Monday, December 31, 2012

Banished Words

I can't help but comment.  Apparently, there are some words that are being "banished" from our every day conversations.  The words are being rejected for misuse, overuse, or general uselessness. True, the banished words are from a non-binding list created by Michigan's Lake Superior State University.  The suggested words come from surveys and suggestions primarily from the United States and Canada.  Some of the suggested words are: fiscal cliff, superfood, guru, and spoiler alert.

The creators of this tongue-in-cheek decree are not the first to identify words that should be banished from our conversations.  The apostle Paul wrote: "Let no unwholesome or corrupt words proceed from your mouth.  But only such a word that is good for edification, according to the need for the moment, that you may bring grace to the hearer."  The words that we speak should be edifying, appropriate at the time, and gracious. What words do you need to banish from your conversations?  What edifying, timely, and gracious words do you need to add to your conversations?

Think about it.

New Year's Resolve

It's been since May 2012 that I've written anything on this page.  I'm totally humiliated. It all started with such good intentions!  I can't explain what happened.  May turned into June, June turned into December, and now here we are in the last few hours of 2012.  Maybe it was misplaced priorities, or laziness, or indifference.  I don't know?  Likely a combination of all these, but I have resolved to try again to be consistent with writing on this page.  So...with a new determination, enthusiasm, and in keeping with the tradition of every new year, a definite resolution...I begin again to write, for certainly the time is now and near.

Six relevant questions to ask for 2013:

What's one thing that you can do this year to increase your enjoyment of God?

How will you best use your influence for His glory this year?

What one thing could you do to improve your prayer life this year?

What one thing could you do to improve your appreciation and understanding of the Bible this year?

What is the most helpful new way you could strengthen and benefit your friendships this year?

Who is the best person for you to practically and tangibly demonstrate true forgiveness toward this year?

Thursday, May 31, 2012

Your Character is What You Are

Someone has said character is what you are when nobody is looking.  In other words, our inner character determines our outward lives.  This is why it is so essential that we guard and develop our inner life.  Proverbs 4:23 reminds us; "Above all else, guard your heart with all vigilance, for from it flows the springs of life." What does this mean? How do we develop our character?  First, this means that we should be aware of the wrong attitudes, bitterness, anger, lust, pride, greed, self-righteousness, and a whole host of other sins that can take root in our inner character and bear fruit (exhibit) themselves in our outer lives.  Second, we should develop our character by never letting the seeds of these specific sins lie in our hearts for too long (this is how they take root).  We should moment-by-moment confess our sins.  We should immediately turn from (repent) of these sins, forsake them, and live in the assurance of forgiveness (1 John 1:9). Third, we should develop our character by creating the habit of daily Bible intake.  Fourth, we should also learn to "pray without ceasing" (1 Thessalonians 5:17).  Finally, we should learn the value of Scripture meditation and memory (Joshua 1:8).

As you might guess, to guard and develop our inner lives is not easy  To really do these things they must be a priority. We can usually find time for what we want, even if we have to take time from something else. The most important priority in our lives is to grow in our relationship with God.  Not only must it be a priority, but the flesh and Satan will work to keep spiritual growth from happening.  Sure, you will take "two steps forward and one step back,"  but take courage, guarding and developing our heart is not done in our own strength.  "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me" (Phil. 4:13).

Saturday, May 19, 2012

Questions to Ask on your Birthday

Today is my daughter Bree Allie's 9th birthday!  That can't be right!  She was born yesterday!  Time does fly!  In honor of the birthday theme I was reminded of a piece written by Donald S. Whitney (a professor at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary) a few years ago: 

Once when the people of God had become careless in their relationship with Him, the Lord rebuked them through the prophet Haggai.  "Consider your ways!" (Haggai 1:5) he declared, urging them to reflect on the circumstances that they were in and to evaluate their slipshod spirituality in light of what God had told them.

Even the most faithful to God occasionally need to pause and think about the direction of their lives.  It's so easy to bump along from one busy week to another without stopping to ponder where we're going and where we should be going.

Your birthday is an ideal time to stop, look up, and get your bearings.  To that end, here are a few questions to ask prayerfully in the presence of God.

1.  What is one thing that you can do in the next 12 months that will increase your love for God?
2.  What is the single most important thing that you could do in the next 12 months to increase your love for your spouse and/or children?
3.  What is the single biggest time-waster in your life, what will you do about it in the next 12 months?
4.  What is the most helpful new way that you can strengthen your church in the next 12 months?
5.  For whose salvation can you pray in the next 12 months?
6.  What one thing could you do in the next 12 months to increase your prayer life?
7.  What one new thing have I never tried that I could do in the next 12 months?
8.  Who is the person you most want to encourage in the next 12 months?
9.  What book, in addition to the Bible, do you most want to read in the next 12 months?
10. What is the most important trip you want to take in the next 12 months?

Good questions!  Just asking the question and giving an answer will increase the possibility of you accomplishing the answer.  So Happy Birthday....now how about those questions?

Sunday, April 15, 2012

Spiritual Spring Cleaning

Yesterday (April 14) we had a good "spring cleaning" at the church facilities.  We cleaned out and swept the attic, washed windows, scrubbed and sanitized the nursery, did some much needed landscaping, cleaned out closets and cabinets, dusted the window blinds, and did those necessary things that generally get put off for lack of motivation, time, or weather.  There were 19 brave souls who ventured to the building to do these things that so desperately needed to be done.  Thank you to those who were able to give of your time and energy!  The church facility looked fantastic this morning!  Again thank you, thank you!

Sometimes I think we need to do some "spring cleaning" in our spiritual lives.  We need to look at our lives to see if there needs to be a re-arrangement of priorities or a "throwing out" of apathy, bitterness, wrath, doubt, fear, malice, hate, and other sins of the heart and life.  Maybe we need to "vacuum up" some bad habits, or "dust off" some good intentions, or  "organize" our thoughts and motives.  Come to think of it, we may need to go off on a spring mini-retreat for half a day with just our Bible, a pencil, and a yellow legal pad. Spend some time away from the phone, computer, etc., and pray about your relationship with the Lord.  Ask Him to help you do some "spring cleaning" on your life and living.

Friday, March 16, 2012

Teenagers Are Worth Praying For

It seems that there is much talk about war in the news every day. Weekly there are new threats, concerns, reactions, and troop or naval movements.  Of course these things are serious.  We should be in much prayer for peace and diplomacy.  But let us never forget the war that rages daily over the lives of our youth.  How much prayer is lifted up to God on behalf of the youth of our church, community, and country?  Is there a sacrifice that is too costly to make to fight this war?  Satan and his demons will not call a "cease fire."  Though he is defeated, yet he fights even now.  He will not surrender.  As a result, we must not surrender!  We must be faithful to the fight!  Pray that our youth "will not be conformed to this world" (Rom. 12:1-2). Pray that out youth will "set their minds on the things above" (Col. 3:2).  Pray that our youth will "flee youthful lust and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace" (2 Tim. 2:22).  Finally, pray that our youth would "grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ" (2 Pet. 3:18).  Youth who are evangelized and taught today will be our leaders and decision makers in the future--pray for our youth.

Monday, February 20, 2012

God Inhabits Our Praise

I grew up singing; "Let's just praise the Lord.  Praise the Lord. Let's just lift our hearts to heaven and praise the Lord".  In Psalms 113:1-6 the One to be praised is God.  The participants in praise are the "servants of the Lord".  The praise of the servants is to be prolonged "from this time forth and forevermore."  Finally, the priority of praise is evident because  "the Lord is high above all nations, and His glory above the heavens".

Praise is an important aspect of the Christian life that is often neglected.  We are more inclined to pride, ponder, and pout than to praise.  However, God expects the Christian to praise Him (Heb. 13:15).  Praise can be expressed in many ways.  For example; praise can be expressed in public (Psalm 35:18), with musical instruments (Psalm 33:2-3), in singing (Psalm 92:1), with the mouth (Psalm 34:1), and with all your heart (Psalm 86:12).

In his great book, Touch the World Through Prayer, author Wesley Duewel writes:  "You will be stronger spiritually if you will build praise into your daily walk with the Lord.  You will be healthier physically by making praise a part of your lifestyle.  As you praise worry flees.  Praise drives away frustrations, tension, and depression.  Praise drives out the darkness and turns on God's light.  Praise cleanses the atmosphere of Satan's suggestions of doubt, criticism, and irritation".

We use praise on Sunday mornings, but let us learn to praise the Lord every day!

Monday, February 13, 2012

Love Is In the Air!

Yes....love is certainly in the air.  Just today, the day before February 14,  I listened to a man order one rose for every year he and his beloved dated AND one rose for every year that they were married.  It came to nineteen roses!  That is a lot of roses! That's a lot of money!  I suppose his wife, and most women, would think that all those roses and money would be very romantic.  Men like that make me look bad....real bad.

Falling in love is easy.  It involves butterflies and long walks on moonlit nights.  You hear wedding bells, you can't sleep, and you fall into something that seems so perfect.  Staying in love, however, is not so easy.   Responsibilities and obligations wear away the initial shine of new love.  Things change, emotions are frayed, and tempers are revealed.  There are bad moments, bad days, bad decisions, and bad feelings.  Sometimes staying in love feels impossible, and our culture gives us every seemingly logical reason to leave that love behind to find new love again.  We start believing the culture and before long we wonder how we could ever feel so distant from someone we once felt so close to.

What if staying in love is possible? What if real love starts when we get real about staying in love?  What if we take seriously the very words of God through the Apostle Paul: husbands love your wives as Christ loved the church and wives should submit to and respect her husband (Ephesians  5:22-33)?

To do what Paul says makes love a verb rather than a noun.  In our day love is a noun.  It is an experience. A moment.  A thing.  But Ephesians 5:22-33 tells us that love is a verb.  It is not a one time event.  It is not only roses, giddy feelings, and butterflies.  Love is sacrifice, self-denial, and self-control.  It is a verb.  It's about doing, committing, and persevering.  It's about making the other a greater priority than yourself.  Again, the Apostle Paul said it better; "Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others" (Philippians 2:4).  Finally, the words of Paul to the Corinthians also describes love as a verb: "Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude.  It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful....love bears all things..." (1 Corinthians 13:4-7).

Loosely translated, all this means that it is possible to stay in love, but it takes more than flowers and cards.  Falling in love only requires a pulse.  Staying in love requires faith and obedience.

Tuesday, January 17, 2012

Influential Reading

One of my favorite book categories is Christian biographies.  I love learning about people whose lives have been changed and have changed the world.  Biographies can help us meet people we would never have the opportunity to know any other way.  In biographies we have opportunity to learn lessons from the lives of others that will benefit our own lives.  Reading about the great men and women in history--both past and present--shapes our thoughts, our values, our actions, and even our character.  As promised, here are a few of the biographies (in order) that have had the greatest impact on my life:

The Journals of Jim Elliot by Elisabeth Elliot.  Jim Elliott was one of the five missionaries attempting to take the Gospel for the first time to the Auca Indians of Ecuador.  He and the four others were speared to death in January 1956.  His wife, Elisabeth published his personal journal notes.  The notes record the inner struggles, victories, thoughts, motivation, faith, and commitment of Jim.  A genuine life-changer!

The Life and Diary of David Brainerd by Philip E. Howard.  This book is much like the previous.  David Brainerd was a missionary to American Indians during the time that the American colonies were governed by Britain.  His self-denial, courage, and genuine piety are both challenging and contagious.  He, like Jim Elliot, died an untimely death.  A remarkable story!

Daws: The Story of Dawson Trotman.  Founder of the Navigators by B. Skinner.  Dawson Trotman was an extroverted, energetic, tireless individual.  He was highly disciplined and a man of great faith and vision.  He was totally committed to world evangelism and created a systematic follow-up strategy for new converts and for training believers to reproduce themselves through evangelism and discipleship.  His system and strategy became the Navigators which still exist today.  Dawson drowned in an attempt to save another in 1956.  This is a great story!

To the Golden Shore: The Life of Adoniram Judson.  Adoniram Judson was America's first foreign missionary.  His perseverance, determination, and faith in the midst of tragedy, hardship, and suffering form a truly remarkable story.  You must read this story!

I will list some others in no certain order.  All of these would be worth your time to read:
The True Story of John G. Paton: Missionary Among the South Sea Cannibals by John Paton
Faithful Witness: The Life and Mission of William Carey by Timothy George
Lincoln by David Herbert Donald
Time Enough to Win: Roger Staubach by Roger Staubach and Frank Luksa

I know that there are many more that I could recommend, but these come to mind.  If you're interested, I will be glad to talk with you about these.

Monday, January 2, 2012

Christian Biography

Let's talk about reading Christian biography.  The reading of Christian biography is one way to set before ourselves noble standards, goals, and aspirations which can only help the Christian man or woman to make progress, not to gain earthly accolades, but towards that ultimate prize of our heavenly calling--to be conformed to the image of His Son.

Here are some reasons to read Christian biography.  

First, reading Christian biography sets before us a grand overview of the progress of the Christian church, a mighty panorama of God's faithful and mighty acts in previous generations and times. In other words, we can understand God's providence and purposes in history through the lives of faithful and obedient individuals.  By reading the lives of Martin Luther, William Tyndale, John Patton, Jonathan Edwards, Amy Carmichael, Lottie Moon, and many, many others, you can learn of God's working during the Reformation, during the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, and other times.  We can even learn much about God's working in our own time by reading the lives of others.

A second advantage for reading Christian biography is to be challenged and encouraged to greater faith and obedience.  By reading the lives of others we can be motivated to increase and progress in self-discipline, self-control, purity, devotion, courage, patience in trials, steadfastness in suffering, and grace in failure. The lives of Dawson Trottman, Jim Elliot, and David Brainerd have influenced me to further godliness as much as any living person in my life today.

A final advantage (at least for this blog) for reading Christian biography is to be encouraged in God's use of differing individuals with various experiences and circumstances . God more often than not uses men and women whom society might regard as inadequate--perhaps illiterate, uneducated, diseased, deformed, depressed, lonely, rejected, poor, and in various degrees of failure.  What an encouargement to know that God can use any person to make a difference for Him!  What motivation to be regarded as inadequate by many standards and yet to realize that you too can be used by God!  Reading Christian biography gives you that kind of encouragement and motivation!  Read Christian biography.  I will make some good recommendations in my next post.