Though it has always been true in the old media, in the age of the internet it is even more true, beware of the factoids! Norman Mailer coined the term and defined it, "A factoid is something that looks like a fact, could be a fact, but in fact is not a fact." Now if that quote is not a fact, don't blame me. It came from a column by Wesley Pruden.
Grace&Peace,
Tom
Friday, January 26, 2007
Friday, January 19, 2007
SIGNS IN THE HEAVENS
"Learn not the way of nations, nor be dismayed at the signs of the heavens because the nations are dismayed at them, for the customs of the peoples are false" (Jeremiah 10:2).
There is a huge amount of anxiety in our culture about global warming, so much so that there are people who are ready to "cash in" their God-given rights to stop it. It appears that there is consensus in the scientific community that global warming is a reality and if we do not do something about it, humanity will become extinct--if not all life. To me it is interesting that believers in macro evolution, that life formed from inert matter, would have this much anxiety about "global warming" at all. After all, humanity is the problem. If it became extinct some life form would adapt and evolve and start the whole process over again--maybe in a better way.
Of course, any time a group of scientists get together with a political agenda, their consensus becomes junk science. It was the scientific consensus that there would be many hurricanes during the last season. There was not. If the scientists cannot accurately forcast a hurricane season 6 months ahead of time, why should we believe that they can forcast what would happen if global warming really is a reality? I have a suspicion that one simply needs to look at the "money trail" and political agendas to get to the bottom of the "scientific consensus" on global warming.
The signs in the heavens could well be a sign of the times. The Hebrews understood that there were 3 heavens: the atmosphere was the first heaven; where the sun, moon and stars are constituted the second heaven and the place where God resides constituted the third. Global warming qualifies as a sign in the heavens because it is in the atmosphere. One of the qualities of a corrupt generation is when its fears come from the imaginations of its heart. Trust and obey the Lord. It's gonna be OK.
Grace&Peace,
Tom
There is a huge amount of anxiety in our culture about global warming, so much so that there are people who are ready to "cash in" their God-given rights to stop it. It appears that there is consensus in the scientific community that global warming is a reality and if we do not do something about it, humanity will become extinct--if not all life. To me it is interesting that believers in macro evolution, that life formed from inert matter, would have this much anxiety about "global warming" at all. After all, humanity is the problem. If it became extinct some life form would adapt and evolve and start the whole process over again--maybe in a better way.
Of course, any time a group of scientists get together with a political agenda, their consensus becomes junk science. It was the scientific consensus that there would be many hurricanes during the last season. There was not. If the scientists cannot accurately forcast a hurricane season 6 months ahead of time, why should we believe that they can forcast what would happen if global warming really is a reality? I have a suspicion that one simply needs to look at the "money trail" and political agendas to get to the bottom of the "scientific consensus" on global warming.
The signs in the heavens could well be a sign of the times. The Hebrews understood that there were 3 heavens: the atmosphere was the first heaven; where the sun, moon and stars are constituted the second heaven and the place where God resides constituted the third. Global warming qualifies as a sign in the heavens because it is in the atmosphere. One of the qualities of a corrupt generation is when its fears come from the imaginations of its heart. Trust and obey the Lord. It's gonna be OK.
Grace&Peace,
Tom
Wednesday, January 17, 2007
FAMININE?
"Hear this word, you cows of Bashan, who are in the mountain of Sameria, who oppress the poor, who crush the needy, who say to their husbands, 'Bring, that we may drink!'" (Amos 4:1).
"Husker Red" gave me a little heat for my poor spelling ability. Yet "faminine" is not a mispelled word--I just coined a new one. Famines have to do with scarcity and dryness. Femininity has to do with qualities of the female gender. When a system is excessively female driven and there is a scarcity of masculine and Spiritual leadership that is what is a "faminine system." It is one of the most common systems in Western culture. The father with draws from a dominating female influence in the family, church or workplace. The result of such a system is just as dysfunctional as when there is too much male dominance. Is your family, church, workplace, or government too faminine?
It is interesting to me that this dynamic is not new. It has been present in every era of history when men have not lived up to their God-given responsibility to be the Spiritual leaders in their homes. The hen-pecked husbands of Israel of which Amos speaks are but one example.
Grace&Peace;
Tom
"Husker Red" gave me a little heat for my poor spelling ability. Yet "faminine" is not a mispelled word--I just coined a new one. Famines have to do with scarcity and dryness. Femininity has to do with qualities of the female gender. When a system is excessively female driven and there is a scarcity of masculine and Spiritual leadership that is what is a "faminine system." It is one of the most common systems in Western culture. The father with draws from a dominating female influence in the family, church or workplace. The result of such a system is just as dysfunctional as when there is too much male dominance. Is your family, church, workplace, or government too faminine?
It is interesting to me that this dynamic is not new. It has been present in every era of history when men have not lived up to their God-given responsibility to be the Spiritual leaders in their homes. The hen-pecked husbands of Israel of which Amos speaks are but one example.
Grace&Peace;
Tom
Saturday, December 23, 2006
THE NON-ANXIOUS PRESENCE 5 -- MERRY CHRISTMAS
"But when the time had fully come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman . . ." (Galations 4:4).
At the risk of over-doing "non-anxious presence" I wanted to share this thought I had about Christmas:
From the first promise of a savior as anounced in Genesis 3:15 until the birth of Jesus was no less than four thousand years. Over those many years there were countless prayers for God's intervention to deal with the problems of His people. In some cases He did miraculously, but only according to His covenants. God is not emotionally driven, though He is emotional; it is according to His purposes that He intervenes in the lives of humanity. So, it was when the time had fully come--when the time was right, that He sent forth His Son.
God doesn't use quick fixes to meet our whims and make us feel better. God takes the long view toward bringing about healing. God doesn't "zap" us with a cure. He is willing to spend what ever it takes to give true healing to us. He will not give to us that which costs Him nothing. The great salvation that is given to us was bought and paid for by our Lord Jesus Christ. Because of Him we will have a very merry Christmas!
Grace&Peace;
Tom
At the risk of over-doing "non-anxious presence" I wanted to share this thought I had about Christmas:
From the first promise of a savior as anounced in Genesis 3:15 until the birth of Jesus was no less than four thousand years. Over those many years there were countless prayers for God's intervention to deal with the problems of His people. In some cases He did miraculously, but only according to His covenants. God is not emotionally driven, though He is emotional; it is according to His purposes that He intervenes in the lives of humanity. So, it was when the time had fully come--when the time was right, that He sent forth His Son.
God doesn't use quick fixes to meet our whims and make us feel better. God takes the long view toward bringing about healing. God doesn't "zap" us with a cure. He is willing to spend what ever it takes to give true healing to us. He will not give to us that which costs Him nothing. The great salvation that is given to us was bought and paid for by our Lord Jesus Christ. Because of Him we will have a very merry Christmas!
Grace&Peace;
Tom
Wednesday, December 20, 2006
THE NON-ANXIOUS PRESENCE 4
"For as the earth brings forth its shoots, and as a garden causes what is sown in it to spring up, so the Lord God will cause righteousness and praise to spring forth before all the nations" (Isaiah 61:11).
Much has been written about the necessity of leaders manifesting a non-anxious presence in the presence of conflict, chaos, tragedy and sorrow. Does "non-anxious presence" mean that a leader shouldn't be emotional? No! We weep with those who weep! We rejoice with those who rejoice! We are shocked at immorality! Non-anxious presence is not emotionless, it is the appropriate display of the emotions in a given situation. Those who do not display their emotions are probably the most anxious of all because they are afraid of allowing someone else to see into their heart.
To be a non-anxious presence is to model God's presence. Do you know who you are, what you believe and act consistantly with that in spite of opposing pressure? As a result of your presence do you inspire praise, love and righteousness? These are some of the facets of non-anxious presence.
Grace&Peace;
Tom
Much has been written about the necessity of leaders manifesting a non-anxious presence in the presence of conflict, chaos, tragedy and sorrow. Does "non-anxious presence" mean that a leader shouldn't be emotional? No! We weep with those who weep! We rejoice with those who rejoice! We are shocked at immorality! Non-anxious presence is not emotionless, it is the appropriate display of the emotions in a given situation. Those who do not display their emotions are probably the most anxious of all because they are afraid of allowing someone else to see into their heart.
To be a non-anxious presence is to model God's presence. Do you know who you are, what you believe and act consistantly with that in spite of opposing pressure? As a result of your presence do you inspire praise, love and righteousness? These are some of the facets of non-anxious presence.
Grace&Peace;
Tom
Friday, December 15, 2006
THE NON-ANXIOUS PRESENCE 3
"How long, O Lord? Wilt thou forget me for ever? How long wilt thou hide thy face from me? How long must I bear pain in my soul, and have sorrow in my heart all the day?" (Psalm 13:1-2).
"By his wounds you have been healed" (I Peter 2:24b).
Our expectation of God is that He would be to as a genie to grant our wishes. We bring our requests to Him and, to quote a great American philosopher,* "boom" we have what we want. If we do not get what we want, what is the use in trusting Him? For what reason should we worship Him? We tend to be pragmatic; if it works, do it. If it doesn't work , "shoo"it.
What is interesting to me is that God never worries that some one will not believe in Him because He does not grant their request. God goes about His business according to His nature and according to His covenant, working out what is right and best for us. What is right and best for us may not square with what we think is right and best for us. We are frustrated when our pain isn't relieved; when we feel like God isn't around.
What I want you all to remember, God is the great physician, He is not the great magician. It is not wrong to bring all of your requests to God--many times over! He who has the hairs on your head numbered is very interested in you and will give to you just as a responsible and loving earthly father gives to his children.**
Grace&Peace;
Tom
* John Madden
**One of the reasons I believe this is from reading the Psalms. In Psalms God allows the expression of the whole range of human emotion. Our loving Hevenly Father is not threatened by our requests or by our emotions. Truely, He is a non-anxious presence.
"By his wounds you have been healed" (I Peter 2:24b).
Our expectation of God is that He would be to as a genie to grant our wishes. We bring our requests to Him and, to quote a great American philosopher,* "boom" we have what we want. If we do not get what we want, what is the use in trusting Him? For what reason should we worship Him? We tend to be pragmatic; if it works, do it. If it doesn't work , "shoo"it.
What is interesting to me is that God never worries that some one will not believe in Him because He does not grant their request. God goes about His business according to His nature and according to His covenant, working out what is right and best for us. What is right and best for us may not square with what we think is right and best for us. We are frustrated when our pain isn't relieved; when we feel like God isn't around.
What I want you all to remember, God is the great physician, He is not the great magician. It is not wrong to bring all of your requests to God--many times over! He who has the hairs on your head numbered is very interested in you and will give to you just as a responsible and loving earthly father gives to his children.**
Grace&Peace;
Tom
* John Madden
**One of the reasons I believe this is from reading the Psalms. In Psalms God allows the expression of the whole range of human emotion. Our loving Hevenly Father is not threatened by our requests or by our emotions. Truely, He is a non-anxious presence.
Thursday, December 14, 2006
QUICK ANSWER TO BL & HUSKER RED
"Jesus wept. So the Jews said, 'See how he loved him'" (John 11:35-36).
God isn't some Spock-like personality who has no emotion but is only logical. I think the Bible and Jesus himself clearly demonstrate the emotion of God. Is God anxious? Probably not like our anxiety. Some of our anxiety has a positive benefit. It makes us put on deoderant, brush our teeth and wear clean clothes because we worry about what people will think of us if we don't.
God's ways are not man's ways. His understanding is infinite while ours is bound by the finite. Trusting His ways are a matter of faith in what He has revealed to us in Scripture. In our prayer life we may ask Him for requests that seem to go unanswered--it seems our prayers go no higher than the ceiling. God is not anxious that we will no longer believe in Him if He doesn't answer. He will do what is right even though it may not seem right to us. He is the great Physician, not the great magician to bestow on us our every whim, but gives us the healing we really need--sometimes the medicine can be bitter.
Grace&Peace,
Tom
God isn't some Spock-like personality who has no emotion but is only logical. I think the Bible and Jesus himself clearly demonstrate the emotion of God. Is God anxious? Probably not like our anxiety. Some of our anxiety has a positive benefit. It makes us put on deoderant, brush our teeth and wear clean clothes because we worry about what people will think of us if we don't.
God's ways are not man's ways. His understanding is infinite while ours is bound by the finite. Trusting His ways are a matter of faith in what He has revealed to us in Scripture. In our prayer life we may ask Him for requests that seem to go unanswered--it seems our prayers go no higher than the ceiling. God is not anxious that we will no longer believe in Him if He doesn't answer. He will do what is right even though it may not seem right to us. He is the great Physician, not the great magician to bestow on us our every whim, but gives us the healing we really need--sometimes the medicine can be bitter.
Grace&Peace,
Tom
Friday, December 08, 2006
THE NON-ANXIOUS PRESENCE 2
"Problems are not solved until we attack them as intelligent beings. We suffer in our attempt to escape his obvious fact. Wailing about diphtheria for centuries got us nowhere. Robert Koch began to grow bacteria on his wife's kitchen stove. The end was diphtheria antitoxin, and diphtheria has been practically wiped of the face of the earth. Perhaps this was the answer to centuries of prayer. My father, a very devout man, believed a striving to the limit in a worthy cause constituted the most eloquent form of prayer" (Arthur E. Hertzler, M.D.).
"Those who sow in tears will reap with songs of joy" (Psalms 126:5).
I know a psychologist who understands non-anxious presence. His practice is to not speak until his client speaks to him. A client came for an appointment and didn't say anything. The client walked to the corner of the office, lay down on the carpeted floor in a fetal position and stayed that way for the fifty-minute session. No words were ever spoken, but just having some one understand and be accepting is powerful. God is that way. He does understand our pain and He loves us inspite of our failures, sins and mistakes. The Bible describes the Messiah as the Wonderful Counselor. The Holy Spirit is another counselor who is the Paraclete, the one who walks along side, the Comforter. The Bible is clear, God is love and He loves every human being.
It is also true that we live in a world that is, in the words of Paul, "in bondage to decay." It is a fallen world in which we live. There is sickness, there is hate, there is death, there is greed, there is lust, there is unfaithfulness, and there are weeds, to name a few. God allows this. He has given us freedom to deal with this fallen world in practical ways. That is why we have civil law, science, medicine and herbicides.
Suppose God always dealt with our prayers by a miracle or direct intervention of some sort. We would have never learned, progressed or achieved except in learned helplessness. Think of the blessings we enjoy as a result of the sweat, pain and sacrifices of those who have gone before us. Perhaps one of the reasons God wants us to deal with the effects of the fall in these ways is so that we will understand that salvation and wholeness can not be brought about without pain, sacrifice and death.
Am I saying that God has not been involved in the progress that we have enjoyed on this planet? No! But His non-anxious presence has provided the comfort and sustenance necessary for the achievment of the comforts and blessings of our lives today. Soren Keirkegaard is said to have said, "Prayer does not change God, but it changes him who prays."
God's non-anxious presence changes us.
Grace&Peace,
Tom
"Those who sow in tears will reap with songs of joy" (Psalms 126:5).
I know a psychologist who understands non-anxious presence. His practice is to not speak until his client speaks to him. A client came for an appointment and didn't say anything. The client walked to the corner of the office, lay down on the carpeted floor in a fetal position and stayed that way for the fifty-minute session. No words were ever spoken, but just having some one understand and be accepting is powerful. God is that way. He does understand our pain and He loves us inspite of our failures, sins and mistakes. The Bible describes the Messiah as the Wonderful Counselor. The Holy Spirit is another counselor who is the Paraclete, the one who walks along side, the Comforter. The Bible is clear, God is love and He loves every human being.
It is also true that we live in a world that is, in the words of Paul, "in bondage to decay." It is a fallen world in which we live. There is sickness, there is hate, there is death, there is greed, there is lust, there is unfaithfulness, and there are weeds, to name a few. God allows this. He has given us freedom to deal with this fallen world in practical ways. That is why we have civil law, science, medicine and herbicides.
Suppose God always dealt with our prayers by a miracle or direct intervention of some sort. We would have never learned, progressed or achieved except in learned helplessness. Think of the blessings we enjoy as a result of the sweat, pain and sacrifices of those who have gone before us. Perhaps one of the reasons God wants us to deal with the effects of the fall in these ways is so that we will understand that salvation and wholeness can not be brought about without pain, sacrifice and death.
Am I saying that God has not been involved in the progress that we have enjoyed on this planet? No! But His non-anxious presence has provided the comfort and sustenance necessary for the achievment of the comforts and blessings of our lives today. Soren Keirkegaard is said to have said, "Prayer does not change God, but it changes him who prays."
God's non-anxious presence changes us.
Grace&Peace,
Tom
Friday, December 01, 2006
THE NON-ANXIOUS PRESENCE
"After more than sixty years I can still hear the eloquent prayers that filled the countryside when epidemics of diphtheria appeared. One tube of antitoxin will do more good than all of these" (Arthur Hertzler M.D.).
"Let not your hearts be troubled. You believe in God, believe also in me" (Jesus Christ, Jn. 14:1).
I'm sorry it has taken so long to make another contribution. I caught a cold during the holiday, and it has taken this long to feel like writing. Helen and I went to visit her parents for Thanksgiving. Since we were already in Kansas, we made a quick trip (150 miles west) to Abbyville, where we visited loved ones from our first pastoral ministry of 31 years ago. Our travel to Abbyville took us through the area where Dr. Hertzler practiced medicine a hundred years ago. It reminded me again of his book, HORSE AND BUGGY DOCTOR, which is one of my cherished posessions. Dr. Hertzler's father was a Mennonite lay minister, but the doctor was skeptical about prayer, Christians and how they practiced Christianity, though he did believe in God.
According to family systems theory, if a person can maintain a non-anxious presence in the presence of anxious family, church members or co-workes for a sustained period of time, then that non-anxious presence will change the family, church or workplace. It is easier said than done because none of us are non-anxious, only God is, though some are more non-anxious than others. A non-anxious person knows who he/she is. Non-anxious people live consistently by their values and faith and do not allow themselves to be drawn into gossip, destructive criticism, defensivness and emotional reactivity ("you've got to do something now!").
God, being the only non-anxious presence there is, is not stampeded into action by our anxious prayers. One of the things that made Hertzler skeptical about prayer was that God did not answer in the way he thought He should. His childhood experiences with prayer and shallow Sunday school teaching had a profound effect on his adult life. Hertzler did finally adopt his father's understanding of prayer as the diligent pursuit of a worthy cause. In this way he said diphtheria antitoxin was an answer to prayer.
While in Kansas we were able to watch BRUCE ALMIGHTY on cable. Bruce was given Divine power to answer prayer. He answered all the lottery players prayers with a "yes." The forty thousand winners received almost no money. How confusing the world would be if God answered every prayer with a "yes," though there are some prayers that God will always answer "yes" to. Care to guess what they are?
God brings change through His non-anxious presence.
Grace&Peace,
Tom
"Let not your hearts be troubled. You believe in God, believe also in me" (Jesus Christ, Jn. 14:1).
I'm sorry it has taken so long to make another contribution. I caught a cold during the holiday, and it has taken this long to feel like writing. Helen and I went to visit her parents for Thanksgiving. Since we were already in Kansas, we made a quick trip (150 miles west) to Abbyville, where we visited loved ones from our first pastoral ministry of 31 years ago. Our travel to Abbyville took us through the area where Dr. Hertzler practiced medicine a hundred years ago. It reminded me again of his book, HORSE AND BUGGY DOCTOR, which is one of my cherished posessions. Dr. Hertzler's father was a Mennonite lay minister, but the doctor was skeptical about prayer, Christians and how they practiced Christianity, though he did believe in God.
According to family systems theory, if a person can maintain a non-anxious presence in the presence of anxious family, church members or co-workes for a sustained period of time, then that non-anxious presence will change the family, church or workplace. It is easier said than done because none of us are non-anxious, only God is, though some are more non-anxious than others. A non-anxious person knows who he/she is. Non-anxious people live consistently by their values and faith and do not allow themselves to be drawn into gossip, destructive criticism, defensivness and emotional reactivity ("you've got to do something now!").
God, being the only non-anxious presence there is, is not stampeded into action by our anxious prayers. One of the things that made Hertzler skeptical about prayer was that God did not answer in the way he thought He should. His childhood experiences with prayer and shallow Sunday school teaching had a profound effect on his adult life. Hertzler did finally adopt his father's understanding of prayer as the diligent pursuit of a worthy cause. In this way he said diphtheria antitoxin was an answer to prayer.
While in Kansas we were able to watch BRUCE ALMIGHTY on cable. Bruce was given Divine power to answer prayer. He answered all the lottery players prayers with a "yes." The forty thousand winners received almost no money. How confusing the world would be if God answered every prayer with a "yes," though there are some prayers that God will always answer "yes" to. Care to guess what they are?
God brings change through His non-anxious presence.
Grace&Peace,
Tom
Monday, November 20, 2006
SALVATION: MORE THAN WE BARGINED FOR?
"For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved" (John 3:17).
We might think of salvation more in terms of climate control and safety; after all Heaven is going to be a much more pleasant place to spend eternity than hell. From a Biblical perspective, salvation refers to bringing wholness to the ENTIRE lives of those who believe. It is through faith that we have a relationship with God; we can't have one without it. It is in this faith relationship that we allow God to make us whole. Sometimes it isn't pleasant, but God is aiming for more than eternal safety; He is aiming for eternal wholeness as He changes us little by little, "And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord's glory, are being transformed into His likness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit" (II Cor. 3:18).
We are saved. We are being saved. We shall be saved.
Grace&Peace;
Tom
We might think of salvation more in terms of climate control and safety; after all Heaven is going to be a much more pleasant place to spend eternity than hell. From a Biblical perspective, salvation refers to bringing wholness to the ENTIRE lives of those who believe. It is through faith that we have a relationship with God; we can't have one without it. It is in this faith relationship that we allow God to make us whole. Sometimes it isn't pleasant, but God is aiming for more than eternal safety; He is aiming for eternal wholeness as He changes us little by little, "And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord's glory, are being transformed into His likness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit" (II Cor. 3:18).
We are saved. We are being saved. We shall be saved.
Grace&Peace;
Tom
Saturday, November 11, 2006
RIDING REALITY 5
"...work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who is at work in you, enabling you both to will and to work for His good pleasure" (Philippeans 2:12b-13).
Riding Reality requires all of one's ability and skill. Ability is a gift. Some are physically gifted with beauty and athleticism. Some are gifted with brain-power, articism or emotional toughness. Whatever one's natural gift, God expects one to sharpen them with education, discipline and self discipline of training. It is in this way that skill is developed. If one is not will to work at learning, accepting discipline and be willing to discipline herself, there is little hope that one will accept the ride on Reality, adopting unrealistic behaviors will mark the course of their lives.
As a boy, I had been around horses for years, developing some skill, feeding, grooming, training and ridding. That is why I had some confidence that my ride Reality had a chance of success.
The last thing that I want to emphasize is that a successful ride on Reality requires that one put their hand in the glove of Faith. I didn't use a glove; that wasn't smart. It took a couple of weeks for that hand to heal--the power generated by Reality was so great.
Faith absorbs much of the power of Reality. God works with us, and in us, as we trust Him for the outcome. What a blessing it is to know that God is forging something meaningful out of our lives when we trust Him. He uses our skills and abilities to bless those around us and help those who follow to ride Reality too. It is faith that turns the ride of Reality into an adventure to be enjoyed rather than an ordeal to be endured. Reality, what a ride!!
Grace&Peace,
Tom
Riding Reality requires all of one's ability and skill. Ability is a gift. Some are physically gifted with beauty and athleticism. Some are gifted with brain-power, articism or emotional toughness. Whatever one's natural gift, God expects one to sharpen them with education, discipline and self discipline of training. It is in this way that skill is developed. If one is not will to work at learning, accepting discipline and be willing to discipline herself, there is little hope that one will accept the ride on Reality, adopting unrealistic behaviors will mark the course of their lives.
As a boy, I had been around horses for years, developing some skill, feeding, grooming, training and ridding. That is why I had some confidence that my ride Reality had a chance of success.
The last thing that I want to emphasize is that a successful ride on Reality requires that one put their hand in the glove of Faith. I didn't use a glove; that wasn't smart. It took a couple of weeks for that hand to heal--the power generated by Reality was so great.
Faith absorbs much of the power of Reality. God works with us, and in us, as we trust Him for the outcome. What a blessing it is to know that God is forging something meaningful out of our lives when we trust Him. He uses our skills and abilities to bless those around us and help those who follow to ride Reality too. It is faith that turns the ride of Reality into an adventure to be enjoyed rather than an ordeal to be endured. Reality, what a ride!!
Grace&Peace,
Tom
Wednesday, November 08, 2006
RIDING REALITY 4
No one ever really controls "Reality," though some seem to have a greater degree of control than others. It is this lack of control that creates the stress that bucks us off and puts us down. How do we get a measure of control?
Yesterday the people of the United States voted, exercising their God-given right. This is a means of gaining some control. How we voted is a message to God about the kind of control we want. Themorningafter, it appears that we voted for less personal control--not more. It is reassuring that God is in control and that the time-line for history is on schedule, "From one ancestor, He made all nations to inhabit the whole earth and the allotted times of their existance and the boundaries of the places where they would live" (Acts 17:26).
At the outset, I said that one thing needed to ride "Reality" was to pray hard! Books have been written about prayer; many of them filled with cliches, half-truths and easy answers. I realize that there are times when prayer seems like nothing more than talking to your self--that they go no higher than the ceiling. If you have ever felt that way you are in good company. Abraham, Job, David and Jesus had unanswered prayers. Tell God how you are feeling and what you are thinking from your heart. It is this kind of honest, intimate sharing that enables fellowship with the One who is in control.
Grace&Peace;
Tom
Yesterday the people of the United States voted, exercising their God-given right. This is a means of gaining some control. How we voted is a message to God about the kind of control we want. Themorningafter, it appears that we voted for less personal control--not more. It is reassuring that God is in control and that the time-line for history is on schedule, "From one ancestor, He made all nations to inhabit the whole earth and the allotted times of their existance and the boundaries of the places where they would live" (Acts 17:26).
At the outset, I said that one thing needed to ride "Reality" was to pray hard! Books have been written about prayer; many of them filled with cliches, half-truths and easy answers. I realize that there are times when prayer seems like nothing more than talking to your self--that they go no higher than the ceiling. If you have ever felt that way you are in good company. Abraham, Job, David and Jesus had unanswered prayers. Tell God how you are feeling and what you are thinking from your heart. It is this kind of honest, intimate sharing that enables fellowship with the One who is in control.
Grace&Peace;
Tom
Saturday, November 04, 2006
RIDING REALITY 3
"Reality" is good, but it is also difficult. It is not easy to live the life that we have been given. Faced with the task of riding "Reality," we all, at some time or another, choose behaviors that are unrealistic, to avoid the ride. Many of those behaviors are easy to see: We lie because the truth can be unpleasant; We cheat and steal because work is hard; We have affairs because really intimate relationships require risk, self-sacrifice and positive communication for a life-time.
Some of the behavior we use to avoid the "ride" are not as easy to spot: depressing, back-aching, addicting or stomach aching. While the illnesses are real, they become real as a means of a person subconsciously, creatively, trying to meet their needs by avoiding "Reality." It is a dysfunctional means, because the avoidance of "Reality" is not possible.
Grace&Peace;
Tom
Some of the behavior we use to avoid the "ride" are not as easy to spot: depressing, back-aching, addicting or stomach aching. While the illnesses are real, they become real as a means of a person subconsciously, creatively, trying to meet their needs by avoiding "Reality." It is a dysfunctional means, because the avoidance of "Reality" is not possible.
Grace&Peace;
Tom
Friday, November 03, 2006
RIDING REALITY 2
I apologize for taking so long to write a sequal to "Riding Reality." What does riding a bronco called "Reality" have to do with life?
I have often told my kids, grand kids and other kids that I work with, "Life is good and it is gonna get gooder." That is not an original statement with me; it is the product of some motivational speaker whose name I have long forgotten. Nevertheless, life is good, it is a gift and it gives us great oportunities to become ourselves and express ourselves and to leave our mark on this world. That is good. The gift of life allows us to enjoy the graces that are gifted to us each day, and that is good. Because of our faith in God who is gracious and good, we have a reasonable hope that life will get gooder and gooder! Our faith does not deny Reality, however, but it is a realistic means of coping with it.
The Reality is that we live in a fallen world, "In the sweat of your face you shall eat bread till you return to the ground, for out of it you were taken; you are dust, and to dust you shall return" (Genesis 3:19). There are weeds, rot, sickness, pain, atrophy, death, etc.. The reality is that these are an inescapable part of life. Faced with the difficulties of riding Reality, many adopt behaviors that are unrealistic. I'll write about those tomorrow.
Grace&Peace;
Tom
I have often told my kids, grand kids and other kids that I work with, "Life is good and it is gonna get gooder." That is not an original statement with me; it is the product of some motivational speaker whose name I have long forgotten. Nevertheless, life is good, it is a gift and it gives us great oportunities to become ourselves and express ourselves and to leave our mark on this world. That is good. The gift of life allows us to enjoy the graces that are gifted to us each day, and that is good. Because of our faith in God who is gracious and good, we have a reasonable hope that life will get gooder and gooder! Our faith does not deny Reality, however, but it is a realistic means of coping with it.
The Reality is that we live in a fallen world, "In the sweat of your face you shall eat bread till you return to the ground, for out of it you were taken; you are dust, and to dust you shall return" (Genesis 3:19). There are weeds, rot, sickness, pain, atrophy, death, etc.. The reality is that these are an inescapable part of life. Faced with the difficulties of riding Reality, many adopt behaviors that are unrealistic. I'll write about those tomorrow.
Grace&Peace;
Tom
Monday, October 30, 2006
RIDING REALITY
One of the reasons I write a blog is to "play" around with thoughts and ideas turning them into sermon illustrations, meditations and counseling stories. They do not always get "fleshed out" completely, but you get to see some of the raw material. Remember "LIFE IS A RODEO?" I told you a little about the time I rode a bare-back bronco in the rodeo. This is a continuation of that.
Everybody has to be a cowboy because we each have to ride "Reality," the bronco that cannot be broken. There are times when it seems to be a beautiful and gentle horse, but in a flash it can turn into a raging, kicking, twisting, turning, bucking beast that will put down the best of riders. I remember that first Frontier-Days rodeo, the cowboy that rode just ahead of me was a seasoned veteran rider. When the gate opened on the chute, the horse lunged out of the chute, bucked high in the air and twisted. That cowboy was down on the first buck. Naturally athletic, and humble, and having ridden many horses, I had been confident, but after seeing what that bronc did to the previous rider, I wondered how I would ride "Reality," the horse that I had drawn. For a moment I thought about backing out, but too-late, my name was called. I climbed over the top of the chute, gripping the rigging with my right hand, the left hand had to be in the air and I had to "spur" with my heels. The gate opened and Reality lunged out of the chute, bucking high and hard, hard enough to tear the skin out of the palm of my right hand. I spurred, holding my left-hand free. The buzzer sounded, the pick-up man yelled, "Tom, I'm here," but I could not see him because the horse was bucking so hard that my vision was just a blurr. So I just jumped off. My time on Reality was just about 8 seconds--in real reality, it is a life-time.
So what does this have to do with life? See you tomorrow.
Grace&Peace;
Tom
Everybody has to be a cowboy because we each have to ride "Reality," the bronco that cannot be broken. There are times when it seems to be a beautiful and gentle horse, but in a flash it can turn into a raging, kicking, twisting, turning, bucking beast that will put down the best of riders. I remember that first Frontier-Days rodeo, the cowboy that rode just ahead of me was a seasoned veteran rider. When the gate opened on the chute, the horse lunged out of the chute, bucked high in the air and twisted. That cowboy was down on the first buck. Naturally athletic, and humble, and having ridden many horses, I had been confident, but after seeing what that bronc did to the previous rider, I wondered how I would ride "Reality," the horse that I had drawn. For a moment I thought about backing out, but too-late, my name was called. I climbed over the top of the chute, gripping the rigging with my right hand, the left hand had to be in the air and I had to "spur" with my heels. The gate opened and Reality lunged out of the chute, bucking high and hard, hard enough to tear the skin out of the palm of my right hand. I spurred, holding my left-hand free. The buzzer sounded, the pick-up man yelled, "Tom, I'm here," but I could not see him because the horse was bucking so hard that my vision was just a blurr. So I just jumped off. My time on Reality was just about 8 seconds--in real reality, it is a life-time.
So what does this have to do with life? See you tomorrow.
Grace&Peace;
Tom
Friday, October 27, 2006
"Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward being . . ." (Psalms 51:6a).
Not everyone who comes to a counselor with a problem wants a solution. There is a payoff in having the problem and the counselee simply desires confirmation that the problem is unsolvable. A person like this is a victim and desires to retain their victim status. Many are the clients who come with a problem, and there is always a misfortune which prevents them from doing anything about it. "The car broke down so I couldn't make it to the job interview" kind of thing, or "I've sent out ten applications, but no one answers."
I have had a number of clients who seem to have a never ending run of bad luck which prevents them from accomplishment. They see themselves as victims of life's unlucky lottery. A person like this cannot be helped until they see the truth. The truth is that they do not want to accept responsibility nor do they want to take any risks. These kind of people see money as a solution to their problem, but one of the great truths of life is, MONEY WILL NOT SOLVE A NONMONEY PROBLEM!!!!
"therefore teach me wisdom in my secret heart" (Psalms 51:6b). The real problem behind most of our external problems is spiritual. We do not trust God, we do not want to obey God, and we do not want to accept responsibility, we would rather be victims. Until a person is brought face to face with this, they cannot be helped.
There was one in the Bible who was an exception to this, Job. Now that would be a tough counseling job. But the Job's are rare. Almost all of our problems have their roots in a spiritual problem.
Grace&Peace;
Tom
Not everyone who comes to a counselor with a problem wants a solution. There is a payoff in having the problem and the counselee simply desires confirmation that the problem is unsolvable. A person like this is a victim and desires to retain their victim status. Many are the clients who come with a problem, and there is always a misfortune which prevents them from doing anything about it. "The car broke down so I couldn't make it to the job interview" kind of thing, or "I've sent out ten applications, but no one answers."
I have had a number of clients who seem to have a never ending run of bad luck which prevents them from accomplishment. They see themselves as victims of life's unlucky lottery. A person like this cannot be helped until they see the truth. The truth is that they do not want to accept responsibility nor do they want to take any risks. These kind of people see money as a solution to their problem, but one of the great truths of life is, MONEY WILL NOT SOLVE A NONMONEY PROBLEM!!!!
"therefore teach me wisdom in my secret heart" (Psalms 51:6b). The real problem behind most of our external problems is spiritual. We do not trust God, we do not want to obey God, and we do not want to accept responsibility, we would rather be victims. Until a person is brought face to face with this, they cannot be helped.
There was one in the Bible who was an exception to this, Job. Now that would be a tough counseling job. But the Job's are rare. Almost all of our problems have their roots in a spiritual problem.
Grace&Peace;
Tom
Thursday, October 26, 2006
I BELIEVE. . .
I'm going to the funeral today of an old friend. As I was doing my devotional reading this morning I read these words which allied forces found in an abandoned house in Germany following World War II; probably words of a holocaust victim. They were God's gift to me for the day and I wanted to share them with you. "I believe in the sun, even when it does not shine. I believe in love, even when it is not shown. I believe in God, even when He is silent."
Grace&Peace;
Tom
Grace&Peace;
Tom
Tuesday, October 24, 2006
COUNTING THE COST
One of the truths of problem solving is, "there is no cost-free or painless way of dealing with the problem situation." Most of the time people expect the counselor to work find an easy-does-it cure, win-win solution, but that is an unrealistic expectation. The only pain-free cure is a miracle. I believe in miracles, but one of the characteristics of miracles is that they are rare. For the Christian, the Spirit will be along side and strengthen as problems are appropriately faced. The Spirit will help deal with the pain.
Grace&Peace;
Tom
Grace&Peace;
Tom
Sunday, October 22, 2006
CHOICES
"It is not your abilities, but your choices, that determine who you are." --professor Dumbledor to Harry Potter
Grace&Peace;
Tom
Grace&Peace;
Tom
Friday, October 20, 2006
THE BAD AND THE GOOD HABITS OF RELATIONSHIPS
Everybody is into controlling the actions of someone else--we all do it! Evangelical Christians do it more than most, which is one of the reasons that the divorce rate for evangelical Christians is a tad higher than the general population. There are 8 deadly habits that can kill a relationship:
1. Criticizing,
2. Blaming,
3. Complaining,
4. Nagging,
5. Threatening,
6. Punishing,
7. Bribery,
8. Ignoring.
There are also 8 healthy habits that can bless any relationship:
1. Supporting,
2. Encouraging,
3. LISTENING,
4. Accepting,
5. Trusting,
6. Respecting,
7. Negotiating differences,
8. Praying for each other.
This is simple "common-sense" stuff, but apparently, common sense isn't that common. If these positive skills can be made into habits, any relationship will be blessed.
Grace&Peace;
Tom
1. Criticizing,
2. Blaming,
3. Complaining,
4. Nagging,
5. Threatening,
6. Punishing,
7. Bribery,
8. Ignoring.
There are also 8 healthy habits that can bless any relationship:
1. Supporting,
2. Encouraging,
3. LISTENING,
4. Accepting,
5. Trusting,
6. Respecting,
7. Negotiating differences,
8. Praying for each other.
This is simple "common-sense" stuff, but apparently, common sense isn't that common. If these positive skills can be made into habits, any relationship will be blessed.
Grace&Peace;
Tom
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
