Sunday, February 15, 2015
50 Shades of Gray
By Tambre Herndon
www.hishighercalling.com
We all know the prayer that Jesus taught us in which we pray “Lead us not into temptation, But deliver us from evil”. We live now in a world that only recognizes evil on a Hollywood movie screen. Movie goers thrill to see heroes doing battle with supernatural villains intent upon destroying mankind. We find momentary inspiration in stories of hope that endures and overcomes devastating hardship. Then we as a people, walk out of the theatre into a world that does not accept the existence of evil. It is not just our society but a view that is accepted worldwide.
There is no longer a black and white of good and evil. There are no longer any lines which cannot be crossed by a decent society. The moral and spiritual compass of mankind has now been defined entirely by “political correctness”. We have been conditioned to give up our ability to determine what is right and what is wrong. Any attempt to identify evil or wrongdoing is attacked as judgmental or bigoted. We must not offend anyone no matter what the cost. Therefore tolerance is forced upon the individual until complete submission is achieved and accepted as a way of life. Instead of black and white we truly live in a world with 50 shades of gray.
This has led our world in the direction of anarchy in which there is no stopping a group of terrorists who kidnap, rape and kill 300 young girls in Africa. There is no stopping a mindset that is capable of mutilating and crucifying children or burning a man alive on video for the world to witness. Yet even facing such horror we cannot label such actions as evil. In our society we have seen a total role reversal from respect for institutions that protect and provide for our wellbeing, to their being viewed as the enemy. Christians have been effectively silenced in public. Finally, the most anticipated movie this year is about sexual deviancy, abuse and the degradation of women. All the while it is being promoted as an exciting, sexually liberating story to which millions of women aspire presented for our entertainment. How sad.
No wrong. No right. No evil.
I am a firm believer that there is not one single word uttered from the mouth of Jesus that is not significant all by itself. Jesus did not teach us to pray “Our father help us to do good deeds”. He did not teach us to pray “help us to be nice people” or “help us to not offend”. Jesus spoke the word “evil”. He identified “evil” as something real, something relevant. It was real enough and relevant enough that he taught everyone who came to Him to pray for Gods divine deliverance from it.
As Jesus taught us, we must pray to be led out of the gray fog of temptation. The temptation to succumb to a world with no definition of right and wrong is strong. The evil in the world cannot possibly be resisted if it cannot even be identified.
We must remove the veil from our eyes and recognize that although the characters and the means may be different, the evil represented on screen is all around us. We MUST hold on to the Light. We MUST hold on to the blessed Hope. We MUST absorb His truth for He is the only way, the only truth and the only light in a world that is 50 currently shades of gray.
Sunday, June 22, 2014
Bridezilla
What has happened? Has the real church, the spotless bride, become a runaway to be replaced by Bridezilla? The beautiful blushing virtuous bride was replaced by “look at me “ bride. I have lived long enough to know everything changes with time whether we want it to or not.
What happened to the church that Christ commissioned. The church was to feed the widows and orphans. The church that was to care for the weak and lowly. The church was to tell everyone of the love and sacrifice of Christ. The church that reminded us that “faith without works is dead and works without faith is dead”. Where is the church that is supposed to gather for the edification and encouragement of the body? Where is the love in the church and where is the self sacrifice?
Over the past few years what I have seen is deceitful, lustful, self absorbed men who stand on sacred ground and profess to the be mouthpiece of God almighty while manipulating people to serve their purpose. Men who can grin in your face, hug your neck, and lie to the same face. You may say that I am “judging” others with this perspective. But this is not judgment. The judgment, the final results, are not up to me. However I am told by scripture that we will know the tree by the fruit it bears.
When the tree bears dead fruit and pain to others you can say exactly that and not be in judgment of the tree. You can even rake up the evidence and clean around the tree to make it appear to be something it is not. But if you have seen the results, you know the truth. No where, at no time in the walk of Christ did he cause pain. No where in the walk of Christ did he exalt himself. No where in the walk of Christ was he not considerate of everyone. The bible tells us specifically if we have caused pain to someone or if someone just feels they have been wronged by us, that we are to go them and make it right. Not go prove your point. Not ignore them and walk around them in church. Not justify yourself. Go to them; apologize for any part you played in causing their pain. Love them. Let them love you. Sacrificing self for others.
I have seen church become a business in such a manner that the only purpose to get someone inside is to grow the funds. As long as you get the money, it doesn’t matter how you treat the people inside the building. How can people use the church as a cover for extra marital affairs? How can people steal from God? How can people use the sacred church as their own personal stage for self promotion. How can church leaders inclusive of music ministers, worship teams, teachers, deacons and staff treat one another rudely, inconsiderate of one another as brothers and sisters in Christ? Many people will not take on responsibility of serving in the Church. The church is split by people who will not take on responsibility other than attendance and tithes and others who want to use the church for self promotion.
When did the vision of the church change from being the foot washer, to being the superstar? All the time slapping themselves on the back and proclaiming to the world what a good job they are doing and how godly they are. They are snakes of discord slithering among the pews whispering gossip and backstabbing one another. Words are hollow. Someone with a heart for Christ can walk in a spirit of love and everyone around them can feel it. A sister in Christ can with a touch of her hand only, give encouragement and comfort to someone in pain. No words necessary. Where is the heart of the Church?
I was raised in a church where the Pastor served for 38 years and never received one cent as a salary. He had a job to support himself. He and his family served in every capacity of the church. His commitment was to Christ from his heart . There was never a single moment of self importance exhibited by him or any member of the church, the musicians, the Sunday school teachers. The entire church was a family and a close one at that. I remember one time my husband (now deceased) needed a particular expensive medication and we could not afford it. The pastor reached into his pocket and pulled the money out on the spot and would not take no for an answer. Now you would have to submit a request to go before a committee for consideration from a church to help such a need if it was even considered.
I grieve. I sincerely grieve for what I have seen. I know there are some churches left somewhere who still really have a heart for Christ and to serve the people with not just a performance. But they are few and far between. I am not slapping everyone in every church. You know if you see these things in your church.
I truly believe that we live in the last days with all my heart. The bible says we will know not the hour but we will know the season. There will be a great falling away from the church. Many will be decieved into believing a lie. Signs in the heavens and earth. The blood moons prophesied and the years of Jubilee according to the Jewish calendar are all being fulfilled.
Timothy Chapter 3 states:
" But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days.People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy,without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with such people."
Timothy did not say everyone but the church would be this way. In fact he stated clearly "having a form of Godliness". Those with a heart hungry for Christ can only pray for the body. Pray for revival. Pray for the separation of wheat from chaff. Pray for those that hunger for righteousness. Pray for the lost. Pray for the broken hearted. Pray that the hearts of ones that cause so much damage in the body will be broken beyond mending and that they will turn to Christ in humility and repentance for healing.
What happened to the church that Christ commissioned. The church was to feed the widows and orphans. The church that was to care for the weak and lowly. The church was to tell everyone of the love and sacrifice of Christ. The church that reminded us that “faith without works is dead and works without faith is dead”. Where is the church that is supposed to gather for the edification and encouragement of the body? Where is the love in the church and where is the self sacrifice?
Over the past few years what I have seen is deceitful, lustful, self absorbed men who stand on sacred ground and profess to the be mouthpiece of God almighty while manipulating people to serve their purpose. Men who can grin in your face, hug your neck, and lie to the same face. You may say that I am “judging” others with this perspective. But this is not judgment. The judgment, the final results, are not up to me. However I am told by scripture that we will know the tree by the fruit it bears.
When the tree bears dead fruit and pain to others you can say exactly that and not be in judgment of the tree. You can even rake up the evidence and clean around the tree to make it appear to be something it is not. But if you have seen the results, you know the truth. No where, at no time in the walk of Christ did he cause pain. No where in the walk of Christ did he exalt himself. No where in the walk of Christ was he not considerate of everyone. The bible tells us specifically if we have caused pain to someone or if someone just feels they have been wronged by us, that we are to go them and make it right. Not go prove your point. Not ignore them and walk around them in church. Not justify yourself. Go to them; apologize for any part you played in causing their pain. Love them. Let them love you. Sacrificing self for others.
I have seen church become a business in such a manner that the only purpose to get someone inside is to grow the funds. As long as you get the money, it doesn’t matter how you treat the people inside the building. How can people use the church as a cover for extra marital affairs? How can people steal from God? How can people use the sacred church as their own personal stage for self promotion. How can church leaders inclusive of music ministers, worship teams, teachers, deacons and staff treat one another rudely, inconsiderate of one another as brothers and sisters in Christ? Many people will not take on responsibility of serving in the Church. The church is split by people who will not take on responsibility other than attendance and tithes and others who want to use the church for self promotion.
When did the vision of the church change from being the foot washer, to being the superstar? All the time slapping themselves on the back and proclaiming to the world what a good job they are doing and how godly they are. They are snakes of discord slithering among the pews whispering gossip and backstabbing one another. Words are hollow. Someone with a heart for Christ can walk in a spirit of love and everyone around them can feel it. A sister in Christ can with a touch of her hand only, give encouragement and comfort to someone in pain. No words necessary. Where is the heart of the Church?
I was raised in a church where the Pastor served for 38 years and never received one cent as a salary. He had a job to support himself. He and his family served in every capacity of the church. His commitment was to Christ from his heart . There was never a single moment of self importance exhibited by him or any member of the church, the musicians, the Sunday school teachers. The entire church was a family and a close one at that. I remember one time my husband (now deceased) needed a particular expensive medication and we could not afford it. The pastor reached into his pocket and pulled the money out on the spot and would not take no for an answer. Now you would have to submit a request to go before a committee for consideration from a church to help such a need if it was even considered.
I grieve. I sincerely grieve for what I have seen. I know there are some churches left somewhere who still really have a heart for Christ and to serve the people with not just a performance. But they are few and far between. I am not slapping everyone in every church. You know if you see these things in your church.
I truly believe that we live in the last days with all my heart. The bible says we will know not the hour but we will know the season. There will be a great falling away from the church. Many will be decieved into believing a lie. Signs in the heavens and earth. The blood moons prophesied and the years of Jubilee according to the Jewish calendar are all being fulfilled.
Timothy Chapter 3 states:
" But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days.People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy,without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with such people."
Timothy did not say everyone but the church would be this way. In fact he stated clearly "having a form of Godliness". Those with a heart hungry for Christ can only pray for the body. Pray for revival. Pray for the separation of wheat from chaff. Pray for those that hunger for righteousness. Pray for the lost. Pray for the broken hearted. Pray that the hearts of ones that cause so much damage in the body will be broken beyond mending and that they will turn to Christ in humility and repentance for healing.
Thursday, April 17, 2014
Worthless
I recently went through an incident in my life which left me feeling totally worthless and uncared for by people that I value. I was really absorbed in my own pity party. But I do not write to my readers as someone who has achieved some level of spiritual superiority. I write to you about my travails of the flesh and the revelations which God gives to me as I journey through this world.
As I stated earlier, I was really withdrawn and just felt like I had no value whatsoever in this world. I was really hurt and disappointed by what happened. I am a personality that had spent most of my life being a caretaker and a people pleaser. As a child I strove to make my parents proud of me. As a wife, I wanted my husband and children to be proud of me. I built a successful business more than once, developed a ministry and was involved in numerous charities. All the while I was looking for approval in the eyes of others.
One day I was sitting quietly mulling over how little I meant to these people. My thoughts were that “Every other person in the world matters in their eyes but me”.
In the quiet of that moment, a question came back to me as clear as a bell. “How much did I matter to myself?” My answer was “ I always try to put other people first. I place more value on what they want than on my own wants and needs.”
The answer came back “ Then why should I expect others to treat me any differently. Why would they not continue the standard that I set for them?"
You cannot find your value, your worth, in the eyes of any person on this earth.” As I thought on this I considered how I feel about my loved ones. I know that in the blink of an eye I would take a bullet to save one them. I would gladly lay down my life for my loved ones. But that is true of most of us. But many times because it has been so freely given, that love is expected and taken for granted as though it was an entitlement instead of a gift.
Then it came to me, if you need to find your worth in the eyes of someone else, you need only look to the cross. That love and willingness to sacrifice that I feel for my loved ones was shown to me exponentially through the eyes of Jesus. He said, “ I know your faults, your weaknesses, your trials and your heart. “ He says “Even though you may take me for granted, I love you enough to sacrifice myself for you.”
How many times have I taken Him for granted? How many times have I looked to be validated by people instead of by the only one who loved me enough to bleed and die for me? If you have people who make you feel special in your life, be grateful. But I truly believe the Lord has revealed to me through this episode of my life to not look to people. People will disappoint you even if they don’t mean to. Jesus Christ on the other hand, will always look at you through eyes of only the purest love. He has already paid the highest price because you have the highest value to Him.
Saturday, October 26, 2013
Seasons
One Sunday morning at church the pastor stood before his congregation and picked out three individuals from the crowd. He called them forward to stand in a line beginning with the youngest and ending with the oldest.
The first was a child of six. She was a small girl with curly brown hair and beautiful dark eyes. She stood there twisting and wiggling from side to side excited that she was called up but still feeling shy and self conscious. The pastor got down on one knee to be on her level.
“Honey” he asked. “ Has anyone ever really hurt you and made you really really sad?”
The little girl’s eyes widened as she looked at the preacher. “Uh huh” she answered looking very serious. The pastor placed his arm around the girl’s shoulders and asked “Can you tell me what is the baddest thing that someone ever did to you and made you very sad?
She placed a finger on her chin and appeared to be in deep thought for a moment. Then looking at the pastor she blurted “There was this boy at school. He was really big.” To emphasize her statement she reached her arm as high in the air as she could. “He was really mean. He pushed me down on the steps when I was getting off the school bus.“
“Oh that was really bad” the preacher responded.
Encouraged by his sympathy the child went on “Yeah it hurt really bad. I hurt my knee.” With that she picked up one leg to show which knee had been injured.
“Boy that was really mean of him wasn’t it” the pastor comforted.
“Yeah” she answered. Then she dropped her chin a little and spoke softly “everyone laughed at me. The preacher gave her a little hug before he spoke again.
“But look at you now” he said. She looked up puzzled. “It’s all better.” He tapped what had been her injured knee. Her eyes suddenly sparkled again as a big smile came across her face.
“Yup” she chirped as she once again began to twist and wiggle from side to side. “And that boy got in trouble.” The congregation burst into laughter.
“As well he should have” the pastor responded. The congregation continued to chuckle as the child made her way back to her seat.
The pastor then moved to the next person. He was a man in his mid to late thirties with slight wisps of gray beginning to show in his hair. The pastor had specifically chosen this man because he was aware that he was going through a particularly difficult period.
“Mike” the pastor began “You heard me ask Honey if something really bad had ever happened to her. Can you tell me if anything really bad has ever happened to you?”
The man dropped his head shaking it slowly from side to side. “Pastor, I don’t know where to begin. It seems like just one thing after another. I lost my job. My house is going into foreclosure. My kids stay in trouble. I pray and pray for God to help me get through. But as soon as he answers one prayer something else happens. I am trying. I have to believe God is going to fix it all. But it is hard. I really try though.”
The pastor placed his hand upon Mikes shoulder. “Son, you hang in there. Keep on trying. Keep on praying. God is never far away”. With that statement the pastor dismissed him to return to his seat.
Now left alone, was a frail ninety year old woman sitting in a chair at the front of the room. The pastor approached her and pulled a chair alongside her. He reached out and took her small weathered hand in his.
The sweet looking little lady cocked her head to one side and looked at the pastor. “Preacher don’t you be asking me if anything bad has ever happened to me. You don’t have enough time here for me to tell you what I’ve been through.”
With that the congregation burst into laughter. This tiny little creature that looked so vulnerable had just taken command of the situation. The pastor was caught off guard as he laughed with the congregation.
“I bet you have Sister” he chuckled. “Can you just share a little of what you have been through.”
The little woman looked deeply into his eyes and spoke with a timeless confidence. “ I have lived. I have loved. I have lost everything and gained more. I have had feasts and known hunger. I know Pain intimately. He has walked with me throughout my life. But I have known unbounded joy. I learned hope and trust for they don’t come easy. I have had blessings beyond measure. I have salvation. Above all I have a God who has proven that there is nothing He cannot deliver me from. There is no hurt he will not heal. There is no need he cannot fill. He has proven to me that I have absolutely nothing to fear.”
The atmosphere of the room was filled with the unwavering certainty in her voice. The pastor gave her a careful hug thanking her and dismissed her to return to her seat. For several moments the room was quiet.
Seasons
There is an order to all things. I am often asked “why do bad things happen to Christians. Why can’t young Christians just quickly grasp the concept of faith? And if you have enough faith doesn’t God just fix everything?”
No matter what age you are or what stage of life you may be in the hardship or tragedy you are enduring seems like the worst you have ever been through. There is no life that is not touched at some time by tragedy and repeated hardship.
The trust of the child is unquestioning but it is also unproven and is without an intimate relationship with God.
The trust of the young adult is tenuous, strained, struggling, ebbing and flowing. Compare it to exercising muscles, stretching your limits, with muscle aches as you develop strength and ability.
The final result is the life proven by Christ and our God. Confidence in Gods abiding love and steadfastness can only be gained by circumstances in which he can prove himself. There are no short cuts to becoming spiritually mature. The child cannot become the seasoned Christian without the journey through young adulthood.
As you make the journey you will find that you look back on the scar from your pain and will see that you are alright. The scar itself will be a reminder that God heals, God strengthens, and God will get you past all pain.
I can tell you without a doubt if you live long enough you will have pain, hardship, illness and tragedy. But I can also tell you that there is NOTHING my God cannot bring you through. God is a loving God. He does not bring pain to you. But He will use every hardship and suffering as an opportunity to prove His love to you and strengthen your relationship with Him. Trust Him. Seek comfort,solace, and guidance in Him in all things.
The first was a child of six. She was a small girl with curly brown hair and beautiful dark eyes. She stood there twisting and wiggling from side to side excited that she was called up but still feeling shy and self conscious. The pastor got down on one knee to be on her level.
“Honey” he asked. “ Has anyone ever really hurt you and made you really really sad?”
The little girl’s eyes widened as she looked at the preacher. “Uh huh” she answered looking very serious. The pastor placed his arm around the girl’s shoulders and asked “Can you tell me what is the baddest thing that someone ever did to you and made you very sad?
She placed a finger on her chin and appeared to be in deep thought for a moment. Then looking at the pastor she blurted “There was this boy at school. He was really big.” To emphasize her statement she reached her arm as high in the air as she could. “He was really mean. He pushed me down on the steps when I was getting off the school bus.“
“Oh that was really bad” the preacher responded.
Encouraged by his sympathy the child went on “Yeah it hurt really bad. I hurt my knee.” With that she picked up one leg to show which knee had been injured.
“Boy that was really mean of him wasn’t it” the pastor comforted.
“Yeah” she answered. Then she dropped her chin a little and spoke softly “everyone laughed at me. The preacher gave her a little hug before he spoke again.
“But look at you now” he said. She looked up puzzled. “It’s all better.” He tapped what had been her injured knee. Her eyes suddenly sparkled again as a big smile came across her face.
“Yup” she chirped as she once again began to twist and wiggle from side to side. “And that boy got in trouble.” The congregation burst into laughter.
“As well he should have” the pastor responded. The congregation continued to chuckle as the child made her way back to her seat.
The pastor then moved to the next person. He was a man in his mid to late thirties with slight wisps of gray beginning to show in his hair. The pastor had specifically chosen this man because he was aware that he was going through a particularly difficult period.
“Mike” the pastor began “You heard me ask Honey if something really bad had ever happened to her. Can you tell me if anything really bad has ever happened to you?”
The man dropped his head shaking it slowly from side to side. “Pastor, I don’t know where to begin. It seems like just one thing after another. I lost my job. My house is going into foreclosure. My kids stay in trouble. I pray and pray for God to help me get through. But as soon as he answers one prayer something else happens. I am trying. I have to believe God is going to fix it all. But it is hard. I really try though.”
The pastor placed his hand upon Mikes shoulder. “Son, you hang in there. Keep on trying. Keep on praying. God is never far away”. With that statement the pastor dismissed him to return to his seat.
Now left alone, was a frail ninety year old woman sitting in a chair at the front of the room. The pastor approached her and pulled a chair alongside her. He reached out and took her small weathered hand in his.
The sweet looking little lady cocked her head to one side and looked at the pastor. “Preacher don’t you be asking me if anything bad has ever happened to me. You don’t have enough time here for me to tell you what I’ve been through.”
With that the congregation burst into laughter. This tiny little creature that looked so vulnerable had just taken command of the situation. The pastor was caught off guard as he laughed with the congregation.
“I bet you have Sister” he chuckled. “Can you just share a little of what you have been through.”
The little woman looked deeply into his eyes and spoke with a timeless confidence. “ I have lived. I have loved. I have lost everything and gained more. I have had feasts and known hunger. I know Pain intimately. He has walked with me throughout my life. But I have known unbounded joy. I learned hope and trust for they don’t come easy. I have had blessings beyond measure. I have salvation. Above all I have a God who has proven that there is nothing He cannot deliver me from. There is no hurt he will not heal. There is no need he cannot fill. He has proven to me that I have absolutely nothing to fear.”
The atmosphere of the room was filled with the unwavering certainty in her voice. The pastor gave her a careful hug thanking her and dismissed her to return to her seat. For several moments the room was quiet.
Seasons
There is an order to all things. I am often asked “why do bad things happen to Christians. Why can’t young Christians just quickly grasp the concept of faith? And if you have enough faith doesn’t God just fix everything?”
No matter what age you are or what stage of life you may be in the hardship or tragedy you are enduring seems like the worst you have ever been through. There is no life that is not touched at some time by tragedy and repeated hardship.
The trust of the child is unquestioning but it is also unproven and is without an intimate relationship with God.
The trust of the young adult is tenuous, strained, struggling, ebbing and flowing. Compare it to exercising muscles, stretching your limits, with muscle aches as you develop strength and ability.
The final result is the life proven by Christ and our God. Confidence in Gods abiding love and steadfastness can only be gained by circumstances in which he can prove himself. There are no short cuts to becoming spiritually mature. The child cannot become the seasoned Christian without the journey through young adulthood.
As you make the journey you will find that you look back on the scar from your pain and will see that you are alright. The scar itself will be a reminder that God heals, God strengthens, and God will get you past all pain.
I can tell you without a doubt if you live long enough you will have pain, hardship, illness and tragedy. But I can also tell you that there is NOTHING my God cannot bring you through. God is a loving God. He does not bring pain to you. But He will use every hardship and suffering as an opportunity to prove His love to you and strengthen your relationship with Him. Trust Him. Seek comfort,solace, and guidance in Him in all things.
Wednesday, October 16, 2013
Inadequate
In a young ministry, you begin your mission with vision, passion and assurance that you are doing God‘s will. However in most cases as you move forward and begin to encounter disappointment it is easy to become discouraged. I have recently experienced another disappointment in our ministry which resulted in me feeling like a failure, heartbroken and inadequate.
As I prayed for guidance, I asked, “God could I have been so wrong in your direction for my life?” I questioned my ability to perform the task laid before me and even the vision itself. I prayed that afternoon for God to speak to me. I prayed for guidance and assurance that I was doing His will and not mine in His name.
A sleepless night lay ahead for me.
God reminded me that these feelings and doubts are not new. He gave me this example throughout the night.
MOSES
Most of us know who Moses was. The son of a Hebrew slave who had been adopted by Pharaoh’s daughter and eventually delivered Israel from the hand of Egypt. According to history Moses spent 40 years in the house of Pharaoh. He is described as a princely figure of a man with a commanding presence. After he killed an Egyptian taskmaster he fled to Midian.
Moses then endured 40 years of a sense of failure. He knew 40 years of rejection from not only the home in which he had grown up, but from the peoples that he had tried to embrace by his ill fated action. He has run away from facing his problem. He lives with guilt, confusion, as well as a sense of betrayal to both the mother who had nurtured him and the one who bore him. He is a coward, a criminal, and a failure.
It is odd that the bible does not mention in the early portion of Moses’ life that he had a speech problem. This is only brought to attention when God calls him to serve. Scholars have different ideas about what the true problem was. It as been widely accepted that he stuttered. Some scholars believe he had an inability to articulate certain sounds. Still others believe that he was just slow in verbal responses and not comfortable speaking to people. Regardless of which problem it was, it was a source of insecurity for him.
Yet God called him. God not only called him to a purpose but he had a one on one audience with him. This coward. This criminal. This failure who couldn’t even speak for himself was called to lead a nation. Not only was he called to lead a nation but to also confront one of the most powerful leaders in the known world. His response in paraphrase “ I am not adequate.”
Yet through God, this inadequate man lead a nation to freedom. He then led them for another 40 years through the wilderness. Many times in the 40 years he was told that he was wrong. That he was still inadequate. But he took one step at a time. He didn’t try to plan the outcome He merely took one step and then another walking in the faith that God would do what He said He would .
As I wrestled with God about this example, I whined “God you gave him a burning bush, a stick and miracles, and a helper, and …” His response was “ Yes I did. Why do I have to repeat myself?”
Asking God for reassurance every time there is disappointment is not faith. Faith is not having to have the plan laid out for you. Faith is not knowing the end result before you start. Faith is knowing you cant do it by yourself. Faith is taking that step in spite of inadequacies even if you have to carry your heavy heart in a bucket. Faith is not quitting. You can take a breather now and then. Sometimes you have to wait for God to part the seas.
So ok, I am not the best at anything. I may not even be very good at anything. But what I want to be is faithful. I may not have a PHD attached to my name but what I do have is a heart full of praise and a desire to serve.
So when the fire and passion of the vision begins to cool, find the courage to walk on faith. God honors his faithful. Fix your eyes ahead and take one step…….
As I prayed for guidance, I asked, “God could I have been so wrong in your direction for my life?” I questioned my ability to perform the task laid before me and even the vision itself. I prayed that afternoon for God to speak to me. I prayed for guidance and assurance that I was doing His will and not mine in His name.
A sleepless night lay ahead for me.
God reminded me that these feelings and doubts are not new. He gave me this example throughout the night.
MOSES
Most of us know who Moses was. The son of a Hebrew slave who had been adopted by Pharaoh’s daughter and eventually delivered Israel from the hand of Egypt. According to history Moses spent 40 years in the house of Pharaoh. He is described as a princely figure of a man with a commanding presence. After he killed an Egyptian taskmaster he fled to Midian.
Moses then endured 40 years of a sense of failure. He knew 40 years of rejection from not only the home in which he had grown up, but from the peoples that he had tried to embrace by his ill fated action. He has run away from facing his problem. He lives with guilt, confusion, as well as a sense of betrayal to both the mother who had nurtured him and the one who bore him. He is a coward, a criminal, and a failure.
It is odd that the bible does not mention in the early portion of Moses’ life that he had a speech problem. This is only brought to attention when God calls him to serve. Scholars have different ideas about what the true problem was. It as been widely accepted that he stuttered. Some scholars believe he had an inability to articulate certain sounds. Still others believe that he was just slow in verbal responses and not comfortable speaking to people. Regardless of which problem it was, it was a source of insecurity for him.
Yet God called him. God not only called him to a purpose but he had a one on one audience with him. This coward. This criminal. This failure who couldn’t even speak for himself was called to lead a nation. Not only was he called to lead a nation but to also confront one of the most powerful leaders in the known world. His response in paraphrase “ I am not adequate.”
Yet through God, this inadequate man lead a nation to freedom. He then led them for another 40 years through the wilderness. Many times in the 40 years he was told that he was wrong. That he was still inadequate. But he took one step at a time. He didn’t try to plan the outcome He merely took one step and then another walking in the faith that God would do what He said He would .
As I wrestled with God about this example, I whined “God you gave him a burning bush, a stick and miracles, and a helper, and …” His response was “ Yes I did. Why do I have to repeat myself?”
Asking God for reassurance every time there is disappointment is not faith. Faith is not having to have the plan laid out for you. Faith is not knowing the end result before you start. Faith is knowing you cant do it by yourself. Faith is taking that step in spite of inadequacies even if you have to carry your heavy heart in a bucket. Faith is not quitting. You can take a breather now and then. Sometimes you have to wait for God to part the seas.
So ok, I am not the best at anything. I may not even be very good at anything. But what I want to be is faithful. I may not have a PHD attached to my name but what I do have is a heart full of praise and a desire to serve.
So when the fire and passion of the vision begins to cool, find the courage to walk on faith. God honors his faithful. Fix your eyes ahead and take one step…….
Tuesday, October 1, 2013
HUNGER PAINS
Stephen King wrote a story some years ago about a man who the more he ate, the thinner he got. No matter how much he consumed, nothing met the needs of his body. He ate everything he could find. He went to doctors who found nothing wrong other than the man was literally starving to death.
Eventually he died from starvation.
As I prepared to go to church this morning I thought “Man my spirit is so hungry today”. It renewed my realization that there is a hunger in man that nothing but God can satisfy. It is sad that so many people are walking around with spiritual hunger pains and they don’t know what it is they are in need of.
We live in a world of excessive consumption. We are constantly consuming media, food, entertainment, excitement, drugs, alcohol, sex, and all manner of self indulgences. We absorb anything that will keep our minds and senses titillated and feeling alive as well as distracted. It is almost like a dieter who must keep busy so they don’t think about food. All the while the hunger pains gnaw at your spirit.
In the past couple of years I have become a avid student of history. I have studied the British Monarchy from its inception to present day and have noted how present day Christianity was shaped by the various king’s views. I have currently been studying in detail about the founding of our nation and the principles upon which it was established. The price paid by the separatists in England just to own a Bible and have the freedom to worship and study God’s word is not taught in our schools. It wasn’t taught to me. Instead we had a glossy picture of pilgrims with big buckles and pointy hats sailing over on ships to plant corn and have turkey with the Indians.
Our Founders recognized that it was important for not only the society as a whole, but for the individual to find strength through the gospel. It was so important that Congress commissioned the printing of bibles to be distributed to every household and to be given in all the schools in the late 1700s. Yet today, we begin spiritually depriving our children at a young age.
There is an old saying “ You don’t miss what you never had”. Children used to be raised with stories of David and Goliath or Jonah and the whale. The lessons of the bible were our inspiration and gave us heroes to emulate. Now our children emulate Spiderman, and Iron Man, while we give them the latest electronic devises available. They never know that Spiderman is nothing compared to a young boy with a sling shot and a heart for God.
Matthew chapter 4 tells us that “Man does not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God”.
Jesus fasted for 40 days.
What kind of people could we be if we were able to unplug for 40 days? No cell phone for 40 days. No internet for 40 days. Could you survive without television for 40 days? As parents, you could alter your child’s future if you took away the electronic games and television and replaced them with bible stories. Would we make wiser decisions, show more kindness, and have closer family units if we were to electronically fast 40 days? Teach your children to not be consumers of the world but of the word instead.
No house, no car, no iPad or drug, no sex or designer clothes, nothing in this world will ever give you peace. They will never give you strength in time of need. They will never give you comfort when you hurt. They can never give you good guidance and direction. They cannot give your soul salvation. Only God’s word with all its’ wonder, glory, history and truth can satisfy the hunger pains of your soul.
Stephen King wrote a story some years ago about a man who the more he ate, the thinner he got. No matter how much he consumed, nothing met the needs of his body. He ate everything he could find. He went to doctors who found nothing wrong other than the man was literally starving to death.
Eventually he died from starvation.
As I prepared to go to church this morning I thought “Man my spirit is so hungry today”. It renewed my realization that there is a hunger in man that nothing but God can satisfy. It is sad that so many people are walking around with spiritual hunger pains and they don’t know what it is they are in need of.
We live in a world of excessive consumption. We are constantly consuming media, food, entertainment, excitement, drugs, alcohol, sex, and all manner of self indulgences. We absorb anything that will keep our minds and senses titillated and feeling alive as well as distracted. It is almost like a dieter who must keep busy so they don’t think about food. All the while the hunger pains gnaw at your spirit.
In the past couple of years I have become a avid student of history. I have studied the British Monarchy from its inception to present day and have noted how present day Christianity was shaped by the various king’s views. I have currently been studying in detail about the founding of our nation and the principles upon which it was established. The price paid by the separatists in England just to own a Bible and have the freedom to worship and study God’s word is not taught in our schools. It wasn’t taught to me. Instead we had a glossy picture of pilgrims with big buckles and pointy hats sailing over on ships to plant corn and have turkey with the Indians.
Our Founders recognized that it was important for not only the society as a whole, but for the individual to find strength through the gospel. It was so important that Congress commissioned the printing of bibles to be distributed to every household and to be given in all the schools in the late 1700s. Yet today, we begin spiritually depriving our children at a young age.
There is an old saying “ You don’t miss what you never had”. Children used to be raised with stories of David and Goliath or Jonah and the whale. The lessons of the bible were our inspiration and gave us heroes to emulate. Now our children emulate Spiderman, and Iron Man, while we give them the latest electronic devises available. They never know that Spiderman is nothing compared to a young boy with a sling shot and a heart for God.
Matthew chapter 4 tells us that “Man does not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God”.
Jesus fasted for 40 days.
What kind of people could we be if we were able to unplug for 40 days? No cell phone for 40 days. No internet for 40 days. Could you survive without television for 40 days? As parents, you could alter your child’s future if you took away the electronic games and television and replaced them with bible stories. Would we make wiser decisions, show more kindness, and have closer family units if we were to electronically fast 40 days? Teach your children to not be consumers of the world but of the word instead.
No house, no car, no iPad or drug, no sex or designer clothes, nothing in this world will ever give you peace. They will never give you strength in time of need. They will never give you comfort when you hurt. They can never give you good guidance and direction. They cannot give your soul salvation. Only God’s word with all its’ wonder, glory, history and truth can satisfy the hunger pains of your soul.
Saturday, July 27, 2013
The Dressing Room
I have heard sermons preached about the difficulty and discomfort of having to wait upon the Lord at various times in our lives. It has been compared to hospital waiting rooms with all of the anxiety, stress, pain, along with a multitude of other issues we must accept while in the waiting room before a situation can be made better. However I have never heard anyone discuss “The Dressing Room”.
The Church is described as the glorious bride of Christ which He, the Savior will return and claim in an instant. I want to offer a perspective on this truth that I have not heard anyone talk about.
In order to have a bride, we must first have a proposal. Christ has proposed to His body through His sacrifice and offered us the most wonderful invitation to be with Him forever in the presence of our all mighty God.
Just as a marriage vow states “for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health, till death do us part” Christ has vowed to us, his bride, only without the poorer, the sickness and the death. Once you say “yes” to Christ and accept salvation just as a new fiancé, there is a future ahead of you to plan for.
As a new fiancé you can cheat yourself of all that is offered to you. You can try to do things the quick and easy way figuring the end result is the same. But any bride can tell you that the justice of the peace is no comparison to the beauty and significance found in a wedding gown, a church, a minister and witnesses. If you recognize your status as the bride of the King of all Kings, you will want to do things right. Even if you felt unworthy of the grandeur, He, the King is entitled to and deserving of only the best.
So you begin the long process. You first begin to study everything you can find on the proper planning of the event. You read books, you talk to experts, and you enlist the aid and advice of family and friends. You taste cakes. You look at colors, flowers, dresses, people, rings and listen to dozens of songs. Slowly through a long process in which you are faced with a multitude of confusing choices you begin to form a definitive vision.
There are numerous times throughout the process that you feel overwhelmed and consider giving up. Nothing goes as planned. You at times question your decisions, even the commitment itself. But somewhere in the chaos you find a quiet moment in which you find the embrace of your betrothed. It is in that moment that you know there is nothing you would not endure for an eternity embraced In His love.
Our lives are like the planning process full of choices, disappointments, and stress. But it is only the process. We have to find that quiet moment with the betrothed to renew our reason and our passion for the decision. It is also important to be careful in whom you choose for your bridal party. The bride should have close associations with those who will aid in her journey, encourage her and remind her of who she really is.
Then after what will seem like an eternity of working, studying, planning, and preparing, the day will arrive. There will be no waiting room. There will be the dressing room.
The bride on that day does not look back. She no longer concerns herself with decisions of the past. What she feels this day is a mix of anticipation, longing, love and a little fear. The butterflies flit back and forth inside with little nagging doubts. Will he change his mind at the last minute? Will he finally see me for the flawed person I really am and decide I am not good enough to be accepted? Can he really love me so much?
With nervous and excited hands she does her makeup. Every hair must be carefully placed. Her jewels have been chosen with the utmost care. The wedding dress is the most exquisite gown anyone has ever seen. At this moment she overlooks no detail. All she has to offer him at the end of this long process is herself and her heart. She will present him with only her best.
So I want to ask you. Where are you?
Are you right now preparing yourself to give only your best to Christ? Have you spent the time to prepare for the most important day of your life? Or have you not even accepted the proposal and are still walking alone with an uncertain future?
I personally want to only offer my very best. The butterflies stay in my stomach. But I find those quiet moments in which He reassures me of his love. Don’t cheat yourself of the wonder and glory He has planned for you. Don’t diminish the importance of who he is by not properly preparing yourself. And if you have not accepted His proposal, reach out to Him and know his love. There is nothing that can fill the soul, heal the hurts, and give purpose to life like the love of Christ.
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