To the rest I say, not the Lord, that if any brother has a wife who is an unbeliever, and she consents to live with him, he should not divorce her. If any woman has a husband who is an unbeliever, and he consents to live with her, she should not divorce him . . . But if the unbelieving partner desires to separate, let it be so; in such case the brother or sister is not bound. For God has called us to peace(I Corinthians 7: 12-15).
A book could be written about these verses, but this is only a devotional, so I will only make one point: Marriage does require a person to become an adult. If a marriage is to succeed and flourish, each partner has to grow and mature. Successful people are not static, staying the same throughout their lives. It is inevitable that one of the partners will make the decision to grow. When one spouse hears the call of God to become an adult, the other spouse is faced with these choices: 1) to become an adult, too, 2) to live with it, facing the possibility of becoming an adult, him/her self, or 3) to sabotage the growth by threatening to leave, or some other means of causing trouble in the family relationship. The best way to help a marriage partner is not to surrender to the trouble, but to continue on the path of growing in faith, knowledge and personal responsibility. If a spouse refuses to come along, not much else can be done to help him or her to mature and he or she will continue to live as a child in a world that desperately needs adults.
Our Father's Love,
Tom
Tuesday, May 29, 2012
Wednesday, May 23, 2012
PUNISHING YOURSELF FOR YOUR OWN SINS? (A Communion Meditation)
But if we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin. If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just, and will forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness (I John 1:7-9).
I was randomly searching for a communion meditation thought when I found a blurb from an old issue of Psychology Today. The question was asked, "Does guilt cause people to punish themselves?" There definitely is a correlation between the emotion of guilt and cutting/self mutilation, binge eating, self-sabotage and even suicide.
Brock Bastian, a psychologist at the university of Queensland, used this test to research the question, Does guilt cause people to punish themselves? Dr. Bastian asked people if they had done something bad that made them feel guilty. He asked them to write about it. He asked each participant, if they felt guilty or not, to put their arm in ice water as long as they could stand it. Then they could pull their arm out.
This little test revealed that: 1) Those who felt guilty kept their arms in the ice water longer; 2) These same people rated the experience more painful, and 3) This experience of punishing one's self reduced the guilty person's perception of guilt.
What does this mean for communion? There is no self-punishment that can pay for our sins. Only the blood of Jesus can cleanse us. All the Lord requires is that sinful behavior be recognized and confessed, and it is forgiven; guilt is taken away. Do not think that because one has suffered because of his sinful behavior he is less guilty.
The Lord's Table is the family table for Christians to gather around, confessing their sins. They know that their guilt is taken away because of the ultimate gift of God in the sacrifice of his Son, Jesus Christ.
Our Father's Love,
Tom
*The book of I John was written to Christians; non Christians were not the primary audience.
I was randomly searching for a communion meditation thought when I found a blurb from an old issue of Psychology Today. The question was asked, "Does guilt cause people to punish themselves?" There definitely is a correlation between the emotion of guilt and cutting/self mutilation, binge eating, self-sabotage and even suicide.
Brock Bastian, a psychologist at the university of Queensland, used this test to research the question, Does guilt cause people to punish themselves? Dr. Bastian asked people if they had done something bad that made them feel guilty. He asked them to write about it. He asked each participant, if they felt guilty or not, to put their arm in ice water as long as they could stand it. Then they could pull their arm out.
This little test revealed that: 1) Those who felt guilty kept their arms in the ice water longer; 2) These same people rated the experience more painful, and 3) This experience of punishing one's self reduced the guilty person's perception of guilt.
What does this mean for communion? There is no self-punishment that can pay for our sins. Only the blood of Jesus can cleanse us. All the Lord requires is that sinful behavior be recognized and confessed, and it is forgiven; guilt is taken away. Do not think that because one has suffered because of his sinful behavior he is less guilty.
The Lord's Table is the family table for Christians to gather around, confessing their sins. They know that their guilt is taken away because of the ultimate gift of God in the sacrifice of his Son, Jesus Christ.
Our Father's Love,
Tom
*The book of I John was written to Christians; non Christians were not the primary audience.
Sunday, May 20, 2012
PONYSHO
Sing to the Lord, for he has triumphed gloriously; the horse and his rider he has thrown into the sea (Exodus 15:18).
I went and did it. I've always wanted to have a Mustang convertible with a V8 engine and some sweet sounding pipes, and it was like the Lord wanted me to have it too. I had noticed this car before, sitting on a used car dealers lot, but I could never justify spending the money to buy a big-boy toy to play with. I was returning from Helen's parent's house in Kansas, driving home alone. Driving through Lyndon, Kansas, I noticed that the Mustang convertible was still on the lot--a definite sign from God. Still, I never would have stopped to check it out if I would have had a passenger--another sign. I still drove past the used car lot, but I had this funny feeling in the pit of my stomach that I would regret not stopping to check it out--a third sign. So, I turned around and went back. The price on the care was about $1500 less than I expected--a 4th sign? So with all these signs, who was I to say "no" to the Lord? So, I bought the car, although I do not have it at home yet.
As a final note, the lovely and gracious Helen is OK with it, but I think it tested her a little. And really, I was just teasing about all the signs from the Lord--but I think He might be OK with it too. If I can make it work I will put up a picture of a Mustang exactly like the one I bought--I hope this doesn't turn out to be just another pony show.
Our Father's Blessings,
Tom
I went and did it. I've always wanted to have a Mustang convertible with a V8 engine and some sweet sounding pipes, and it was like the Lord wanted me to have it too. I had noticed this car before, sitting on a used car dealers lot, but I could never justify spending the money to buy a big-boy toy to play with. I was returning from Helen's parent's house in Kansas, driving home alone. Driving through Lyndon, Kansas, I noticed that the Mustang convertible was still on the lot--a definite sign from God. Still, I never would have stopped to check it out if I would have had a passenger--another sign. I still drove past the used car lot, but I had this funny feeling in the pit of my stomach that I would regret not stopping to check it out--a third sign. So, I turned around and went back. The price on the care was about $1500 less than I expected--a 4th sign? So with all these signs, who was I to say "no" to the Lord? So, I bought the car, although I do not have it at home yet.
As a final note, the lovely and gracious Helen is OK with it, but I think it tested her a little. And really, I was just teasing about all the signs from the Lord--but I think He might be OK with it too. If I can make it work I will put up a picture of a Mustang exactly like the one I bought--I hope this doesn't turn out to be just another pony show.
Our Father's Blessings,
Friday, May 11, 2012
IN SORROW, CHRISTIANS HAVE HOPE
But we would not have you ignorant, brethren, concerning those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope. For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again . . . (I Thessalonians 4:13-14a).
The lovely and gracious Helen's dad passed away this morning. Charles Huff's death is a great loss to the Tom Steele family. Of course, Helen's dad had a great deal to do with Helen being the kind of woman I would want to be my wife and the mother of our children. That fact alone made him an important man to me. He was a very important grandfather role model and mentor to our children. His influence was an important dynamic in the formation and function of our family; we will grieve his loss for quite sometime.
What I want each reader to understand is that in our family we believe that we have not seen the last of Charles Huff! If one has ever touched a corpse, to possess a hope that the dead person will ever be seen alive again is quite audacious, to say the least. Yet, based on the history of the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ, that is exactly what we believe. Death is only sleep when Jesus Christ is around. The Christian does not have to say, "Goodbye" to Charles, only, "So long, see you later."
Our Father's Love,
Tom
The lovely and gracious Helen's dad passed away this morning. Charles Huff's death is a great loss to the Tom Steele family. Of course, Helen's dad had a great deal to do with Helen being the kind of woman I would want to be my wife and the mother of our children. That fact alone made him an important man to me. He was a very important grandfather role model and mentor to our children. His influence was an important dynamic in the formation and function of our family; we will grieve his loss for quite sometime.
What I want each reader to understand is that in our family we believe that we have not seen the last of Charles Huff! If one has ever touched a corpse, to possess a hope that the dead person will ever be seen alive again is quite audacious, to say the least. Yet, based on the history of the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ, that is exactly what we believe. Death is only sleep when Jesus Christ is around. The Christian does not have to say, "Goodbye" to Charles, only, "So long, see you later."
Our Father's Love,
Tom
Monday, April 30, 2012
NEED A TOUCH?
When he came down from the mountain, great crowds followed him; and behold, a leper came to him and knelt before him, saying, "Lord, if you will, you can make me clean." And he stretched out his hand and touched him, saying, "I will; be clean." and immediately his leprosy was cleansed (Matthew 8:1-3).
This is only one of several times when Jesus touched the one whom he was healing. We know from the Biblical record that touching was not essential to the healing process. At Jesus' word, one could be healed even if he was not present, so it is easy to assume that physical touching was not necessary for physical healing. So why did Jesus touch the leper when he healed him?
According to the law of Moses, a leper was to identify himself as a leper so that non lepers could keep their distance. Leprosy was a communicable disease, so, as a result, a leper had to be quarantined from the healthy population. This man with leprosy had probably not experienced very much compassionate human touching in his life and perhaps that is why Jesus included touching in the healing process.
I have never considered myself as a "touchy, feely" guy, and yet when Helen's (my lovely and gracious wife) and my schedules become extremely busy and there is not much touching time, I find myself becoming irritable for no apparent reason. Touching is communication. Proper touching is validation, saying, "You are important to me," or "I love you."
Christians are called to be like their master. We should not be afraid to give a hug, a handshake or a pat on the back as we witness about the love of God and His Son, Jesus the Christ in our lives. Do you need a touch?
Our Father's Love,
Tom
This is only one of several times when Jesus touched the one whom he was healing. We know from the Biblical record that touching was not essential to the healing process. At Jesus' word, one could be healed even if he was not present, so it is easy to assume that physical touching was not necessary for physical healing. So why did Jesus touch the leper when he healed him?
According to the law of Moses, a leper was to identify himself as a leper so that non lepers could keep their distance. Leprosy was a communicable disease, so, as a result, a leper had to be quarantined from the healthy population. This man with leprosy had probably not experienced very much compassionate human touching in his life and perhaps that is why Jesus included touching in the healing process.
I have never considered myself as a "touchy, feely" guy, and yet when Helen's (my lovely and gracious wife) and my schedules become extremely busy and there is not much touching time, I find myself becoming irritable for no apparent reason. Touching is communication. Proper touching is validation, saying, "You are important to me," or "I love you."
Christians are called to be like their master. We should not be afraid to give a hug, a handshake or a pat on the back as we witness about the love of God and His Son, Jesus the Christ in our lives. Do you need a touch?
Our Father's Love,
Tom
Thursday, April 19, 2012
BE CAREFUL OF GENERICS
My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge; because you have rejected knowledge, I will reject you . . . (Hosea 4:6).
I always like to have a Scripture text with the blurbs that I write. In this case it might be a little lame, but still, if we do not know something that is very important, we can really suffer because we did not know!
This morning I was reading and article written by a child psychiatrist, Glen Havens, about child mental health and medications. It was a very informative article, but one of the things that stood out to me was this: By Federal Drug Administration regulation, Generic compounds only have to be 70% as effective as the name brand to hit the market. There can be significant variability in therapeutic benefit. I assume that this applies to all generic medications and not just psychotropics. So, make sure you ask questions, and ask them again, and read labels so that you know what is the best decision to make in choosing between name brands and generics.
Our Father's Blessings,
Tom
I always like to have a Scripture text with the blurbs that I write. In this case it might be a little lame, but still, if we do not know something that is very important, we can really suffer because we did not know!
This morning I was reading and article written by a child psychiatrist, Glen Havens, about child mental health and medications. It was a very informative article, but one of the things that stood out to me was this: By Federal Drug Administration regulation, Generic compounds only have to be 70% as effective as the name brand to hit the market. There can be significant variability in therapeutic benefit. I assume that this applies to all generic medications and not just psychotropics. So, make sure you ask questions, and ask them again, and read labels so that you know what is the best decision to make in choosing between name brands and generics.
Our Father's Blessings,
Tom
Monday, April 16, 2012
CHRISTIANS GIVING TO THE LORD WHAT HE DOESN'T ASK FOR AND NOT GIVING TO HIM WHAT HE DOES ASK
For I received from the Lord what I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took bread and when he had given thanks, he broke it, and said, "This is my body which is broken for you. Do this in reremembrance of me." In the same way also the cup, after supper, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me." For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes (I Corinthians 11:23-26).
As much as Helen and I enjoyed our trip to Kansas on Easter weekend, we left disappointed even though we were blessed by our visit. The reason we were disappointed was the fact that we did not receive communion. I thought it would be a certainty that communion would be offered in the Abbyville Community Church, but it was not. They did do some special things for Easter, and there was a gospel message, but there was no communion.
Services were over in Abbyville early enough so that we could go to another church where friends of our worship. They were having a rousing testimony time, but there was no communion. It is interesting to me that we are willing to give to the Lord what He hasn't ask for, and we do not give to Him what He has specifically asked for. He hasn't asked us to celebrate Easter--every Lord's day is to be "Easter" to the Christian--but we do not celebrate the Lord's Supper, which He has specifically asked us to celebrate. The Lord never asked us to go and lead people to repeat the "Sinner's Prayer," but He has specifically asked us to go and baptize sinners into Jesus Christ. It is twisted theology that has led to all of this, and I do not know how the Lord is going to deal with it in judgment, but we need to ask ourselves once in a while, "Am I giving to God something He has not asked for in place of something that He has asked?"
Celebrating communion is a Good Friday through Easter message like no other, and certainly, a testimony like no other. Without communion we left Abbyville a little empty.
Our Father's Love,
Tom
As much as Helen and I enjoyed our trip to Kansas on Easter weekend, we left disappointed even though we were blessed by our visit. The reason we were disappointed was the fact that we did not receive communion. I thought it would be a certainty that communion would be offered in the Abbyville Community Church, but it was not. They did do some special things for Easter, and there was a gospel message, but there was no communion.
Services were over in Abbyville early enough so that we could go to another church where friends of our worship. They were having a rousing testimony time, but there was no communion. It is interesting to me that we are willing to give to the Lord what He hasn't ask for, and we do not give to Him what He has specifically asked for. He hasn't asked us to celebrate Easter--every Lord's day is to be "Easter" to the Christian--but we do not celebrate the Lord's Supper, which He has specifically asked us to celebrate. The Lord never asked us to go and lead people to repeat the "Sinner's Prayer," but He has specifically asked us to go and baptize sinners into Jesus Christ. It is twisted theology that has led to all of this, and I do not know how the Lord is going to deal with it in judgment, but we need to ask ourselves once in a while, "Am I giving to God something He has not asked for in place of something that He has asked?"
Celebrating communion is a Good Friday through Easter message like no other, and certainly, a testimony like no other. Without communion we left Abbyville a little empty.
Our Father's Love,
Tom
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