MAKING PLANS?

"In his heart a man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps" (Proverbs 16:9).

"Instead, you ought to say, 'If it is the Lord's will, we will live and do this or that'" (James 4:15).

Grace&Peace,
Tom

WHATS WITH AMERICAN JEWS?

My two favorite female politicians: Tzipi Livni, soon to be Israeli PM, and Sarah Palin, soon to be United States VP.

"How shall we sing the Lord's song in a foreign land? If I forget you, O Jerusalem, let my right hand wither! Let my tongue cleave to the roof of my mouth, if I do not set Jerusalem above my highest joy!" (Psalm 137:4-6).

The perky Katie Couric, CBS News anchorette, asked Sarah Palin again about not second-guessing Israel if Israel chooses to attack Iran. Sarah answered, but she could have done better. This would have been my answer:

"Israel is a country 50 miles wide and 300 miles long. Sixty percent of it is desert. Out of this they also want to carve out a home land for the Palestinian people. There are enemies on every side. The leader of Iran sees this time as the Apocalypse. Mutual Assured Destruction means nothing to him. Death in Holy War means going to heaven. Israel is too small to make a mistake because a mistake would mean its destruction! That is why we cannot second guess their efforts to secure their nation! "

It is interesting that the American Jewish Committee polled the Jews of America and found that only 3% of them were concerned about Israel--they were more concerned about the economy and health care (Jerusalem Post).

Grace&Peace,

Tom

THE BLESSING OF SELF-SACRIFICE

"...How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news" (Romans 10:15).

My home church has a program for kids each Wednesday evening from 5:30 to 8. We start with play time for an hour. Then we have supper at 6:30. Then from 7 to 8 we have class time. Many of the children do not have good home structure, so we spend a considerable amount of time teaching them life skills. Our aim is also to teach them the Bible, the basis for faith and life skills.

I am so proud of our church people! Last night we had 75 kids, ages 3 through high school. We have 19 adults who volunteer their time, money and their willingness to deal with the stress of loving and teaching these kids. Of course, all of our helpers and teachers are blessed immeasurably--the hugs from the kids and the satisfaction of seeing changed-lives are such a treasure! If you are not involved in helping another, start now. You will be truly blessed!

Grace&Peace,
Tom

THANK YOU, LORD, FOR MY FRIENDS

"Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends" (John 15:13).

"Thank You, Lord, for those who befriend me, who give me gentle nudges, engaging eyes, listening ears, and warm hands. Who remind me that at the fiber of Your Essence, You are revealed as a God of gentle nudges, engaging eyes, listening ears, and warm hands. Amen (A prayer by Virgil M. Fry).

Grace&Peace,
Tom

FRIENDSHIP

"The glory of friendship is not the outstretched hand, nor the kindly smile nor the joy of companionship, it is the spiritual inspiration that comes to one when he discovers that someone else believes in him and is willing to trust him" (Ralph Waldo Emerson/ Virgil M. Fry).

Grace&Peace,
Tom

LOVE IS . . .

Love is holding on, and love is letting go.

Grace&Peace,
Tom

A THOUGHT ABOUT TRANSFORMATION

"The meeting of two personalities is like the contact of two chemical substances; if there is any reaction, both are transformed" (Carl Jung).

Grace&Peace,
Tom

SUFFERING NATURAL CONSEQUENCES IS IMPORTANT

"The ultimate result of shielding men from the effects of folly is to fill the world with fools" (Herbert Spencer/Walter Williams).

Grace&Peace,
Tom

HELP! I'M LOSING MY FAITH

"I believe; help my unbelief!" (Mark 9:24).


I am beginning a sermon series called, "Answers to Tough Questions." I have invited the members of my congregation to submit questions about matters of faith, life, discipleship, theology, ethics, love, marriage, family and college football--just kidding. I do not want to leave honest questions unanswered, from a biblical perspective.


First question: "How to answer some one when they tell you they are loosing their faith?"

These thoughts are just coming out of my mind as I begin to tackle this question. Serious structure will come later.

1. No one has perfect faith and it is natural for doubts to creep into the minds of even the most devout saints from time to time. This is true when life is going well.

2. When some one confesses that they are losing their faith, it could be that there is a lot more going on than just the confession. The loss of faith could well be a symptom of a past trauma, a heavy stress load, unresolved grief and anger. For the last 50 years of her life, Mother Teresa felt spiritually abandoned and cut off from God. She felt no Presence. She felt alone. That seems to be the common experience of those who work in difficult and traumatic situations. The Lord Jesus Christ himself cried out, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" The Psalmist questioned with tears, "How long, O Lord? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me?" Within the pages of scripture these honest expressions of human emotional questioning are allowed. God understands! This honest portrayal of emotion, questioning and doubt by the most devout in the Bible is one of the reasons I believe that it is the Word of God. This questioning of faith is a common human experience. It is also why Christians need each other for prayer and support. In some situations there are no words that can be shared that will solve the problem, only Christian love that is shown will make the difference--that is why Christian fellowship is a necessity! **

3. Many are unbelievers because to be a believer means that they would have to change and they refuse to do that; "Israel has a chance to live, but is too foolish to take it--like a child about to be born, who refuses to come out of the womb" (Hosea 13:13 TEV). For this kind of person, a reasonable teaching of the truth of the Bible is what is required. "Faith comes by hearing, and what is heard by the preaching of Christ" (Romans 10:17).

Knowing the situation of the person who confesses they are losing their faith is the first step in answering him. In any case, he is a person who must be loved and prayed for.

Grace&Peace,
Tom

**I think it is important to add John 6:29 to this discussion: "Jesus answered them, 'This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent.'" We often under estimate how hard this work of belief is. If you read the context of this verse you will see that many who had followed Jesus because He could give them free food were now leaving Him. Doing God's work means believing in Jesus through extremely difficult times--times when believing doesn't seem to make sense.

ONE LIKE MOSES

The top picture was taken from a boat on Galilee. It was here that Jesus calmed the storm (See Mark 4:35-41).

*

The middle picture is of a Byzantine era mosaic in a church built on the traditional site of the miracle of the multiplication of the loaves and the fishes, at Tabgah, where Jesus fed the five thousand (See John chapter 6).

*

The bottom picture is of a stone jar like those used by Jesus in his first miracle, the turning of water into wine (See John 2:1-12). This picture was taken in a chapel in the town of Cana. The married couples in our group renewed their marriage vows there--there were no first-timers.

*

"The Lord your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among you, from you countrymen, you shall listen to him" (Deuteronomy 18:15).

*

"Moses said, ' The Lord you God will raise up for you a prophet like me from your brethren; to Him you shall give heed to everything He says to you'" (Acts 3:22).

*

Fourteen hundred years before Christ, Moses prophesied that God would raise up a prophet like himself. In the apostle Peter's second sermon, he says that Jesus Christ is the one like Moses. Being like Moses was one of the necessary qualifications of the Messiah that people were looking for (John 1:45). There are about many similarities between Jesus and Moses; I will list only a few.

1. They were both born under difficult circumstances in which their lives were in danger.

2. They both came out of Egypt.

3. They both enjoyed intimate communication with God (Deuteronomy 34:10 & John 1:18).

4. Moses was the mediator between God and His people. Jesus is the great mediator between God and His own (Hebrews 4:14-16).

5. Moses delivered Israel from slavery. Jesus is the great deliverer from sin.

6. Both Moses and Jesus were miracle workers to credential their authority. Moses parted the waters of the Red Sea; Jesus calmed the storms on Galilee. Moses brought manna from heaven; Jesus multiplied the loaves and the fishes to feed the multitudes. Moses turned the waters of Egypt to blood; Jesus turned the water to wine at a wedding feast in Cana. Truly, Jesus Christ is the only one who fulfills the prophecy of Moses. So, as Moses said, we must listen to Jesus!

*

Grace&Peace,

Tom

LOVE INVENTORY, part 2

A self-assessment guide for meditating on 1 Corinthians 13:4-8a.

"Love is patient, love is kind and is not jealous; love does not brag and is not arrogant, does not act unbecomingly; it does not seek its own, is not provoked, does not take into account a wrong suffered, does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails. . ."

1. I kick and slam doors when I am angry.
2. I give the "silent-treatment" to those with whom I am angry for more than 6 hours.
3. There are some people who have hurt me too much to forgive.
4. I feel a twinge of delight and some self-satisfaction when I hear of the failures and difficulties of others.
5. I treat others according to how I feel at the moment.
6. Our country is "going to hell in a hand basket." There is nothing I can do.
7. I am more courteous to strangers than I am to my own family.
8. I have a pleasure, habit, hobby or addiction that I pay for at the expense of others.
9. I avoid cooperation because I do not want others to benefit.
10. I believe others succeed because they have special privileges and benefits.
11. I look for ways in which I can help others.
12. I have sufficient income to help meet the needs of those who depend on me.
13. I am honest even if it hurts another.
14. I am a good listener.
15. I am always trying to become a better person.
16. I am a persistent person in spite of great obstacles.
17. I am an encourager.
18. I criticize because it makes others better.
19. I must protect those whom I love from the natural consequences of their actions.
20. I am a suspicious person.

In light of 1 Corinthians 13, how would you respond to each of these statements? Are there any changes you need to make?

Grace&Peace,

Tom

THE LOVE INVENTORY

"Love is patient, love is kind and is not jealous; love does not brag and is not arrogant, does not act unbecomingly; it does not seek its own, is not provoked, does not take into account a wrong suffered, does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices in the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails. . ." (I Corinthians 13:4-8a).

In the assessment and diagnostic phase of a counseling relationship, the counselor has to arrive at an accurate understanding of the client. Different kinds of assessment tools are used to accomplish this. One of them is the "Love Inventory" that comes directly from the Bible; fifteen different love indicators are listed in this inventory by which the presence or absence of love can be recognized.

1. Patience with people. It is important to be patient with circumstances, but even more so with people. According to Barclay, the word that is translated "patient" here always has to do with patience with people in the New Testament.
2. Kindness. It is slow to anger, rather it returns a kind spirit.
3. No envy or jealousy. One who loves is not made unhappy by the good fortune of another.
4. Does not brag, not boasting of superiority over another.
5. Love is not proud or arrogant so that humble service is beneath his dignity. One who loves is always willing to serve.
6. Love is not rude, says the New International version. Love is always courteous and charismatic.
7. Love is not self-seeking or selfish, insisting on his own rights and privileges. Thus, love recognizes his responsibilities and is willing to sacrifice for others.
8. Love does not fly into a rage! Lovers work on anger management.
9. Love keeps no record of wrongs. Relationships cannot heal if the past cannot be put away.*
10. Love does not delight in the failure of anyone, but it does rejoice in the truth of Love's triumphs.
11. Love is not overcome, bearing up through any situation, protecting those in need.
12. Love is not suspicious. It brings out the best in people when they are trusted.*
13. Love never loses hope. People who love are people with positive attitudes even in the face of overwhelming odds against them.
14. Love always perseveres, patiently enduring very difficult times.
15. Love never fails, that means that it is eternal--it doesn't come and go.

It is humbling for me to take the Bible's love inventory and become aware of how much growing I have yet to do in love. I hope it helped you too!

Grace&Peace,

Tom

*By necessity, empathy and compassion fit in here. Empathy risks coming into understanding distance to show compassion. It is necessary that a person be understood so that they can be helped in the way that is best for everyone. It is completely irresponsible to take the word of an addict or criminal at face value--it will not help him or those close to him. Empathy involves having a true understanding so that the best possible solution can be worked out.

ADDENDUM TO THE BLESSINGS OF WORK

I found this quote about work which I thought would be a good addendum to my post, "The Blessing of Work," "Work organizes life. It gives structure and discipline to life" (President Bill Clinton). I do think President Clinton was right. If we have no work, we have no deadlines; we have no responsibilities. As a result, we end up wasting our lives away, accomplishing little. So, if you are dissatisfied with your accomplishments, maybe it is because you do not have enough work to do.

Grace&Peace,
Tom