It is well for a man not to touch a woman (I Corinthians 7:1).
For some unknown reason, this is the first Scripture verse that came to mind when I was thinking of writing this piece, though there are others that are better, so I am going with it. Touch is a powerful thing. In the area of male and female relationships it must be used very carefully because of the emotions that can be triggered as a result of a touch.
In the most recent issue of Psychology Today (April 2013) there is an article by Rick Chillot called, Touch, Louder than Words. I thought the article was good, but I am only going to share a couple of brief quotes to stimulate your curiosity to read it and to remind Christians how important touching is.
In a study by the University of Illinois, physical contact between professional basketball team mates was tracked: The study revealed that the more on court touching (chest bumps, high fives, back slapping, etc.) there was early in the season, the more successful teams and individuals were by season's end. The effect of touch was independent of salary or performance, eliminating the possibility that players touch more if they're more skilled or better compensated.
. . . research shows that touch can communicate multiple positive emotions: joy, love, gratitude, and sympathy . . . touch is a much more nuanced, sophisticated, and precise way to communicate emotions.
A warm handshake, hug, pat on the back, high five, fist bump, etc can work motivational and attitudinal wonders!
Our Father's Love*
Tom
*I'd give you a hug if I could.
Tuesday, March 26, 2013
Wednesday, March 20, 2013
FROM WHERE DOES OUR POWER COME?
Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness. Stretch out your hand to heal and perform miraculous signs and wonders through the holy name of your holy servant Jesus. After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly (Acts 4:29-31 NIV).
The apostles Peter and John had been jailed for preaching about Jesus Christ. Upon their release they returned to the assembly of Christians and reported to them what had happened. Then they prayed. The cited text above is their prayer.
In his book, The Great Omission, Robert Blair makes an important assertion for us to give some serious consideration: They [Peter and John] didn't petition the Lord to change the authorities' hearts or to alter the high court's decision. They didn't beg for leadership skills and money to form a popular protest. The church solicited two things from God. First, they wanted boldness to continue their witness in the face of threats. Second, they asked God to do something else few Christians request today -- "Stretch out your hand to heal and perform miraculous signs and wonders through the name of your holy servant Jesus." . . . Current Christians depend too much on lawyers, letter-writing campaigns, political clout, and legal maneuver. Jesus' real followers fearlessly declare his good news and pray powerfully. They do not demand a cozy, comfortable, safe environment.
The Christian consensus is gone. Perhaps that is a good thing. In times past, most people lived their lives by Christian assumptions, but they were not Christian. Now the contrast between a Christian and a person of the world is much more distinct--as it should be. It is more difficult to live as a Christian now. Where does the power to stand for Christ come from? I think Blair's point is valid. Our source of power is from God. The great weakness of the church today is that we seek power in the wrong places. As our culture becomes less and less moral, do we try to correct it by more political action or by prayer and disciple making? As I have said in an earlier post, in a government of the people, by the people and for the people, I have the responsibility to participate in it--and I will speak up politically. But my power doesn't come from government, but from God.
Perhaps the most powerful thing you can do for God, others and yourself is to organize a powerful prayer meeting--it is something any Christian can do (see Matthew 7:7-12).
Our Father's Blessing,
Tom
The apostles Peter and John had been jailed for preaching about Jesus Christ. Upon their release they returned to the assembly of Christians and reported to them what had happened. Then they prayed. The cited text above is their prayer.
In his book, The Great Omission, Robert Blair makes an important assertion for us to give some serious consideration: They [Peter and John] didn't petition the Lord to change the authorities' hearts or to alter the high court's decision. They didn't beg for leadership skills and money to form a popular protest. The church solicited two things from God. First, they wanted boldness to continue their witness in the face of threats. Second, they asked God to do something else few Christians request today -- "Stretch out your hand to heal and perform miraculous signs and wonders through the name of your holy servant Jesus." . . . Current Christians depend too much on lawyers, letter-writing campaigns, political clout, and legal maneuver. Jesus' real followers fearlessly declare his good news and pray powerfully. They do not demand a cozy, comfortable, safe environment.
The Christian consensus is gone. Perhaps that is a good thing. In times past, most people lived their lives by Christian assumptions, but they were not Christian. Now the contrast between a Christian and a person of the world is much more distinct--as it should be. It is more difficult to live as a Christian now. Where does the power to stand for Christ come from? I think Blair's point is valid. Our source of power is from God. The great weakness of the church today is that we seek power in the wrong places. As our culture becomes less and less moral, do we try to correct it by more political action or by prayer and disciple making? As I have said in an earlier post, in a government of the people, by the people and for the people, I have the responsibility to participate in it--and I will speak up politically. But my power doesn't come from government, but from God.
Perhaps the most powerful thing you can do for God, others and yourself is to organize a powerful prayer meeting--it is something any Christian can do (see Matthew 7:7-12).
Our Father's Blessing,
Tom
Saturday, March 16, 2013
THE UNITED STATES: A GIFT TO PASS ON TO THE NEXT GENERATION
And Jesus came and said to them, "All authority in Heaven and on earth has been given unto me. God therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, to the close of the age" (Matthew 28:18-20).
I finished reading Robert Blair's The Great Omission. It is a book that has been around for a few years, but is well worth reading. In this, and the next post or two, I will share some thoughts. The Church has muddled the message of Christ and, as a result, mixed the mission of Christ so much so that the Church must have Divine origins and support to even exist. Blair makes an important point when he says, Many conservative American Christians seem to think they need all the rights and freedoms afforded by the U.S. government in order for the church to survive until Jesus returns. They fix their hopes in the courts and Congress. (p. 291). What ever the political situation is, Christians have a job to do. We are empowered by our God to carry it out--it is His will!
Having said that, I want to say this: I am a conservative American Christian. I have been blessed to live through the best times in history, enjoying the blessings of freedom and material wealth that most of earth's population has not been afforded. The reason that we enjoy this is because we are a nation founded on Christian principles. It is so sad to see this slipping away. Why would I stand around and just let this treasure be lost without saying something, without doing something? I can't!
The success of the Kingdom of God does not depend on the United States of America. As Christians we must keep on with the mission regardless of the political situation! Nevertheless, as a Christian citizen of the United States, I cannot idly standby and watch it that heritage be squandered so that it cannot be enjoyed by the next generation.
Our Father's Love,
Tom
I finished reading Robert Blair's The Great Omission. It is a book that has been around for a few years, but is well worth reading. In this, and the next post or two, I will share some thoughts. The Church has muddled the message of Christ and, as a result, mixed the mission of Christ so much so that the Church must have Divine origins and support to even exist. Blair makes an important point when he says, Many conservative American Christians seem to think they need all the rights and freedoms afforded by the U.S. government in order for the church to survive until Jesus returns. They fix their hopes in the courts and Congress. (p. 291). What ever the political situation is, Christians have a job to do. We are empowered by our God to carry it out--it is His will!
Having said that, I want to say this: I am a conservative American Christian. I have been blessed to live through the best times in history, enjoying the blessings of freedom and material wealth that most of earth's population has not been afforded. The reason that we enjoy this is because we are a nation founded on Christian principles. It is so sad to see this slipping away. Why would I stand around and just let this treasure be lost without saying something, without doing something? I can't!
The success of the Kingdom of God does not depend on the United States of America. As Christians we must keep on with the mission regardless of the political situation! Nevertheless, as a Christian citizen of the United States, I cannot idly standby and watch it that heritage be squandered so that it cannot be enjoyed by the next generation.
Our Father's Love,
Tom
Tuesday, March 12, 2013
HOW TO READ THE BIBLE
You search the scriptures, because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that bear witness to me; yet you refuse to come to me that you may have life (John 5:39-40).
In a book authored by a friend of mine, Robert Blair, he makes a statement that I think is important to share: Until people read Scripture allowing God to speak forcibly and unequivocally to their own hearts, they had just as well read Shakespeare . . . (The Great Omission).
I think it is important for a person to get into the habit of Bible reading. There are times when one isn't feeling good, or sections of the Bible that seem to be boring and uninspiring and, as a result, it is a matter of will power just to keep on reading. At these times Bible reading may seem to be less important than Shakespeare. Nevertheless, if one is reading for the purpose of knowing God--of understanding His will, I believe God rewards that, All scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work (II Timothy 3:16-17). We do not read the Bible to "score points" with God, but to know Him and His Son, Jesus Christ.
Brother Blair mentioned in his book [knowing brother Blair, I know he did not say this to brag] that he had read the Bible clear through more than sixty times. My wife has read the Bible through several times. I have been critical of those who read on a ridged schedule and read so fast, how can they get anything out of it? Yet, it is clear that they do. I read at a virtual snail's pace because I like to meditate as I read. I also read one of the gospels after I read one of the other sections of the Bible because it is important to connect it all to Jesus--that's my style.*
One last thing, I believe it is important to ask God to bless the reading of His word. Living in this world and in this body of flesh we need the encouragement, strength and wisdom that God has to give us through his word. Whatever your style is for Bible reading, make it every day and ask God's blessing on your reading.
Our Father's Love,
Tom
*I also think that one meditates better with a cup of coffee and something chocolate.
In a book authored by a friend of mine, Robert Blair, he makes a statement that I think is important to share: Until people read Scripture allowing God to speak forcibly and unequivocally to their own hearts, they had just as well read Shakespeare . . . (The Great Omission).
I think it is important for a person to get into the habit of Bible reading. There are times when one isn't feeling good, or sections of the Bible that seem to be boring and uninspiring and, as a result, it is a matter of will power just to keep on reading. At these times Bible reading may seem to be less important than Shakespeare. Nevertheless, if one is reading for the purpose of knowing God--of understanding His will, I believe God rewards that, All scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work (II Timothy 3:16-17). We do not read the Bible to "score points" with God, but to know Him and His Son, Jesus Christ.
Brother Blair mentioned in his book [knowing brother Blair, I know he did not say this to brag] that he had read the Bible clear through more than sixty times. My wife has read the Bible through several times. I have been critical of those who read on a ridged schedule and read so fast, how can they get anything out of it? Yet, it is clear that they do. I read at a virtual snail's pace because I like to meditate as I read. I also read one of the gospels after I read one of the other sections of the Bible because it is important to connect it all to Jesus--that's my style.*
One last thing, I believe it is important to ask God to bless the reading of His word. Living in this world and in this body of flesh we need the encouragement, strength and wisdom that God has to give us through his word. Whatever your style is for Bible reading, make it every day and ask God's blessing on your reading.
Our Father's Love,
Tom
*I also think that one meditates better with a cup of coffee and something chocolate.
Friday, March 08, 2013
CHRISTIAN UNITY
I do not pray for these only, but also for those who believe in me through their word, that they may all be one; even as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that thou hast sent me (John 17:20-21).
That the Church of Christ upon earth is essentially, intentionally, and constitutionally one; consisting of all those in every place that profess their faith in Christ and obedience to him in all things according to the Scriptures, and that manifest the same by their tempers and conduct, and of none else as none else can be truly and properly called Christians (Thomas Campbell, the first proposition of his Declaration and Address, June 1, 1851).
More than a week ago I posted my story about my hernia surgery, relating how my surgeon asked to pray with me before the surgery. I certainly welcomed that prayer prayed in Jesus name! Knowing a little of his denominational background, I know there are some doctrinal issues upon which we differ, but on the person of Jesus Christ there are no differences. Jesus, the Messiah, is God become flesh who dwelt among us, being fully tempted in every way and yet without sin. Who gave himself as the only sacrifice for sin, dying on the the cross, raising from the dead, ascending into Heaven with the promise to return for His own. This Jesus is the only savior! Belief in this Jesus is the foremost essential.
In saying that belief in the gospel is the foremost essential, all other doctrinal matters are secondary essentials. If Jesus Christ is not who the New Testament says he is, all other doctrinal matters make no difference anyway (I Corinthians 15:17). I know the good doctor and I have differences on a secondary essential and some matters of opinion, but I am thankful that we share our belief in the same Lord Jesus Christ, the foremost essential. God will deal with the rest. Let us celebrate the unity we do have!
Our Father's Love,
Tom
That the Church of Christ upon earth is essentially, intentionally, and constitutionally one; consisting of all those in every place that profess their faith in Christ and obedience to him in all things according to the Scriptures, and that manifest the same by their tempers and conduct, and of none else as none else can be truly and properly called Christians (Thomas Campbell, the first proposition of his Declaration and Address, June 1, 1851).
More than a week ago I posted my story about my hernia surgery, relating how my surgeon asked to pray with me before the surgery. I certainly welcomed that prayer prayed in Jesus name! Knowing a little of his denominational background, I know there are some doctrinal issues upon which we differ, but on the person of Jesus Christ there are no differences. Jesus, the Messiah, is God become flesh who dwelt among us, being fully tempted in every way and yet without sin. Who gave himself as the only sacrifice for sin, dying on the the cross, raising from the dead, ascending into Heaven with the promise to return for His own. This Jesus is the only savior! Belief in this Jesus is the foremost essential.
In saying that belief in the gospel is the foremost essential, all other doctrinal matters are secondary essentials. If Jesus Christ is not who the New Testament says he is, all other doctrinal matters make no difference anyway (I Corinthians 15:17). I know the good doctor and I have differences on a secondary essential and some matters of opinion, but I am thankful that we share our belief in the same Lord Jesus Christ, the foremost essential. God will deal with the rest. Let us celebrate the unity we do have!
Our Father's Love,
Tom
Tuesday, March 05, 2013
HAVE YOU CHOSEN YOUR LIFE OR HAS YOUR LIFE CHOSEN YOU?
For whoever would save his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it (Matthew 16:25).
Many people know what their career choice is while they are very young; not so with me. Where I am today was not the result of careful planning, but more the result of the Lord's leading--I am thoroughly convinced of it! I do not claim to be a great philosopher, but it seems to me that when one commits his life to the Lord Jesus Christ he cannot go wrong on the vocational choice of his life, for in any case, he will always be serving the Lord. If one is committed to serving the Lord, he will find his best possible life.
Even though some get started in their career choices at an early age, still the route one takes vocationally can be a circuitous one. Sometimes we will find that we are doing something that is other than what we want to do. What is most important is that we are doing honest work to make ends meet. It might well be that God prepares us in these times for the great vocational goal where we really want to be, or for the great vocational satisfaction we never expected.
As a young person, pastoral ministry was one of my vocational choices, along with teaching and coaching. I have degrees in pastoral ministry and marriage and family therapy. To some degree, I serve in each of those capacities, but if one asks me what I do, I call myself a farmer. I say that because I do not doubt that God led us to the farm. Farming was not an occupation that I chose for myself in my early years, but as I look back at my life, this is the place where I fit the best.
Our Father's Blessings,
Tom
Many people know what their career choice is while they are very young; not so with me. Where I am today was not the result of careful planning, but more the result of the Lord's leading--I am thoroughly convinced of it! I do not claim to be a great philosopher, but it seems to me that when one commits his life to the Lord Jesus Christ he cannot go wrong on the vocational choice of his life, for in any case, he will always be serving the Lord. If one is committed to serving the Lord, he will find his best possible life.
Even though some get started in their career choices at an early age, still the route one takes vocationally can be a circuitous one. Sometimes we will find that we are doing something that is other than what we want to do. What is most important is that we are doing honest work to make ends meet. It might well be that God prepares us in these times for the great vocational goal where we really want to be, or for the great vocational satisfaction we never expected.
As a young person, pastoral ministry was one of my vocational choices, along with teaching and coaching. I have degrees in pastoral ministry and marriage and family therapy. To some degree, I serve in each of those capacities, but if one asks me what I do, I call myself a farmer. I say that because I do not doubt that God led us to the farm. Farming was not an occupation that I chose for myself in my early years, but as I look back at my life, this is the place where I fit the best.
Our Father's Blessings,
Tom
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