I don't know if anyone has seen or heard the news recently - but things aren't so positive lately. The stock market fell below 8000 points yesterday, the auto industry is facing bankruptcy, retail stores are already starting to complain about how slow the holiday season is going to be, and market analysts are saying that millions of people will be laid off of work starting the first of the year. Throw in the "regular" news about traffic accidents, rapes, and homicides and the news is practically a sure setup for depression. In fact, I think that if people actually started getting depressed because of the news, the news would cover that story.
The kicker for me this year is the news about the finances - especially in the midst of the upcoming christmas season. Why is so much emphasis being placed on the financial crisis of this nation at a time when we are supposed to be remembering the greatest gift that we have ever recieved? Why is the news so blatently negative a mere week before thanksgiving?...a time when we are supposed to be giving thanks for all that we have and praise and honor to the Lord.
Why is there constant grumbling among everyone? Have we really turned money and finances into our god in this nation? I fear that we have.
The Lord's first commandment to the people of Israel, and perhaps the greatest commandment in the bible - "You shall have NO other gods before Me."
Maybe its just me - but having NO other gods before God means that God makes the top story on the news each night. Why not put a positive and encouraging news story first on the news? Does anyone realize that the two of the Huisman candidates for 2008 are solid Christian athletes? Or what about the positive story of a church in Ohio that has completely stocked the local food bank in thier local town for the remainder of the year?
Lord,
Help us to keep YOU as our top priority in life. Its so easy for us to get caught up in the daily symantecs of life - and often place things like our finances or our busy schedule ahead of You. We love You Jesus, and we apologize if our sinful nature gets in the way of that Love sometimes. In this Holiday season filled with busy schedules and gift giving, we ask that You remind us daily to keep You as the center of our life. Adjust our attitudes to one of thankfulness and praise to You Lord.
Amen
Grace & Peace
-J
11.20.2008
11.04.2008
Trust...
Well America, we have a new president for the next 4 years. There are a lot of people out there who are very excited about this - and I can totally see why. Senator Obama has got some wonderful plans for restoring strength in America's economy, and caring for the citizens.
I, however am not very excited...I am skeptical. I don't feel like Barack Obama has proved to me or the rest of America that he is in touch with Jesus Christ, and I am not sure if he is ready to lead this nation according to the will of Jesus Christ. Are we seriously ready to be led by a man who may be Muslim? Or Athiest?
We've asked God out of our schools already, and there are many who say that God shouldn't be in the constitution, or on our currency. It seems to me that if we ask HIM to leave us, that he will.
I am trying to look at this situation like one of the Israelites being led out of Egypt under Moses. Can you imagine being asked to leave the comfortable life that you've been used to for so long - and journey through the desert to a promised land? Even though times were rough and you were a slave - being asked to wander in the desert for 40 years would not come as something that I would easily accept.
Still, those people had trust - trust that Moses was going to lead them through the thick and the thin, and trust that God had a plan for HIS people and that he would not harm them.
I am trusting that God has a plan for the United States - and that Barack Obama is part of God's plan. I am praying that God has not left this great nation already, but that he is working in mysterious ways to execute his master plan.
Lord,
You're so Faithful to us - over and over again, when we doubt you, you still come through for us. Thank you for your faithfulness, and for your Love.
Lord, despite our unfaithfulness to you, please choose to not leave the Country of the United States of America. Please continue to dwell in the hearts of those that dwell in this great land.
We love You Lord, and we ask that You continue to execute your master plan for the Unites States and its citizens.
Amen.
I, however am not very excited...I am skeptical. I don't feel like Barack Obama has proved to me or the rest of America that he is in touch with Jesus Christ, and I am not sure if he is ready to lead this nation according to the will of Jesus Christ. Are we seriously ready to be led by a man who may be Muslim? Or Athiest?
We've asked God out of our schools already, and there are many who say that God shouldn't be in the constitution, or on our currency. It seems to me that if we ask HIM to leave us, that he will.
I am trying to look at this situation like one of the Israelites being led out of Egypt under Moses. Can you imagine being asked to leave the comfortable life that you've been used to for so long - and journey through the desert to a promised land? Even though times were rough and you were a slave - being asked to wander in the desert for 40 years would not come as something that I would easily accept.
Still, those people had trust - trust that Moses was going to lead them through the thick and the thin, and trust that God had a plan for HIS people and that he would not harm them.
I am trusting that God has a plan for the United States - and that Barack Obama is part of God's plan. I am praying that God has not left this great nation already, but that he is working in mysterious ways to execute his master plan.
Lord,
You're so Faithful to us - over and over again, when we doubt you, you still come through for us. Thank you for your faithfulness, and for your Love.
Lord, despite our unfaithfulness to you, please choose to not leave the Country of the United States of America. Please continue to dwell in the hearts of those that dwell in this great land.
We love You Lord, and we ask that You continue to execute your master plan for the Unites States and its citizens.
Amen.
9.15.2008
Significance...
Do you feel like your life has significance? Do you feel like what you do every day, your interactions with people, and your contributions carry some significance?
I was challenged by this question tonight at BSF.
What is significance? Is significance climbing the corporate ladder at work? Is it in the car that you drive, or the house that you live in? Is it in the friends and family that you hang out with? Is it in social functions that you attend? Is it in the size of your bank account or investment portfolio? Maybe significance is found in setting some professional sports record? Or could it be in passing on a legacy of honoring Christ and service to others to friends and family?
There is an elderly woman who goes to our church that I know of - she's maybe 85 or 90 years old, and she is in Church every Sunday. But you know what the amazing thing is? Her kids are in church with her every Sunday, and her grand kids are in Church with her every Sunday, and she just had a great grand child - and he is also in Church with them every Sunday. THAT is a legacy to leave behind.
In Exodus 1, we learn about 2 midwives who disobeyed the order of King Pharaoh to kill all first born Israelite males because they FEARED God. The leader of the free world ordered these women to kill the firstborn male from any Israelite, and because these 2 women feared God, they didn't do it. And you know what? The Lord blessed them - by giving them families of their own, and putting their names in the bible. That's pretty cool - these two women just obeyed God one time and they got a shout out in the Bible. THAT is a legacy to leave behind.
For me, my life is significant when I can positively impact those around me for the building of Christ's kingdom.
I was challenged by this question tonight at BSF.
What is significance? Is significance climbing the corporate ladder at work? Is it in the car that you drive, or the house that you live in? Is it in the friends and family that you hang out with? Is it in social functions that you attend? Is it in the size of your bank account or investment portfolio? Maybe significance is found in setting some professional sports record? Or could it be in passing on a legacy of honoring Christ and service to others to friends and family?
There is an elderly woman who goes to our church that I know of - she's maybe 85 or 90 years old, and she is in Church every Sunday. But you know what the amazing thing is? Her kids are in church with her every Sunday, and her grand kids are in Church with her every Sunday, and she just had a great grand child - and he is also in Church with them every Sunday. THAT is a legacy to leave behind.
In Exodus 1, we learn about 2 midwives who disobeyed the order of King Pharaoh to kill all first born Israelite males because they FEARED God. The leader of the free world ordered these women to kill the firstborn male from any Israelite, and because these 2 women feared God, they didn't do it. And you know what? The Lord blessed them - by giving them families of their own, and putting their names in the bible. That's pretty cool - these two women just obeyed God one time and they got a shout out in the Bible. THAT is a legacy to leave behind.
For me, my life is significant when I can positively impact those around me for the building of Christ's kingdom.
9.09.2008
Listening...
You ever get that feeling like God is trying to tell you something? Somehow through all your conversations and interactions you are being sent a message? You feel like God is tapping you on the shoulder and saying "you seem to have gotten a little off track with my plan - if you could follow me, that would be great."
Ever feel like God's path doesn't quite align with your desires?
I picture a very friendly looking park ranger who ever so gently points you in the right direction when you get too far off the beaten path, and too close to danger. You know - like you're hiking in some remote location and you decide to wander on a little side excursion - but you get just a little too close to the bear mating area and so the park ranger kindly reminds you that you need to return to a more tourist friendly area.
But pretend with me for a second that you are a bear photographer, and you want to get closer to the mating bears. Only you don't realize that the park ranger has webcams all throughout the park and can see your every move. You start heading toward the bears to capture some pictures for national geographic - even though the park ranger told you not to.
Is it right for that park ranger to pull out his revolver and threaten you to return back to the path or face arrest, or should he let you go take pictures of the bears and get maulled?
Fortunately God doesn't carry a revolver right?
All silly anecdotes aside, sometimes it hurts when God re-aligns us with his plan. Sometimes our own agenda's don't get played out the way we thought in our heads. Its hard to trust that God's plan is ultimately best for us - especially when life doesn't really seem that bad. Truth is - God's got the 40,000 foot view of our lives and we don't. We may be able to accurately forecast our lives a day or two, or maybe if we're really good, a month in advance - but there is no way that we know what is going to happen years down the road like God does.
My prayer for when I feel like I am being re-aligned...
Lord, help me to realize your plan for my life. Show me very clear signs for the direction that you want me to go - and help me to realize whether those signs are from you or not. Forgive me for straying off your path for my life, and excuse my stubbornness when it comes time to get back on your path. Hold my hand, and walk with me Lord.
Ever feel like God's path doesn't quite align with your desires?
I picture a very friendly looking park ranger who ever so gently points you in the right direction when you get too far off the beaten path, and too close to danger. You know - like you're hiking in some remote location and you decide to wander on a little side excursion - but you get just a little too close to the bear mating area and so the park ranger kindly reminds you that you need to return to a more tourist friendly area.
But pretend with me for a second that you are a bear photographer, and you want to get closer to the mating bears. Only you don't realize that the park ranger has webcams all throughout the park and can see your every move. You start heading toward the bears to capture some pictures for national geographic - even though the park ranger told you not to.
Is it right for that park ranger to pull out his revolver and threaten you to return back to the path or face arrest, or should he let you go take pictures of the bears and get maulled?
Fortunately God doesn't carry a revolver right?
All silly anecdotes aside, sometimes it hurts when God re-aligns us with his plan. Sometimes our own agenda's don't get played out the way we thought in our heads. Its hard to trust that God's plan is ultimately best for us - especially when life doesn't really seem that bad. Truth is - God's got the 40,000 foot view of our lives and we don't. We may be able to accurately forecast our lives a day or two, or maybe if we're really good, a month in advance - but there is no way that we know what is going to happen years down the road like God does.
My prayer for when I feel like I am being re-aligned...
Lord, help me to realize your plan for my life. Show me very clear signs for the direction that you want me to go - and help me to realize whether those signs are from you or not. Forgive me for straying off your path for my life, and excuse my stubbornness when it comes time to get back on your path. Hold my hand, and walk with me Lord.
9.08.2008
Here we go...
So tonight kicks off a second year of Bible Study Fellowship (BSF) for me. I am truly looking forward to it. This summer has been remarkable to say the least for me, but I am very glad to be getting into the fall season and back to BSF.
Last year nearly 400 guys from the south suburbs completed an in depth study of the book of Matthew - the life and times of Jesus. It was very humbling, and it seemed to be jammed packed full of awe inspiring insights. This year, we are going to be traversing the life and times of Moses from the Old Testament. I am very much so looking forward to it.
For those of you who may be interested in a men's bible study - I highly recommend you check out BSF. www.bsfinternational.com
Last year nearly 400 guys from the south suburbs completed an in depth study of the book of Matthew - the life and times of Jesus. It was very humbling, and it seemed to be jammed packed full of awe inspiring insights. This year, we are going to be traversing the life and times of Moses from the Old Testament. I am very much so looking forward to it.
For those of you who may be interested in a men's bible study - I highly recommend you check out BSF. www.bsfinternational.com
9.04.2008
Uncharted Territory
So I have entered uncharted territory this week. I am now 26 years old, and I don't think I have ever gone 7 consecutive days in a row of reading my bible. There, I confessed it...I actually feel a little better.
Seriously though - I claim to follow God's word on a regular basis - yet I don't read God's word on a regular basis. How can this be? Well, this week I set out to read my Bible every day for seven consecutive days. I started Sunday night when I went to bed - and I am hoping I can get through Saturday night, reading each day.
I opened up the book of Nehemiah in the Old Testament to begin my reading this week. I was listening to the radio last week and I heard bits and peices of a sermon from the book of Nehemiah - and so it intrigued me to read the whole book. Not uber enthusiastic stuff - but God is working through it.
I know in the past I've encouraged people who were going through rough times to read through the bible. They always look at me like "what?" or "what should I read in the bible." Truth be told, its difficult - where do you start. Seems like I've been starting in the beginning for years and I never quite make it through to the end. I'm learning that it doesn't matter where you read. My buddy Ken tells me to read through the bible slowly - and try to truly understand and absorb what you are reading. I think for me - this works. If I can read through a passage slowly, and maybe even multiple times - I can absorb it. And although it may not seem to have relativity in my life at the current time - God always works through what I read - whether it be the next day, a week later or a month later. Kinda makes you realize the importance of memorizing all of those memory verses as an elementary school student huh?
Thats it, I'm reading the bible for 7 days straight this week. I might stop after 7 days, or I might continue. Pastor James McDonald layed out a pretty good challenge for his listeners - the 3 D's of reading the bible. He promises that if you can read the bible for 120 days straight you will experience the following -
Discipline - the first 40 days will be work - and it may not seem fun.
Delight - the next 40 days will be easier - and you will delight in reading the bible.
Desire - the final 40 days, you will be reading the bible out of a desire to grow.
Grace & Peace,
-J
Seriously though - I claim to follow God's word on a regular basis - yet I don't read God's word on a regular basis. How can this be? Well, this week I set out to read my Bible every day for seven consecutive days. I started Sunday night when I went to bed - and I am hoping I can get through Saturday night, reading each day.
I opened up the book of Nehemiah in the Old Testament to begin my reading this week. I was listening to the radio last week and I heard bits and peices of a sermon from the book of Nehemiah - and so it intrigued me to read the whole book. Not uber enthusiastic stuff - but God is working through it.
I know in the past I've encouraged people who were going through rough times to read through the bible. They always look at me like "what?" or "what should I read in the bible." Truth be told, its difficult - where do you start. Seems like I've been starting in the beginning for years and I never quite make it through to the end. I'm learning that it doesn't matter where you read. My buddy Ken tells me to read through the bible slowly - and try to truly understand and absorb what you are reading. I think for me - this works. If I can read through a passage slowly, and maybe even multiple times - I can absorb it. And although it may not seem to have relativity in my life at the current time - God always works through what I read - whether it be the next day, a week later or a month later. Kinda makes you realize the importance of memorizing all of those memory verses as an elementary school student huh?
Thats it, I'm reading the bible for 7 days straight this week. I might stop after 7 days, or I might continue. Pastor James McDonald layed out a pretty good challenge for his listeners - the 3 D's of reading the bible. He promises that if you can read the bible for 120 days straight you will experience the following -
Discipline - the first 40 days will be work - and it may not seem fun.
Delight - the next 40 days will be easier - and you will delight in reading the bible.
Desire - the final 40 days, you will be reading the bible out of a desire to grow.
Grace & Peace,
-J
9.03.2008
You Don't Know?!?!
Tonight, I was watching "America's Got Talent" (AGT) on NBC. For those of you who don't know, AGT is a show much like American Idol - but with a wide variety of acts and no limit on age. The show has 3 judges; Piers Morgan, Sharon Osbourne and David Hasselhoff, and is hosted by Jerry Springer.
Tonight on AGT, there was a young girl, dressed like a princess who came out and sang "What a Wonderful World." I'm pretty sure it absolutely melted the hearts of everyone who watched it. She kinda had a bit of a lisp, and couldn't really pronounce the letter 'r' in words. It was very cute.
Immediately following her reviews by the three judges, Jerry Springer walked over and blatantly said to the young girl: "I don't know if I'm going to heaven or not, but if I make it there I picture all of the angels to look just like you."
Now, the fact that Jerry Springer was laying some pretty thick sap on like a 4 year old girl didn't alarm me that much - it was the comment about him not knowing whether or not he was going to heaven. How can you not know? Jerry Springer is a major television talkshow host - this is not someone who has been living under a rock for the past 50 years. Seriously?
I'm not upset, I'm sad. I mean, I want to call Jerry Springer and ask him - "Jerry! Do you want to be sure?" I'm sad because I think there are TONS of people out there like that. Jerry Springer is an intelligent person, and I am sure he's had tons of people write him and tell him the way that he can be sure - but what about the millions of Americans that feel the same way that Jerry does?
Tonight on AGT, there was a young girl, dressed like a princess who came out and sang "What a Wonderful World." I'm pretty sure it absolutely melted the hearts of everyone who watched it. She kinda had a bit of a lisp, and couldn't really pronounce the letter 'r' in words. It was very cute.
Immediately following her reviews by the three judges, Jerry Springer walked over and blatantly said to the young girl: "I don't know if I'm going to heaven or not, but if I make it there I picture all of the angels to look just like you."
Now, the fact that Jerry Springer was laying some pretty thick sap on like a 4 year old girl didn't alarm me that much - it was the comment about him not knowing whether or not he was going to heaven. How can you not know? Jerry Springer is a major television talkshow host - this is not someone who has been living under a rock for the past 50 years. Seriously?
I'm not upset, I'm sad. I mean, I want to call Jerry Springer and ask him - "Jerry! Do you want to be sure?" I'm sad because I think there are TONS of people out there like that. Jerry Springer is an intelligent person, and I am sure he's had tons of people write him and tell him the way that he can be sure - but what about the millions of Americans that feel the same way that Jerry does?
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