It's Time To Recharge

Well, we've made it. It's finally Friday! Is it just me, or did this week seem really long? I don't have much biblical insight this evening, but I'm happy the weekend is upon us and I'll share a couple of things anyway.

In my neck of the woods, the sun is shining, the air is warm and we've got a couple of cool events happening: Iron Man 2 and Mother's Day. Now, I'm not likely to see IR2 this weekend, but several people I know are doing just that. I'm also pretty excited for Mother's Day. We've got a few simple things planned and it should be a relaxing, uplifting time to everyone- especially the "moms" in our lives.

Have a blessed, safe weekend!

Good Night

What Happened Today?

Confession: today wasn't the best of days. It's not that it was overly hard or stressful, either. I didn't give it my best, not even a decent "college try". My effort and motivation just plain sucked. What happened?

I know better than to be passive and lazy. My heart screams to charge ahead, but there seems to be a pull toward not achieving, not striving sometimes. I know what it takes to succeed and how easy it is to fail. We all know that we ought to give our best each and every day, but sometimes we don't do what we should.

We already know what the Bible says about laziness. Let's make tomorrow a more productive day, so our weekend rest is earned and we can feel good about the progress made at the end of the day.

Proverbs 6:6-11

Go to the ant, you sluggard;
consider its ways and be wise!

It has no commander,
no overseer or ruler,

yet it stores its provisions in summer
and gathers its food at harvest.

How long will you lie there, you sluggard?
When will you get up from your sleep?

A little sleep, a little slumber,
a little folding of the hands to rest-

and poverty will come on you like a bandit
and scarcity like an armed man.

Yikes! I do NOT want that! Please pray for those of us whom struggle with this issue.

Good Night

Two Criminals

We've all heard the story before in the gospels; the story of Jesus' crucifixion, burial and resurrection. Without the cross, the Christian faith is absolutely moot. Tonight, I want to focus on the two criminals who were executed alongside Jesus. I'd never before realized how this example is a microcosm of our own lives.

Imagine being in the minds of each criminal for a moment; the Lord himself is suffering and dying on a cross right next to you- feeling the same things you feel. He too is writhing in pain, bleeding, dying. Every breath is labored and could be your last. Is Jesus really the Son of God? Is there truly life after this one?

As their time on this earth drew to a close, each man ultimately had a choice to make; each could choose to believe that Jesus was the Son of God and was capable of redeeming their souls, or they could choose not to believe anything at all. They either had to accept Jesus as Savior or reject Him. Doesn't that sound familiar?

The first man chose to reject the Lord and continue in his own bitterness until death finally consumed him. We didn't hear from this man again. The second man experienced a change of heart when it came down to the wire. He ultimately acknowledged the justness of his punishment and chose to believe in Christ and accept Him. Jesus' response was pretty clear about the destiny of this man's soul. When things were tough (and I can't imagine it getting any tougher than the cross), one man chose death, while the other chose life.

Luke 23:32-43 (New International Version)

Two other men, both criminals, were also led out with him to be executed. When they came to the place called the Skull, there they crucified him, along with the criminals—one on his right, the other on his left. Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing." And they divided up his clothes by casting lots.

The people stood watching, and the rulers even sneered at him. They said, "He saved others; let him save himself if he is the Christ of God, the Chosen One." The soldiers also came up and mocked him. They offered him wine vinegar and said, "If you are the king of the Jews, save yourself."

There was a written notice above him, which read: THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS. One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: "Aren't you the Christ? Save yourself and us!" But the other criminal rebuked him. "Don't you fear God," he said, "since you are under the same sentence? We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong." Then he said, "Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom." Jesus answered him, "I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise."

Good Night

Are You In a Rut?

This past weekend, our pastor shared some interesting things, but the one which stuck in my mind, was the saying that "a rut is simply a grave with the ends kicked out". I'd heard this saying before, but listening to it again and pondering what it's like to perpetually live in a rut got me thinking: I've been in a rut for longer than I care to admit- well over a year now. And, it's all of my own doing.

God's best life for us most certainly doesn't involve being average. If living a Christian life only produces mediocre results, ho-hum blessings and lackluster fruit of the spirit- things that are supposed to set us apart from the world, why would any non-Christian want what we have?

It's not that we're trying to place a facade on Christianity. No, we genuinely want to experience a Christ-filled life, so that when others see us, they automatically want the kind of life we have simply because we exude Jesus' nature. It's not about material things, it's about authentic life. I don't believe that comes from days of "going through the motions"- although we all experience those days from time to time. I'd bet that God has big plans for each of us. We may not all be predestined to become movie stars, athletes or business moguls. However, we were created to have a dynamic, aggressive, passionate relationship with God. Most assuredly, His plans for our lives are more adventurous, colorful and enriching than anything we settle into under our own steam.

I found this neat article about how to get out of a rut. It features a cute little parable about a frog. Let's walk through these recommended steps together and identify our own ruts. Then, let's actively take small, successive steps to get out of them. Then, we can get to the good stuff that this life has to offer.

Good Night

Let's Unite In Prayer For Those In The South

Let's take a minute to pray for those who live in Tennessee and other Southern states right now. There's been severe flooding in the area; damaged homes, flooded cars and lives interrupted. These are our brothers and sisters, our mothers, fathers and friends.

"Lord Jesus, we ask that you quickly reign in the flooding waters in the Southern United States. Please show your unending mercy and grace to the people there, helping to rebuild their lives as the waters recede. We have faith that you will strengthen local communities, as well as the church's resolve to reach out to those in need. You are the almighty restorer, healer, friend and savior. We know there will be beauty rising from the ashes of this situation. Amen."

A site that's close to my heart, DailyAudioBible, is located out of Spring Hill, TN. They're in the midst of the flooding and have several pictures posted on Flickr. This isn't a third world country- it's right in our own backyard. I believe the Lord has placed his hand on the DAB, as the podcasts are still rolling. The Word of God is still being faithfully broadcast to the globe each day, amidst the natural disasters. Praise God!

Let's band together and help in any way we can. Please consider helping flood victims by donating to
the Red Cross

Good Night

Another Weekend Comes To A Close

Normally, I'm sitting at the keyboard on Sunday evenings in nearly a depressed state. Monday means another lap on the virtual treadmill of life. But tonight, I don't feel that way. It's been a busy, eventful weekend where we didn't get a whole lot of time to ourselves, but we did manage to have a few hours to 'play' between both days and it was just what the doctor ordered.

Tonight, I write this at 7:30PM, a full 2.5 to 3 hours before I'd normally journal my thoughts for the day. It's going to be an early night and I can't wait! I plan on hanging out with my incredible wife and seeing what the rest of the evening brings. We've worked hard this weekend, so our sleep should be sweet. I hope that you're gathering in your own cozy, safe homes tonight like we are. What a blessing it is to be alive.

Blessing to you and yours this week!

Good Night

Sin is Sin, Don't Be A Hypocrite.

I just wanted to put this out there; sin is sin. It's all bad. There is no metric to accurately gauge "how bad" one sin stacks up against another from God's perspective- at least that I'm aware of in my personal walk. As man sees things, there is a gradient; murder is viewed as being "far worse" than jealousy, lying to someone, or stealing a pen from your job. But remember, God is so Holy, everything classified as sin to Him is detestable. He's not tolerant of any sin, or anyone who sins.

Thank God for the blood of Jesus Christ, whom washes away all sin! That gift is available to absolutely everyone. Including me and you- yes you! After letting the Lord speak to my heart, I believe the following action needs to be taken:

1. We need to love one another unconditionally (or as much as we can in this flawed human form), wrinkles, warts and all. We all struggle with different things. We all fall short of perfection.

2. We need to stop judging others in comparison to ourselves. If someone has a gambling issue, they are no better or worse than someone whom cheats. An anger issue is no worse than dishonesty. We should never 'shun' one person for struggling with one kind of sin, when we might be grappling with another type of sin ourselves.

I'm not saying we should be tolerant of sin in our lives, or in those of the people we love. We should absolutely rebuke as required. However, we need to perform some pretty honest and detailed analysis of our own struggles and faults before we cast a stone upon another person.

Romans 3:23 (New International Version)

for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,

Romans 6:23 (New International Version)

For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Luke 6:42 (New International Version)

How can you say to your brother, 'Brother, let me take the speck out of your eye,' when you yourself fail to see the plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye.

Good Night