Who Knows?

Changing or Unchanging - Let Me Try Again

2008-08-02T10:29:00.001-05:00

I am convinced my point didn't come across last time.

I don't think my beliefs should not change. I can't even come close to perfect knowledge of God.

What I am guilty of and what I think the Church is guilty of is blatantly telling others that our beliefs are right. We are so proud of ourselves and so full of ourselves.

Of course, with our mouths, we say we don't have God figured out and we know beliefs change. However, with the way we try to convince others that some or all of our particular beliefs are correct, our true feelings and true pride in ourselves shows through.

Even when others point that out to us, we have a hard time admitting it. We want to be able to say we know God. I think we can know God but have to admit we have no clue about his immensity.

Changing or Unchanging?

2008-07-13T20:48:00.002-05:00

Hebrews 13:8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.

My beliefs change.

Each time, I try to convince others of what I believe. I

If my beliefs regarding a never changing God change, what makes me think I am even in the ballpark with my beliefs?

In context or out?

2008-06-27T21:02:00.002-05:00

James 4:17 Therefore, to one who knows the right thing to do and does not do it, to him it is sin.

I often know the right thing to do and don't do it. I am a sinner.

When I habitually ignore the right thing to do, what does that make me?

I will explain more later . . . perhaps.

Great Quote

2008-06-26T20:32:00.000-05:00

It doesn't matter what happens to you, it matters what happens in you.

Experience

2008-06-21T21:03:00.002-05:00

Experience is a great teacher, correct??

Why do we rely on our own experiences? Why is it we can't learn from others and their experiences? Why are we so hung up on ourselves? Why are we so selfish?

I wish I could get people to listen to some of my bad experiences before they choose to go down a path that is disgusting.

How can I teach others from my own experiences?

Why can't I get over myself and learn from other's experiences?

Father's Day

2008-06-15T16:37:00.002-05:00

I really miss my Dad today. I can see his smile, I can hear his laugh.

I cried several times. Not bad cries, just sad cries.

Danna and I talked about really missing him today.

I got a great, great card from my son today along with many great hugs and some great I love yous.

I cried - a good cry.

I got a card from a special young lady who encouraged me greatly about my son and being his Dad.

I cried again - a good cry.

God always has a great way of making me feel warm and loved.

Sad But True

2008-05-26T17:55:00.002-05:00

I read this quote this afternoon describing Jesus' church.

The reason it is true is because it describes me.

". . . the hands and feet of the body of Christ have been amputated, and we've been pretty much reduced to a big mouth."

Renovating?

2008-04-24T17:32:00.002-05:00

I have often been frustrated with the sense that one "arrives" . . . be that when baptized, saved, etc.

I recently got a new Bible and switched versions to the NASB. I had a list of preferences, which included "non-reference". I saw something the other day which made me grateful I had the references.

Colossians 3:10 . . . and have put on the new self who is being renewed to a true knowledge according to the image of the One who created him--

The reference indicated a better English word for renewed was "renovated". For some reason, that really provided a great mental picture. It is a makeover, a changing, a journey. My goal is to be constantly allowing God to renovate me with the goal of that true knowledge - in his image.

Acheivable goal here on earth? I used to think no. A recent read of The Shack gave me pause when thinking of Jesus as fully human. He was fully human and allowed the renovation to bring him to that true knowledge.

I am in need of much renovation. There is a blueprint to follow!!

Restoration Movement

2008-04-02T08:55:00.003-05:00

Anyone who knows me knows I am quick to share my opinion, as unlearned as it is. I may be totally off base with my thoughts. . .

I am convinced the restoration movement, as I know it, has and continues to miss the point. I often hear about us wanting to "be like the first century church".

Why do we have that as a goal?

Why were the letters written to the early church which are a large part of the New Testament? Because the first century church was a MESS!!! Guess what, we are just like the first century church. We are a mess too!!

The goal of the restoration movement should be to restore ourselves to Jesus. We need to do that EVERYDAY, individually and collectively as Jesus' flawed body.

We need a better goal. We NEED Jesus!

Religious Discrimination

2008-02-20T13:11:00.002-06:00

I am confident that Jesus is not a proponent of discrimination. I don't think it fits well in the "love God, love your neighbor" realm.

I also believe that religion creates people who discriminate (encourages them to discriminate). Sometimes against those of other faith; sometimes against those of similar faith but with a different label; sometimes against those with the same faith label but different viewpoints. Sometimes against those considered "sinners".

Arrogance and discrimination seem to go together. Arrogance and religion seem to go together also.

Faith and Growth

2008-02-13T18:19:00.001-06:00

Do you grow out of the faith you have or do you grow into your faith?

Theory versus Practice

2008-01-25T13:17:00.000-06:00

I can talk a good game. I can talk about my opinions on Bible verses and contexts. I can talk about "Love God" and "Love Your Neighbor".

I stink at practice.

Thoughts?

2007-12-01T14:34:00.000-06:00

Since Jesus did not call us to religion, how do we continue to meet together without becoming a religious body that Jesus would not like or would call Pharisaical?

Things That Make You Go - Hmmmmm???

2007-07-14T08:22:00.001-05:00

License plate frame - *blank* Christian University Alumni

Window sticker -

YES
This is my truck.
NO
I won't help you move!

I also read an article in today's paper from which I took the following words. Pope Benedict XVI approved a document which says that "other Christian communities are either defective or not true churches and Catholicism provides the only true path to salvation." "The commentary repeated church teaching that says the Catholic Church 'has the fullness of the means of salvation. Christ established here on earth only one church, the other communities cannot be called churches in the proper sense because they do not have apostolic succession - the ability to trace their bishops back to Christ's original apostles - and therefore their priestly ordinations are not valid, it said."

I refer to my second question from last Saturday. Why do we feel the need to focus on rules - even if we believe we can point to them in scripture as a proof of their existence? Why do we think we can follow a rule perfectly anyway? Why do we think God is interested in us following the rules just so we can say we follow the rules?

By virtue of my heart rate getting elevated when I think of the article, I show I have missed God's point in changing my heart from the inside. It is easier to focus on the rules I prefer and love those who love my viewpoint.

Maybe that is one of the problems. I think we too often, consciously and unconsciously, gravitate toward the easy.

2007-07-07T18:13:00.000-05:00

Two questions:

1) Why do coaches and managers in baseball wear team uniforms and they don't in other sports?

2) Do you think that God believes there are any non-"Pharisaical" religious organizations in existence?

I'm It

2007-07-01T19:55:00.000-05:00

In deference to my wife, I keep asking what the rules are to this cybertag game.

I am different from Danna in that she asks what the rules are so she can follow them and I ask so that I can break them or find a flaw in them that would render it ridiculous to follow the rules. That is number 1.

I can sing the Wyoming Cowboy (the real Cowboys!!) fight song and will do it for you if you ask and sometimes even when you don't.

I was born on the same day, in the same year as Michael Jordan.

I am very particular about my lawn. So much so that after repeated requests to try to do it close to my expectations, I fired my own son as lawn man.

I always wished I was 7 feet tall.

I had a small plaster cast on my nose after reconstructive surgery and I had people sign my cast.

I often save my meat to eat last at mealtimes.

I have volunteered to preach on many occasions but have never been asked - see number 1.

Now, here are the rules since I am supposed to put them here but it never said to put them first.

1. I have to post these rules before I give you the facts.2. Each player starts with eight random facts/habits about themselves.3. People who are tagged need to write their own blog about their eight things and post these rules.4. At the end of your blog, you need to choose eight people to get tagged and list their names.5. Don’t forget to leave them a comment telling them they’re tagged, and to read your blog.

I am tagging, Clint; Terry; Tim;

Worse Than A Plank In My Eye??

2007-04-14T09:37:00.000-05:00

Is there anything worse than the planks in my own eye?

(Humorous side bar - my wife was reading my draft and pointed out the "plank" in my writing since I had the word "than" two times in my first sentence!!)

I amaze myself because, even though my planks are HUGE, I am still able to see around them to point out the speck in others' eyes!!

I feel (yes I - so highly likely some error involved) it is important to be open with people whom I have a relationship. My perception of the level of the relationship determines what I say and how I say it. I feel it is important enough that if I don't say something, I am not doing the right thing.

As in most situations, delivery is everything. I must convey in a loving manner. It is possible to be clear, firm and loving. I don't often achieve that goal.

The easy part is to act on what I think I should say. Besides the hard part of delivering a clear, firm and loving message, the hardest part for me is my additional related responsibility.

I am responsible to listen to others when they need to point out the planks they see in my life.

I stink at my delivery. Worse yet, I am wrapped up in the stink of not even trying to accept clear, firm and loving messages about the planks in my life.

I quit listening immediately.

I begin to form my own thoughts of justification.

My eyesight becomes very clearly focused on what I see now as planks in others lives. No longer are they specks - NO WAY!!

I NEED YOUR HELP!!!

God created us with very powerful minds. Satan knows that and attacks us through our minds. I am not effective at taking "captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ". Those thoughts that I don't take captive are the seeds of "speck" which quickly grow to be planks.

My thoughts of justification are the worst.

I need help from you. I need your boldness in delivering to me clear, firm and loving messages of the planks I need to extricate from my life.

I need the training of people pointing out to me when I get defensive as they are delivering a very important message I need to hear about my planks. I need to be much more humble to allow myself to really listen to your messages.

I really need to want to get rid of the planks that are visible because there are so many more that need to be illuminated.

Gratitud - Dos Parte

2007-03-04T14:44:00.000-06:00

During church this morning, it struck me that we, the individuals which make up the bride of Christ, can tell if we have love from ego or love from the heart.

Am I grateful for Jesus love? Am I overwhelmed that God chose to use Jesus so he could share life together with me?

I must admit, I often think about what God has done for me and what awaits. I too often think it is about me. I want to be overwhelmed with what God chose to do in order to share life with me. I want to be grateful from deep within my heart. I want to be so humbled, it brings tears of joy.

Gratitude

2007-03-03T17:42:00.000-06:00

From Donald Miller's book To Own a Dragon

The chapter is about girls. Miller's friend asked him if he felt he deserved to be in a relationship with a female. Miller thought it a strange question and explained so in his hilariously quirky way!

His friend went on to say that he had concluded that he didn't deserve his wife. He found it incredible that she chose to spend the rest of her life with him. His friend said he was grateful.

Miller's friend went on to say that often we use other people and romantic stuff to validate ourselves. True love involves gratitude and being overwhelmed that another person chose to share life together.

Miller summed up the chapter by wondering if love from ego versus love from the heart signalled a transition to maturity.

I began to tell Danna about what I felt was this incredible insight from the book. I started to get choked up! As I explained the words I wrote above, I began to cry and I made her cry. It is incredibly humbling to realize she chose to share life with me. I don't deserve my Angel. I call her that because she is an Angel. Yes, we have our struggles but she loves me in spite of myself. I am in awe of our relationship.

I also told her that it is so much different than my previous marriage, thankfully!! Anybody that has heard me talk about that phase of my life has heard me readily admit I made many mistakes. One big one was being too immature to get married in the first place. I was mature from a worldly, having my goals which drove me, point of view. I didn't have the maturity or the humility to know I needed God. Life was about me. I wasn't grateful.

God saw me through my immaturity. I haven't arrived, by any means. However, he has blessed me tremendously with a wonderful woman who is truly my Angel!!

After we both cried for awhile, I said a line I have said a lot. "I have become my Mom!!" I was puzzled as a kid why she cried when she was happy. It made no sense to me at all!! Now, it DOES!!!!

Burned Up Stuff or Burned Up Self?

2007-03-02T20:07:00.000-06:00

I Corinthians 3:10By the grace God has given me, I laid a foundation as an expert builder, and someone else is building on it. But each one should be careful how he builds. 11For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ. 12If any man builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, 13his work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each man's work. 14If what he has built survives, he will receive his reward. 15If it is burned up, he will suffer loss; he himself will be saved, but only as one escaping through the flames.

Matthew 25:31"When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his throne in heavenly glory. 32All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. 33He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left.
34"Then the King will say to those on his right, 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. 35For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, 36I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.'
37"Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? 39When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?'
40"The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.'
41"Then he will say to those on his left, 'Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. 42For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, 43I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.'
44"They also will answer, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?'
45"He will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.'
46"Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life."

Are the works discussed in I Corinthians similar to the works in Matthew 25? Do you notice that in Matthew 25, the cursed call him Lord as well? Do you think they were baptized? Do you think they asked Jesus into their hearts? However or whenever you think someone is saved, does the cross and the grace of the cross cover over ignoring the people described in Matthew 25?

Are these passages talking about different people?

Is my stuff, my works going to get burned up or am I going to get burned up?

Somedays I do OK with having good works and occasionally I help a person like mentioned in Matthew 25. Will God's grace cover 5o times? 40 times? 30 times? 20 times? 10 times? 1 time? No times?

How do you know if your faith is growing?

2007-02-21T18:24:00.000-06:00

How do you know your faith is growing? How do you measure faith growth?

Work Out Your Own Salvation?

2007-02-13T16:50:00.000-06:00

I don't think going it alone in trying to become transformed into the image of Christ is a good idea.

Following the crowd is not a great idea either.

So how and why is it important to work out your own salvation?

I guess the first reason is because the Bible says so (Philippians 2). I think the other reason is that ultimately, I am going to be judged as an individual. From what I understand, the judgement discussed in Matthew 25 is an individual judgement. What did I do in this life for other people? How did I show my love for God by taking care of my neighbor?

Have you ever thought about your neighbor as a very legalistic religious organization in which you might find yourself? Am I supposed to love them? Take a look at Matthew 23:1-3.

1Then Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples: 2"The teachers of the law and the Pharisees sit in Moses' seat. 3So you must obey them and do everything they tell you. But do not do what they do, for they do not practice what they preach.

I had never focused on the first sentence of verse 3 before. I must confess past sins of hammering organizations and doctrines. I must repent.

I also think the rest of verse 3 is key for individuals in any religious organization. Am I doing what the organization says I need to do or am I doing what I feel I need to be doing? Am I looking to what Jesus says he is going to judge me on as an individual?

It seems to me to be very dangerous if I was to think that my association with a religious organization who has convinced me they have the right answers guarantees my salvation and prohibits others. What if I don't take care of others? What if I don't love my neighbor?

I think I need to respect and love people in such organizations, associate myself with people who will help me and hold me accountable on my transformation journey and work out my own salvation by doing what Jesus said for my neighbor. That is a challenge!!!

Thank you Jesus for grace, but am I relying on that to cover over my selfishness in all too often ignoring my neighbor?

Satan's Most Effective Tool?

2007-02-10T09:11:00.000-06:00

I wonder if Satan's most effective tool is getting us to believe we have to do something big?

I think he understands that if we obsess about doing something big, we are frozen. We downplay "little" things. We tell people "it was nothing" which is often a way of saying I wish it was bigger.

Satan is effective in getting us to focus on a goal and not the journey. Every step of the journey is exquisite. There are no little steps. Exquisite and little do not equate!

Getting Old is Interesting - I Think!?!?

2007-02-07T10:54:00.000-06:00

It occurred to me that one of the things I wanted to discuss in my last post, I forgot to add before I published! Getting old, wow!!

What I was going to add about the parable of the shrewd manager:

Do you think that God had passages like this in the Bible to remind us that he is so much bigger than us, our doctrines, our thoughts about whether people are right or wrong, our interpretations of what scriptures mean? Do you think he threw us certain curveballs to remind us we are not to sit around and try to figure him out? We are not to try to develop a flawless theological doctrine? Perhaps we are to read, contemplate, study so that we can be, so that we can spread life?

Back to Questions

2007-02-05T19:25:00.000-06:00

I was thinking today that I have been getting away from the main reason I started this blog stuff - asking questions because I don't have answers. The more questions I have, the more I figure out that often, there are no answers.

Interestingly, in Rob Bell's book Velvet Elvis that I recently read, he talked about how in the Jewish educational system, the way you demonstrated knowledge was by asking questions. I think I am on the right track in asking questions but I am afraid my questions don't demonstrate any knowledge.

Anyway, back to the question(s).

Luke 16 the parable of the shrewd manager. I am not sure what to think of this. What does it mean? We often quote verse 13 about not being able to serve two masters. That verse makes a very good point. But what is the point of verses 1-12? What are we supposed to learn here? What are we supposed to pass along to future generations about this passage? Did I miss what earlier generations passed along about these verses?

Wrong Message?

2007-02-03T15:54:00.000-06:00

I saw on Cope's blog and on the news last night that the NFL cracked down on a church which was going to have a Super Bowl Bash. They were going to show the game on the projection screen. (Don't you wonder how they found out? My guess is they have "cops" searching on the net, media reports, etc. which is sad to me.)

The NFL has the legal authority to do this. I don't agree with it but it is the law.

On that news story, the reporter interviewed a local church for reaction. The pastor couldn't believe the NFL either and said they were going ahead and projecting the game on their screen.

What kind of message is that church, and others like it, sending? We know this is illegal but we are moving forward anyway?

Strange Sight

2007-02-01T09:07:00.000-06:00

On the way to work on the slushy roads, the snow was slowly starting to fall some more. Drivers were actually being appropriately cautious today. As I was waiting to head up the on-ramp to 169, I saw a strange sight for February 1, especially with the snow.

A truck turned in front of us to go on that same on-ramp . . . with his boat in tow!!

Midday Update - Strange Sighting #2

Snow on the ground, more forecast, temperature freezing, at best. Man seen wearing tennis shoes, a cowboy hat, no coat, t-shirt and shorts!!!

Makes me wonder what I will see this evening!!

Why do we do what drives us crazy when others do it to us?

2007-01-31T10:58:00.000-06:00

Do you ever notice something you get upset about in others is usually something you do?

I was on my way to work this morning and noticed a truck who was cutting in and out of traffic and cutting people off. Have you ever noticed that if someone cuts that person off, they ride the tail of the car who cut them off? They get really upset with people who do what they do!!

I began to wonder if we paid more attention to the things that drive us crazy and try not to do those things to others what a difference that would make.

Teaching Respect - A Very Lost Art

2007-01-29T15:19:00.000-06:00

I heard Tim Russert make a presentation today in Tulsa. His presentation was insightful in many ways. I loved how he continues to talk about his Dad so fondly. I must admit, I didn't realize he wrote a book about life lessons he learned from his Dad.

One story he told resonated with me. He told the story in the context of doing the right thing and how we are taught the importance of doing the right thing. In my opinion, he was taught the difference between right and wrong and respect for people primarily at home. Again, in my opinion, his parents respected others to instill in Tim a sense of right and wrong.

The story was from Tim's days in Catholic schools. He mentioned one of the Fathers at the school (are there more than one?) bounced him off a locker for, as Tim said, one of many reasons. Tim said he asked the Father something to the effect, what about mercy? The Father replied mercy is up to God, I am about justice. Tim commented about how different that is today. The Father or any school teacher would most likely get sued.

Interesting, isn't it??

Voices in the Stall

2007-01-28T20:31:00.000-06:00

Before church services today, I stopped by the restroom. In the stall, a man was helping his 3 year old daughter finish.

"Thanks, Dad . . . thanks Big Guy"

I had a smile on my face the rest of the morning.

Tonight at church. The 3 year old is behind us before the singing began with her parents. A man had gotten her to do the Hook'em Horns. One of her parents is an OU grad and the other is an A& M grad. Hook'em Horns is not acceptable! The 3 year old figures out her parents aren't fond of the Horns and looks at the man and says "I don't belong to you!!" We laugh and she looks at all of us and says, "Don't laugh!!"

Switch gears.

In another conversation after church a young man is talking about setting a date for his marriage to his pregnant girlfriend. He mentions a court wedding. He talks about how much his girlfriend wanted a church wedding. They talked to the pastor of her church and he said they couldn't get married there because she was pregnant. (I wonder why we forget so quickly how Jesus dealt with the lady caught in the act of adultery!!)

A friend of mine was with me. We talked about how we think they can have the church wedding at Memorial. At that point, my friend continued to minister by an awesome display of speaking the truth in love. He talked about how God's plan is clearly to have the man and woman become one in marriage before the children. However, God allows us to start over each day and try to live the way He has called us to live.

Where Does God Want Me To Go?

2007-01-27T10:34:00.000-06:00

I often wonder how you know when what seems to be an obvious decision is from God or Satan? Even if it is from Satan, doesn't Romans 8:28 still ring true? God calls us to suffer. Since he allowed Job to suffer so strongly by Satan, why do I think should be immune?

I often think about just quitting my current life, packing my bags and going to Africa. As I mentioned the other day, I have grand plans on how God could use me. I also have an ego problem. Like a lot of things in my life, I try to keep this hidden. I know. God knows.

I don't think there would be anything wrong with making an abrupt change. Would it be from God or just my worldly thinking? God knows what is going to happen in my life. When I think of God being in control, I am not one of those who believes every step is planned out in advance. I think God clearly has in mind for me to live up to the potential he created in me. I am his. I am created in his likeness. I have the ability to be like him. I am called to be like him.

I am not like him. I think I suffer from looking too far into the future. I have plans out a decade or two in the future. I don't think this is inherently wrong. I think I make it wrong because by focusing that far out, I miss the opportunities to be like him right in front of me.

As I struggle with the major questions in life, I wish I would get better at daily journey. In the book I am reading now, Velvet Elvis by Rob Bell, some words rang true. God has faith in me to live up to what he created in me. I am disappointing God by not living up to his faith in me.

Tagged

2007-01-27T09:15:00.000-06:00

My lovely wife, I call her Angel, tagged me so here goes.

The tag was to pick up the book nearest me and turn to page 123, go four sentences down and record the following three sentences and then give the author, name of the book and tag three others.

Page 123 was the beginning of a chapter so here is page 124

"They realized that something much bigger was going on here, involving them and the people around them and all of creation. Something involving God making peace with the world and creation being reclaimed and everything in heaven and earth being brought back into harmony with its Creator. But before all the big language and grand claims, the story of Jesus was about a Jewish man, living in a Jewish region among Jewish people, calling people back to the way of a Jewish God."

Rob Bell, Velvet Elvis

I tag my Mom, my Father-in-law and my Mother-in-law. I am also throwing down a challenge to each of you to begin blogging. You three have VERY rich lives. You change people who are privileged to be around you. Your stories are great stories of faith. SO, what do you think?

Inspiring Sadness

2007-01-24T16:59:00.000-06:00

Today, I went to a funeral of a great young man, Adam Langford. I didn't know him personally. I was connected to him, though. One connection comes from a great friend, Clint Davis, who was able to recently spend some time with Adam in Uganda and Rwanda. Terry Rush is always commenting on how we are connected through God's wonderful family. I was connected to Adam through my family at Memorial. I was connected through Adam's brother Ben. We (Memorial) support Ben, Kim, Elijah and Baby #2.

Danna was at Quail when Adam and Ben were growing up. Danna commented on the way home that she always wished she could have spent time with Adam and Ben's parents. When they got a chance to participate in worship at Quail as teenagers, she said she questioned whether they were teenagers because of the depth of what they communicated. Danna said she wanted to spend time with their parents to understand how you raise such Godly young men.

Many connections. Many blessings. All that was part of the funeral was very emotional. We laughed some. We cried a lot. Usually, lives are impacted by someone directly. My life was impacted greatly today by a man I never had the pleasure to meet.

I have been to funerals before for people I didn't know all that well. I often wonder if what was said was really true. I know it is true to the people speaking the words, but the way they portray the individual, I wonder.

NOT TODAY!!! I don't wonder at all. I KNOW, as one speaker said, that words cannot capture Adam. Knowing Clint and hearing Ben speak before, I know that what was said about Adam was true. The best part is that it is so true that Adam will live on in how he inspired, even during the sadness!!

Ben spoke of Adam during a wonderful eulogy. He started by addressing, in Lusoga (sp?), those in Jinja, Uganda who were watching by webcast. Although I couldn't understand all of it, I understood Adam and Moses names. I WILL NEVER FORGET THOSE NAMES!!!

Ben told a story of a man in a pit. He told that story in Tulsa back in the fall when I got to hear him at U4U United 4 Uganda. I am afraid I am one of those business men who just drops off a check. I want to be more. The questions in my head are more intense after today.

The most credible reason I know what was said about Adam was true is that Ben read words that Adam had formed. The perspective from Adam's words really challenged all who heard. It challenged us to be more transformed by God. We need our hearts, our minds and our eyesight transformed. Adam challenged us to suffer with the suffering.

I am so insulated from them. I so often find excuses for why I don't change my approach to life. One of my biggest problems is that I am looking for solutions, big solutions. I want to make a big difference. I have an ego problem. I want to have people say good things about me. I care more about what people say about me rather than what God says about me. God has spoken. What you did for the least of these you did for me. WHY can I not overcome this even when I know it and admit it? I am afraid. I mentioned the questions in my mind. I want to be doing something different but I am afraid to take the steps.

Adam's words intensified the questions in my mind along with recent challenges from some books I am reading. I have struggled with Shane Claiborne's interpretation of "you will always have the poor among you". I often use this to justify that I can't fix it. Shane's take is that we are supposed to have the poor among us - we need to be rubbing elbows with them, helping them, sympathizing with them. I don't. Another from Shane. Generosity is not measured by how much you give. It is measured by how much you have left. I have much left. Guilty!!

Adam, thank you for inspiring me today through the sadness. I promise to continue to transform, to rise to your challenge. I pray for God's continued forgiveness and grace for the slowness of my transformation.

Other thoughts from today.

Clint - I love you. My heart hurts for you. I know your head is spinning. You challenge me as well. I look forward to your continued transformation as you let God lead you to answers from all the things spinning in your head.

Heather - As I said to you after discussing how Adam inspired us today, you also inspire me. You fill your space in God's world VERY well!! I love you.

Danna - You inspire me everyday!! Thank you for listening and helping me address the questions in my head. I LOVE YOU!!!

Advice to Brandon

2006-12-27T09:07:00.000-06:00

Brandon came over last night after he got back from Christmas in Nebraska. He was REALLY wound up!! He was talking up a storm and laughing - oh I love his laugh!!!

Brandon loved his gift cards which provide two very important things for him - gas for his car and food for his belly!! He was especially excited that he could eat at places other than Bueno. Not that Bueno is bad but he likes a little variety. Bueno is good but most importantly - CHEAP!!!

I told Brandon that later in life when he is married, I hope his wife gets a Christmas present like Danna got this year. Brandon asked "Gas logs?????".

I told him about my office Christmas party. Not long after we got there, I was introducing Danna to one of our managers whom she had not met before. Alisha had just recently returned from her honeymoon. Alisha told Danna it was very nice to meet her. She then told Danna that I talk about her a lot at the office. Then came the Christmas present. Alisha told Danna "He loves you so much!!"

I do hope and pray that Brandon is able to give presents like this to his wife. Even though teenagers don't often listen, you know they hear. Often, things stick in their brains and you don't even know it. We talk often about God and what he is doing in our lives. I pray that Brandon gives the same kind of present to God that I am praying for him to give to his future wife.

Early Christmas Present

2006-12-23T10:09:00.000-06:00

I had a rough conversation with B on Thursday. He told me at the end of the conversation that he wasn't going to go to dinner with us on Friday, as planned. He uses his lack of presence as a means to punish me.

On Friday while Danna and I were playing golf, Nan called and said a lady came by See's. Nan asked if she could help her. The lady said no but mentioned that one of her employees from the store at the mall said his grandparents were working so she just stopped to say hello.

It made Nan's day. I could tell she was just beaming even though I was only on the phone.

I called Brandon and left him a message telling him how much it meant to Nan and Don and that I was very proud of him.

He did meet us for dinner.

Money, Muslims and Christians

2006-12-09T13:38:00.000-06:00

I recently participated in several conversations about a Muslim man who made a generous gift to an organization with Christian goals and ideals.

One of several comments made was how in years past, a gift like this would have been refused by many (most?) Christian religious organizations. I see this position as ludicrous!! When we talk about our money not being ours but God's, I guess that doesn't apply to other people's money? It seems to me we are refusing God's money!!

What if someone won the lottery or made money from a "gentleman's club" or whatever and wanted to give that money to church? Why would any church refuse it? I know there would be plenty of talk if they did!!! In my opinion, if we refuse that type of a gift, we are in effect saying that our money is more holy than others. Even though God loves them, it is OK if we don't.

Another comment that really caused me to think was that Muslims want to change the world. They are all committed to eliminating the infidel. I really don't believe that.

Many non-Christians believe all Christians are the same - they want to change the world. I KNOW that is not true. It struck me that it is sad that we are not the same in that we are not always trying to make a difference in this world in the name of Jesus.

I guess I am sad that all Christians are not what we ought to be (especially me!!). I am thankful that God is patient. I wonder if I talk about God's patience when he is really disgusted with me?

I am grateful that not all Muslims are committed to destroying anyone they refer to as infidels. I am grateful there are different kinds of Muslims at the same time I know there shouldn't be different kinds of Christians.

I pray that I will be more bold and all Christians will be more bold in speaking and showing Jesus. I pray our love of others, including Muslims, will be so evident that they will have to find out why we are able to love that way - that they will find Jesus through us.

I Listened - Well, at least once.

2006-12-03T16:19:00.000-06:00

After church today, I saw a lady who had just buried her Mom right before Thanksgiving.

As I walked past her while she was talking to a couple, I noticed her eyes first and how tired and hurt they looked. Her eyes were surrounded by a face that was waving the white flag.

I stopped, turned around and went back. I didn't say anything as I walked up and intruded in the little group of three that were talking. I just gave her a hug. As I started to hug her, she said "Thank you, I needed that." I just kept hugging her. As I could sense her starting to tear up, I teared up as well. I finally looked at her and said just a few words. I told her I was sorry.

I was taught by many people after my Dad died that no one has the words to say. We often don't approach someone for fear we will say the wrong thing. Sometimes, when we do approach them, we walk away wondering why we said something so stupid.

Communication is so much more than words. Why do we so often insist on using them?

Is Listening Different Than Hearing?

2006-11-29T14:59:00.000-06:00

I find us very interesting. We can be apart from each other for long periods of time and go on as if time stood still when we are good friends. What allows people to become good friends? Sometimes we say that opposites attract. Sometimes we talk about what we have in common. Which is correct? Are they both correct?

What causes people who have developed a close friendship to lose what they developed? From my point of view, it has a lot to do with the ears. I believe our sense of hearing has been incredibly dulled. We have noise going on around us all the time. We have televisions with so many channels we can surf endlessly and still not find "something to watch". We won't turn it off just to sit in silence. We have radios in our cars. Mine has the satellite radio so that, just like my TV, I can surf endlessly and still get frustrated that I have "nothing to listen to".

We don't listen to our friends. We barely even hear them because we are thinking of the next thing we are going to say. We don't really listen to what they say because we don't really hear the clues they are giving that they are hurting.

We don't listen to ourselves when we know we are bothered by something we need to discuss with them. Our silence causes us to begin to resent them in a small way. If we do finally say something, it is often at a time when we have "had enough" and we explode. Explosions, even controlled explosions, are messy. Explosions can eat away at our friendships. If we don't eventually decide to say something, we just grow distant. You can't love someone from a distance.

It seems to me that my relationship with God is lacking because I don't listen to him. When I hear him, I don't do what he wants me to do. Hearing and listening are two different things to me. The other day I passed a car which had its flashers on and was sitting in one lane of the two going in the direction I was going. There were a few people sitting in the car. They looked like kids, definitley not adults. No one was in the drivers seat. I thought I should stop and help push the car. As I kept driving, I thought that I might scare them if I stopped. (You know I can be very intimidating!) I kept driving, wondering. As I got about a 1/2 mile down the road, I saw an older gentleman running back toward the car with a gas can which he had obviously filled up at the station nearby. I thought I should turn around and give him a ride back to the car. Again, I just kept driving and thinking that he would be back there before I could turn around, get back to him, pick him up and take him back to the car. I heard God telling me to help others. As I often do, I didn't listen.

I wonder why God is so patient with me??

Wasted Energy

2006-03-21T20:49:00.000-06:00

Is it ever inappropriate to study the Bible?

I say . . .

YES

I know that I have to explain.

Do you ever wonder how much time is wasted in trying to convince other people, through scripture, who profess to be Christians as well, that their position is wrong?

What if we all "took captive" the thoughts of trying to change somone else's interpretation and speak about Jesus? What kind of difference would it make in that relationship?

What kind of difference would it make to the world who does not know Jesus?

Are the lost not worth us swallowing our pride, admitting we don't have all the answers and trying to show them Jesus?

Goal

2006-02-23T21:29:00.000-06:00

What is the goal of the Christian life?

Huh?

2006-01-07T17:37:00.000-06:00

What is a "cow-worker"!!

Sorry for the bad typing.

See previous post!

2006-01-07T17:33:00.000-06:00

About a year ago, I had a former co-worker request that I take them off the daily quote list. The reason is that the person said they did not believe in God. They wanted to make sure we would still be friends.

I said that of course we would still be friends. Now, a year later, we are cow-workers again. I started this week at my new job. I started sending the daily quote out to everyone in my new office. I waited till the afternoon to see if I would receive an email asking to be taken off the list. I didn't. I did not receive a visit to my office.

I wanted to make sure I had not offended. I went to their office and said that I had sent an email to the whole office. The response - "I know". I started to stammer that I wanted to make sure everything was OK. The response - "You are being squirrelly!"

I asked many of you to pray a year ago when the "take me off" request first happened. I prayed - but soon quit, I am ashamed to admit. I am praying again. God has stirred. Please pray as well.

Why do I give up so easily on Him?

Christmas

2005-12-23T08:47:00.000-06:00

In your own words -

What is the point of Christmas?

Is the message effective?

Special People

2005-12-19T16:59:00.000-06:00

I had a great time this morning with one of those people who is so talented and so real that he intimidates me!! He gives me no reason to be intimidated but I still am!

Jason is in the middle of something I think God is going to take a hold of and explode. Explode in a wonderfully fantastic way. I don't think we ever have a grasp on what God is capable of doing if we just trust him and try not to control him.

Jason is inspiring me to pay attention to the spiritual gifts I have been given. I have a desire to be more. When I match that desire with where I have been gifted, it has unbelievable potential. Please pray that I will stay in the wave without trying to control the direction!

Funny Odd But Funny HaHa

2005-12-19T16:54:00.000-06:00

We received Christmas cards/letters from my Mom and my Brother/Sister-in-law/Nephews. In each card was a family picture. Does it seem odd since we all took the pictures together here in Tulsa at Thanksgiving? It seems odd to us!! We laughed!!

As we were laughing, we realized we also sent a picture when we sent our cards to each of them!!

Are we odd or funny?!?!

Age of Accountability . . . What Does That Mean?

2005-11-11T09:39:00.000-06:00

Isaiah 7:13-17

13 Then Isaiah said, "Hear now, you house of David! Is it not enough to try the patience of men? Will you try the patience of my God also? 14 Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel. 15 He will eat curds and honey when he knows enough to reject the wrong and choose the right. 16 But before the boy knows enough to reject the wrong and choose the right, the land of the two kings you dread will be laid waste. 17 The LORD will bring on you and on your people and on the house of your father a time unlike any since Ephraim broke away from Judah—he will bring the king of Assyria."

I read this passage this morning. I was surprised by verse 15. I have always thought of Jesus as fully man and fully God. I am not sure, but I might need to change that thinking after really looking at this verse. By the way, I know I have read this verse before. I put a question mark in the margin of my Bible but I don't think I thought about the verse like I thought about it this morning.

I never thought about Jesus as an infant not knowing enough to choose between right and wrong. When I think of God, I think of omniscience. My brain can't understand an infant being fully man and fully God and not knowing enough to choose between right and wrong.

This verse also made me think of the phrase I heard a lot earlier in my life - the age of accountability. No one ever had a good definition of what that meant. Based on a quick online search of the NIV for the word "accountability", it is not there.

If it relates to knowing enough to be able to reject wrong, think about how young little people are when they look at you after you have said "NO" and they smirk and do it anyway. We all know they know what the difference between right and wrong. I doubt anybody who has ever heard discussion about the age of accountability would ever say it occurs at this early stage of life. Should we change our thinking? If we did, what would it do to your thoughts about baptism?

My head is spinning right now so it is a good time to quit typing!

Hodge Podge

2005-11-05T09:18:00.000-06:00

Amos 5
18 Woe to you who long for the day of the LORD! Why do you long for the day of the LORD ? That day will be darkness, not light.
19 It will be as though a man fled from a lion only to meet a bear, as though he entered his house and rested his hand on the wall only to have a snake bite him.
20 Will not the day of the LORD be darkness, not light—pitch-dark, without a ray of brightness?
21 "I hate, I despise your religious feasts; I cannot stand your assemblies.
22 Even though you bring me burnt offerings and grain offerings, I will not accept them. Though you bring choice fellowship offerings, I will have no regard for them.
23 Away with the noise of your songs! I will not listen to the music of your harps.
24 But let justice roll on like a river, righteousness like a never-failing stream!
25 "Did you bring me sacrifices and offerings forty years in the desert, O house of Israel?
26 You have lifted up the shrine of your king, the pedestal of your idols, the star of your god which you made for yourselves.

That convicts me! It makes me look at my life and what I do that is so foreign to God. I place such importance on assembling for "worship" and forget that my life is to be a worship and the assembling is a time to build others up, worship and be built up to go out and make a difference.

Isaiah 5
26 He lifts up a banner for the distant nations, he whistles for those at the ends of the earth. Here they come, swiftly and speedily!
27 Not one of them grows tired or stumbles, not one slumbers or sleeps; not a belt is loosened at the waist, not a sandal thong is broken.
28 Their arrows are sharp, all their bows are strung; their horses' hoofs seem like flint, their chariot wheels like a whirlwind.
29 Their roar is like that of the lion, they roar like young lions; they growl as they seize their prey and carry it off with no one to rescue.
30 In that day they will roar over it like the roaring of the sea. And if one looks at the land, he will see darkness and distress; even the light will be darkened by the clouds.

I can just imagine God whistling calling these destructive forces to dinner!!! The banner, in my mind, would read "Come and Get It!!!" Thankfully, God provided for us a way to avoid being dinner.

Isaiah 1
18 "Come now, let us reason together," says the LORD. "Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool.
19 If you are willing and obedient, you will eat the best from the land;
20 but if you resist and rebel, you will be devoured by the sword." For the mouth of the LORD has spoken.

Talk about intimidating - actually trying to reason with God!! Yet, this week I said that when I get to heaven, I will ask God about why he made man if he knew before creating him that he would have to send Jesus.

How do I stay confident about my salvation through Jesus yet not arrogant resulting in me becoming a dinner morsel?

Why Do You Think God . . .

2005-11-03T16:20:00.000-06:00

In the account of the flood, Genesis 6: 5-8, I find it interesting the description of God's feelings in verse 6.

5 The LORD saw how great man's wickedness on the earth had become, and that every inclination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil all the time. 6 The LORD was grieved that he had made man on the earth, and his heart was filled with pain. 7 So the LORD said, "I will wipe mankind, whom I have created, from the face of the earth—men and animals, and creatures that move along the ground, and birds of the air—for I am grieved that I have made them." 8 But Noah found favor in the eyes of the LORD.

How much more intense do you think God's feelings were when He had to turn his back on Jesus when Jesus took on our sins on the cross?

Before creation, God knew he would need to send Jesus to reconcile man.

1 Peter 1:18-21 18For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your forefathers, 19but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect. 20He was chosen before the creation of the world, but was revealed in these last times for your sake. 21Through him you believe in God, who raised him from the dead and glorified him, and so your faith and hope are in God.

I know this is a strange question but why do you think God "put himself through" the pain and grieving of making man only to see him fail and then having to give up Jesus in order to save man?

Does it intensify your understanding of God's love for you as a person? Think about the grief parents feel sometimes from their kids which they brought into the world. I bet some parents would choose differently if they actually had "do overs". God had the ability not to even worry about a "do over" yet He still chose to create me. I don't understand God. Thanks be to Him that I don't. It would be WAY TOO MUCH!!!

What are Proverbs?

2005-10-07T11:11:00.000-05:00

Have you ever heard someone say that Proverbs are not promises? Have you ever thought about what that means? I think about Proverbs 22:6 Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it.

I am not comfortable where my son is spiritually right now. I have much more influence on him now than I will very shortly when he gets his drivers license. Of course, it only diminishes after that. At some point, he might come around from his current stance that he knows more about life than I do. But what does Proverbs 22:6 say about my job as a parent to this point?

As a parent I know I have made many mistakes. Unfortunately, I believe I will make more. When I hear that the Proverbs are not promises, it helps me justify how I have helped to mold my son into who he is now. I realize God is not done with him. However, God gave him the "gift" of choice. It was and is my job to mold that gift so that he makes correct choices. But what if he doesn't? What if he chooses not to have a relationship with God?

2 Timothy 3:14-17 14But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, 15and how from infancy you have known the holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. 16All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, 17so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.

All scripture includes Proverbs. All scripture is truth. I wonder if buying into the statement that Proverbs are not promises, it helps me feel better about the job I have or haven't done as a parent? If I am being the parent God wants me to be, would not Proverbs 22:6 be a promise?

A Little Color On Integrity

2005-09-30T12:01:00.000-05:00

Is integrity a black and white issue?

Are you a person of integrity or are you not?

Did you answer with caveats?

If you did, and you said it was black and white, don't caveats like white lies put color on a seemingly black and white issue?

Unfortunately, in my case, if it is a black and white issue, I am black with guilt. I try hard and think I am victorious on the big things. However, on small things, like truthfully answering my angel of a wife when she asks if something is bothering me, I am not always truthful. Is that really a small thing?

I think you can still have integrity and mess up. If God heaps grace upon us, do we have a right to label someone else or even ourselves as full of integrity or not? What does full of integrity mean? I am not condoning lying. I do think confession, acknowledgement and repentance are the key. How do we judge that? Are we to judge that?

Is integrity black and white, shades of gray and even colors of the rainbow? Yes, I think!!

Modern Day Saul/Paul

2005-09-28T02:51:00.000-05:00

Saul was doing what he thought was right. He was raised in a certain religion and I am sure his parents had to be so proud that he was on fire!! God didn't agree and wasn't proud.

If God were to directly intervene in your life to get you to stop doing something you thought was right from your religious upbringing, what do you think it would be?

A Few Ponderings

2005-09-27T18:36:00.000-05:00

Holy Spirit Question -

I seem to remember that the Holy Spirit was not active until after Jesus ascended back to Heaven. I have even heard in small group discussion a comment that the Spirit was not active in the Old Testament. It does seem to make sense when you read John 16: - "25All this I have spoken while still with you. 26But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. 27Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.

What do you make of the fact that in Genesis, God says He created man in "our" image? Do we not have the Spirit dwelling in us from birth?

What about:

I Chronicles 28: - 11 Then David gave his son Solomon the plans for the portico of the temple, its buildings, its storerooms, its upper parts, its inner rooms and the place of atonement. 12 He gave him the plans of all that the Spirit had put in his mind for the courts of the temple of the LORD and all the surrounding rooms, for the treasuries of the temple of God and for the treasuries for the dedicated things. 13 He gave him instructions for the divisions of the priests and Levites, and for all the work of serving in the temple of the LORD, as well as for all the articles to be used in its service.

II Chronicles 24: - 20 Then the Spirit of God came upon Zechariah son of Jehoiada the priest. He stood before the people and said, "This is what God says: 'Why do you disobey the LORD's commands? You will not prosper. Because you have forsaken the LORD, he has forsaken you.' "
21 But they plotted against him, and by order of the king they stoned him to death in the courtyard of the LORD's temple.

Genesis 6: - 2 the sons of God saw that the daughters of men were beautiful, and they married any of them they chose. 3 Then the LORD said, "My Spirit will not contend with man forever, for he is mortal [b] ; his days will be a hundred and twenty years."

Exodus 35: - 30 Then Moses said to the Israelites, "See, the LORD has chosen Bezalel son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah, 31 and he has filled him with the Spirit of God, with skill, ability and knowledge in all kinds of crafts- 32 to make artistic designs for work in gold, silver and bronze,

I do think that what Jesus said about the Spirit is clear but these OT scriptures seem clear as well. Does anyone else get confused by this?

Instruments -

Hebrews 13: - 7Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith. 8Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.
9Do not be carried away by all kinds of strange teachings. It is good for our hearts to be strengthened by grace, not by ceremonial foods, which are of no value to those who eat them.

I Chronicles 16: - 41 With them were Heman and Jeduthun and the rest of those chosen and designated by name to give thanks to the LORD, "for his love endures forever." 42 Heman and Jeduthun were responsible for the sounding of the trumpets and cymbals and for the playing of the other instruments for sacred song. The sons of Jeduthun were stationed at the gate.

I Thessalonians 4: - 15According to the Lord's own word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left till the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. 16For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. 17After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever.

God is the same yesterday and today and forever. It seems strange teaching to me that instruments were clearly acceptable for worship in the OT and will be the call for all to worship at the 2nd coming but wrong to use them in between those times!?!

A Question To Ponder

2005-09-23T17:00:00.000-05:00

I read the passage below this morning. It was interesting to me that Solomon spent much longer building his palace than he did building the temple. (Interestingly, David spent quite a bit of time building his palace, much more than the domicile for the Ark of the Covenant - perhaps a learned behavior?)

What struck me was what God said in verse 16. I don't take God's words lightly. I certainly don't understand the use of "forever" and "always" concerning a structure that is, as far as I know, no longer physically in place.

It does give me a new appreciation of God's view of me and my life as his temple.

2 Chronicles 7

The LORD Appears to Solomon 11 When Solomon had finished the temple of the LORD and the royal palace, and had succeeded in carrying out all he had in mind to do in the temple of the LORD and in his own palace, 12 the LORD appeared to him at night and said: "I have heard your prayer and have chosen this place for myself as a temple for sacrifices.
13 "When I shut up the heavens so that there is no rain, or command locusts to devour the land or send a plague among my people, 14 if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land. 15 Now my eyes will be open and my ears attentive to the prayers offered in this place. 16 I have chosen and consecrated this temple so that my Name may be there forever. My eyes and my heart will always be there.
17 "As for you, if you walk before me as David your father did, and do all I command, and observe my decrees and laws, 18 I will establish your royal throne, as I covenanted with David your father when I said, 'You shall never fail to have a man to rule over Israel.'
19 "But if you [c] turn away and forsake the decrees and commands I have given you and go off to serve other gods and worship them, 20 then I will uproot Israel from my land, which I have given them, and will reject this temple I have consecrated for my Name. I will make it a byword and an object of ridicule among all peoples. 21 And though this temple is now so imposing, all who pass by will be appalled and say, 'Why has the LORD done such a thing to this land and to this temple?' 22 People will answer, 'Because they have forsaken the LORD, the God of their fathers, who brought them out of Egypt, and have embraced other gods, worshiping and serving them—that is why he brought all this disaster on them.' "

Direction

2005-09-22T10:49:00.000-05:00

How do you know what God sees as the best choice for the direction of your life?

I have heard others say, and I know I have said before, that it was very clear the direction God wanted them to go. I said it before when I was in the middle of a divorce and having to choose to move with my current employer or find another job to be able to stay in town with my son.

However, when there are multiple choices, many directions and they all seem to be good choices, how do you determine which is God's best choice? I know you pray about it. How do you keep your own thoughts, prejudices, greed, desires from weighing in and skewing a decision?

I have often wondered if God has specifically chosen a path for me in life. I have concluded that God knows what is best but He has given me the "right" to choose. I know me. I am convinced I don't always choose what God would see as the best choice. Does God change the plan when I go down a path other than the one He wished I had chosen?

Does anybody else ever wonder that?

How do you know the right path to take?

Questioning God?

2005-06-17T14:48:00.000-05:00

I had breakfast with friends this morning as I do on most Friday mornings. We were discussing the "correctness" of questioning God.

I went to lunch with a co-worker. "Amazingly" we were discussing the same topic. My co-worker expressed "I know it is wrong to question God but . . . "

I believe that questioning God is a form of communication with God. Communication is essential for any healthy relationship.

My conclusion, it is important to question God, to dialogue with God, to express your heart to God. If you don't admit you have questions for God when such questions are on your heart, you are trying to "hide" them from God. Trying to hide things in a relationship does not help a relationship grow, it drains a relationship. If you try to hide your questions from God, you lose integrity.

Mercy

2005-05-02T18:22:00.000-05:00

I was having one of those incredible evenings with my wife. We were having dinner at home, just the two of us. We were talking about all kinds of things. I mentioned that I am in a mid-life crises. Before you let your minds go crazy, I have no desire for anyone but my wonderful wife and I have no desire for a red sports car. I am just wondering if I am where God wants me.

I know that God can use me wherever I am, if I am open to Him. I just know that I haven't surrendered everything to Him and; therefore, there are many more possibilities!

As my wife and I were discussing my "wonderings", I made the comment that mercy is not eternal. It struck me that mercy is a wonderful gift that has a finite life. It is an incredible gift that can impact the whole world. Yet, it is not eternal. Once a life is over or once Jesus comes again, mercy will have lost all power.

Those who did not accept that gift don't get another chance. Those who did accept it will be so amazed by God, that I doubt there will ever be a remembrance of the gift.

I may be the only avenue by which some individuals will understand that the gift of mercy exists.

Mercy is not eternal. Mercy is urgent!

Answers

2005-04-18T13:58:00.000-05:00

It seems to me that we so often are ready to share our answers - even if no one cares to listen. Oftentimes, they will politely act like they are listening. Most often, I believe they are thinking about their own answers.

I wonder what would happen if we realized that we didn't have the answers. More importantly, will we ever realize we don't even know the questions to ask?

What if I spent the energy I waste spouting answers by trying to make a difference, one person at a time. What if I could get only one other person to join me?

I am afraid to start. I can't define where it will go. I can't be in control. I can't guarantee I will win. Therefore, I am afraid to try.