God doesn't hold grudges.
This is so incredible because we have almost no frame of reference in our lives to understand this. We live in a world dominated by grudges and resentment. The concept of retribution or payback is almost a national treasure. The injured party sneers at the offender saying, "Remember, what goes around comes around."But God speaks into this world a message of forgiveness. It is stunning in both its simplicity and impact. Imagine a world where grudges aren't carried and resentments aren't treated like precious cargo.
Forgiveness is not something to be taken lightly. A friend's wife passed away after twenty years of marriage. On her deathbed, she tearfully let him know she met someone online and had several affairs earlier in their marriage. The double whammy of pain was overwhelming for him. He spent months in the darkness of his room, feeling he had no reason to live. Into this shadowy existence, two truths emerged. First, he realized that his sins toward God were greater than her sins toward him. If he was to accept God's forgiveness, then he in turn had to forgive her. Second, he discovered that extending forgiveness didn't in any way mean that he was validating or justifying her actions. He forgave, because he had been forgiven.
Matt 5:7 "Blessed is he who is merciful; he will receive mercy."
God doesn't forgive in order to fix messy situations; he forgives because of who he is. It is his merciful nature. It is my desire to be like him--extending forgiveness and mercy rather than holding grudges whenever someone does something hurtful.
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
The Rudder
What is most valuable to God? You and I are. First, he created us, and then he redeemed (or purchased) us, though it cost him the life of his Son, Jesus. A sinless life in exchange for our sins. This profound act is what determines our value now--and for all eternity.
When the Titanic began to sink, many wealthy passengers began to scoop up their jewels and cash. One individual, faced with the dilemma of what to bring with her, looked at her jewelry box--then passed it over for a bowl of fruit. Her values were instantly reversed because of her circumstances.
In 2003, San Diego experienced multiple fires that raced from the mountains to the sea in a spectacularly devastating day. We lived on a knoll taking embers, even though the fires were still miles away. The time came for voluntary evacuation so we grabbed the family photos, and some important documents. Luckily, the fires missed us.
The Bible describes an upside-down kingdom. A place where values are reversed: the poor are rich, the weak are strong, the last are first, and the valueless become valuable.
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matt%205:%203-16&version=NLT
When the Titanic began to sink, many wealthy passengers began to scoop up their jewels and cash. One individual, faced with the dilemma of what to bring with her, looked at her jewelry box--then passed it over for a bowl of fruit. Her values were instantly reversed because of her circumstances.
In 2003, San Diego experienced multiple fires that raced from the mountains to the sea in a spectacularly devastating day. We lived on a knoll taking embers, even though the fires were still miles away. The time came for voluntary evacuation so we grabbed the family photos, and some important documents. Luckily, the fires missed us.
The Bible describes an upside-down kingdom. A place where values are reversed: the poor are rich, the weak are strong, the last are first, and the valueless become valuable.
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matt%205:%203-16&version=NLT
The Rudder
When I was in junior high, my three closest friends decided to play a trick on me. Throughout an entire day of school (and we were all together every minute of the day) they avoided me, disregarded my comments, wouldn't acknowledge me when I spoke, and generally pretended I didn't exist. I went from being one of the inner circle to feeling overwhelmingly rejected. Walking home from school all alone (instead of with them) I felt as if I had no worth. I reached my house in tears, only to find my friends jumping out of the bushes screaming "Surprise! This was 'Invisible Day.' We made you invisible today!"
What I felt that day was total and devastating rejection--a feeling that follows many today. But God's Word tells me I am accepted by the Creator of the universe and washed clean in his grace. And I'm here to tell you that acceptance is more powerful than rejection. God invites us his inner circle--which feels much, much better than the one created and collapsed by three teenage boys.
Knowing that so many "feel invisible"The next few blogs will focus on the beatitudes from Matt 5 and 6. How our relationships can be helped or harmed just in how we apply right responses and right routines as we set out to rehab relationships as we study some biblical principles.
Let us not grow weary doing good especially to those in God's family. For in due time we will reap blessings if we don't give up hope or lose faith! Galatians 6:9,10.
What I felt that day was total and devastating rejection--a feeling that follows many today. But God's Word tells me I am accepted by the Creator of the universe and washed clean in his grace. And I'm here to tell you that acceptance is more powerful than rejection. God invites us his inner circle--which feels much, much better than the one created and collapsed by three teenage boys.
Knowing that so many "feel invisible"The next few blogs will focus on the beatitudes from Matt 5 and 6. How our relationships can be helped or harmed just in how we apply right responses and right routines as we set out to rehab relationships as we study some biblical principles.
Let us not grow weary doing good especially to those in God's family. For in due time we will reap blessings if we don't give up hope or lose faith! Galatians 6:9,10.
The Rudder
My first year in College, I read a quote from Brooke Shields about morality. Her philosophy at that time was that if something felt right to her, then it must be right for her to do. I liked that idea! I could do whatever I wanted as long as it felt right to me. Deep inside, I knew this was faulty thinking from growing up in a churchy environ, but I turned to it again and again, making some really bad decisions because of it.
I can't live by my own compass and standards because they will continually change. God's standards never change and we find those standards in the Bible. By the time I read Brooke Shield's quote I had read through the Bible on my own. I had also heard scripture every week in church. I had even though I had uttered some prayers as a kid many years earlier.
The Bible tells me that I have to do what God's Word says, not just listen to it. And that was exactly where my disconnect was. I was listening to God's Word, wanting to know what it had to say, but I didn't want it to direct how I lived my life. I thought happiness would come from following my own desires. Instead, true happiness comes from studying God's Word and letting the Holy Spirit lead me in the right direction.
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=James%201:22&version=NLT
I can't live by my own compass and standards because they will continually change. God's standards never change and we find those standards in the Bible. By the time I read Brooke Shield's quote I had read through the Bible on my own. I had also heard scripture every week in church. I had even though I had uttered some prayers as a kid many years earlier.
The Bible tells me that I have to do what God's Word says, not just listen to it. And that was exactly where my disconnect was. I was listening to God's Word, wanting to know what it had to say, but I didn't want it to direct how I lived my life. I thought happiness would come from following my own desires. Instead, true happiness comes from studying God's Word and letting the Holy Spirit lead me in the right direction.
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=James%201:22&version=NLT
The Rudder
I have a couple pilot friends that have said they learn about the dangers of spatial disorientation early in their training. This can occur when flying in conditions with limited or no visibility, such as in fog. Without the horizon for a visual reference, you can lose your sense of up and down. Your body sends your brain false messages that misinterpret reality. Pilots have flown their planes into the ground or into mountains while thinking everything was just fine. To counter this, pilots learn that in bad weather they must not focus on the conditions outside, but instead focus on their flight instruments to get them to their destination safely.
I've found that the world around me can obscure my vision and make me believe that I've got to have the right house, or the right car, or the right clothes in order to have status and value. I can be lured into putting my trust in the stock or housing market, retirement portfolio, or a career that I've had for many years. When I focus on the wrong things, I can enter the danger zone.
Jesus tells us to seek first his kingdom and righteousness. We accomplish this by talking to God in prayer, reading and obeying the Bible, and through fellowship with other followers of Christ. These are our flight instruments and they will keep us on the right course--even on foggy days.
I've found that the world around me can obscure my vision and make me believe that I've got to have the right house, or the right car, or the right clothes in order to have status and value. I can be lured into putting my trust in the stock or housing market, retirement portfolio, or a career that I've had for many years. When I focus on the wrong things, I can enter the danger zone.
Jesus tells us to seek first his kingdom and righteousness. We accomplish this by talking to God in prayer, reading and obeying the Bible, and through fellowship with other followers of Christ. These are our flight instruments and they will keep us on the right course--even on foggy days.
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
The Rudder
I've read this verse dozens of times; Ephesians 2:10 "We are his workmanship created for good works in Christ."
I've always read it, said yeah uh huh, and gone to the next verse. This morning I started thinking about what it really means. Workmanship is a work in progress...1 Peter 1 talks about all our trials test our faith and that they are a refining process for us. Sometimes even people and events are the sand paper God uses to rub off my rough edges.
God is the potter, I am the clay. I still remember Kindergarten, and working with clay; I made a whale, an owl and a pin holder for my mom's sewing machine. The clay when moist and pliable was much easier to work with than the dried out, crusty, set in it's ways clay. The crusty stuff had to be broken and mixed with water for it to be moldable again.
In life, many times it takes getting broken before the masterpiece can be molded. Yes, it can be stressful, and sometimes may have questions as to the "why" when the Master is done, only then can others see the masterpiece he is creating with us. Our responsibility is to remain malleable so the vessel can be used for good works.
I've always read it, said yeah uh huh, and gone to the next verse. This morning I started thinking about what it really means. Workmanship is a work in progress...1 Peter 1 talks about all our trials test our faith and that they are a refining process for us. Sometimes even people and events are the sand paper God uses to rub off my rough edges.
God is the potter, I am the clay. I still remember Kindergarten, and working with clay; I made a whale, an owl and a pin holder for my mom's sewing machine. The clay when moist and pliable was much easier to work with than the dried out, crusty, set in it's ways clay. The crusty stuff had to be broken and mixed with water for it to be moldable again.
In life, many times it takes getting broken before the masterpiece can be molded. Yes, it can be stressful, and sometimes may have questions as to the "why" when the Master is done, only then can others see the masterpiece he is creating with us. Our responsibility is to remain malleable so the vessel can be used for good works.
Thursday, September 17, 2009
One of the things I love so much up here in N. GA is the beauty of nature. When I wake before the sun comes up, get my coffee and head outside, many times it's just mind boggling how all this was created for us. Who are we that God would do such a thing?
Yet when I get to that place where I am caught up in the glory, wonder and mystery of his awesome love for me, I can't help but be amazed and know he is with me every step of my life. It's just crazy!
As you view the vid below realize his desire for an intimate relationship with you.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=74CNUExD4I8
Yet when I get to that place where I am caught up in the glory, wonder and mystery of his awesome love for me, I can't help but be amazed and know he is with me every step of my life. It's just crazy!
As you view the vid below realize his desire for an intimate relationship with you.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=74CNUExD4I8
The Rudder
I once heard Zig Zigler say "Your attitude determines your altitude." While that's a great motivational soundbite, it isn't neccesarily true at all times is it? I guess it depends on perspective though. If viewed through the filter of earthly belongings, then it can be a false statement. If however, it is viewed through the magnifying glass of our relationship in Christ then it's 100%true.
What attitude should we as Christians have toward life and the things in this world? What kind of attitude should we have when prayers aren't answered quickly enough by our standards?
In tough times, our character is developed and God causes us to grow on the inside. If he delivered us instantaneously every time we encounter a problem, we'd never need faith?
Ps 37:23 says "The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord, and he delights in our path." If God is directing our steps, surely we can be confident he is aware of all our circumstances! Therefore our attitude can be one of thankfulness and confidence, knowing that behind the scenes he's working all things out for his glory to those of us who are called to his purpose.
What attitude should we as Christians have toward life and the things in this world? What kind of attitude should we have when prayers aren't answered quickly enough by our standards?
In tough times, our character is developed and God causes us to grow on the inside. If he delivered us instantaneously every time we encounter a problem, we'd never need faith?
Ps 37:23 says "The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord, and he delights in our path." If God is directing our steps, surely we can be confident he is aware of all our circumstances! Therefore our attitude can be one of thankfulness and confidence, knowing that behind the scenes he's working all things out for his glory to those of us who are called to his purpose.
Monday, September 7, 2009
The Rudder
Anyone who has seen the opening scene of "Saving Private Ryan" will agree with me that the first ten minutes are the most intense, if not realistic battle scene ever put to film. The first time I saw it, I was ducking for cover, I was sweating-I almost thought I was there. Evidently, some of the men who were actually there at the invasion, saw the movie and they had tears of remembrance, streaming down their faces it was so realistic.
I have heard stories about D-Day, and read about it in history books, I have a good understanding of what the Allies were trying to accomplish with the mission. It was about good trouncing evil. The price was high in lives, but it was something that had to be done. It wasn't until I semi experienced it through the movie that the head knowledge hit home to have an inkling of heart knowledge.
They say, the longest distance is from your head to your heart. For so many years I had head knowledge; between going to church and attending a Christian High School, I was full of the knowledge of God and of why Jesus came, and agreed that was all neat and cool, but it had nothing to do with my heart. But once that God sized void in my heart was filled, only then did I really know the difference.
I have heard stories about D-Day, and read about it in history books, I have a good understanding of what the Allies were trying to accomplish with the mission. It was about good trouncing evil. The price was high in lives, but it was something that had to be done. It wasn't until I semi experienced it through the movie that the head knowledge hit home to have an inkling of heart knowledge.
They say, the longest distance is from your head to your heart. For so many years I had head knowledge; between going to church and attending a Christian High School, I was full of the knowledge of God and of why Jesus came, and agreed that was all neat and cool, but it had nothing to do with my heart. But once that God sized void in my heart was filled, only then did I really know the difference.
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