at this mountain.
'Turn and take your journey, and go to the mountains of the Amorites, to all the neighboring places in the plain, in the mountains and in the lowland, in the South and on the seacoast, to the land of the Canaanites and to Lebanon, as far as the great river, the River Euphrates.
'See, I have set the land before you; go in and possess the land which the LORD swore to your fathers--to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob--to give to them and their descendants after them.'”
vv. 29-31
“Then I said to you, 'Do not be terrified, or afraid of them.
'The LORD your God, who goes before you, He will fight for you, according to all He did for you in Egypt before your eyes, and in the wilderness where you saw how the LORD your God carried you, as a man carries his son, in all the way that you went until you came to this place.’”
Why is it that our natural tendency when approaching God’s plan for our lives is to hold back, to retreat, to reserve ourselves? Is it sin? I’m not sure.
You think about the faith of a child, willing to jump of roofs and stairs and slides into the arms of their fathers because they have no doubt they’ll be caught. But we grow up and start thinking about self preservation and our futures and begin tumbling down the rabbit hole of plans and preparation, having no guarantees save the false assurances we allot ourselves. We plan and execute, end of story, yet the word is clear that we are guaranteed nothing, and more than that we are commanded not to live like we do (James 4).
But we find a picture of ourselves in the hearts and actions of the Children of Israel in Deuteronomy.
I’ll agree that drawing an idea of fear from verse six is a stretch. The Children were being obedient to the Lord, who told them to stay at the mountain. “Long enough”, when I first read it, seemed to suggest that they remained there too long, they were tarrying, but the Hebrew word “rab” just means, “much, many, or great.” They just dwelt there for a long time. Okay, but we then come to verse 29 and find a theme that is embedded in all 34 chapters of the book...fear.
God tells them of His promises upon their Exodus decades prior. He has blessed them, saved them, performed miracles before them, and now He reminds them of the purposes and plans for them: “journey”, “go”, “possess”, “see.” The promise is before their eyes, they have every assurance that their God will be with them, He hasn’t let them down yet, but then we come to verse 29 and their true colors are found. We can’t blame them for being afraid. They weren’t a battle tested people, they were slaves. Even though God could see the victory before hand, they could find no reason why or how victory was possible.
They have to be reminded (vv. 30-31) that God is the moving part in this machine. He does the work but we get to be the instrument. The victory is won, it’s a done deal. Oh, but fear is crippling.
Deuteronomy is a fantastic picture of the human tendency to fear. We find that word fear is written 29 times in this book, afraid 13 times, and terrified, dread, and tremble another 8 times. God’s promises are sure but His methods are not always what we’d plan.
What then is the key to ridding ourselves from fear? Is it just faith? Is it remembrance? Moses seems to suggest that it’s a combination of both. Being reminded of God’s faithfulness is a spiritual dose of HGH (maybe SGH...Spirit Growth Hormone). It strengthens us to do what is necessary to let God control the situation and get out of His way. Sometimes it seems like an insurmountable summit to let go of a situation. The axiom rings true here that we MUST “let go and let God.” Sure, it’s not easy but then again it’s not supposed to be.
The Children of Israel would pay for their hesitation and God would not allow that generation to enter into the promise land. We glean from this that we too can unwittingly sacrifice God’s blessing for a momentary lapse of faith and a healthy fear of the Lord.
“The fear of man is a snare” but “the fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom.”
Thursday, May 1, 2008
T-O-O B-U-S-Y
I once heard a Pastor turn the phrase I'm "too busy" into an acronym, which when spelled out read "Totally Over Occupied Being Under Satan's Yoke." It's a penetrating illustration of the dangers of making/allowing oneself to become "too busy" to pursue the Lord, enjoy life, strengthen relationships, or any other healthy act of living life. We're a nation of fast food, faster computers, cell phone/PDAs, skype, etc. and we've learned how NOT to sit still and be quiet.
I say all this to confess that it has been quite a while since my last post. I too fail to dismount the hill of tasks and duties that I pile up for myself. May the Lord teach us to sit still, be quiet, and hear Him.
I say all this to confess that it has been quite a while since my last post. I too fail to dismount the hill of tasks and duties that I pile up for myself. May the Lord teach us to sit still, be quiet, and hear Him.
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
The Music Industry Got Something Right
C'mon, you know the lyrics..."I believe the children are our future. Teach them well and let them lead the way..." You're probably singing the rest in your head right now, likely in falsetto because who can sing as high as Whitney? "Show them all the beauty they possess inside..."
But here's the point, children ARE the future. It's a fuzzy and touchy-feely way of realizing that the natural progression of power, leadership, influence, and control pass naturally and effectively to the young and impressionable minds we are leading today. My pastor just posted a blog stating that the courts in California have ruled that homeschooling is now illegal. What are they thinking? In an age where reason and logic seem to have gotten tossed out with the Commandments, we who actually have something meaningful to stand for (i.e. Jesus Christ) are fighting an uphill battle. Now we know that the victory has already been won by God when we look with eternal eyes, but these day-to-day battles are hard-fought and easily lost. We fight to maintain the hope and future for our children but our government is continually setting up roadblocks in their path.
This weekend (March 14-16) there will be a gathering of over 150 kids and nearly 50 leaders for the Calvary Chapel Spring Break Camp at Camp Homelani in Waialua. Our vision, our goal is to introduce these young minds to Jesus. Here we get the opportunity to fight the battle on our own terms, not having to challenge their attention from the PSPs, iPods, PDAs, XBoxes, TVs, Computers, etc., etc., etc. But instead they're forced to leave the distractions behind while we try to undo all the damage the public school system has done (or failed to do) by filling their minds with everything that is fleeting and meaningless. One weekend is hardly a fair and adequate advance on their mind but we have an awesome and powerful God, who has done much more with far less.
I ask you to PRAY, PRAY, PRAY this weekend. Stay in prayer for the lives and futures of these kids. God has such great plans for them, they just need the chance to escape the world and discover the treasure that is our Loving, Awesome, Mighty God.
Whitney began the song well, but she got it wrong as she continued, "everybody's searching for a hero. People need someone to look up to. I never found anyone who fulfilled my needs, a lonely place to be. So I learned to depend on me." Whitney knows that the end of self-dependence leads to drug addiction and worse. These kids need Jesus.
But here's the point, children ARE the future. It's a fuzzy and touchy-feely way of realizing that the natural progression of power, leadership, influence, and control pass naturally and effectively to the young and impressionable minds we are leading today. My pastor just posted a blog stating that the courts in California have ruled that homeschooling is now illegal. What are they thinking? In an age where reason and logic seem to have gotten tossed out with the Commandments, we who actually have something meaningful to stand for (i.e. Jesus Christ) are fighting an uphill battle. Now we know that the victory has already been won by God when we look with eternal eyes, but these day-to-day battles are hard-fought and easily lost. We fight to maintain the hope and future for our children but our government is continually setting up roadblocks in their path.
This weekend (March 14-16) there will be a gathering of over 150 kids and nearly 50 leaders for the Calvary Chapel Spring Break Camp at Camp Homelani in Waialua. Our vision, our goal is to introduce these young minds to Jesus. Here we get the opportunity to fight the battle on our own terms, not having to challenge their attention from the PSPs, iPods, PDAs, XBoxes, TVs, Computers, etc., etc., etc. But instead they're forced to leave the distractions behind while we try to undo all the damage the public school system has done (or failed to do) by filling their minds with everything that is fleeting and meaningless. One weekend is hardly a fair and adequate advance on their mind but we have an awesome and powerful God, who has done much more with far less.
I ask you to PRAY, PRAY, PRAY this weekend. Stay in prayer for the lives and futures of these kids. God has such great plans for them, they just need the chance to escape the world and discover the treasure that is our Loving, Awesome, Mighty God.
Whitney began the song well, but she got it wrong as she continued, "everybody's searching for a hero. People need someone to look up to. I never found anyone who fulfilled my needs, a lonely place to be. So I learned to depend on me." Whitney knows that the end of self-dependence leads to drug addiction and worse. These kids need Jesus.
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
A Good Read
I was reading Ecclesiastes this morning and, as is often the case, I was spiritually crushed under the weight of Biblical wisdom. As Solomon shares with the reader the knowledge and wisdom he gathered over his life, we are in the advantaged position to trust in Godly wisdom and flee from the "vanity" Solomon describes. The gathering and accumulation of money, possessions, food, alcohol, women/men, status, entertainment..."it's all vanity." Though, by reading the first five chapters we're left with a less than happy disposition, the remaining seven chapters stoke the spiritual fire to leave the earthly stuff behind and pursue righteousness and love with God almighty.
If you're lost, tired, burdened, haughty, empty, or just not feeling completely settled with the Lord, Ecclesiastes is a great pit stop to recharge and fill up and get back on the narrow road.
12:13-14 "Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God and keep His commandments, for this is man's all. For God will bring every work into judgment, including every secret thing, whether good or evil."
If you're lost, tired, burdened, haughty, empty, or just not feeling completely settled with the Lord, Ecclesiastes is a great pit stop to recharge and fill up and get back on the narrow road.
12:13-14 "Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God and keep His commandments, for this is man's all. For God will bring every work into judgment, including every secret thing, whether good or evil."
Wednesday, February 6, 2008
Fish or Cut Bait?
I am reminded of a story I heard during a message taught by Pastor Jack Hibbs (CC Chino Hills). He shared with the congregation a penetrating experience he had during the early years of his ministry. As he was struggling with his calling and the work God was doing in his life, he went to seek advice and guidance from L.E. Romaine (Assistant Pastor - CC Costa Mesa). For those of you who are unfamiliar with Romaine, he was a man gifted in being blunt and refusing to sugar-coat anything. As Pastor Jack went to lick his spiritual wounds with the sympathy of Pastor Romaine, he was shocked at what he actually received. As he related his feelings to Pastor Romaine, he was taken by the hand and led down the hallway, as if a boy, where Pastor Romaine opened each door of the long corridor, leading into the office of one Calvary Chapel pastor after another. With these words, Romaine shared with Pastor Jack the reality of the pastorate, "you see this idiot, he questions his calling every day and God is using him!" Then, being led by the hand, Pastor Jack followed Romaine as he opened the next door followed by, "you see this idiot, he questions his calling every day and God is using him!" Door after door was opened until Pastor Jack got the point. The "feelings" that naturally come with being abandoned to the Lord, overwhelmed with being out of control, or the illusion thereof, of your life, are a part of the progression of growing as a pastor. I might argue that it's a part of the process of sanctification in general. The world tells us that we have to have a five year plan to ensure success, to know where we're going and how we're going to get there. Today it's even beginning in elementary school where kids are getting ulcers from the pressure they are receiving from their parents to succeed. Then when we receive Christ we have to forget the embedded habits of pursuing "success" and replace it with this word "faithfulness." It's a life altering, and not always comfortable, shift.
This is all at the root of something my pastor and the Lord has been working into me...that's the concept of "going for it." I titled today's blog "Fish or Cut Bait" (which is better than the crass alternative) to relate what I've found to be the case in my own walk and ministry. I find that as the doldrums come and I realize that I'm going through the motions rather than pressing forward in my walk and ministry I'm wasting valuable time, which is something we're in short supply of. I'm reminded of Paul's exhortation in 2 Corinthians 6:2 when he says, "behold, NOW is the accepted time; behold, NOW is the day of salvation." He also says in Ephesians 5:15-16, "see then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, REDEEMING THE TIME, because the days are evil." People are dying and souls are going to hell every minute of every day and yet I find it acceptable to hold back when it comes to the ministry or my relationship with the Lord. How stupid can we be? The honored and privileged position in which I find myself obliges me to "go for it" and stop resisting, stop holding back, stop questioning and trust in God as I sprint toward the finish line.
As if it is not already obvious, the Lord's desire for me and my encouragement for us all is that we might live without inhibition, to worship like there's no tomorrow, to pray like we know we should, to invest in the word of God and receive all the promises therein. If we fall short in any of these we're wasting our time. Sure God will still use us, but only because His faithfulness will overcome our lack of faith. We have been called to the harvest field, to be "fishers of men." So the question is will we fish or cut bait? I am choosing to fish.
This is all at the root of something my pastor and the Lord has been working into me...that's the concept of "going for it." I titled today's blog "Fish or Cut Bait" (which is better than the crass alternative) to relate what I've found to be the case in my own walk and ministry. I find that as the doldrums come and I realize that I'm going through the motions rather than pressing forward in my walk and ministry I'm wasting valuable time, which is something we're in short supply of. I'm reminded of Paul's exhortation in 2 Corinthians 6:2 when he says, "behold, NOW is the accepted time; behold, NOW is the day of salvation." He also says in Ephesians 5:15-16, "see then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, REDEEMING THE TIME, because the days are evil." People are dying and souls are going to hell every minute of every day and yet I find it acceptable to hold back when it comes to the ministry or my relationship with the Lord. How stupid can we be? The honored and privileged position in which I find myself obliges me to "go for it" and stop resisting, stop holding back, stop questioning and trust in God as I sprint toward the finish line.
As if it is not already obvious, the Lord's desire for me and my encouragement for us all is that we might live without inhibition, to worship like there's no tomorrow, to pray like we know we should, to invest in the word of God and receive all the promises therein. If we fall short in any of these we're wasting our time. Sure God will still use us, but only because His faithfulness will overcome our lack of faith. We have been called to the harvest field, to be "fishers of men." So the question is will we fish or cut bait? I am choosing to fish.
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