There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of us all, who is above all and through all and in all (Ephesians 4:4-6).
Though there are seven unities listed in this text, I am only emphasising the one faith. There is essential material that must be believed if a person is to be called a Christian. Essential to the Christian faith is belief in the testimony of the four evangelists, Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. Faith is the belief of credible testimony. Belief of incredible testimony is credulity, believing too easily. God does not expect us to believe incredible testimony, but he does expect us to believe testimony that is credible, and he has supplied us with much testimony that has all the evidences of credibility.
Belief of testimony is not faith if it does not result in obedience to Christ as Lord, and no trust in him as Savior. It was the mission of the apostle Paul, and every other Christian evangelist to call all peoples to . . . the obedience that comes from faith (Romans 1:5). If belief is truly faith then life-change is a foregone conclusion. One will love what Jesus loves and will hate what Jesus hates. He/she will invest in what the Lord is invested and make sacrifices like the Lord sacrificed.
Our Father's Blessings,
Tom
Monday, October 24, 2011
Saturday, October 15, 2011
COMMUNION MEDITATION FROM THE BOOK OF JUDGES
In those days there was no king in Israel; every man did what was right in his own eyes (Judges 21:25).
I just finished reading the book of Judges for my own personal Bible study. Judges is one of the books of Hebrew history in the Bible, but as I was reading it I found myself asking the Lord to help me make something of it--to make sense of what it means because the images of homosexual practice, rape, murder, a war that killed many thousands, etc., was not inspirational to me. What follows is what the Lord helped me to understand.
About four times in the book of Judges the theme is repeated, 'there was no king in Israel.' Why did they need a king? They had the Law. And, if they had the Law, they did have a king who was the Law-giver, Jehovah God. When the Israelites were asking for a king to lead them, Samuel told them, "the Lord God was your king" (I Samuel 12:12b). What is clear is that they did not want God for their king. The Israelites disregarded the priesthood and the Law and, as a nation, sank to the lowest depths of depravity. It is interesting to note that the people of Jesus' day did not want a king from Heaven either. Jesus told them, "My kingship is not of this world" (John 18:36). The Jews of Jesus' time were like those of the Judges, they wanted a king from earth, not of Heaven, and, as a result, crucified Jesus on a cross.
The Lord's Supper, the Eucharist, communion reminds us that Jesus is the King sent from Heaven, but rather than rejecting him, we renew our commitment to him.*
Our Father's Love,
Tom
*Often what I write needs some refinement in expression, but I think the broad outline is sound. Communion is a time for recommitting our lives to King Jesus.
I just finished reading the book of Judges for my own personal Bible study. Judges is one of the books of Hebrew history in the Bible, but as I was reading it I found myself asking the Lord to help me make something of it--to make sense of what it means because the images of homosexual practice, rape, murder, a war that killed many thousands, etc., was not inspirational to me. What follows is what the Lord helped me to understand.
About four times in the book of Judges the theme is repeated, 'there was no king in Israel.' Why did they need a king? They had the Law. And, if they had the Law, they did have a king who was the Law-giver, Jehovah God. When the Israelites were asking for a king to lead them, Samuel told them, "the Lord God was your king" (I Samuel 12:12b). What is clear is that they did not want God for their king. The Israelites disregarded the priesthood and the Law and, as a nation, sank to the lowest depths of depravity. It is interesting to note that the people of Jesus' day did not want a king from Heaven either. Jesus told them, "My kingship is not of this world" (John 18:36). The Jews of Jesus' time were like those of the Judges, they wanted a king from earth, not of Heaven, and, as a result, crucified Jesus on a cross.
The Lord's Supper, the Eucharist, communion reminds us that Jesus is the King sent from Heaven, but rather than rejecting him, we renew our commitment to him.*
Our Father's Love,
Tom
*Often what I write needs some refinement in expression, but I think the broad outline is sound. Communion is a time for recommitting our lives to King Jesus.
Sunday, October 09, 2011
CONTENTEDLY DISCONTENT OR DISCONTENTEDLY CONTENT?
Not that I complain of want; for I have learned, in whatever state I am, to be content (Philippians 4:11).
Perhaps the real secret of contentment is found more in the context of Philippians 4:11 than in the verse itself, except to say, contentment is something that needs learned. In that I hope this post helps.
Discontentment is not a good thing because it is what makes people over spend which leads people to over work, over play, over stress, cheat, steal, lie and murder. It is as the Bible says, "The love of money is the root of all kinds of evil" (I Timothy 6:10). Hebrews 13:5 gives us a little more insight into contentment: "Keep your life free from the love of money, and be content with what you have: for he has said, 'I will never fail you nor forsake you.' " In almost every case, when contentment is spoken of in the Bible it is in the context of money and material wealth. Thinking in this way, contentment is rooted in faith, trusting God, our loving Father in Heaven, to make provision for us. This does not mean that we are to stop working, but it does mean that God will provide the means for His children to have a job and make a living. So, will we trust God or not?
In the dictionary contentment and satisfaction are said to be synonymous, in other words, they mean the same thing. If one is content, or satisfied, there might be a tendency to relax and think there is no need to compete, to achieve excellence, or at least to become the best that we can be. To think that way is to misunderstand Biblical contentment. Contentment is rooted in faith and it grows in gratitude, taking time to recognize the many blessings God has already given us. One of the greatest means of achieving contentment is to count your blessings, intentionally becoming aware of what God has already blessed you with. Because we are His children and His servants, His commands and His blessings spur us on to greater achievement, making the most of what He has given us. Certainly, God is not honored when we bury our blessings and contentedly sit on them.
Our Father's Blessings,
Tom
PS. We all have a little materialism in us, the idea that if I just had enough money my problems would be solved. When we do not have enough money is when discontentment enters the picture. The truth is that there will never be enough money to solve our problems because very few of our problems are really money problems and money will not solve non-money problems. The One who can really solve your problems is where to begin--person, church or state.
Perhaps the real secret of contentment is found more in the context of Philippians 4:11 than in the verse itself, except to say, contentment is something that needs learned. In that I hope this post helps.
Discontentment is not a good thing because it is what makes people over spend which leads people to over work, over play, over stress, cheat, steal, lie and murder. It is as the Bible says, "The love of money is the root of all kinds of evil" (I Timothy 6:10). Hebrews 13:5 gives us a little more insight into contentment: "Keep your life free from the love of money, and be content with what you have: for he has said, 'I will never fail you nor forsake you.' " In almost every case, when contentment is spoken of in the Bible it is in the context of money and material wealth. Thinking in this way, contentment is rooted in faith, trusting God, our loving Father in Heaven, to make provision for us. This does not mean that we are to stop working, but it does mean that God will provide the means for His children to have a job and make a living. So, will we trust God or not?
In the dictionary contentment and satisfaction are said to be synonymous, in other words, they mean the same thing. If one is content, or satisfied, there might be a tendency to relax and think there is no need to compete, to achieve excellence, or at least to become the best that we can be. To think that way is to misunderstand Biblical contentment. Contentment is rooted in faith and it grows in gratitude, taking time to recognize the many blessings God has already given us. One of the greatest means of achieving contentment is to count your blessings, intentionally becoming aware of what God has already blessed you with. Because we are His children and His servants, His commands and His blessings spur us on to greater achievement, making the most of what He has given us. Certainly, God is not honored when we bury our blessings and contentedly sit on them.
Our Father's Blessings,
Tom
PS. We all have a little materialism in us, the idea that if I just had enough money my problems would be solved. When we do not have enough money is when discontentment enters the picture. The truth is that there will never be enough money to solve our problems because very few of our problems are really money problems and money will not solve non-money problems. The One who can really solve your problems is where to begin--person, church or state.
Friday, September 30, 2011
THE VIRTUE OF ACCUMULATING WEALTH
Wealth and riches are in his house; and his righteousness endures forever (Psalms 112:3).
As much negative as the Bible has to say about material wealth and riches, one would think that there is no virtue in accumulating it. First Timothy 6:9 has this to say, But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and hurtful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction. So, it is true that the accumulation of material wealth cannot be the first priority of one who is committed to Christ, but the earning of material wealth is an absolute necessity. Consider these texts: If anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for his own family, he has disowned the faith and is worse than an unbeliever (I Timothy 5:8); For even when we were with you we gave you this command: If anyone will not work, let him not eat (II Thessalonians 3:10). This was standard Hebrew teaching, every little Jewish boy was taught these work ethics as he grew up--generally, the gentiles were not so blessed.
When a person lives up to his responsibility to God, his family and his community, wealth almost always accumulates: A slack hand causes poverty, but the hand of the diligent makes rich (Proverbs 10:4).*
When a person diligently works at honest labor, spending less that he or she makes, over the years a small fortune will accumulate (Some of the things we need to teach our children about money are: 1. Debt is expensive; 2. The power of compound interest.) Generally, those who try all the get-rich-quick schemes end up in their own personal poverty.
Because of the tendency for material wealth to accumulate when a person is living up to his responsibilities it is easy to make an erroneous assumption, that material wealth, in itself, is a sign of righteousness and salvation because material wealth is a sign of God's blessing. When Jesus said, It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God," the disciples were exceedingly astonished and they asked, "Then who can be saved?" (Mark 10:25-26). To the disciples, material wealth was a sign of God's approval on a person's life. When the Lord asked the question, "What does it profit a man if he gains the whole world but loses his soul?" he made it crystal clear that the accumulation of material wealth has little to do with salvation so one should not make accumulating wealth the purpose of his life!!!
Our Father's Blessings,
Tom
*Where the government allows lawlessness to exist, or the government, itself, is corrupt then the opportunity to accumulate material wealth is severely reduced!
As much negative as the Bible has to say about material wealth and riches, one would think that there is no virtue in accumulating it. First Timothy 6:9 has this to say, But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and hurtful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction. So, it is true that the accumulation of material wealth cannot be the first priority of one who is committed to Christ, but the earning of material wealth is an absolute necessity. Consider these texts: If anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for his own family, he has disowned the faith and is worse than an unbeliever (I Timothy 5:8); For even when we were with you we gave you this command: If anyone will not work, let him not eat (II Thessalonians 3:10). This was standard Hebrew teaching, every little Jewish boy was taught these work ethics as he grew up--generally, the gentiles were not so blessed.
When a person lives up to his responsibility to God, his family and his community, wealth almost always accumulates: A slack hand causes poverty, but the hand of the diligent makes rich (Proverbs 10:4).*
When a person diligently works at honest labor, spending less that he or she makes, over the years a small fortune will accumulate (Some of the things we need to teach our children about money are: 1. Debt is expensive; 2. The power of compound interest.) Generally, those who try all the get-rich-quick schemes end up in their own personal poverty.
Because of the tendency for material wealth to accumulate when a person is living up to his responsibilities it is easy to make an erroneous assumption, that material wealth, in itself, is a sign of righteousness and salvation because material wealth is a sign of God's blessing. When Jesus said, It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God," the disciples were exceedingly astonished and they asked, "Then who can be saved?" (Mark 10:25-26). To the disciples, material wealth was a sign of God's approval on a person's life. When the Lord asked the question, "What does it profit a man if he gains the whole world but loses his soul?" he made it crystal clear that the accumulation of material wealth has little to do with salvation so one should not make accumulating wealth the purpose of his life!!!
Our Father's Blessings,
Tom
*Where the government allows lawlessness to exist, or the government, itself, is corrupt then the opportunity to accumulate material wealth is severely reduced!
GIVING IS GOOD FOR YOU
And he said to them, "The sabbath was made for man, not man for the sabbath" (Mark 2:27).
But he answered, "It is written, 'Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God' " (Matthew 4:4).
Jesus countered the hyper legalistic critics of his time by telling them that the institution of the sabbath was to bless humanity, not to hinder it. While I am not "Lord of the sabbath" like Jesus was, I believe that this principle could be applied to other areas of faith as well, in this case, giving.
It is strange that those who emphasize grace and Holy Spirit the most are the ones who are some of the most legalistic about money--at a minimum one must give 10% of his gross income, not his net income. Often pastoral sermons on stewardship will speak of money as the Christian's treasure. The thinking is that if one gives his treasure to the Lord, his heart will follow it. Such theology is purely materialistic and thus undermines and distorts the message of Christ. Often such pastoral sermons will lament what the church isn't doing because the church does not have the funding. That is the problem with materialistic theology, it makes finances the determining factor on what can or cannot be done by the church. When materialism is emphasized, there is always a shortage of money, whether it be in the church or the state.
All this begs the question: Does God need our money to accomplish His purposes? If God does need our money, then He is not God. Just as God can 'raise up children of Abraham out of the stones,' so God can raise up givers of money to accomplish His purposes--if He wants to use financial means to accomplish them. I believe one of the reasons the Lord wants us to give is to increase our faith and trust in Him. If we give that which is necessary to physical life to Him, how will we be sustained but by Him? As we rely on Him more and more, we will find riches that money cannot buy--giving is good for us!
The truth is that man, or churches, or states, do not live by bread alone! Those who do believe in life by bread alone are always in poverty. If Jesus Christ is our treasure, if we are led by His Spirit, then the money will follow where He leads. If it seems that the lack of money is the biggest obstacle in your life, or church life, then a radical reassessment of one's relationship with Christ needs to be done.
Finally, if one is not giving his money, and his time and talents, to Jesus Christ, he needs to do a radical assessment of his relationship to Christ too! The truth is that all you have follows your heart--if Jesus has your heart, He has your money.
Our Father's Blessings,
Tom
But he answered, "It is written, 'Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God' " (Matthew 4:4).
Jesus countered the hyper legalistic critics of his time by telling them that the institution of the sabbath was to bless humanity, not to hinder it. While I am not "Lord of the sabbath" like Jesus was, I believe that this principle could be applied to other areas of faith as well, in this case, giving.
It is strange that those who emphasize grace and Holy Spirit the most are the ones who are some of the most legalistic about money--at a minimum one must give 10% of his gross income, not his net income. Often pastoral sermons on stewardship will speak of money as the Christian's treasure. The thinking is that if one gives his treasure to the Lord, his heart will follow it. Such theology is purely materialistic and thus undermines and distorts the message of Christ. Often such pastoral sermons will lament what the church isn't doing because the church does not have the funding. That is the problem with materialistic theology, it makes finances the determining factor on what can or cannot be done by the church. When materialism is emphasized, there is always a shortage of money, whether it be in the church or the state.
All this begs the question: Does God need our money to accomplish His purposes? If God does need our money, then He is not God. Just as God can 'raise up children of Abraham out of the stones,' so God can raise up givers of money to accomplish His purposes--if He wants to use financial means to accomplish them. I believe one of the reasons the Lord wants us to give is to increase our faith and trust in Him. If we give that which is necessary to physical life to Him, how will we be sustained but by Him? As we rely on Him more and more, we will find riches that money cannot buy--giving is good for us!
The truth is that man, or churches, or states, do not live by bread alone! Those who do believe in life by bread alone are always in poverty. If Jesus Christ is our treasure, if we are led by His Spirit, then the money will follow where He leads. If it seems that the lack of money is the biggest obstacle in your life, or church life, then a radical reassessment of one's relationship with Christ needs to be done.
Finally, if one is not giving his money, and his time and talents, to Jesus Christ, he needs to do a radical assessment of his relationship to Christ too! The truth is that all you have follows your heart--if Jesus has your heart, He has your money.
Our Father's Blessings,
Tom
Sunday, September 25, 2011
OUR RESPONSE TO GOD
Bless the Lord, O my soul; and all that is within me, bless his holy name! Bless the Lord, O my soul and forget not all his benefits, who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy, who satisfies you with good as long as you live so that your youth is renewed like the eagles (Psalm 103:1-5).
When you think of all that God has done for you, do you not feel like you owe something to Him? Is there something you could give Him in return? Your heart? If God truly has our hearts, He has everything else!
Our Father's Blessings,
Tom
When you think of all that God has done for you, do you not feel like you owe something to Him? Is there something you could give Him in return? Your heart? If God truly has our hearts, He has everything else!
Our Father's Blessings,
Tom
KEEPING YOUR VISION
If your right eye causes you to sin, pluck it out and throw it away; it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body be thrown into hell (Matthew 5:29-30).
While my minister was preaching on this text, an old saying came to mind: "It is better to lose your sight than to lose your vision." Rather than being led by the flesh, which dulls the vision, the one who is led by the Spirit has a vision of doing what does not seem possible.
Our Father's Blessings,
Tom
While my minister was preaching on this text, an old saying came to mind: "It is better to lose your sight than to lose your vision." Rather than being led by the flesh, which dulls the vision, the one who is led by the Spirit has a vision of doing what does not seem possible.
Our Father's Blessings,
Tom
Sunday, September 18, 2011
THOUGHTS ABOUT WEALTH
Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment (I Timothy 6:17).
The term wealth comes to us from an old Anglo-Saxon word, weal. When one was in weal, he was in a state of well being resulting from being in a state of prosperity. Thinking about this definition, I thought, "Is it possible for a person to be rich and not be wealthy?" A rich person cannot buy his salvation with money; Jesus asked the question, "What does it profit a man if he gains the whole world and loses his soul?" Even though a rich person might be able to extend his physical life many years because of his riches, the truth is one day death will come calling; human beings know that they will die. What then? Many times, in the homes of the rich, there is no love or peace.
We have a rich Father, trusting in Him we are provided with that feeling of well-being even though we might have little in terms of material abundance. During my growing-up years my family was poor. While we were living through those times of poverty, admittedly, there was pain. But, looking back, I treasure my growing up years. We had a good family and we have great memories. God did richly provide for us during those years. It was something that money alone cannot buy--we were wealthy even though we were poor.
Are you wealthy or are you just rich?
Our Father's Blessings,
Tom
The term wealth comes to us from an old Anglo-Saxon word, weal. When one was in weal, he was in a state of well being resulting from being in a state of prosperity. Thinking about this definition, I thought, "Is it possible for a person to be rich and not be wealthy?" A rich person cannot buy his salvation with money; Jesus asked the question, "What does it profit a man if he gains the whole world and loses his soul?" Even though a rich person might be able to extend his physical life many years because of his riches, the truth is one day death will come calling; human beings know that they will die. What then? Many times, in the homes of the rich, there is no love or peace.
We have a rich Father, trusting in Him we are provided with that feeling of well-being even though we might have little in terms of material abundance. During my growing-up years my family was poor. While we were living through those times of poverty, admittedly, there was pain. But, looking back, I treasure my growing up years. We had a good family and we have great memories. God did richly provide for us during those years. It was something that money alone cannot buy--we were wealthy even though we were poor.
Are you wealthy or are you just rich?
Our Father's Blessings,
Tom
Tuesday, September 13, 2011
WHY I AM A CHRISTIAN
And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile . . . But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep (I Corinthians 15:17&20).
The bodily resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead is a historical truth. Following the rules of evidence, the resurrection of Christ is established as a historical fact. That is why I am a Christian. I am not a Christian because it makes be feel better. I am not a Christian because of the social relationships in the church. I am not a Christian because of the do-gooding opportunities in the church. I am a Christian because Jesus Christ has risen!
Christ's resurrection means that the Bible is God's word and thus its words are true. Therefore, we ought to pay attention to the Bible. The resurrection of Christ means that we have not seen the last of our loved ones who are in Christ--we will see them again! The resurrection of Christ means that God has the last word! No matter how good of a lawyer you might have, God has the last word!
I enjoy church, but that is not why I am a Christian. I am a Christian because of the resurrection of Jesus of Nazareth--love, hope, joy and peace follow the resurrection.
Our Father's Blessings
Tom
The bodily resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead is a historical truth. Following the rules of evidence, the resurrection of Christ is established as a historical fact. That is why I am a Christian. I am not a Christian because it makes be feel better. I am not a Christian because of the social relationships in the church. I am not a Christian because of the do-gooding opportunities in the church. I am a Christian because Jesus Christ has risen!
Christ's resurrection means that the Bible is God's word and thus its words are true. Therefore, we ought to pay attention to the Bible. The resurrection of Christ means that we have not seen the last of our loved ones who are in Christ--we will see them again! The resurrection of Christ means that God has the last word! No matter how good of a lawyer you might have, God has the last word!
I enjoy church, but that is not why I am a Christian. I am a Christian because of the resurrection of Jesus of Nazareth--love, hope, joy and peace follow the resurrection.
Our Father's Blessings
Tom
Saturday, September 10, 2011
A PASTORAL PRAYER
For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks , the door will be opened (Matthew 7:8).
Father in Heaven, may we keep your name holy always.
Father, we ask you for faith; we believe, but in difficult times our faith wavers, help our unbelief. We know that without faith it is impossible to please you.
Father, we ask you for love so that we can recognize the needs of those around us and be truly compassionate towards those in need.
Father, we ask you for wisdom so that we might deal with difficult problems in a way that pleases you; so that we can know when show tough love rather than being enablers.
Father, we ask you for courage so that we will take a stand and live for your truth. We are often tempted to take the easy way out rather than stand for what is right.
Father, we ask for strength so that we might persevere and not faint as we face the continual onslaught of the evil one.
Father, we ask for pardon and forgiveness because of Jesus' sacrifice for us. We have sinned and we cling to Jesus as our only hope for eternity. In His name we pray, Amen.
Our Father's Love,
Tom
Father in Heaven, may we keep your name holy always.
Father, we ask you for faith; we believe, but in difficult times our faith wavers, help our unbelief. We know that without faith it is impossible to please you.
Father, we ask you for love so that we can recognize the needs of those around us and be truly compassionate towards those in need.
Father, we ask you for wisdom so that we might deal with difficult problems in a way that pleases you; so that we can know when show tough love rather than being enablers.
Father, we ask you for courage so that we will take a stand and live for your truth. We are often tempted to take the easy way out rather than stand for what is right.
Father, we ask for strength so that we might persevere and not faint as we face the continual onslaught of the evil one.
Father, we ask for pardon and forgiveness because of Jesus' sacrifice for us. We have sinned and we cling to Jesus as our only hope for eternity. In His name we pray, Amen.
Our Father's Love,
Tom
Monday, September 05, 2011
CONCESSION TO HARD HEARTS: POLYGAMY
If he marries another woman, he must not deprive the first one of her food, clothing and marital rights (Exodus 21:10).
Over the course of my ministry I have been asked several times about the men of God in the Old Testament who had more than one wife. There are some, who believe that these men were living in adultery because they had more than one wife. However, no where in the Bible does it say that having more than one wife is sinful. Rather, like divorce, the Scripture actually gives one the idea that polygamy is remedial, levirate marriage being one example. Levirate marriage is spoken of in Deuteronomy 25: 5-10 when a man is to marry his deceased brother's wife, regardless of his marital status, so that there can be children to carry on the brother's name. Jesus recognizes the truth of this law in Matthew 22: 23-32.
It appears that polygamy was a better remedy for marital strife than divorce because when a man divorces his wife to marry another he commits adultery. When a man marries another, according to Old Testament law, he is not released from his responsibility to his first wife. Real men stand up and take responsibility for their relationships.
In the New Testament, it is never said that polygamy is a sin either, but it does say that church leaders are to be the husband of one wife and they are to parent their households well. I believe the reason for this is that the ideal marriage is a picture of Christ and the Church, and church leaders are to live that picture out in their lives (Ephesians 5: 25-29).
Is polygamy sinful today? Well, it is against the civil law of the United States. Modern marriage ceremonies have the couple vow that they will forsake all others, so to have another wife is to forsake the vow, which is adultery. Depending on the situation, when a man has an affair and his wife has come to me for counseling I ask her, "Do you want to be one of his harem? That wasn't part of your marriage covenant." Some will go along with being one of the harem.
I believe that God's plan is one man married to one woman for a life time. There is nothing more romantic than a man and a woman working together, supporting each other to achieve their goals, dreams and purpose. Because of hard and sinful hearts and difficult circumstances there were remedies for the civil governance of society, polygamy being one of them. The best remedy is the changing of hearts, but if there can be no change of heart then law has to bring some kind of order out of disorder.
Our Father's Blessings,
Tom
Over the course of my ministry I have been asked several times about the men of God in the Old Testament who had more than one wife. There are some, who believe that these men were living in adultery because they had more than one wife. However, no where in the Bible does it say that having more than one wife is sinful. Rather, like divorce, the Scripture actually gives one the idea that polygamy is remedial, levirate marriage being one example. Levirate marriage is spoken of in Deuteronomy 25: 5-10 when a man is to marry his deceased brother's wife, regardless of his marital status, so that there can be children to carry on the brother's name. Jesus recognizes the truth of this law in Matthew 22: 23-32.
It appears that polygamy was a better remedy for marital strife than divorce because when a man divorces his wife to marry another he commits adultery. When a man marries another, according to Old Testament law, he is not released from his responsibility to his first wife. Real men stand up and take responsibility for their relationships.
In the New Testament, it is never said that polygamy is a sin either, but it does say that church leaders are to be the husband of one wife and they are to parent their households well. I believe the reason for this is that the ideal marriage is a picture of Christ and the Church, and church leaders are to live that picture out in their lives (Ephesians 5: 25-29).
Is polygamy sinful today? Well, it is against the civil law of the United States. Modern marriage ceremonies have the couple vow that they will forsake all others, so to have another wife is to forsake the vow, which is adultery. Depending on the situation, when a man has an affair and his wife has come to me for counseling I ask her, "Do you want to be one of his harem? That wasn't part of your marriage covenant." Some will go along with being one of the harem.
I believe that God's plan is one man married to one woman for a life time. There is nothing more romantic than a man and a woman working together, supporting each other to achieve their goals, dreams and purpose. Because of hard and sinful hearts and difficult circumstances there were remedies for the civil governance of society, polygamy being one of them. The best remedy is the changing of hearts, but if there can be no change of heart then law has to bring some kind of order out of disorder.
Our Father's Blessings,
Tom
Friday, September 02, 2011
CONCESSION TO HARD HEARTS: DIVORCE
"It was because your hearts were hard that Moses wrote you this law," Jesus replied. But at the beginning of creation God 'made them male and female.' 'For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united with his wife, and the two will become one flesh.' So they are no longer two, but one. Therefore what God has joined together, let man not separate . . . Any one who divorces his wife and marries another woman commits adultery against her. And if she divorces her husband and marries another man, she commits adultery." (Mark 10: 5-12 NIV)
While doing my daily Bible reading, I was reading from Mark 10 about Jesus' teaching on divorce and it struck me that Mark's gospel account is the most concise and readily understood, certainly being consistent, however, with the other teachings of Scripture about divorce. It is in the divorcing to marry another that adultery is committed. (Adultery is forsaking, disregarding, the vow. Because we have sex on the brain, we think adultery only has to do with sex.)
The Mosaic law on divorce was intended to be remedial. The options for any woman in ancient times were extremely limited. Certainly, there were beautiful and talented women who were leaders and business women, but they were an extreme minority. The options for a discarded woman was even more limited; cast out of her household, what was she to do? She couldn't even marry because, technically, she was still married. It was understood that the Mosaic law on divorce made it possible for the marriage to be ended so that the wife could legally marry again (Deuteronomy 24:2), having the option of marriage rather than resorting to immorality to sustain herself. The option for divorce was not part of God's plan for marriage, but it was intended to be a practical remedy for those with sinful hearts. One of the interesting facets of the Biblical teaching on divorce is that God views remarriage to the first partner to be an abomination if there has been a subsequent marriage (Deuteronomy 24:3-4).
According to the Department of Health and Human Services, more than Seventy percent of divorces are initiated by women. These days women have a lot more options so they are much less dependent, plus the fact that the hearts of women are fully as hard as men's. Another statistic indicative of that fact according to DHHS is that fully two thirds of child abuse is initiated by the biological mother. Given the Casey Anthony case, I'm not surprised.
Our Father's Blessings,
Tom
While doing my daily Bible reading, I was reading from Mark 10 about Jesus' teaching on divorce and it struck me that Mark's gospel account is the most concise and readily understood, certainly being consistent, however, with the other teachings of Scripture about divorce. It is in the divorcing to marry another that adultery is committed. (Adultery is forsaking, disregarding, the vow. Because we have sex on the brain, we think adultery only has to do with sex.)
The Mosaic law on divorce was intended to be remedial. The options for any woman in ancient times were extremely limited. Certainly, there were beautiful and talented women who were leaders and business women, but they were an extreme minority. The options for a discarded woman was even more limited; cast out of her household, what was she to do? She couldn't even marry because, technically, she was still married. It was understood that the Mosaic law on divorce made it possible for the marriage to be ended so that the wife could legally marry again (Deuteronomy 24:2), having the option of marriage rather than resorting to immorality to sustain herself. The option for divorce was not part of God's plan for marriage, but it was intended to be a practical remedy for those with sinful hearts. One of the interesting facets of the Biblical teaching on divorce is that God views remarriage to the first partner to be an abomination if there has been a subsequent marriage (Deuteronomy 24:3-4).
According to the Department of Health and Human Services, more than Seventy percent of divorces are initiated by women. These days women have a lot more options so they are much less dependent, plus the fact that the hearts of women are fully as hard as men's. Another statistic indicative of that fact according to DHHS is that fully two thirds of child abuse is initiated by the biological mother. Given the Casey Anthony case, I'm not surprised.
Our Father's Blessings,
Tom
Monday, August 29, 2011
RANDOM THOUGHTS: COWBOYS AND HOGMEN
For as he thinks within himself, so he is (Proverbs 23:7).
I was in the cow/calf and cattle feeding business for 25 years. In 1994 I entered the hog finishing business, so I know a few things about livestock. Last night Helen and I came home from a church social to find a couple of pigs wandering around in our back yard. I made a quick inspection of the hog building while Helen called the two brothers who own the pigs--I needed their help to get them back in the building. When they arrived they were very gentle as they moved the pigs, as a matter of fact, instead of chasing the pigs, they led the pigs into the building. Helen told me, "they made it look too easy." Being full of picnic supper, there is no way I could have done it myself, but these guys are true hogmen, working with those pigs in a fashion that was inspirational to me. However, having said all said all that, it is still cowboys that they write songs about, not hogmen.
Way back in 2006 our little church (attendance averages in the 90's) in Sutherland, Iowa stepped out in faith and built a gymnasium, classroom and kitchen addition to the church building at a cost of $300,000.00. It was the goal of the elders of our congregation (I am one of them) to pay off the facility in 5 years. This is the fifth year and we still had $70,000.00 to go. It was going to take a minor miracle to pay the balance, but it is a matter that we have been praying about for 5 years. So, last week, a man walked into our local bank that financed the project and wrote out a check for $80,000.00 to pay off the bank note. Praise the Lord!!! Rumor has it that it was a cowboy.
Our Father's Blessings,
Tom
I was in the cow/calf and cattle feeding business for 25 years. In 1994 I entered the hog finishing business, so I know a few things about livestock. Last night Helen and I came home from a church social to find a couple of pigs wandering around in our back yard. I made a quick inspection of the hog building while Helen called the two brothers who own the pigs--I needed their help to get them back in the building. When they arrived they were very gentle as they moved the pigs, as a matter of fact, instead of chasing the pigs, they led the pigs into the building. Helen told me, "they made it look too easy." Being full of picnic supper, there is no way I could have done it myself, but these guys are true hogmen, working with those pigs in a fashion that was inspirational to me. However, having said all said all that, it is still cowboys that they write songs about, not hogmen.
Way back in 2006 our little church (attendance averages in the 90's) in Sutherland, Iowa stepped out in faith and built a gymnasium, classroom and kitchen addition to the church building at a cost of $300,000.00. It was the goal of the elders of our congregation (I am one of them) to pay off the facility in 5 years. This is the fifth year and we still had $70,000.00 to go. It was going to take a minor miracle to pay the balance, but it is a matter that we have been praying about for 5 years. So, last week, a man walked into our local bank that financed the project and wrote out a check for $80,000.00 to pay off the bank note. Praise the Lord!!! Rumor has it that it was a cowboy.
Our Father's Blessings,
Tom
Friday, August 26, 2011
FAITH AND ANXIETY
Have no anxiety about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which passes all understanding, will keep your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:6b-7).
Having ranched cattle for 25 years, I know there is a genetic component to anxiety. An anxious cow will give birth to an anxious calf and they are easy to spot. When a human being comes near the herd, their heads are the first ones up; they are hypervigillent. They are the first ones to run and are the ones who will attempt to jump the fence no matter how strong or high it is. Not only is there a genetic component to anxiety, there is an environmental component too. In the cow herd, the ones who tend to have more calm dispositions will tend to follow the lead of the anxious cow or calf; anxiety is contagious. In the cow-calf business, we want to "put wheels under" the anxious critters, hauling them off to the livestock auction, so that the whole herd doesn't become infected with anxiety.
Even though people are created in the image of God, these principles still apply because we are fleshy too, although we are not going to haul anyone off the livestock auction. Coping with anxiety is a responsibility given to human beings, though this is one of the most difficult responsibilities we face, especially if one is genetically disposed to be anxious, it seems as if anxiety is normal life; this can also be true for one raised in an anxious environment as well. Yet our bodies and our relationships tell the story of a life filled with stress: chronic illnesses, a string of broken relationships, addictions, sleepless nights are some of the tell-tale signs of of the role anxiety is playing in our lives.
I consider myself to be an anxious person because some of the classic symptoms of anxiety characterize my life. Nevertheless, the thing that helps me to cope with my anxiety is sound theology; it is the truth of Scripture that gives me comfort. Good Bible study, faith, prayer and meditation, in almost every case, ameliorates anxiety.
Find a group of healthy Christians with whom to fellowship--this should be a matter of prayer. There are some who are so ridged and legalistic with the Bible, and as a result, so judgemental, that they actually increase anxiety. Sound theology increases health, not anxiety or laxity. To me, it is an interesting phenomenon that people seem to follow an anxious leader, for instance, "We have to do something about global warming now or life as we know it is doomed." Sound theology says human life will be going on about normally at the Lord's sudden return. He is coming. Are you prepared to meet Him? That question might raise the anxiety level a little, but it shouldn't. The Lord has made us for Himself and if we find our rest in Jesus Christ, the Lord's return is a comforting thought.
Our Father's Love,
Tom
Having ranched cattle for 25 years, I know there is a genetic component to anxiety. An anxious cow will give birth to an anxious calf and they are easy to spot. When a human being comes near the herd, their heads are the first ones up; they are hypervigillent. They are the first ones to run and are the ones who will attempt to jump the fence no matter how strong or high it is. Not only is there a genetic component to anxiety, there is an environmental component too. In the cow herd, the ones who tend to have more calm dispositions will tend to follow the lead of the anxious cow or calf; anxiety is contagious. In the cow-calf business, we want to "put wheels under" the anxious critters, hauling them off to the livestock auction, so that the whole herd doesn't become infected with anxiety.
Even though people are created in the image of God, these principles still apply because we are fleshy too, although we are not going to haul anyone off the livestock auction. Coping with anxiety is a responsibility given to human beings, though this is one of the most difficult responsibilities we face, especially if one is genetically disposed to be anxious, it seems as if anxiety is normal life; this can also be true for one raised in an anxious environment as well. Yet our bodies and our relationships tell the story of a life filled with stress: chronic illnesses, a string of broken relationships, addictions, sleepless nights are some of the tell-tale signs of of the role anxiety is playing in our lives.
I consider myself to be an anxious person because some of the classic symptoms of anxiety characterize my life. Nevertheless, the thing that helps me to cope with my anxiety is sound theology; it is the truth of Scripture that gives me comfort. Good Bible study, faith, prayer and meditation, in almost every case, ameliorates anxiety.
Find a group of healthy Christians with whom to fellowship--this should be a matter of prayer. There are some who are so ridged and legalistic with the Bible, and as a result, so judgemental, that they actually increase anxiety. Sound theology increases health, not anxiety or laxity. To me, it is an interesting phenomenon that people seem to follow an anxious leader, for instance, "We have to do something about global warming now or life as we know it is doomed." Sound theology says human life will be going on about normally at the Lord's sudden return. He is coming. Are you prepared to meet Him? That question might raise the anxiety level a little, but it shouldn't. The Lord has made us for Himself and if we find our rest in Jesus Christ, the Lord's return is a comforting thought.
Our Father's Love,
Tom
Saturday, August 20, 2011
DEALING WITH PANIC
Cast all your anxieties on him, for he cares about you (I Peter 5:7).
These days it is easy to panic. With the financial situation being what it is, many are losing their retirement savings at a time when they are old and not able to work. Unemployment is much higher than the government reports so many are in very difficult situations. I could go on and on, but my point is that many people find themselves in situations beyond their control and that is one of the factors that leads to panic. (Panic Attacks Can They Be Stopped? ; John C. Thomas, Christian Counseling Today; Vol. 16 no. 2).
Another factor that leads to panic is simply genetic disposition; it's just in the genes. Dr. Thomas, mentions it in his article. A quick internet search seems to verify it. In studies of identical twins, forty percent of the time if one twin develops panic disorder, the other will develop it in short order (about.com). Genetic disposition is a cornerstone of Dr. Murray Bowen's family evaluation, too. He believed that anxiety is genetically transmitted. There is a theory among medical researchers that an imbalance of neurotransmitters, serotonin, norepinepherine and gammaminobutyric acid, play a large role in this.
So what is one to do? It seems hopeless. 1. Read the Bible, pray, meditate, fellowship with healthy Christian people and do not neglect worship.
2. Do not allow yourself to be shamed because you have panic attacks--God still loves you. A number of pastors have called anxiety and panic sins because if one trusts the Lord enough there is no room for anxiety. What is important to remember here is that God is here in the time of panic and he still cares for us.
3. One of the strategies for dealing with panic is to embrace it. I have read from several different sources about this technique: When in the midst of an attack, actually speak to it saying, "Is this all you've got? Give me some more! Because of Jesus I can take all that you can give me!" One of the factors that give panic attacks their power is the fear of having another one. If that fear is taken away then the number of incidents will dramatically decrease.
4. As always, diet and exercise are factors too, eating and drinking nutritiously, staying fit and getting adequate rest.
5. Though this might be a bit repetitious, enjoy God, He cares for you!
Our Father's Blessings,
Tom
These days it is easy to panic. With the financial situation being what it is, many are losing their retirement savings at a time when they are old and not able to work. Unemployment is much higher than the government reports so many are in very difficult situations. I could go on and on, but my point is that many people find themselves in situations beyond their control and that is one of the factors that leads to panic. (Panic Attacks Can They Be Stopped? ; John C. Thomas, Christian Counseling Today; Vol. 16 no. 2).
Another factor that leads to panic is simply genetic disposition; it's just in the genes. Dr. Thomas, mentions it in his article. A quick internet search seems to verify it. In studies of identical twins, forty percent of the time if one twin develops panic disorder, the other will develop it in short order (about.com). Genetic disposition is a cornerstone of Dr. Murray Bowen's family evaluation, too. He believed that anxiety is genetically transmitted. There is a theory among medical researchers that an imbalance of neurotransmitters, serotonin, norepinepherine and gammaminobutyric acid, play a large role in this.
So what is one to do? It seems hopeless. 1. Read the Bible, pray, meditate, fellowship with healthy Christian people and do not neglect worship.
2. Do not allow yourself to be shamed because you have panic attacks--God still loves you. A number of pastors have called anxiety and panic sins because if one trusts the Lord enough there is no room for anxiety. What is important to remember here is that God is here in the time of panic and he still cares for us.
3. One of the strategies for dealing with panic is to embrace it. I have read from several different sources about this technique: When in the midst of an attack, actually speak to it saying, "Is this all you've got? Give me some more! Because of Jesus I can take all that you can give me!" One of the factors that give panic attacks their power is the fear of having another one. If that fear is taken away then the number of incidents will dramatically decrease.
4. As always, diet and exercise are factors too, eating and drinking nutritiously, staying fit and getting adequate rest.
5. Though this might be a bit repetitious, enjoy God, He cares for you!
Our Father's Blessings,
Tom
Tuesday, August 09, 2011
DIET AND MENTAL HEALTH
And God said, "Behold, I have given you every plant yielding seed which is upon the face of all the earth, and every tree with seed in its fruit; you shall have them for food" (Genesis 1:29).
As a young minister, suffering from a severe sinus infection, one of my elders told me that I would never be sick another day in my life if I followed his nutritional guidelines--he was a disciple of Adelle Davis. He was the one who stimulated my interest in nutrition, even though I have been sick many more days of my life, and his recommendations might have been the cause of some of them--mega doses of vitamin C.
In spite of that, I'm still interested in nutrition and do believe that it does play a role in mental health. So, when I read the title of an article in Christian Counseling Today by Michael Lyles, M.D. (Vol. 16 No. 3) called Dietary Issues and Mood Disorders, it caught my interest. Dr. Lyles makes a strong statement, with which, from my own experience, I completely agree, "It is my opinion that all treatment resistant mood disordered patients (especially with multiple medical problems) should have their vitamin D status evaluated." Vitamin D deficiency correlates with depression, seasonal affective disorder and schizophrenia. Vitamin D deficiency impairs general immune system function.
I am a regular reader of Dr. Andrew Weil. Dr. Weil has recommended 2000 units of vitamin D per day--especially during the winter months. Last winter I followed his recommendation and found a couple of chronic winter conditions, for me, to be alleviated. Sores at the corners of my mouth and seasonal affective disorder are conditions that have troubled me for years that were relieved this last winter. Was this just a placebo affect? While I have not ruled it out completely, I will have to say that I have tried many supplements over the course of my life and none of them have resulted in the kind of changes that I have experienced with increasing the role of vitamin D in my diet.
From the text: Make sure that you have a wide variety of food in your diet, learn to eat your vegetables, and generally, your nutrition will take care of itself.
Our Father's Blessings,
Tom
As a young minister, suffering from a severe sinus infection, one of my elders told me that I would never be sick another day in my life if I followed his nutritional guidelines--he was a disciple of Adelle Davis. He was the one who stimulated my interest in nutrition, even though I have been sick many more days of my life, and his recommendations might have been the cause of some of them--mega doses of vitamin C.
In spite of that, I'm still interested in nutrition and do believe that it does play a role in mental health. So, when I read the title of an article in Christian Counseling Today by Michael Lyles, M.D. (Vol. 16 No. 3) called Dietary Issues and Mood Disorders, it caught my interest. Dr. Lyles makes a strong statement, with which, from my own experience, I completely agree, "It is my opinion that all treatment resistant mood disordered patients (especially with multiple medical problems) should have their vitamin D status evaluated." Vitamin D deficiency correlates with depression, seasonal affective disorder and schizophrenia. Vitamin D deficiency impairs general immune system function.
I am a regular reader of Dr. Andrew Weil. Dr. Weil has recommended 2000 units of vitamin D per day--especially during the winter months. Last winter I followed his recommendation and found a couple of chronic winter conditions, for me, to be alleviated. Sores at the corners of my mouth and seasonal affective disorder are conditions that have troubled me for years that were relieved this last winter. Was this just a placebo affect? While I have not ruled it out completely, I will have to say that I have tried many supplements over the course of my life and none of them have resulted in the kind of changes that I have experienced with increasing the role of vitamin D in my diet.
From the text: Make sure that you have a wide variety of food in your diet, learn to eat your vegetables, and generally, your nutrition will take care of itself.
Our Father's Blessings,
Tom
Saturday, August 06, 2011
THANK YOU, IOWA HAWKEYES
It is the hard-working farmer who ought to have the first share of the crops (2 Timothy 2:6).
During the farm crisis of the 1980's, erstwhile coach, Hayden Fry recognized the real crisis that farmers were dealing with. While there was not much a coach who was building a football program could do, but he did do something. As an awareness raising program, Hayden attached ANF, America Needs Farmers, stickers to the Iowa football helmets, and they still remain. Iowa State didn't do it. Nebraska didn't do it. Ohio State didn't do it, etc., etc. The Iowa Hawkeyes are the only football team in America with the ANF sticker on the helmets. Thanks, Hawkeyes.
Victories have to be won on the field, but perhaps the good Lord could help a bounce or a call go your way this year in close games.
Blessings,
Tom
During the farm crisis of the 1980's, erstwhile coach, Hayden Fry recognized the real crisis that farmers were dealing with. While there was not much a coach who was building a football program could do, but he did do something. As an awareness raising program, Hayden attached ANF, America Needs Farmers, stickers to the Iowa football helmets, and they still remain. Iowa State didn't do it. Nebraska didn't do it. Ohio State didn't do it, etc., etc. The Iowa Hawkeyes are the only football team in America with the ANF sticker on the helmets. Thanks, Hawkeyes.
Victories have to be won on the field, but perhaps the good Lord could help a bounce or a call go your way this year in close games.
Blessings,
Tom
Tuesday, August 02, 2011
MORE ON DREAMS AND VISIONS
For God speaks in in one way, and in two, though man does not perceive it. In a dream, in a vision in the night, when deep sleep falls upon men, while they slumber on their beds . . . (Job 33:14-15).
What started this discussion on dreams and visions was a discussion with my son in which he related a story about an African student who went to Ozark Christian College because he had a dream with "Ozark" in it. He had no previous knowledge of Ozark, so he "googled" it and found Ozark Christian College. As a result of the story, I "googled" dreams that convert Muslims to Christ and found that the fourth leading cause of Muslims converting to Christianity is dreams and visions. So just for that reason dreams and visions are worthy of discussion.
Does God still speak to us in dreams and visions? With the completion of the canon of Scripture, the Bible, I would assume that the need for such dreams would become much less, but the Bible does not absolutely say these kinds of dreams and visions would end. One has to be careful in determining the origin of those dreams, however. It has always been true that there have been people who have said, "The Lord has said . . ." when the Lord has said nothing. Note Ezekiel 13:7, Have you not seen a delusive vision, and uttered a lying divination, whenever you have said, "says the Lord," although I have not spoken?
The measure of the Spiritual truth of any of our dreams is the Bible. It is by the word of truth that dreams and visions are measured, thus John wrote, Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are of God . . . (I John 4:1).
While helping at 5th & 6th grade camp as a dorm dad earlier this summer, I had a dream. One of the reasons I remember it so well is that as a result of it, I fell out of bed. In the dream I was fighting another man. The man had no face so that I could identify him as a different person, so my interpretation of him is that he is me--I am fighting myself. I kicked the man I am fighting so hard that I fell out of bed. Both my Spiritual and psychological interpretation of this is that to have any real achievement in my life, I must win the battle with my flesh. I am as prone to being subject to the flesh as anyone. I am not a person with great natural ability, and so to achieve, I must take chances, push and work hard. These are things I do not like to do. I interpret the falling out of bed as part of the dream. Though I did hit the floor hard, it seemed as though all the counselors and boys were laughing at me. My interpretation of that part of the dream is that my efforts to achieve and live for the Lord are laughable to many. As my head cleared up and I noticed that everyone around me was fast asleep, it occurred to me that everyone is so busy with their own battles that they seldom notice the battles of another.
I have not had a reccurrence of this dream. If you would like to take a shot at the interpretation of my dream, you are welcome. If you would like to share your dream you are welcome to do that too. In any case, do not discount your dreams because it might be that something really important is going on.
Our Father's Blessings,
Tom
What started this discussion on dreams and visions was a discussion with my son in which he related a story about an African student who went to Ozark Christian College because he had a dream with "Ozark" in it. He had no previous knowledge of Ozark, so he "googled" it and found Ozark Christian College. As a result of the story, I "googled" dreams that convert Muslims to Christ and found that the fourth leading cause of Muslims converting to Christianity is dreams and visions. So just for that reason dreams and visions are worthy of discussion.
Does God still speak to us in dreams and visions? With the completion of the canon of Scripture, the Bible, I would assume that the need for such dreams would become much less, but the Bible does not absolutely say these kinds of dreams and visions would end. One has to be careful in determining the origin of those dreams, however. It has always been true that there have been people who have said, "The Lord has said . . ." when the Lord has said nothing. Note Ezekiel 13:7, Have you not seen a delusive vision, and uttered a lying divination, whenever you have said, "says the Lord," although I have not spoken?
The measure of the Spiritual truth of any of our dreams is the Bible. It is by the word of truth that dreams and visions are measured, thus John wrote, Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are of God . . . (I John 4:1).
While helping at 5th & 6th grade camp as a dorm dad earlier this summer, I had a dream. One of the reasons I remember it so well is that as a result of it, I fell out of bed. In the dream I was fighting another man. The man had no face so that I could identify him as a different person, so my interpretation of him is that he is me--I am fighting myself. I kicked the man I am fighting so hard that I fell out of bed. Both my Spiritual and psychological interpretation of this is that to have any real achievement in my life, I must win the battle with my flesh. I am as prone to being subject to the flesh as anyone. I am not a person with great natural ability, and so to achieve, I must take chances, push and work hard. These are things I do not like to do. I interpret the falling out of bed as part of the dream. Though I did hit the floor hard, it seemed as though all the counselors and boys were laughing at me. My interpretation of that part of the dream is that my efforts to achieve and live for the Lord are laughable to many. As my head cleared up and I noticed that everyone around me was fast asleep, it occurred to me that everyone is so busy with their own battles that they seldom notice the battles of another.
I have not had a reccurrence of this dream. If you would like to take a shot at the interpretation of my dream, you are welcome. If you would like to share your dream you are welcome to do that too. In any case, do not discount your dreams because it might be that something really important is going on.
Our Father's Blessings,
Tom
Sunday, July 24, 2011
WHERE THERE IS NO VISION, THE PEOPLE PERISH
Where there is no vision, the people perish; but he that keepeth the law, happy is he (Proverbs 29:18 KJV).
Motivational speakers love to use this verse. Life isn't static. If one does not have a vision of what he or she can achieve and aspire to then one is doomed to a life of being ordinary and under achievement. When the motivational speaker talks about vision he is talking about setting lofty goals and having great aspirations because anything less is not fulfilling the purpose for which God put us on this earth for. There is a lot of truth in the motivational approach to this verse, but that is not the purpose for which it was written.
Where there is no revelation, the people cast off restraint; but blessed is he who keeps the law (Proverbs 29:18 NIV).
The New International Version makes the purpose of the verse a little more clear. The vision spoken of in the King James Version is a prophetic vision--it is a word from God. If people do not get a word from the Lord, they cast off restraint, doing what ever seems right in their own eyes. In the days before all Scripture was recorded in the Bible, prophetic vision was essential for the guidance of God's people, but now that Scripture is freely available to anyone who desires, there is no need for additional revelation. After John wrote the book of Revelation on Patmos, the need for miraculous revelation through visions ended.
I'm not saying that God will not give us a vision for what is possible in our personal lives and in our churches because when the Holy Spirit is involved, things beyond all that we can ask or think can happen! However, in terms of new prophetic doctrinal revelation, Holy Spirit pronounces a curse on any who would add or subtract from the words of this book.
Father in Heaven, give me a vision of service and achievement in your kingdom. May I not be found as a lazy and slothful servant because I had no vision.
Our Father's Blessings,
Tom
Motivational speakers love to use this verse. Life isn't static. If one does not have a vision of what he or she can achieve and aspire to then one is doomed to a life of being ordinary and under achievement. When the motivational speaker talks about vision he is talking about setting lofty goals and having great aspirations because anything less is not fulfilling the purpose for which God put us on this earth for. There is a lot of truth in the motivational approach to this verse, but that is not the purpose for which it was written.
Where there is no revelation, the people cast off restraint; but blessed is he who keeps the law (Proverbs 29:18 NIV).
The New International Version makes the purpose of the verse a little more clear. The vision spoken of in the King James Version is a prophetic vision--it is a word from God. If people do not get a word from the Lord, they cast off restraint, doing what ever seems right in their own eyes. In the days before all Scripture was recorded in the Bible, prophetic vision was essential for the guidance of God's people, but now that Scripture is freely available to anyone who desires, there is no need for additional revelation. After John wrote the book of Revelation on Patmos, the need for miraculous revelation through visions ended.
I'm not saying that God will not give us a vision for what is possible in our personal lives and in our churches because when the Holy Spirit is involved, things beyond all that we can ask or think can happen! However, in terms of new prophetic doctrinal revelation, Holy Spirit pronounces a curse on any who would add or subtract from the words of this book.
Father in Heaven, give me a vision of service and achievement in your kingdom. May I not be found as a lazy and slothful servant because I had no vision.
Our Father's Blessings,
Tom
Friday, July 22, 2011
WIFE IS GOOD
A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies (Proverbs 31:10).
Helen and I finally returned home after delivering three of our grand children, Faith, Deacon and Parker home to their parents in California. If was a long drive, but we enjoy driving, and it was even more fun for half the journey with the kids along too. With Helen along, it was all very easy for me, as she did most of the work--and even some of the driving from the "back seat."
So when I saw the guy in Kearney, Nebraska with the T-shirt that was inscribed with "Wife is good," I could concur, Yes! wife is good! Now I have always said, "Life is good and it is going to get gooder," but it could also be said, "Wife is good and she is getting gooder."
There are a million things to do to catch up, but I will be back to dreams and visions soon.
Our Father's Blessings,
Tom
Helen and I finally returned home after delivering three of our grand children, Faith, Deacon and Parker home to their parents in California. If was a long drive, but we enjoy driving, and it was even more fun for half the journey with the kids along too. With Helen along, it was all very easy for me, as she did most of the work--and even some of the driving from the "back seat."
So when I saw the guy in Kearney, Nebraska with the T-shirt that was inscribed with "Wife is good," I could concur, Yes! wife is good! Now I have always said, "Life is good and it is going to get gooder," but it could also be said, "Wife is good and she is getting gooder."
There are a million things to do to catch up, but I will be back to dreams and visions soon.
Our Father's Blessings,
Tom
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