First, if you listen to the show "Focus on the Family" don't get me wrong here. I've heard some really good stuff on that program, so I mean no slight whatsoever -- I like their title, so I stole it and changed it.
That said, if that's ALL we do, and JUST focus on the family, we've missed it. It is NOT all about the family, despite what we hear from all kinds of voices these days.
Don't get me wrong, families are a great part of God's design. The Word says that "children are a heritage from the LORD, offspring a reward from him" (Psalm 127:3) and "a wife of noble character is her husband’s crown" (Proverbs 12:4). I'm not trying to say instead "screw over the family" here, not at all!
But even though families are really great here on earth, marriages will ultimately end (maybe good news for some, but I don't want to go there!). I believe this because when responding to a question about marriage, Jesus replied "You are in error because you do not know the Scriptures or the power of God. At the resurrection people will neither marry nor be given in marriage; they will be like the angels in heaven." (Matthew 22:29-30). But I also believe it because the Word teaches that earthly marriages are SUPPOSED to be a picture of Christ's relationship with his people. After his return, that picture will be obsolete.
With that said, if all we are consumed with is contained within the four walls of our little house on our little street in our little city on this little teeny tiny planet, we've missed something. If our focus is to make sure our children are "happy" and/or to make sure they have a "better life" than we had, we've missed something. If our end goal is to stockpile enough so they're setup and we can chill out and relax until we cross the finish line at the end of this life, we've missed something.
There's more, a whole lot more. After all, our earthly life is a vapor, and then we have all of eternity ahead of us. What are we doing now to prepare for then?
So we shouldn't focus on the family, we should focus on the kingdom. We should spend our lives wisely now so that we can stand before our maker and hear those words "well done, good and faithful servant". Those words are worth more than anything on this earth.
Oh, and a funny thing -- if family members live according to what the Word says, something interesting should happen. Husbands will love their wives very much. Wives will respect their husbands greatly. Children will also be instructed and disciplined properly, and they'll be taught, and shown how, to love God with all of their little hearts rather than put him in a box on Sunday. Oh my goodness. A loving, peaceful, joy-filled, and happy home that loves the LORD, all as a side effect of focusing on the kingdom.
That sounds like a pretty good win-win to me. Let's pursue that.
Remember "we've only one life, it soon will be past, and only what's done for Christ will last".
Showing posts with label focus. Show all posts
Showing posts with label focus. Show all posts
Sunday, August 28, 2011
Tuesday, August 23, 2011
We're Idiots
We're idiots when we evaluate local churches by how much we like the music, the messages, the child care, the service times, the parking, the location, the whatever. How about how solidly the Word of God is taught?
We're idiots when we confine worship to three rehearsed songs on Sunday and prayer to mealtimes and bedtime. How about making our lives an act of worship and making prayer an ongoing conversation with God throughout the day?
We're idiots when we say "we can't" when the first believers got the good news out to the world and took care of the poor with no Internet, no cell phones, no cars, no polished process and programs, none of that. How about "Go!" and "Okay!".
We're idiots when we put God in a box and don't let him permeate every little corner of our lives.
We're idiots when we really stop and think if the tradeoff is worth it between attachment to our little things in our little houses on this little teeny tiny planet and being in the presence of Almighty God for all of eternity.
We're idiots when we think that the God who made the whole universe can't help us with our teeny tiny problems, I don't care what they are. We're even bigger idiots when we think that's all he's for is helping us, because it's not about us.
We're idiots when we get wishy washy with the gospel or think we're entitled to something or that we deserve something or that God shouldn't do something or doesn't have the right to do something, whatever! We're talking about the God who made us and everything. The God who is in charge. The God who can do whatever he wants, whenever he wants, without consulting anybody.
We're idiots when we think either that God is not a God of love or a God of wrath. Sin must be dealt with, and God did it through the cross. One act satisfying his wrath and showing his love. Perfectly just and perfectly merciful, all in one. Accept it, receive it, believe it, and get right with him today if you're not. He deserves all our love and all our devotion. As the one who gives us every breath we breathe as a gift, it's his box, his rules, his board, his pieces, and his dice. End of story.
And if you've read this far and think "man, that guy's self-righteous", you're right. Quite often I am, among many other things I shouldn't be. But forget that failing right now, and just make me a crown with "King Idiot" written on it, because I'm in the same bloody boat.
All glory, honor, and praise to a great and awesome God we cannot possibly grasp in our tiny human brains.
We're idiots when we confine worship to three rehearsed songs on Sunday and prayer to mealtimes and bedtime. How about making our lives an act of worship and making prayer an ongoing conversation with God throughout the day?
We're idiots when we say "we can't" when the first believers got the good news out to the world and took care of the poor with no Internet, no cell phones, no cars, no polished process and programs, none of that. How about "Go!" and "Okay!".
We're idiots when we put God in a box and don't let him permeate every little corner of our lives.
We're idiots when we really stop and think if the tradeoff is worth it between attachment to our little things in our little houses on this little teeny tiny planet and being in the presence of Almighty God for all of eternity.
We're idiots when we think that the God who made the whole universe can't help us with our teeny tiny problems, I don't care what they are. We're even bigger idiots when we think that's all he's for is helping us, because it's not about us.
We're idiots when we get wishy washy with the gospel or think we're entitled to something or that we deserve something or that God shouldn't do something or doesn't have the right to do something, whatever! We're talking about the God who made us and everything. The God who is in charge. The God who can do whatever he wants, whenever he wants, without consulting anybody.
We're idiots when we think either that God is not a God of love or a God of wrath. Sin must be dealt with, and God did it through the cross. One act satisfying his wrath and showing his love. Perfectly just and perfectly merciful, all in one. Accept it, receive it, believe it, and get right with him today if you're not. He deserves all our love and all our devotion. As the one who gives us every breath we breathe as a gift, it's his box, his rules, his board, his pieces, and his dice. End of story.
And if you've read this far and think "man, that guy's self-righteous", you're right. Quite often I am, among many other things I shouldn't be. But forget that failing right now, and just make me a crown with "King Idiot" written on it, because I'm in the same bloody boat.
All glory, honor, and praise to a great and awesome God we cannot possibly grasp in our tiny human brains.
Sunday, September 5, 2010
Churchianity Is Not Christianity
I asked a woman once "Do you know Jesus Christ?" The response I got surprised me a little bit. She said "Do you mean do I go to church? I go to such and such church." No, that's not what I meant. After a little more conversation she gave me the brush off that went something like "I'm fine, thanks for your concern though." Blah blah blah and so on. There's a problem here.
Churchianity is not Christianity.
You can sit in a church for all your life and wind up in hell or never set foot in one and end up in heaven.
So let's set some things straight.
There's one true church. Uh oh. Every time I hear that phrase alarms go off in my head. That's a strong mark of a cult right there. But no, I'm not talking about some group or building. The one true church is made up of all followers of Jesus Christ. The requirement for membership is confessing Jesus as Lord and believing God raised him from the dead. I mean truly. The kind of belief that yields real transformation in a person's life. That new creation kind of belief. The label you are under doesn't matter if you're right with God through Jesus Christ.
Going to church isn't about you. It might seem that way in some, with a polished presentation, lively bands, and feel good messages about how Jesus can improve your life. Some people go there to get their spiritual fix for the week, get recharged with the Spirit, or whatever else someone wants to call it. Whatever the phrase, its about the church goer and not God Almighty.
Going to church isn't about the tradition either. And we all have tradition, whether you're under a label that has been around for a thousand years or one. How much do we focus on the comfy seats, hip bands, and poppy messages with just the right of humor thrown in? Or how about the pomp and circumstance, huge choirs with matching outfits, and preachers in pin striped suits with all the flair? Or how about a holier than thou attitude, overly costumed "clergy", and detailed instructions about when to kneel, sit, stand, sing, shake hands, and so on.
Yes, we're supposed to take something excellent away from church in our hearts. Yes, worship should be orderly. Yes, everything should be done for the glory of God. But let's make sure that it really is, and the way to do that is when we come to church with a heart that knows it's ALL about God. If we forget who we are gathered together to honor, the most organized and polished service in the world is nothing more than rubbish.
Daily life isn't about focusing on "church stuff". Don't get me wrong, there's a lot of "church stuff" that is very awesome. But if in our hearts, we've got nothing more than a "good works" checklist, it, again, is all rubbish. By all means, lead at AWANA, but remember you're there to raise up children to love the Lord. Sing in the choir, but remember you're there to honor the Lord with your voice. Go to the weekly Bible study, but remember you're there to dig into God's Word with other believers, gaining knowledge to better love and serve the Lord for the rest of the week. Go to the prayer meeting, but remember the goal is to seek the Lord's will, not bring him a to-do list. Say yes to the various roles your are asked to take on, but only after getting an okay from the Lord and not just to be a people pleaser. Soak in the teaching from weekend message, but compare it yourself against the Word, and, if it passes the test, seek how you might apply it the rest of the week as well.
In short, as the saying goes, "Only one life, it will soon be past - only what's done for Christ will last." So if church isn't about Christ in your life, then fix it. That means either a new church, a new you, or both!
I will close with this link I came across that I loved. Written so many years ago, it can apply very well today:
http://www.auburn.edu/~allenkc/chrichur.html
Grace and Peace my friends
Churchianity is not Christianity.
You can sit in a church for all your life and wind up in hell or never set foot in one and end up in heaven.
So let's set some things straight.
There's one true church. Uh oh. Every time I hear that phrase alarms go off in my head. That's a strong mark of a cult right there. But no, I'm not talking about some group or building. The one true church is made up of all followers of Jesus Christ. The requirement for membership is confessing Jesus as Lord and believing God raised him from the dead. I mean truly. The kind of belief that yields real transformation in a person's life. That new creation kind of belief. The label you are under doesn't matter if you're right with God through Jesus Christ.
Going to church isn't about you. It might seem that way in some, with a polished presentation, lively bands, and feel good messages about how Jesus can improve your life. Some people go there to get their spiritual fix for the week, get recharged with the Spirit, or whatever else someone wants to call it. Whatever the phrase, its about the church goer and not God Almighty.
Going to church isn't about the tradition either. And we all have tradition, whether you're under a label that has been around for a thousand years or one. How much do we focus on the comfy seats, hip bands, and poppy messages with just the right of humor thrown in? Or how about the pomp and circumstance, huge choirs with matching outfits, and preachers in pin striped suits with all the flair? Or how about a holier than thou attitude, overly costumed "clergy", and detailed instructions about when to kneel, sit, stand, sing, shake hands, and so on.
Yes, we're supposed to take something excellent away from church in our hearts. Yes, worship should be orderly. Yes, everything should be done for the glory of God. But let's make sure that it really is, and the way to do that is when we come to church with a heart that knows it's ALL about God. If we forget who we are gathered together to honor, the most organized and polished service in the world is nothing more than rubbish.
Daily life isn't about focusing on "church stuff". Don't get me wrong, there's a lot of "church stuff" that is very awesome. But if in our hearts, we've got nothing more than a "good works" checklist, it, again, is all rubbish. By all means, lead at AWANA, but remember you're there to raise up children to love the Lord. Sing in the choir, but remember you're there to honor the Lord with your voice. Go to the weekly Bible study, but remember you're there to dig into God's Word with other believers, gaining knowledge to better love and serve the Lord for the rest of the week. Go to the prayer meeting, but remember the goal is to seek the Lord's will, not bring him a to-do list. Say yes to the various roles your are asked to take on, but only after getting an okay from the Lord and not just to be a people pleaser. Soak in the teaching from weekend message, but compare it yourself against the Word, and, if it passes the test, seek how you might apply it the rest of the week as well.
In short, as the saying goes, "Only one life, it will soon be past - only what's done for Christ will last." So if church isn't about Christ in your life, then fix it. That means either a new church, a new you, or both!
I will close with this link I came across that I loved. Written so many years ago, it can apply very well today:
http://www.auburn.edu/~allenkc/chrichur.html
Grace and Peace my friends
Sunday, August 29, 2010
What Do We Worship
What do we worship? Who do we love?
Things of the world or the father above?
A million gods around us every day
Innocent snares that pull us away
Do we shout praise to Giants and Eagles, Bears and Kings?
Or is our attention devoted to less sporty things?
Do we make idols of work, cars, children, and home,
When our top concern is ours and our own?
Do we make much of the lives of men?
Enquiring of the Stars and fawning over them?
Do we go Gaga over a Lady who really is not?
Or droll over a Rock because we think he's hot?
Do we daydream of having great power and fame?
Or just get sucked into an endless array of games?
Do we pay homage to the needle or the bottle?
Or seek a thrill-a-minute life lived at full throttle?
Do we gather for worship together at the local mall?
Thinking of the new fashions, we've got to have them all?
Or do we seek to find true meaning far from home?
Believing that happiness lies closer the farther we roam?
Long ago from wood, stone, or silver, false gods were cast
We think they're ancient idols from days long past
What we so often completely fail to see
Are the gods today that tempt you and me
A million lay around us every single day
Everyone trying to pull us away
From the only one that will matter in the end
The one true God, our eternal best friend
Friends, there are so many things in this world that get between us and God -- and there is no one to blame but us. We are the ones who so often go chasing after things of this world, thinking in the end that they matter. But the saying is true. Only one life, and it will soon be past -- only what is done for Christ will last. We've been given great resources and gifts to be used for furthering God's kingdom, so let's use them! We must be wise with our money, and we must be wise with our time. The more we focus on mindless things to amuse us or get caught up in addictions that abuse us, the less we have to offer in service to God.
As I have heard a dear brother say recently, let us judge ourselves. We have a great measuring stick to compare our lives against, and that is God's Word. We may talk the talk, but let's compare against the Word to ensure we're walking the walk! Do we suppress our own freedoms in Christ for the sake of our brothers and sisters? Do we make the most of the time we have on this earth for the sake of the kingdom? Do we do our best to spiritually train our children and teach them to know, love, and serve the Lord Jesus Christ? These are just a few of the many questions we need to be asking ourselves as we compare our lifestyles against who we are called to be in Christ.
The measuring stick doesn't change and we don't stand still. Every day we're either shrinking or growing in comparison to it. Let us all strive to do the latter!
Grace and Peace
Things of the world or the father above?
A million gods around us every day
Innocent snares that pull us away
Do we shout praise to Giants and Eagles, Bears and Kings?
Or is our attention devoted to less sporty things?
Do we make idols of work, cars, children, and home,
When our top concern is ours and our own?
Do we make much of the lives of men?
Enquiring of the Stars and fawning over them?
Do we go Gaga over a Lady who really is not?
Or droll over a Rock because we think he's hot?
Do we daydream of having great power and fame?
Or just get sucked into an endless array of games?
Do we pay homage to the needle or the bottle?
Or seek a thrill-a-minute life lived at full throttle?
Do we gather for worship together at the local mall?
Thinking of the new fashions, we've got to have them all?
Or do we seek to find true meaning far from home?
Believing that happiness lies closer the farther we roam?
Long ago from wood, stone, or silver, false gods were cast
We think they're ancient idols from days long past
What we so often completely fail to see
Are the gods today that tempt you and me
A million lay around us every single day
Everyone trying to pull us away
From the only one that will matter in the end
The one true God, our eternal best friend
Friends, there are so many things in this world that get between us and God -- and there is no one to blame but us. We are the ones who so often go chasing after things of this world, thinking in the end that they matter. But the saying is true. Only one life, and it will soon be past -- only what is done for Christ will last. We've been given great resources and gifts to be used for furthering God's kingdom, so let's use them! We must be wise with our money, and we must be wise with our time. The more we focus on mindless things to amuse us or get caught up in addictions that abuse us, the less we have to offer in service to God.
As I have heard a dear brother say recently, let us judge ourselves. We have a great measuring stick to compare our lives against, and that is God's Word. We may talk the talk, but let's compare against the Word to ensure we're walking the walk! Do we suppress our own freedoms in Christ for the sake of our brothers and sisters? Do we make the most of the time we have on this earth for the sake of the kingdom? Do we do our best to spiritually train our children and teach them to know, love, and serve the Lord Jesus Christ? These are just a few of the many questions we need to be asking ourselves as we compare our lifestyles against who we are called to be in Christ.
The measuring stick doesn't change and we don't stand still. Every day we're either shrinking or growing in comparison to it. Let us all strive to do the latter!
Grace and Peace
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
A "Balanced" Life
I came across this on Facebook here and thought it was excellent:
By Keith Ferrin - Founder and President, True Success Coaching - Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. Colossians 3: 23-24
It seems you can’t pick up a business book or magazine these days without reading something about “work-life balance.” Everything I read about a balanced life sounds really good. The problem is, I have a hard time actually doing it.
In fact, whenever I bring up the concept with someone, I can almost predict the eye roll followed by the heavy sigh. I have come to believe the reason for this is because God doesn’t call us to a “balanced” life but rather an “integrated” life.
The primary metric for measuring a balanced life is time. If I spend this much time at work versus spending this much with my family, serving my community or worshiping at church, my life will be balanced.
Alternatively, the primary metric for measuring an integrated life is lordship. So, instead of determining how much time I am spending here or there, the real question becomes, Is Jesus Christ the Lord of every aspect of my life?
It is wholly possible to live a balanced life yet not give Christ lordship over a certain area or areas of our life. Jesus wants to be Lord of everything—our work, family, friendships, leisure time and worship. The bottom line is that a balanced life can still be compartmentalized, but an integrated life cannot.
Paul begins the second half of his letter to the Ephesians with these words: “As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received” (Ephesians 4:1). Here are just some of the areas of life he then goes on to discuss:
• Relationships
• Attitudes
• Reconciliation
• Our calling
• Service to the church
• Maturity
• Our minds
• Sexuality
• Honesty
• Work
• Our attitude toward money
• Our willingness to forgive others
• Our relationships with nonbelievers
• Wisdom
• Purity
• Marriage
• Our duties as parents
• Our relationships with bosses and employees
• Prayer
• Unity
• Our encouragement of one another in our calling
Now that’s an integrated life!
Quite honestly, integration is harder than balance. But it’s what we’re called to do, and it leads to a sense of purpose and fulfillment that only comes from placing ourselves daily—in the center of God’s will. Integration requires examining our lives to see where we need to give Jesus His rightful place as Lord, discovering what we need to do in order to be obedient to His calling and executing those action steps, and conducting a regular evaluation that covers all areas of our lives.
Living an integrated life is a journey, not a task. There is no deadline. There is no chart or graph, just a constant prayer running through our minds: “Jesus, this day and every day, I give You Your rightful place as Lord of everything I am and do. When this day ends, may You be smiling. Amen.”
From Devotional Ventures, © 2007 by Corey Cleek
Published by Regal Books.
Grace and Peace
By Keith Ferrin - Founder and President, True Success Coaching - Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. Colossians 3: 23-24
It seems you can’t pick up a business book or magazine these days without reading something about “work-life balance.” Everything I read about a balanced life sounds really good. The problem is, I have a hard time actually doing it.
In fact, whenever I bring up the concept with someone, I can almost predict the eye roll followed by the heavy sigh. I have come to believe the reason for this is because God doesn’t call us to a “balanced” life but rather an “integrated” life.
The primary metric for measuring a balanced life is time. If I spend this much time at work versus spending this much with my family, serving my community or worshiping at church, my life will be balanced.
Alternatively, the primary metric for measuring an integrated life is lordship. So, instead of determining how much time I am spending here or there, the real question becomes, Is Jesus Christ the Lord of every aspect of my life?
It is wholly possible to live a balanced life yet not give Christ lordship over a certain area or areas of our life. Jesus wants to be Lord of everything—our work, family, friendships, leisure time and worship. The bottom line is that a balanced life can still be compartmentalized, but an integrated life cannot.
Paul begins the second half of his letter to the Ephesians with these words: “As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received” (Ephesians 4:1). Here are just some of the areas of life he then goes on to discuss:
• Relationships
• Attitudes
• Reconciliation
• Our calling
• Service to the church
• Maturity
• Our minds
• Sexuality
• Honesty
• Work
• Our attitude toward money
• Our willingness to forgive others
• Our relationships with nonbelievers
• Wisdom
• Purity
• Marriage
• Our duties as parents
• Our relationships with bosses and employees
• Prayer
• Unity
• Our encouragement of one another in our calling
Now that’s an integrated life!
Quite honestly, integration is harder than balance. But it’s what we’re called to do, and it leads to a sense of purpose and fulfillment that only comes from placing ourselves daily—in the center of God’s will. Integration requires examining our lives to see where we need to give Jesus His rightful place as Lord, discovering what we need to do in order to be obedient to His calling and executing those action steps, and conducting a regular evaluation that covers all areas of our lives.
Living an integrated life is a journey, not a task. There is no deadline. There is no chart or graph, just a constant prayer running through our minds: “Jesus, this day and every day, I give You Your rightful place as Lord of everything I am and do. When this day ends, may You be smiling. Amen.”
From Devotional Ventures, © 2007 by Corey Cleek
Published by Regal Books.
Grace and Peace
Monday, March 15, 2010
Hang Out With The LORD
After work today I went out to shoot some free throws. I've gotten into basketball and play "21" frequently enough where I want to get my percentage up. So far its in the low 40s, so I need some work!
Anyway, the first 100 didn't go so well. I ended with 42 percent. Not worse than typical, but not stellar. I've been there for a while, and I don't like staying stagnant. But I responded badly to it. I was an Israelite grumbling in the desert. Never mind the thanks I should have been giving for the ability to go shoot baskets, the great place I work for that actually has several basketball courts for their employees, the fact I'm not overworked and have the time to go out, the nice day it was outside, and so on!
How stupid of me.
I started the next 100 with a different attitude. Praise the LORD for putting it on my heart to do so! Before each basket, I would say a little prayer for someone -- usually someone I wanted the LORD to reach out and help. The people of Haiti and Chile. Chelsea King's family. Kids in AWANA. My co-workers who don't know the LORD. And so on. I had to be careful I thought about each one -- too easy to just rattle off a list that doesn't mean anything, like a human prayer wheel.
Now I don't want to pitch what I'm about to say as a way to get the LORD to do what you want -- can't do it -- not saying that! But after 25 baskets, when some guys showed up to play, I was at 68 percent and just having a blessed and great time hanging out with the LORD shooting baskets. A lot better than going it on my own.
I know of a pastor who has done the same kind of thing while he's surfing. Just hanging out with the LORD on the water going around the world in prayer for the missionaries trying to share the gospel in many hostile places. A fine idea indeed!
Praise the LORD just for his presence in our lives! May we always want to be with him, in every little thing.
Grace and Peace
Anyway, the first 100 didn't go so well. I ended with 42 percent. Not worse than typical, but not stellar. I've been there for a while, and I don't like staying stagnant. But I responded badly to it. I was an Israelite grumbling in the desert. Never mind the thanks I should have been giving for the ability to go shoot baskets, the great place I work for that actually has several basketball courts for their employees, the fact I'm not overworked and have the time to go out, the nice day it was outside, and so on!
How stupid of me.
I started the next 100 with a different attitude. Praise the LORD for putting it on my heart to do so! Before each basket, I would say a little prayer for someone -- usually someone I wanted the LORD to reach out and help. The people of Haiti and Chile. Chelsea King's family. Kids in AWANA. My co-workers who don't know the LORD. And so on. I had to be careful I thought about each one -- too easy to just rattle off a list that doesn't mean anything, like a human prayer wheel.
Now I don't want to pitch what I'm about to say as a way to get the LORD to do what you want -- can't do it -- not saying that! But after 25 baskets, when some guys showed up to play, I was at 68 percent and just having a blessed and great time hanging out with the LORD shooting baskets. A lot better than going it on my own.
I know of a pastor who has done the same kind of thing while he's surfing. Just hanging out with the LORD on the water going around the world in prayer for the missionaries trying to share the gospel in many hostile places. A fine idea indeed!
Praise the LORD just for his presence in our lives! May we always want to be with him, in every little thing.
Grace and Peace
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