It’s Halloween!!
What a sore day for some. For so long, many Christians have decided to try Halloween “alternatives”. Not this believer!!! I am going trick-or-treating with a good friend of mine, my daughter, and his daughter. There will be some who will ask how we can honor the prince of darkness like this?
Here is my answer. On what other day of the year will my neighbors come knocking on my door? Furthermore, on what day of the year will I go knocking on my neighbor’s doors?
What an opportunity to get to know them!! We can visit fifty houses, and introduce ourselves to each other. There may be one or two whom we will actually get to know better, maybe more! Without Halloween day, those meetings would never happen.
I don’t care about Satan’s day, or the word Halloween. I am going trick-or-treating, and I am going to meet my neighbors, again!!
I can’t wait!! Good hope to you all, and to all your neighbors.
10/30/2004
10/28/2004
SHARING IT WITH EVERYONE WE MEET 4
Feeling guilty? Did you do it….AGAIN?
And did you try to ask God to forgive you right after you did it?. But somehow, you STILL feel guilty? Do you imagine God as being just one more time away from giving up on you, from saying, “You’ve had enough chances”?
When you think of God, do you find yourself ashamed? Do you crawl to Him sheepishly? Do you approach him on egg shells?
Is God angry with you today, just as He must have been yesterday, and the day before that? In fact, isn’t He angry with you all of the time? After all, how could He not be, with all of the sin in your life?
If you have felt like this today, or any day, I want to encourage you. The view of God drawn above is false. He is not angry with you. He is not GLARING at you. He is not ignoring you.
When I feel guilty, I go to God with it. Sometimes I have to go three or four times, before I finally understand that I’m forgiven. I don’t know why I don’t understand it the first time. Maybe it is my innate sense of justice. Maybe it is my unbelief. Maybe it is a demon, whispering to me a big fat LIE.
Whatever the reason, this is the way I am, and I am thinking there are a lot more people like that out there. Somehow, I feel as though this is a common problem. But the truth is, we don’t have to be afraid. We are no longer dealing with an angry God. There is now, therefore, no condemnation for those in Christ Jesus. (Romans) Absolutely none.
For just a while tonight, if you are willing, think about what it means to feel no condemnation. Think about what it means to carry no guilt or shame. Think about what it would mean to offer that to everyone you see, instead of the guilt and shame we think defines us.
Yep, Bruce had it right a short while back. Guilt and shame is one of the top reasons why we don’t share the gospel with everyone we meet. God has changed that. Do you believe it?
And did you try to ask God to forgive you right after you did it?. But somehow, you STILL feel guilty? Do you imagine God as being just one more time away from giving up on you, from saying, “You’ve had enough chances”?
When you think of God, do you find yourself ashamed? Do you crawl to Him sheepishly? Do you approach him on egg shells?
Is God angry with you today, just as He must have been yesterday, and the day before that? In fact, isn’t He angry with you all of the time? After all, how could He not be, with all of the sin in your life?
If you have felt like this today, or any day, I want to encourage you. The view of God drawn above is false. He is not angry with you. He is not GLARING at you. He is not ignoring you.
When I feel guilty, I go to God with it. Sometimes I have to go three or four times, before I finally understand that I’m forgiven. I don’t know why I don’t understand it the first time. Maybe it is my innate sense of justice. Maybe it is my unbelief. Maybe it is a demon, whispering to me a big fat LIE.
Whatever the reason, this is the way I am, and I am thinking there are a lot more people like that out there. Somehow, I feel as though this is a common problem. But the truth is, we don’t have to be afraid. We are no longer dealing with an angry God. There is now, therefore, no condemnation for those in Christ Jesus. (Romans) Absolutely none.
For just a while tonight, if you are willing, think about what it means to feel no condemnation. Think about what it means to carry no guilt or shame. Think about what it would mean to offer that to everyone you see, instead of the guilt and shame we think defines us.
Yep, Bruce had it right a short while back. Guilt and shame is one of the top reasons why we don’t share the gospel with everyone we meet. God has changed that. Do you believe it?
10/27/2004
MAY THE LORD......
The Lord bless you, and keep you; The Lord make His face shine on you, and be gracious to you; The Lord lift up His countenance on you, and give you peace. Numbers 6:24-26.
That passage is rapidly becoming my favorite passage in all of Scripture. It is something I wanted to say to you all. If nothing else, remember, this is God’s heart for us.
Furthermore, this passage does not tell us what our part is, other than invoking the name of the Lord in the verse that follows this passage. The words spoken above are all about God, and all done FOR us
Can you imagine what it physically feels like to have God’s face shine upon you? I consider the sunshine, and I think, as warm and as bright, as shining as it is, God’s face must be even far more so. Whenever I think of God’s face shining on me, I think of God as smiling.
I just want to encourage you all tonight, that’s all. Please try and remember these words when life is hard, which for many, is every day. Even to remember that God’s face is shining upon you can be enough. You don’t have to remember the verse number, or the book. Heck, I don’t. You’d be amazed at how much more I remember simply because my mind is not filled up with a bunch of useless numbers.
That passage is rapidly becoming my favorite passage in all of Scripture. It is something I wanted to say to you all. If nothing else, remember, this is God’s heart for us.
Furthermore, this passage does not tell us what our part is, other than invoking the name of the Lord in the verse that follows this passage. The words spoken above are all about God, and all done FOR us
Can you imagine what it physically feels like to have God’s face shine upon you? I consider the sunshine, and I think, as warm and as bright, as shining as it is, God’s face must be even far more so. Whenever I think of God’s face shining on me, I think of God as smiling.
I just want to encourage you all tonight, that’s all. Please try and remember these words when life is hard, which for many, is every day. Even to remember that God’s face is shining upon you can be enough. You don’t have to remember the verse number, or the book. Heck, I don’t. You’d be amazed at how much more I remember simply because my mind is not filled up with a bunch of useless numbers.
10/26/2004
I LOVE THE ANCIENTS BEST
I am working on a project for an elderly care / nursing home. There is some renovation, as well as an addition we are building. That’s not what I want to talk about, though.
Every so often, I get to be in the area where the residents of this elder care home are milling about. Whenever I see one of the residents, I can’t help but smile at them, and say hi. The smile feels so genuine and warm, and I truly feel released when I get to see them.
The trouble is, the smile, and the hello is all I get to give them. I am working when I see them, and it would not be proper to do what I long to do. I want to continue that smile, and that hello, and walk to them, and talk with them. I want to get to know them, and hear the stories of their lives. Somehow, I am feeling like I never will.
I love children, and teens, people my age, and elders. But I have an especial heart for the ancient. I see them, and I want to hug them. I want to tell them I care, and “can I do anything for you?” I want to visit with them, and give them something they don’t get often, a simple visitor whose every attention is on them.
Will you pray for me, that I will get to do this? I know it seems selfish, because I like them so much. But the looks on their faces when I smile, and the smile they give back is worth the world to me. There is not much hope in elder care homes. Can I share at least some of my hope with them? Even if it’s not in word. How wonderful it would be just to sit with them.
I remember my grandfather from my mom’s side. I loved him so dearly. He took walks with me, told me stories, he even let me puff his pipe. The smell of that pipe I remember as if he has just lit it up in my office as I type this.
I recall studying his hands. He was a farmer, and his hands were course, and full of popping veins. I would push those veins in, and they would sponge back. As a child, my grandfather was the only relative I had on whose knee I would sit. No one else could hold me, but he could. I don’t know why.
Maybe it was the gentle, yet firm way he held me, leaving me free to go when I wanted, but safe from falling too far, lest I hurt myself. Maybe it was his quiet way, that we could spend hours walking on the old farm while hardly saying a word. I learned to think from him. He was not what people would have assumed was an intelligent man, but as I look back now, he was a genius, because he was wise. You can have intelligence, give me wisdom any day, for the intelligence I have is useless without someone around to impress with it. But wisdom doesn’t need an ear, or an audience. I like wisdom best.
I miss my grandfather from time to time, and I think of him every so often in memories that seem to be fading. Maybe these ancients remind me of him, as he was ancient when I was a child. Whatever it is, a tear of joy falls now as I remember him, and wonder when I’ll get to visit the residents of the elder care home again.
Every so often, I get to be in the area where the residents of this elder care home are milling about. Whenever I see one of the residents, I can’t help but smile at them, and say hi. The smile feels so genuine and warm, and I truly feel released when I get to see them.
The trouble is, the smile, and the hello is all I get to give them. I am working when I see them, and it would not be proper to do what I long to do. I want to continue that smile, and that hello, and walk to them, and talk with them. I want to get to know them, and hear the stories of their lives. Somehow, I am feeling like I never will.
I love children, and teens, people my age, and elders. But I have an especial heart for the ancient. I see them, and I want to hug them. I want to tell them I care, and “can I do anything for you?” I want to visit with them, and give them something they don’t get often, a simple visitor whose every attention is on them.
Will you pray for me, that I will get to do this? I know it seems selfish, because I like them so much. But the looks on their faces when I smile, and the smile they give back is worth the world to me. There is not much hope in elder care homes. Can I share at least some of my hope with them? Even if it’s not in word. How wonderful it would be just to sit with them.
I remember my grandfather from my mom’s side. I loved him so dearly. He took walks with me, told me stories, he even let me puff his pipe. The smell of that pipe I remember as if he has just lit it up in my office as I type this.
I recall studying his hands. He was a farmer, and his hands were course, and full of popping veins. I would push those veins in, and they would sponge back. As a child, my grandfather was the only relative I had on whose knee I would sit. No one else could hold me, but he could. I don’t know why.
Maybe it was the gentle, yet firm way he held me, leaving me free to go when I wanted, but safe from falling too far, lest I hurt myself. Maybe it was his quiet way, that we could spend hours walking on the old farm while hardly saying a word. I learned to think from him. He was not what people would have assumed was an intelligent man, but as I look back now, he was a genius, because he was wise. You can have intelligence, give me wisdom any day, for the intelligence I have is useless without someone around to impress with it. But wisdom doesn’t need an ear, or an audience. I like wisdom best.
I miss my grandfather from time to time, and I think of him every so often in memories that seem to be fading. Maybe these ancients remind me of him, as he was ancient when I was a child. Whatever it is, a tear of joy falls now as I remember him, and wonder when I’ll get to visit the residents of the elder care home again.
10/25/2004
SHARING IT WITH EVERYONE WE MEET 3
Well, I’ve done it. I have managed to spend too much time, and now I don’t have enough left for tonight. What am I going to do?
Can I borrow some of yours? Is that possible?
Here is a thought. How much time do we spend on a daily basis? Wouldn’t you like to know the answer to that question?
It is simple really. We could say that we spend time doing this or that, but that’s not the answer. The answer is, we spend all of the time we have, every day.
However, what we spend our time on can make a great deal of difference on whether we have enough time left to be available. I am not available tonight. No one is going to meet the Jesus in me anymore today. I simply don’t have enough time. I have to be home, with my daughter, and making a late supper, because I didn’t have time to eat earlier.
Should that cause me some guilt? Never! I simply cannot be all places at once, doing all things at once. There are many people I met today, and I hope they met the Jesus in me, each one of them. I suspect, however, that not all of them did. I made a mistake, and wore a watch today, and it dictated to a certain extent where I had to be, when, doing what.
If I have one purpose from God, and I am busy doing it, it is simple to see that I cannot be doing something else at the same time, unless it is something which allows me to do two things at once. If I am telling a person how to frame out a doorway, I can not at the same time tell him about Jesus. However, there is hope. I can, in my manner towards him, tell him about Jesus in a different way. The question is, will I FEEL like I have enough time?
Ahhh, I bet you thought the third reason we don’t share the gospel with everyone we meet was time. May it never be!!
The third reason is our “feelings”, or emotions. If I feel I cannot act a certain way because it would take too much time, that feeling is dictating to me what I can, and cannot do. So, how do we combat that? Any of you have ideas? This is the time to share them. The floor is open.
Can I borrow some of yours? Is that possible?
Here is a thought. How much time do we spend on a daily basis? Wouldn’t you like to know the answer to that question?
It is simple really. We could say that we spend time doing this or that, but that’s not the answer. The answer is, we spend all of the time we have, every day.
However, what we spend our time on can make a great deal of difference on whether we have enough time left to be available. I am not available tonight. No one is going to meet the Jesus in me anymore today. I simply don’t have enough time. I have to be home, with my daughter, and making a late supper, because I didn’t have time to eat earlier.
Should that cause me some guilt? Never! I simply cannot be all places at once, doing all things at once. There are many people I met today, and I hope they met the Jesus in me, each one of them. I suspect, however, that not all of them did. I made a mistake, and wore a watch today, and it dictated to a certain extent where I had to be, when, doing what.
If I have one purpose from God, and I am busy doing it, it is simple to see that I cannot be doing something else at the same time, unless it is something which allows me to do two things at once. If I am telling a person how to frame out a doorway, I can not at the same time tell him about Jesus. However, there is hope. I can, in my manner towards him, tell him about Jesus in a different way. The question is, will I FEEL like I have enough time?
Ahhh, I bet you thought the third reason we don’t share the gospel with everyone we meet was time. May it never be!!
The third reason is our “feelings”, or emotions. If I feel I cannot act a certain way because it would take too much time, that feeling is dictating to me what I can, and cannot do. So, how do we combat that? Any of you have ideas? This is the time to share them. The floor is open.
10/22/2004
THE ANGST OF THE EARTH
It is things like this which piss me off. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/6305799/ Check this link out, to read the latest on Mrs. Hassan, an Iraqi citizen kidnapped by terrorists, to make a statement.
How long, O Lord, How long?
How long, O Lord, How long?
SHARING IT WITH EVERYONE WE MEET 2
Please bear with me tonight. I sent a Phillips head driver bit through my left index finger today, so typing is definitely an ”effing” adventure. J Other than that, it was a great day!!
I am warming up for this post series about why we do not share the gospel with everyone we meet. Tonight, I’d like to talk about designated hitters. Yeah, I know, what does baseball have to do with the gospel? Only this, I still can’t think of the word I wanted to use, so designated hitter will have to do for now.
When we love our neighbor as our self, what are we doing exactly? Great, more questions, right? I know, I LOVE asking questions.
Well, what are we doing? Love thy neighbor as thyself has always translated for me into loving my neighbor as if he is me, or more specifically, loving him as if I am him. Here is where the designated hitter part becomes a reality. Instead of seeing him, I see me in his place. And, instead of him seeing me, hopefully, he sees himself in my place. Hold on to that for a moment.
Man! Can five Ibuprofen really make you this ditsy? J
Now look at the cross. Jesus is our designated hitter, taking the wrath of God for our sins, for us. He is a stand-in, a scape goat, if you will, to use a word coined in the Old Testament somewhere. (Too looped-up to bother looking that one up. Ask me tomorrow, and I will)
So, we have Jesus, the author of our faith, thus of the gospel, being our designated hitter. To KNOW that well, would mean for us to live it well. Thus, we must become designated hitters for everyone, even the neighbor we never liked. How do we do this? WE don’t.
ow do we do this
Instead of us being in the way in our relationships, and daily interactions, we have another designated hitter, the Holy Spirit, who helps us live this truth of the gospel, and thus share the gospel with people we meet.
I sure do hope this is making sense. I seriously cannot tell.
Now, that raises a good question. In baseball, why does the designated hitter exist? The answer is simple, and I know it all too well. I sure could pitch, but I couldn’t hit to save my life. Most pitchers can’t. How does this tie in with anything?
The reason we have designated hitters, or spiritual scape goats, is because we cannot do with our flesh what we want to do, which is to share the gospel. We can’t know it, we can’t live it, and we can’t share it. It’s not our role, it is the role of Jesus in us to take our place in our lives, literally to live through us, and us through Him, to do anything lasting.
The Holy Spirit is the driving force behind evangelism today, whether it be speaking, doing, or praying, He is the hand that moves the wall. We are the wall. Much of the time we refuse to, or can’t share the gospel, are the times we are instead projecting our flesh onto our neighbor. That isn’t going to draw anyone to Christ.
So reason number two is; our flesh gets in the way. We are all pitchers who think we can also hit sometimes. But the beauty of loving our neighbor is that in order for us to do so, we can’t be there, someone else has to be. If it is us, we will project our flesh, we will project our desires, our wants, ourselves, onto whomever we are with.
We need a designated hitter in order to fulfill the entire Law. That designated hitter is Jesus Christ, one with the Sprit, and now one with us.
I am warming up for this post series about why we do not share the gospel with everyone we meet. Tonight, I’d like to talk about designated hitters. Yeah, I know, what does baseball have to do with the gospel? Only this, I still can’t think of the word I wanted to use, so designated hitter will have to do for now.
When we love our neighbor as our self, what are we doing exactly? Great, more questions, right? I know, I LOVE asking questions.
Well, what are we doing? Love thy neighbor as thyself has always translated for me into loving my neighbor as if he is me, or more specifically, loving him as if I am him. Here is where the designated hitter part becomes a reality. Instead of seeing him, I see me in his place. And, instead of him seeing me, hopefully, he sees himself in my place. Hold on to that for a moment.
Man! Can five Ibuprofen really make you this ditsy? J
Now look at the cross. Jesus is our designated hitter, taking the wrath of God for our sins, for us. He is a stand-in, a scape goat, if you will, to use a word coined in the Old Testament somewhere. (Too looped-up to bother looking that one up. Ask me tomorrow, and I will)
So, we have Jesus, the author of our faith, thus of the gospel, being our designated hitter. To KNOW that well, would mean for us to live it well. Thus, we must become designated hitters for everyone, even the neighbor we never liked. How do we do this? WE don’t.
ow do we do this
Instead of us being in the way in our relationships, and daily interactions, we have another designated hitter, the Holy Spirit, who helps us live this truth of the gospel, and thus share the gospel with people we meet.
I sure do hope this is making sense. I seriously cannot tell.
Now, that raises a good question. In baseball, why does the designated hitter exist? The answer is simple, and I know it all too well. I sure could pitch, but I couldn’t hit to save my life. Most pitchers can’t. How does this tie in with anything?
The reason we have designated hitters, or spiritual scape goats, is because we cannot do with our flesh what we want to do, which is to share the gospel. We can’t know it, we can’t live it, and we can’t share it. It’s not our role, it is the role of Jesus in us to take our place in our lives, literally to live through us, and us through Him, to do anything lasting.
The Holy Spirit is the driving force behind evangelism today, whether it be speaking, doing, or praying, He is the hand that moves the wall. We are the wall. Much of the time we refuse to, or can’t share the gospel, are the times we are instead projecting our flesh onto our neighbor. That isn’t going to draw anyone to Christ.
So reason number two is; our flesh gets in the way. We are all pitchers who think we can also hit sometimes. But the beauty of loving our neighbor is that in order for us to do so, we can’t be there, someone else has to be. If it is us, we will project our flesh, we will project our desires, our wants, ourselves, onto whomever we are with.
We need a designated hitter in order to fulfill the entire Law. That designated hitter is Jesus Christ, one with the Sprit, and now one with us.
10/21/2004
SHARING IT WITH EVERYONE WE MEET
Okay. I will do this in small parts, this talking about why we don't share the gospel with everyone we meet. This is going to be a very short post, and I sort of want to know how you feel about this very first reason. Here goes.
1. We don't share the gospel with everyone we meet because we don't know what the gospel really is all that well.
That's just one reason, remember, not THE reason. There is One inside us Who can teach us. Are we willing?
In different ways, Jesus shared the gospel with just about everyone He met. (It may actually have been EVERYONE, but I don't have time tonight to prove that). Of course Jesus knew the gospel perfectly. But it is so much more than words.
For now, I'd like you to ponder the word "certainty". What does it mean? What would it be like to know and live the gospel with "certainty"?
1. We don't share the gospel with everyone we meet because we don't know what the gospel really is all that well.
That's just one reason, remember, not THE reason. There is One inside us Who can teach us. Are we willing?
In different ways, Jesus shared the gospel with just about everyone He met. (It may actually have been EVERYONE, but I don't have time tonight to prove that). Of course Jesus knew the gospel perfectly. But it is so much more than words.
For now, I'd like you to ponder the word "certainty". What does it mean? What would it be like to know and live the gospel with "certainty"?
10/19/2004
HAND ME THE EFFING ADJECTIVE
Today was a much better day, and I give a warm thank you to all who prayed for me.
I am going to be working on a post regarding the reasons we don’t “evangelize” with everyone we meet. However, that won’t be tonight. Instead I'd like to post about something that one finds at any normal construction site. Here goes.
It appears that all adjectives and adverbs have been replaced in the English language, at least the language found at a construction site. We used to use the word big to describe something that was large. When we wanted to measure something, we would describe it as long, or short, high, or low. In the cases of color, we had striking colors, plain colors, hot colors, and cold colors.
If we happened to have a good time doing something the night before, we would say that we had REALLY had a blast. And, if we had to go get a certain tool, we would grab the HAMMER drill, or the MITER saw.
Do we need any of these adjectives or adverbs anymore? I like to think we do. However, I am at a jobsite where all of them have been replaced with one word. Can you guess what that word is? Do I have to type it? Alright, we’ll use a replacement. Let’s call the word “effing”. So, from here on out in this post, when you see the word “effing”, you will know what I am referring to. If you do not know what word I am really referring to, email me, and I’ll tell you.
I was setting some framing this morning, enjoying the basics of my job, when I heard this “conversation” taking place right next to me.
Bob: Hey! You got the effing drill?
Sam: I effing thought you effing had it!
Bob: I aint effing seen it! What the eff did you effing do with it?
Sam: Eff if I know. Ask effing Bill, he effing had the effing drill last. Eff it all!
Bob: That mother effer. Where the eff is he?
Sam: How the eff should I know? Hey. You effing wanna help me with this effing hole. I can’t hold the effing saw, and see where the eff I’m effing cutting half the effing time.
Bob: Did you effing measure it first? Here, use my effing tape measure. It’s effing accurate as all effing hell.
Sam: You got one of these mother effers? Holy effing excrement, Batman! These are effing nice!
Bob: I effing know. It only effing cost me…effing twenty-five effing bucks. What a effing deal!
Sam: Ummm, it’s effing twenty-three….and three effing eighths….can ya effing hold the effing saw while I effing try to keep this cord from effing us all up? (Hey!! That was a verb!!)
By this time, I was just laughing! I honestly didn’t know what else to do. I’m not going to say, “Um, gentlemen. I never knew the word eff was an adjective. Thanks!”
What does one say? Usually, I am on the jobsite near the very end, where the trades speak in a more civilized tone (never can tell when the owners might show up, after all, wouldn’t want them hearing the eff word now, would we?) But, on this one, I’m doing framing, too, and that means I get to be there for all the fun.
So, I have decided not to say anything. Yes, I also hear God’s name taken, and Jesus Christ has somehow picked up a middle name with the word eff right in it. That one hurts. But, here is my plan. I am going to affect the little area I am in every day, by talking the way I always talk, using good English, and being polite. I will treat them all with respect, and I will utter nary a word about their “effing” language. Think they’ll notice?
I hope they do. I pray they see such a difference in me that they’ll ask. I pray the light I shine will bring the Son into the darkness. It is very dark here, in this not even half finished building. The light is very low, and the darkness has had its way for far too long. It’s time to pray, and to change that by the hand of God, if He is willing. I want them all to remember this project for the rest of their lives. I am already so fond of them all, regardless of whatever adjectives or adverbs they use. These are the tradesmen who build the buildings you go to work in. They will be the salt of the earth, because I’m going to spread a little salt myself. Have a blessed evening.
I am going to be working on a post regarding the reasons we don’t “evangelize” with everyone we meet. However, that won’t be tonight. Instead I'd like to post about something that one finds at any normal construction site. Here goes.
It appears that all adjectives and adverbs have been replaced in the English language, at least the language found at a construction site. We used to use the word big to describe something that was large. When we wanted to measure something, we would describe it as long, or short, high, or low. In the cases of color, we had striking colors, plain colors, hot colors, and cold colors.
If we happened to have a good time doing something the night before, we would say that we had REALLY had a blast. And, if we had to go get a certain tool, we would grab the HAMMER drill, or the MITER saw.
Do we need any of these adjectives or adverbs anymore? I like to think we do. However, I am at a jobsite where all of them have been replaced with one word. Can you guess what that word is? Do I have to type it? Alright, we’ll use a replacement. Let’s call the word “effing”. So, from here on out in this post, when you see the word “effing”, you will know what I am referring to. If you do not know what word I am really referring to, email me, and I’ll tell you.
I was setting some framing this morning, enjoying the basics of my job, when I heard this “conversation” taking place right next to me.
Bob: Hey! You got the effing drill?
Sam: I effing thought you effing had it!
Bob: I aint effing seen it! What the eff did you effing do with it?
Sam: Eff if I know. Ask effing Bill, he effing had the effing drill last. Eff it all!
Bob: That mother effer. Where the eff is he?
Sam: How the eff should I know? Hey. You effing wanna help me with this effing hole. I can’t hold the effing saw, and see where the eff I’m effing cutting half the effing time.
Bob: Did you effing measure it first? Here, use my effing tape measure. It’s effing accurate as all effing hell.
Sam: You got one of these mother effers? Holy effing excrement, Batman! These are effing nice!
Bob: I effing know. It only effing cost me…effing twenty-five effing bucks. What a effing deal!
Sam: Ummm, it’s effing twenty-three….and three effing eighths….can ya effing hold the effing saw while I effing try to keep this cord from effing us all up? (Hey!! That was a verb!!)
By this time, I was just laughing! I honestly didn’t know what else to do. I’m not going to say, “Um, gentlemen. I never knew the word eff was an adjective. Thanks!”
What does one say? Usually, I am on the jobsite near the very end, where the trades speak in a more civilized tone (never can tell when the owners might show up, after all, wouldn’t want them hearing the eff word now, would we?) But, on this one, I’m doing framing, too, and that means I get to be there for all the fun.
So, I have decided not to say anything. Yes, I also hear God’s name taken, and Jesus Christ has somehow picked up a middle name with the word eff right in it. That one hurts. But, here is my plan. I am going to affect the little area I am in every day, by talking the way I always talk, using good English, and being polite. I will treat them all with respect, and I will utter nary a word about their “effing” language. Think they’ll notice?
I hope they do. I pray they see such a difference in me that they’ll ask. I pray the light I shine will bring the Son into the darkness. It is very dark here, in this not even half finished building. The light is very low, and the darkness has had its way for far too long. It’s time to pray, and to change that by the hand of God, if He is willing. I want them all to remember this project for the rest of their lives. I am already so fond of them all, regardless of whatever adjectives or adverbs they use. These are the tradesmen who build the buildings you go to work in. They will be the salt of the earth, because I’m going to spread a little salt myself. Have a blessed evening.
10/18/2004
A FOUL MOOD
I am not going to post tonight about my views on why we don’t introduce the gospel to everyone we meet. I am much too crabby to do it justice.
Yes, instead of that, I am going to post about being crabby. I was so very crabby today. It was one of those days where everything I put my hand to turned bad. I did not react well, and I am ashamed to even admit it.
But, that shame isn’t going to stop me from posting about it. Here is where I shamelessly ask you to pray for me, if you are willing. What can you pray about?
Here is my list:
1. I was crabby
2. I was as impatient as a two year old, and threw many mental temper tantrums. Since I can’t confine myself to a corner for a “timeout”, something else has to happen.
3. I felt like I was being tested, and now I only feel like I failed.
4. I prayed about this all day long, and still found very little peace throughout my day.
5. As things piled up, it got worse for me “mood” wise. Seldom do circumstances affect my emotions, but today they did for some reason.
6. I didn’t take it out on anyone, so we can all thank God for the restraint He gave me.
7. Several times, I used four letter words as adjectives, inside of my mind. To me, it’s the same as saying it out loud.
8. What happened to my self-control?
Ever have days like this? I don’t have them very often. Not “crabby” days. Not days when I am so bucky that nothing seems to change this foul mood I am in. Did I just say “foul”? Yes, I believe I have found the proper adjective for my mood. Unfortunately, Unkymoods doesn’t have a cartoon for “foul”.
I am begging for your prayers, just for peace above all. If I have that, circumstances are nothing. Thanks, and I have already prayed for most of you today, and will more. God’s good hope to you.
PS: Blogger is super slow tonight. Oh no!!! Agghhhh!!!!!! :(
Yes, instead of that, I am going to post about being crabby. I was so very crabby today. It was one of those days where everything I put my hand to turned bad. I did not react well, and I am ashamed to even admit it.
But, that shame isn’t going to stop me from posting about it. Here is where I shamelessly ask you to pray for me, if you are willing. What can you pray about?
Here is my list:
1. I was crabby
2. I was as impatient as a two year old, and threw many mental temper tantrums. Since I can’t confine myself to a corner for a “timeout”, something else has to happen.
3. I felt like I was being tested, and now I only feel like I failed.
4. I prayed about this all day long, and still found very little peace throughout my day.
5. As things piled up, it got worse for me “mood” wise. Seldom do circumstances affect my emotions, but today they did for some reason.
6. I didn’t take it out on anyone, so we can all thank God for the restraint He gave me.
7. Several times, I used four letter words as adjectives, inside of my mind. To me, it’s the same as saying it out loud.
8. What happened to my self-control?
Ever have days like this? I don’t have them very often. Not “crabby” days. Not days when I am so bucky that nothing seems to change this foul mood I am in. Did I just say “foul”? Yes, I believe I have found the proper adjective for my mood. Unfortunately, Unkymoods doesn’t have a cartoon for “foul”.
I am begging for your prayers, just for peace above all. If I have that, circumstances are nothing. Thanks, and I have already prayed for most of you today, and will more. God’s good hope to you.
PS: Blogger is super slow tonight. Oh no!!! Agghhhh!!!!!! :(
10/16/2004
AN IMPORTANT QUESTION
My boy’s club met last night, and it was a night when my protégé led. He did a wonderful job, and I have no doubt he’ll continue doing well in the ministry after I am gone. I will be taking on a much smaller, more intimate group, that I like to call "intensive community building". We are going to take the boy’s club several steps further, be more deeply involved in each other’s lives, and I am excited.
A question was asked last night, and I’d like to continue the discussion here. Why don’t we introduce Jesus to everyone we meet?
That’s the question. We covered a lot of reasons, but I’d like to know a few of yours. Then, we can discuss how we can change that, IF we can change it. What does it take, and what would it look like to introduce everyone we meet to the Jesus in us? That’s where this is going, but for now, why don’t we already? Thank you all.
A question was asked last night, and I’d like to continue the discussion here. Why don’t we introduce Jesus to everyone we meet?
That’s the question. We covered a lot of reasons, but I’d like to know a few of yours. Then, we can discuss how we can change that, IF we can change it. What does it take, and what would it look like to introduce everyone we meet to the Jesus in us? That’s where this is going, but for now, why don’t we already? Thank you all.
10/14/2004
GAINING PERSPECTIVE
Well, alright then. I’ve decided to do it.
What have I decided?
I am going to go out, and purchase a copy of the Koran, the Muslim Bible. I have been struggling recently with feelings of exasperation against Muslims, all because of what a few are doing in nations like Afghanistan, Iraq, Iran, the Sudan, and other African and Indian countries. More like I have been fed up with it.
Several times I have almost decided to post something on this blog that definitely would not have been of the Spirit. Rather, it would have been an uninformed rant against something I don’t understand at all, done in the flesh.
I thank my God for holding me steady, for keeping me from doing that, but the thoughts I have had are almost worse in my mind. Sin is an attitude, and my attitude in this area has ranged from frustration to anger, to outrage at what is done to Christians in the name of Allah. No more.
I am led to read the Koran, not to learn their ways, or be indoctrinated in any way, but to gain an understanding in perspective. I have felt led to take a trip to the Middle East, to encourage the persecuted brothers and sisters of our Way. Yet I would be foolish to take such a trip without a better understanding of the people who live there. I have been condemning what I don’t know.
Maybe by understanding what they believe, I will be moved from a position of condemnation to true love for the lost. There is no excuse for me to love an American who doesn’t know Jesus more than a Muslim who also doesn’t.
If you know where I could pick up an inexpensive copy, I would appreciate it if you would let me know. Also, if you are willing, I would thank you for your prayers for me and my daughter, for protection, and guidance. I truly am thankful for all of you who read this blog. You are far more than I deserve, and maybe someday the quality of this blog will match the quality of the people who read it. Take care in Christ, good hope to you all, and may Christ come quickly again.
What have I decided?
I am going to go out, and purchase a copy of the Koran, the Muslim Bible. I have been struggling recently with feelings of exasperation against Muslims, all because of what a few are doing in nations like Afghanistan, Iraq, Iran, the Sudan, and other African and Indian countries. More like I have been fed up with it.
Several times I have almost decided to post something on this blog that definitely would not have been of the Spirit. Rather, it would have been an uninformed rant against something I don’t understand at all, done in the flesh.
I thank my God for holding me steady, for keeping me from doing that, but the thoughts I have had are almost worse in my mind. Sin is an attitude, and my attitude in this area has ranged from frustration to anger, to outrage at what is done to Christians in the name of Allah. No more.
I am led to read the Koran, not to learn their ways, or be indoctrinated in any way, but to gain an understanding in perspective. I have felt led to take a trip to the Middle East, to encourage the persecuted brothers and sisters of our Way. Yet I would be foolish to take such a trip without a better understanding of the people who live there. I have been condemning what I don’t know.
Maybe by understanding what they believe, I will be moved from a position of condemnation to true love for the lost. There is no excuse for me to love an American who doesn’t know Jesus more than a Muslim who also doesn’t.
If you know where I could pick up an inexpensive copy, I would appreciate it if you would let me know. Also, if you are willing, I would thank you for your prayers for me and my daughter, for protection, and guidance. I truly am thankful for all of you who read this blog. You are far more than I deserve, and maybe someday the quality of this blog will match the quality of the people who read it. Take care in Christ, good hope to you all, and may Christ come quickly again.
10/13/2004
NOT MUCH TO SAY
I am too tired to write much tonight. I only have so little to say, anyway.
I just wanted to say that my God is indescribably wonderful. He moves, and I react. He plans, and I work. He gives, and I receive. He leads, and I follow. Thank you God.
And thank you, all.
I just wanted to say that my God is indescribably wonderful. He moves, and I react. He plans, and I work. He gives, and I receive. He leads, and I follow. Thank you God.
And thank you, all.
10/12/2004
FREEDOM REVISITED
The Bible has this to say about freedom. Read this passage very slowly. There is a lot said here, and many of these verses have been taken out of context over time to prove one point at a time. Look at this passage in full, and think about what Paul is telling the believers in Rome.
Now accept the one who is weak in faith, {but} not for the purpose of passing judgment on his opinions. One person has faith that he may eat all things, but he who is weak eats vegetables only.
The one who eats is not to regard with contempt the one who does not eat, and the one who does not eat is not to judge the one who eats, for God has accepted him. Who are you to judge the servant of another? To his own master he stands or falls; and he will stand, for the Lord is able to make him stand.
One person regards one day above another, another regards every day alike. Each person must be fully convinced in his own mind. He who observes the day, observes it for the Lord, and he who eats, does so for the Lord, for he gives thanks to God; and he who eats not, for the Lord he does not eat, and gives thanks to God. For not one of us lives for himself, and not one dies for himself; for if we live, we live for the Lord, or if we die, we die for the Lord; therefore whether we live or die, we are the Lord's. For to this end Christ died and lived again, that He might be Lord both of the dead and of the living.
But you, why do you judge your brother? Or you again, why do you regard your brother with contempt? For we will all stand before the judgment seat of God. For it is written, "AS I LIVE, SAYS THE LORD, EVERY KNEE SHALL BOW TO ME, AND EVERY TONGUE SHALL GIVE PRAISE TO GOD." So then each one of us will give an account of himself to God.
Therefore let us not judge one another anymore, but rather determine this--not to put an obstacle or a stumbling block in a brother's way. I know and am convinced in the Lord Jesus that nothing is unclean in itself; but to him who thinks anything to be unclean, to him it is unclean. For if because of food your brother is hurt, you are no longer walking according to love. Do not destroy with your food him for whom Christ died.
Therefore do not let what is for you a good thing be spoken of as evil; for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. For he who in this way serves Christ is acceptable to God and approved by men. So then we pursue the things which make for peace and the building up of one another. Do not tear down the work of God for the sake of food. All things indeed are clean, but they are evil for the man who eats and gives offense. It is good not to eat meat or to drink wine, or {to do anything} by which your brother stumbles.
The faith which you have, have as your own conviction before God. Happy is he who does not condemn himself in what he approves. But he who doubts is condemned if he eats, because his eating is not from faith; and whatever is not from faith is sin. Romans Chapter Fourteen NASB
Did you notice that the word “freedom” isn’t mentioned even once? Instead, Paul chooses to drive home his point with the word “faith”, in the very last paragraph. Verse 14 states, “I know and am convinced in the Lord Jesus that nothing is unclean in itself; but to him who thinks anything to be unclean, to him it is unclean.” How does verse fourteen tie in with the last paragraph?
Is it possible that our freedom is limited only by faith? That is just a thought, not a statement I am making about this entire passage. But, so long as the question is asked, what do you think about it?
I find the statement “To his own master he stands or falls; and he will stand, for the Lord is able to make him stand.” to be simply amazing, in that it tells us truly that the Lord is able to MAKE us stand. I wonder what that means? Does it mean forgiveness? Does it mean sinlessness? Does it mean no action we undertake is wrong? What really does it mean? What do you think? Read the last seven words of chapter fourteen again.
Now accept the one who is weak in faith, {but} not for the purpose of passing judgment on his opinions. One person has faith that he may eat all things, but he who is weak eats vegetables only.
The one who eats is not to regard with contempt the one who does not eat, and the one who does not eat is not to judge the one who eats, for God has accepted him. Who are you to judge the servant of another? To his own master he stands or falls; and he will stand, for the Lord is able to make him stand.
One person regards one day above another, another regards every day alike. Each person must be fully convinced in his own mind. He who observes the day, observes it for the Lord, and he who eats, does so for the Lord, for he gives thanks to God; and he who eats not, for the Lord he does not eat, and gives thanks to God. For not one of us lives for himself, and not one dies for himself; for if we live, we live for the Lord, or if we die, we die for the Lord; therefore whether we live or die, we are the Lord's. For to this end Christ died and lived again, that He might be Lord both of the dead and of the living.
But you, why do you judge your brother? Or you again, why do you regard your brother with contempt? For we will all stand before the judgment seat of God. For it is written, "AS I LIVE, SAYS THE LORD, EVERY KNEE SHALL BOW TO ME, AND EVERY TONGUE SHALL GIVE PRAISE TO GOD." So then each one of us will give an account of himself to God.
Therefore let us not judge one another anymore, but rather determine this--not to put an obstacle or a stumbling block in a brother's way. I know and am convinced in the Lord Jesus that nothing is unclean in itself; but to him who thinks anything to be unclean, to him it is unclean. For if because of food your brother is hurt, you are no longer walking according to love. Do not destroy with your food him for whom Christ died.
Therefore do not let what is for you a good thing be spoken of as evil; for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. For he who in this way serves Christ is acceptable to God and approved by men. So then we pursue the things which make for peace and the building up of one another. Do not tear down the work of God for the sake of food. All things indeed are clean, but they are evil for the man who eats and gives offense. It is good not to eat meat or to drink wine, or {to do anything} by which your brother stumbles.
The faith which you have, have as your own conviction before God. Happy is he who does not condemn himself in what he approves. But he who doubts is condemned if he eats, because his eating is not from faith; and whatever is not from faith is sin. Romans Chapter Fourteen NASB
Did you notice that the word “freedom” isn’t mentioned even once? Instead, Paul chooses to drive home his point with the word “faith”, in the very last paragraph. Verse 14 states, “I know and am convinced in the Lord Jesus that nothing is unclean in itself; but to him who thinks anything to be unclean, to him it is unclean.” How does verse fourteen tie in with the last paragraph?
Is it possible that our freedom is limited only by faith? That is just a thought, not a statement I am making about this entire passage. But, so long as the question is asked, what do you think about it?
I find the statement “To his own master he stands or falls; and he will stand, for the Lord is able to make him stand.” to be simply amazing, in that it tells us truly that the Lord is able to MAKE us stand. I wonder what that means? Does it mean forgiveness? Does it mean sinlessness? Does it mean no action we undertake is wrong? What really does it mean? What do you think? Read the last seven words of chapter fourteen again.
10/10/2004
SEEING FOR THE FIRST TIME
I took a walk this afternoon for about forty-five minutes, into my State Forest, the one just down the road from me. It is amazing to me that I only find time to walk there once every two weeks.
The colors I saw today were simply breathtaking, and this isn’t even the height of fall colors, yet. That won’t take place until another week at least. I must remind myself to take another walk in my forest next Sunday.
As I was walking today, I was talking with God. Abruptly, I stopped in the middle of the path, looked up, and saw a stately maple tree. I stopped talking, and engaged in the deepest worship experience I have felt in a long time. I just stood there, my eyes glued to this tree, and I praised God silently, first with my eyes, then with my mind, and finally, into my heart. I melted at the beauty of God, painting His ever changing tapestry before my very eyes.
I was still for probably five minutes, taking in as much of this singular tree as I could. Its leaves at the very top were bright orange and red. The foliage had thinned somewhat at the top, and I could make out the individual branches desperately hanging on to their covering. The lower branches were more full with leaves, of the most golden and yellow hues I have ever observed. The tree looked royal as it gently swayed in the breeze.
I saw the trunk, the texture of the bark, and many more details too numerous to write about. I saw life.
This is God’s forest, and He will decorate it as He pleases. The leaves will shrivel, and die. Slowly, and then more rapidly, they will fall to the ground, to be trampled by forest animals of all sorts, and finally, decompose.
All of this crosses my mind now. As I was staring at this tree, however, I could only breathe. There were no words in my mind that I remember, no upraised arms, no voice or song to break the silent awe. There was merely observation, and worship, pure and in the Spirit. I lost track of where I was for a moment, and simply remembered whose I am.
I am going to walk next Sunday, and the one after that. I am going to observe God at work. If there is one thing I have not done recently, it has been to austerely witness the beauty God has painted for any length of time. I always seem to be in too much of a hurry to just look.
I don’t mean look the way I do when I drive my car, seeing everything at once. I mean to look at one thing, and really SEE it. How often have I passed that tree, and not noticed it even once? Thirty times? One hundred times? One thousand? (sigh)
Where have I been that I haven’t looked? I do not know, and I do not care. I want to SEE, and I am going to, by God. I am going to look, and I am going to remember. This is a witness, too, and I will drink it in, savoring it just as I did today.
How often do we look at something, or someone, but never really see it, or them?
The colors I saw today were simply breathtaking, and this isn’t even the height of fall colors, yet. That won’t take place until another week at least. I must remind myself to take another walk in my forest next Sunday.
As I was walking today, I was talking with God. Abruptly, I stopped in the middle of the path, looked up, and saw a stately maple tree. I stopped talking, and engaged in the deepest worship experience I have felt in a long time. I just stood there, my eyes glued to this tree, and I praised God silently, first with my eyes, then with my mind, and finally, into my heart. I melted at the beauty of God, painting His ever changing tapestry before my very eyes.
I was still for probably five minutes, taking in as much of this singular tree as I could. Its leaves at the very top were bright orange and red. The foliage had thinned somewhat at the top, and I could make out the individual branches desperately hanging on to their covering. The lower branches were more full with leaves, of the most golden and yellow hues I have ever observed. The tree looked royal as it gently swayed in the breeze.
I saw the trunk, the texture of the bark, and many more details too numerous to write about. I saw life.
This is God’s forest, and He will decorate it as He pleases. The leaves will shrivel, and die. Slowly, and then more rapidly, they will fall to the ground, to be trampled by forest animals of all sorts, and finally, decompose.
All of this crosses my mind now. As I was staring at this tree, however, I could only breathe. There were no words in my mind that I remember, no upraised arms, no voice or song to break the silent awe. There was merely observation, and worship, pure and in the Spirit. I lost track of where I was for a moment, and simply remembered whose I am.
I am going to walk next Sunday, and the one after that. I am going to observe God at work. If there is one thing I have not done recently, it has been to austerely witness the beauty God has painted for any length of time. I always seem to be in too much of a hurry to just look.
I don’t mean look the way I do when I drive my car, seeing everything at once. I mean to look at one thing, and really SEE it. How often have I passed that tree, and not noticed it even once? Thirty times? One hundred times? One thousand? (sigh)
Where have I been that I haven’t looked? I do not know, and I do not care. I want to SEE, and I am going to, by God. I am going to look, and I am going to remember. This is a witness, too, and I will drink it in, savoring it just as I did today.
How often do we look at something, or someone, but never really see it, or them?
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