"Pretty Weeds"

I am normally pretty adamant about keeping the lawn as weed-free as possible.  This year, for whatever reason, I have not treated it, and am just letting it grow as it grows.  My youngest child is loving it, because we have those really cool, pretty-yellow-and-then-turning-puffy flowers, that I never let him pick and blow from the neighbors' yards in years past.  Yep, dandelions.  I actually remember back to first getting the house, and the first thing I did was to spread weed-killer over the yard, and my oldest child could not believe the horror of my killing all those "flowers."

Maybe I've softened, or maybe I've realized that weeds stay greener longer, and if you cut them short, the green is pretty.  Maybe I've given up the battle, I'm still working through this.  I did pull a few by hand this morning on my way out, but I didn't get the root, so they'll be back.

It did make me think though of the Christian life today, and we could get judgmental and liken the story of the wheat and the tares, all the weeds growing up in the midst of the good crop, and how that parallels to Christianity today.  There is indeed much contamination in the church.

But rather, today, let's examine our own lives.  What "weedy" activities are we involved in, which might look good but are actually quite damaging?  See, my child does not know that that flower is actually a weed, and the bane of existence of those caring for lawns.  To him, they look great, so why harm them?  He does not know that, if allowed, they will take over, and be ten-fold in number next year, choking out good grass along the way. 

Much that we do in our lives is all about us, and not about God.  To those around us, it looks really good.  Who am I kidding?  To us it looks great, and only when we let bad habits grow, and multiply, just like the many seeds that we playfully blow around, do we see how destructive those habits have become.  We look back and see how much of a fruitful Christian life we have choked out, but have looked good along the way.

So, fellow believer, time to do some weeding?  And no fair blowing the seeds to the neighbors' yards.  That's just mean!  Let's let God show us what needs weeding out of our lives, in order to be more pleasing to the ultimate Gardener.  Point is, unlike me and my lawn so far, let's not give up the battle.  God tells us He's fighting it for us, with us, and He's very good that way!

Holding Fast to the Name of our Creator.

Man vs. God

I am waiting to pick up a new book, the title of which says much: "Family is Hard - Deal With It!"  I'm sure it won't tell me something I don't already know, and yet the kicker will surely be in the "Deal With It" aspect of the reading.  Just how do we deal with the "hard" in life.

I recall recently reading through Psalm 62, and one of those word pictures made me pause: 

Verse 9 says: "Men of low degree are only vanity and men of rank are a lie; In the balances they go up; They are together lighter than breath."

Interesting picture.  If you've ever weighed something in comparison to another, you know, one of those old balances that has a pan on each side, you can tell which has more weight by which pan goes up and which goes down. 

The section of the psalm preceding this verse explains how God, and God alone, is the answer for what troubles us.  The other alternative is to turn to man, to man's wisdom, and the psalmist says that in the balance, compared to God, men "go up."  Does it get any lighter than breath?  There is no substance to man's wisdom compared to God's.    This is why we are, over and over again, compelled by God to live by HIS wisdom.

Balances to the Hebrews were important tools.  Honest weights were necessary, and when it came time to strike a deal, buy some goods, or pay a debt, whatever the balance said is what the parties would go by.  There is no mistaking this psalm then, that if we rely on ourselves in the tough times, we've picked the wrong side of the balance.

God indeed is THE refuge for us.  I pray we rely on Him more today that we did yesterday.


Holding Fast to the Name of Our Creator

God is Faithful

I'll spare you the minute details, but my family is battling food allergies and weird side-aspects of those allergies.  It is frustrating to try to educate doctors, pharmacists, drug companies, restaurants, and so on as to particulars, without them thinking you are crazy, hyper-reactive, super-sensitive, etc.  Day-to-day stuff gets tiring, especially when you are dealing with children.  I think I speak on behalf of all parents when I say that we'd rather endure the issue instead of seeing our kids have to.

You start to wonder what else you are supposed to do.  Maybe you missed something, or maybe there's something else to look up, another phone call to make, someone else to reach out to that might listen and miraculously even understand.  Life can just get overwhelming like that, and threaten to disrupt perspective and priorities.

So I glance over at a binder on my desk, which is where I keep teaching materials, and gracing the cover is a copy of the title of the latest series of my studies, in big, bold print, GOD IS FAITHFUL!

"God is faithful, through whom you were called into fellowship with His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord."
1 Cor. 1:9

To be honest, maybe I was beginning to forget that.  I mean, I KNOW He is faithful, but it's so easy to live as though I have forgotten that.  Knowing and doing are two separate disciplines.  Both are crucial and one without the other is reckless, either way.

Then that peace, that joy that only comes from the Father through Christ, filled me and left me refreshed knowing that there is much to learn from this trial, as there is with any other trial.  So will we trust God with this situation, still seeking His wisdom as we have to make decisions?  That's kind of the idea God has with the situation, I'm reasonably sure.  No, I'm 100% confident in that.

So maybe you've been struggling through something, and you just can't figure it all out.  Maybe you wonder if there is anyone anywhere who knows the answer to what you are asking.  Let me re-introduce you to the Creator.  Oh, I know you know He's there, and I'm sure you know He's in control, and if you are anything like me, maybe you just need a reminder of His faithfulness.

***
Holding Fast to the Name of our Creator

"Fresh" Psaltry

Recently I've found myself back in the Psalms more and more, probably for various reasons.  I suppose most of all, I love the emotion that comes from those writers.  Don't get me wrong, there is emotion throughout Scripture, for God Himself has emotions, and they are expressed in us being created in His image.  But so many of the feelings we have, the thoughts we want to express, come through in the Psalms, because the writers inspired by God to write were real flesh-and-blood people, just like us.

Have you ever wanted to shout to God in joy?  Or wanted to cry out loud from deep sadness?  Ever feel like rejoicing over answered prayer, or felt angry over blatant injustice on display in the world?  Have you ever found yourself in utter disgust with your sin, to the point of feeling physically ill, only to be completely relieved by full confession? 

I could go on with more "have you ever" intimations, and I hope you get the point.  Any Christian being honest, trying hard to live the Christian life, should be able to associate with these and other aspects of the Psalms, because they demonstrate how people went to complain to God, to beg His help, to praise His name, to seek forgiveness, to encourage each other; it's all there.  No wonder Israel used them for worship.  They represent the humanity of us longing for the continued fellowship and relationship with Him.

My personal new favorite is Psalm 46, referenced recently, where God says "Be still" or "Cease striving."  That very Psalm starts out with "God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble."  Written perhaps 2900 years ago, could it be any more relevant to us today?  As we search and search for sources of strength, be it in money, relationships, careers, fun and leisure, God reminds us to stop trying so hard, and simply look to Him for all we need: refuge and strength that can only come from Him.

Ugly world around us?  Yes.  Christians behaving in non-Christian ways?  Sure.  Evil making headway?  Sure looks like it.  Discouraged?  OK to admit if you are.  The psalmists did.  And they also were reminded that the life with God is a good life, the best life.

What would you say to God if you could tell Him anything?  Open up to a Psalm, any Psalm.  Tell Him what's on your mind.

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Holding Fast to the Name of our Creator

Moody

I'm in one of those moods today, the kind of mood where you kind of look for a fight.  Not physical, but mental, an argument, something like that.  Already today I read multiple stories about why it's OK to trust God AND believe in evolution, why there is no place for God in schools, and so on.  The rhetoric that spews from unbelievers is maddening, the complete lack of logic in their points is frustrating.  So I have to do something about it, right?

Believers are amazingly cruel to one another, and it baffles me as to why.  Believers in the very Word of God behave completely opposite to the command to love one another, to selflessly give of themselves to others, to put the interest of others before their very own.  Something needs to be done, and now!  Right?

Unbelievers with horrible life struggles have no hope, and they look at these believers I just described, and come to the conclusion that this entity we call God offers no real solutions.  I mean, people calling themselves Christians are just as messed up as the rest of people.

Someone needs to stand up and make a difference.  It stinks to try to do the right thing, it really does.  It's hard to take the mistreatment that comes from our brother or sister in the Lord, and simply turn that other cheek.  It would be understandable to become frustrated with God, or at least wonder how all this fits into His glorious plan. 

Psalm 46:11 says "Cease striving, and know that I am God."  Many translations say "Be still", and the best word that relates is probably "RELAX."  Easier said than done.  But lots of opportunities have already arisen today to see if I will truly relax and let God be God.

God will deal with the unbelievers.  All I have to do is tell them the truth, firmly and gently, as though I really do care for their souls.

God will deal with believers who refuse to relent to His command.  All I have to do is tell them the truth, in love, firmly and gently, as though I really do care about their Christian life.

Easy to be frustrated?  Oh yeah.  Indignant?  You bet.  Self-righteous?  Never!  OK, who am I kidding, of course!  Believer, check yourself today, find that beam you need removed from your own eye before you inspect another's speck.  And then go love someone you'd rather not.  Even if you think it's undeserved. 

God is God.  I am not.  OK, mood gone, I feel better!

Choose Your Response

We all face trials, I'd say we all know that.  James, as I've mentioned before, says to choose ahead of time how you will respond when those trials come.  And quite honestly, if you want to see how the "men are separated from the boys" or "women from the girls", watch how people respond when bad times hit.

I've had the privilege to witness the potential responses, both in my own personal life and in others.  I'd love to say I've always done well, and if you believe that, well, as they say, I have a bridge for sale in Brooklyn.  The truth is, we can strive to grow, and grow, and grow, and you know what, when we do, we get better and better at facing trials, even if they get bigger and harder.

Boys and girls will turn to vices (drugs, alcohol, gambling, fornication, etc.), and will do so secretly, privately, while scrutinizing others while they do.  Children tend to shirk responsibility, because they tend to not want people to see what's beneath the veneer.  When "caught," fleeing is the typical first response.  Appearance is crucial and the Bible makes clear reference to God's distaste for such behavior.  Sadly, this response is greatly on display among so-called believers today.  But such a reaction is actually contrary to the fruit one would expect to see that flows from salvation

David is confronted by Nathan.
Ananias and Sapphira are confronted by the apostles.

David responds by turning to the Lord.
Ananias and Sapphira respond by pretending, by lying to God, with tragic results.

Christian men and women seek the Lord, in prayer, in His Word, and do not try to force God's hand as to what He is actually saying and doing.  It takes maturity to respond this way, and it's not easy.  Then again, it's not easy to grow up, if you are honest about it.  It also takes other mature believers to come along side those hurting, and when it would be easy to judge, they offer a caring and comforting alternative to the typical response of the world around them.  They listen, they pray with them, they share that painful burden, and in all truth, it is a privilege when we get to bear one another's burdens.

If you are like me, you know someone who is hurting, who might think others don't care, and who may be afraid to say much, based on how they have seen others respond to them previously.  Hopefully, we all know some hurting people who are doing the right thing, taking their complaint to the Lord, because He hears, He knows, and He cares.

Christians, it's time for the mature among us to stand up, to encourage the children to grow up, and, to the best of our ability, respond well in the face of trials.  It's hard, and when it gets hard, you have a choice.  Face the trial, or bury it and simply play the part.  Mature believers, and more importantly, God can tell who does which, and those mature believers become life-long friends and confidants.  Praise God for them!  I do.  I know.  I've learned who will stand in support, and who will write me off when difficulty arises.

Want encouragement?  Read Psalm 51 as David deals with his sin.  It should bring a tear, if you realize why it was written, and how his heart was broken over his sin. 

***
Holding Fast to the Name of our Creator

When We See Evil

Sometimes stuff happens around you, beyond your control.  At other times, people behave in a way that could only be described as evil, and I mean that in the Biblical sense - opposite of good - with God defining those terms.  Unfortunately, that behavior can come from those you believe to be allies, and the best way I can describe that is in a word - pain.

Oh, man, there are so many ways I go could with this, and even stay in the Bible doing so.  So let's start with one of the most powerful Psalms I know - Psalm 37.  Verse 1 spells it out, as here is what God says to those who love Him:

"Fret not thyself because of evildoers, neither be thou envious against the workers of iniquity." (KJV)

That is a great reminder, coming from God.  And really, that opening verse says it all.  As painful as it can be to be on the receiving end of evil, it can be very frustrating to see the evildoers prosper in spite of their actions, and God seems to say "Please don't worry, let Me handle this."  Which brings me to another great passage in Psalm 46: "Cease striving, and know that I am God." (NASB)  Yeah, I know the KJV and every other translation says "Be still," but the word is literally "stop striving."  Easy to read, hard to do.  But it comes from God, and that is good.  It doesn't get any better than God's idea of "good." 

In Psalm 55, David is betrayed, hurt deeply, not by his enemies, but by a supposed close friend.  It happened to him.  It happens to us, and it stinks, to put it plainly.  David turned to the Lord.  Really, who else could He trust so deeply?  Oh, he had his troubles and concerns, yet his heart stayed trained on God.

James 1 tells us to count it joy when we face trials, literally to make up our mind ahead of time to remember the joy we have in Christ when the trials come, and they will.  It's not that they might come, they will, and they will hurt.  And we then choose how to respond: sin, or trust in Him more.  Again, easy to read, hard to do. 

Some great passages to try to bring to mind when the rotten stuff of this world happens, when the rotten stuff even inside the church happens.  God's justice is sufficient.  Let Him handle it.  Easy to say, very, very hard to do that.  Pray with me that we can better trust in Him.  Pray with me that those who wrong us might recognize their sin in the light of God's Word.  Pray with me that those outside of Christ will find their comfort in Him and His Word and come to know Him.  And pray with me that those who need to heal can find that healing in the Lord, even through the help of believers who love them, because of Him.

Holding Fast to the Name of our Creator

A Watered Plant

I have this plant sitting in my office, where no matter the time of year, if the sun is shining, it is 82 degrees in that office.  I brought the plant here because it was languishing at home, where the house is on the colder side, especially in the winter.  The plant was a gift, so I figured I should at least try to keep it alive, rare as that occurrence would be, if you know me and plants.

Problem is, the soil could not be kept moist because of the pot it is in, hard to explain, trust me on this.  Anyway, I found a way to put water in a bowl, and set the pot in the bowl, and the soil can now absorb the water it needs, as it needs it.  Brilliant!  And so I waited a day, two days, picked off the dead leaves (found a stink bug along the way, different story), and finally, I saw signs of new life; the plant has this fresh green-ness appearing.  I think it's going to make it.

But see, I want to water it every day, I want to make it grow, faster, stronger, and I want it to grow now.  I just felt the soil, it is plenty moist; it does not need me to water it today.  So I have to sit back and let it grow, without my input today, resting on the work I put into it two days ago.  Oh, it will need water again, maybe not tomorrow, maybe the day after that, I have to wait and see.  But that kills my impatience to make this whole plant-growing thing work according to my plan!

Paul dealt with this "watering" concept in his first letter to Corinth:
"I planted, Apollos watered, but God was causing the growth. So then neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but God who causes the growth. Now he who plants and he who waters are one; but each will receive his own reward according to his own labor. For we are God’s fellow workers; you are God’s field, God’s building."  (1 Cor. 3:6-9)

It's like this with people.  I pray we are planting seeds of the Gospel everywhere we go, and even seeds of discipleship as well.  Most often, at least it seems for me, I get a chance to "water" a new convert, or a struggling believer, or a rebellious Christian, the opportunities seem endless.  God has us here to plant, yes.  God also has us here to water those plants, but not to cause the growth.  That's HIS job, and we often forget that.  We think if we water, and water, and water, and then water some more, regardless of whether or not the recipient is ready, and then expect results.

My office plant showed results in days, and you know what, believers just might, too.  You know what?  Some may take years.  Are we OK with that?  OR do we have to force OUR way onto the process, and show God how it's going to be done?  Perhaps we have been frustrated by lack of results.  Who are we to judge those results and the timing?  Let's do this, let's water as often as needed, and let's pay better attention to the clues we get back in the process.  They are there.  And let's behave as "fellow workers", and actually pray for one another's work, and then let's sit back and watch GOD do His things.

It is glorious!

***
Holding Fast to the Name of our Creator

Real Men

Real men take charge of the home, their wives, their children, their church.  Right?  I mean, dominion means control, domination, power, decision-making-power, correct?

Refusing a real man is not an option, after all, God put him in charge, period. Right, guys?

I read Ephesians 5 this morning and I missed the above "manly" characteristics, but they remain very pervasive within the church today.  "Real" men do not equal Biblical men.  Biblical men stop being manly, and start being Godly.

I read Genesis 2 as well, just to make sure I was not confused, and when a man is to leave and cleave, his primary focus shifts from his family to his wife.  Former commitments to his family are now very much set behind him, and this "one flesh" is shown to be the supreme human relationship this side of glory.

On the other end of the spectrum, we see all around us men refusing to lead, refusing to be spiritual, and flat out refusing to grow up.  And I've seen a lot of it lately, and it causes me to do a personal checkup, and rant a bit. 

Somewhere there lies the proper balance.  And selfishness, pride, laziness, and puffed-up arrogance all stand in the way of healthy relationships.  Domineering doesn't do it.  Neither does passivity.

"Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church."  Simply put, be selfless.  Try to take a day, just one day to start, where you lay aside your own interests, your own desires, your own priorities, and be a Biblical husband for your wife.  Love her.  Show her you would lay your life down for her.  Christ did just that for the church.  And speaking of the church, Biblical men do not lead the church, they lead IN the church, and they check their pride at the door, they lay aside their "self" and come to give, to serve, and to lead the "one flesh" of marriage as God designed.

One flesh.  Wow!  That means the way we treat our wives is the way we would treat ourselves.  Think about what we say "no" to our wives about.  Would we say "No" to ourselves?  Really, let's be honest, are we willing to give up something at the same time we tell our wives to do likewise?  Does being the man mean we get to do what we want, when we want?  Biblical men do not lead the family, they lead IN the family.  By example.

Think back to Christ.  He tells us in Scripture to lay aside the old self, to put on the new, if I can paraphrase, "stop being so foolishly selfish!"  And remember, He was willing to lay everything aside, simply out of complete selflessness for us, so we might decide to give our lives to Him.  What a perfect example. 

Christ tells us to put aside our own interests; He certainly did.  That is exactly how He loved the church.  Then, He tells us to love our wives as He loved the church.  So, how are we doing, guys?  Do we still need to show the world and our wives how much in control we are, or are we just about ready to show the world and our wives how much Christ is in control of it all? It might seem like a tough choice, and I suppose it is, for the "real" man. 

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Holding Fast to the Name of our Creator

Two-way Street

Many concepts in the Christian life (and secular, for that matter) are, to use a well-worn cliche, two-way streets.  That is, they require participation by two parties to be effective, or even feasible.  For example, giving and receiving, communication (speaking and listening), you get the idea. 

I believe the most serious Biblical two-way street between believers is repentance and forgiveness.  To be forgiven, one must be truly repentant.  If one is repentant, the other must be truly forgiving.

Scripture is very clear on this notion of forgiveness, going back into the Old Testament.  Isaiah 43:25 and Jeremiah 31:34 show God dealing with much sin, much unrepentance, and yet He knows that those who are truly His people will indeed come around, and will seek forgiveness and restoration, and it is then that He "remembers their sin no more." 

This is an interesting concept, but first, think beyond what we think of as "remember."  We often equate "to not remember" with "forgetting."  This is not the case here.  God does not forget sin, He chooses to not remember.  If you think I am practicing double-speak, I understand, but this is not so.

The word/phrase used by God, as inscripturated in the Hebrew, is more literally "to not recall to mind" or "to not bring up again," with both options being related to a pronouncement of guilt toward the offender.  Think about that...Sinners, guilty before God, in need of reconciliation, are offered the certainty of having God not bring the sin up when it comes to being in relationship with Him.  Wow!

Colossians 3:13, and several other passages, show that if believers are forgiven by God, they must be forgiving of each other.  Same concept as above, and way more than mere words of "I forgive you."  We are to behave just as God did.  It's hard, but the right thing to do, always.  And that makes it easy for the mature believer.

Repentance is this: A turn of direction regarding one's sin.  Actually saying I'm sorry without offering excuses and reasons for the behavior.  Actually asking for forgiveness.  It's hard, but the right thing to do, always.

Forgiveness is this.  Refusing to bring up the issue again, EVER!  Refusing to bring up the issue again, ever, to God, to the offender, and in your own thoughts, EVER! It's hard, but the right thing to do, always.

When one repents and asks someone to forgive him, he rightly expects a believer to give an answer.  Some answer "No", "Maybe later" or "Yes."  Sadly, some never answer the question, assuming time will simply heal their non-response.  Some people actually say they forgive, and then bring the issue up again.  Biblically, that is not forgiveness.  Biblically, believers can never personally reconcile when both repentance and forgiveness have not taken place. 

It's all hard, and it's always the right thing to do.  And that actually makes it easy for the mature believer willing to grow.

So how are we doing with our repenting and our forgiving?

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Holding Fast to the Name of our Creator

What are We Sowing?

Every year, about this time, I realize I forgot to plant some bulbs of tulips that I had saved over the past year, from flowers I or my children had given to my wife.  It's best to plant them in the Fall, I am told.  I wondered if I could sneak them in the ground during a recent warmer-than-normal period in December, but something else came up, and there they sit, still in the garage, waiting to be planted.

For them to grow, they must be planted; the Bible uses the word "sown."  If I want to reap tulips, they must be sown.  Simple enough.  I am told there is a specific way to plant them, and off the top of my head, I cannot recall.  I wouldn't say it is difficult, but at least a little bit of planning is necessary to ensure a result of bright and beautiful tulips, that is, a bit of work in planning is necessary.

I believe a parallel exists in our spiritual lives.  We sow every day.  What we sow, however, might just depend on our priorities, our values, our spiritual condition, and just how hard we are willing to work.  We'll get a crop of something, we just might not realize what that might look like when that time comes.

Job 4:12 refers to sowing trouble.  That is specifically, "Those who sow trouble harvest it."

Hosea 10:12 tells us to "sow with a view to righteousness."

So there is the battle, to sow trouble or righteousness.  Sow something good, or something bad.  And unfortunately, it is often easier to sow the "bad", so we tend to do it more often, not thinking of the reaping harm that comes to others.  And more sadly, we often see this within the church family, believer destroying believer, out of carelessness in sowing.

Proverbs 6 speaks well of this, starting in verse 13, describing the hypocrite who "winks with his eye" (looking the part) while at the same time "devising mischief, sowing discord" (the real side of the person).  Verse 19, included in the things hated by God, mentions "he that soweth discord among brethren."  Note that it is NOT the discord hated by God, it is the SOWER of that discord.

Pray with me today, that what we sow is righteousness, even if that means more work to do that.  Pray with me that we will try in earnest to stop sowing the "easy" stuff, typically leading to pain and strife, but rather sowing that which will actually produce something beautiful, as God would see beauty.