The Lord is my helper, I will not be afraid (Hebrews 13:6).
What follows is a list of strategies that I have tried to implement in my life. I think they will bless anyone who makes use of them too:
1. Read the Bible, study it, and pray every day.
2. Exercise (physical training) every day except for Sunday.
3. Plan your day. Do not allow fear to determine the course of your life.
4. Be happy!
5. Understand your weaknesses--do not allow them to define you.
6. In every problem ask the question, "What does God want me to learn from this?" then be ready to listen to His Word, His people and life experience. God intends for us to be life-long learners!
7. Have an attitude of gratitude!!!
8. Memorize God's Word.
9. Be positive in actions, dress and speech!
10. Always do a little more than is required--"What more can I do for you, Mrs. Steele?"
11. Refuse to use the words "impossible" and "can't."
12. Learn to live with criticism.
13. Refuse to drive a BMW--bitch, moan and whine! This includes "self-talk"!
14. Be willing to start over.
15. Smile a lot!
16. Remember, people are not the problem--satan and his minions are.
17. Show agape, loving others with the love of Christ.
My tendency is to look at life through "dark glasses" so these are the basic strategies I try to use to help correct my vision. They will work for you too.
Grace&Peace,
Tom
Thursday, November 05, 2009
Tuesday, November 03, 2009
ALTRUISM OR AGAPE?
This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends (John 15:12,13).
But God shows his love for us in that while we were yet sinners Christ died for us (Romans 5:8).
Most authorities define altruism as a consideration of other people without any thought of self as a principle of conduct. Altruism is a modern secular humanist concept, which attempts to describe selflessness as an evolved trait rather than a spiritual one. It is the secular version of the Christian concept of agape love, agape being the Greek word from which the word love is translated in the cited texts. Being created in the image of God, one of the characteristics of man is that he has the capability to be truly selfless and self-sacrificing, and once in a while, he actually displays it.
Denying the creation, the biological evolutionist combs the earth for animals that display altruism in their social life. If man is to be explained in evolutionary terms, his behavior has to be explained as well. But how does self-sacrificing behavior evolve? Wouldn't those organisms with the self-sacrificing trait extinguish themselves? What benefit is there in being self-sacrificing? Evolutionists cannot explain altruism.
Altruism is the reduction of agape into nothing but an evolved trait--it is cold and sterile. True agape is God's love, and when a human being expresses it, it is high praise to God who made him in his own image. The expression of agape is what makes us fully human and it is to be the dominant characteristic of God's children.
Grace&Peace,
Tom
But God shows his love for us in that while we were yet sinners Christ died for us (Romans 5:8).
Most authorities define altruism as a consideration of other people without any thought of self as a principle of conduct. Altruism is a modern secular humanist concept, which attempts to describe selflessness as an evolved trait rather than a spiritual one. It is the secular version of the Christian concept of agape love, agape being the Greek word from which the word love is translated in the cited texts. Being created in the image of God, one of the characteristics of man is that he has the capability to be truly selfless and self-sacrificing, and once in a while, he actually displays it.
Denying the creation, the biological evolutionist combs the earth for animals that display altruism in their social life. If man is to be explained in evolutionary terms, his behavior has to be explained as well. But how does self-sacrificing behavior evolve? Wouldn't those organisms with the self-sacrificing trait extinguish themselves? What benefit is there in being self-sacrificing? Evolutionists cannot explain altruism.
Altruism is the reduction of agape into nothing but an evolved trait--it is cold and sterile. True agape is God's love, and when a human being expresses it, it is high praise to God who made him in his own image. The expression of agape is what makes us fully human and it is to be the dominant characteristic of God's children.
Grace&Peace,
Tom
Thursday, October 29, 2009
HOME WHERE WE BELONG
In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? (John 14:2).
It was fitting to make merry and be glad, for this your brother was dead, and is alive; he was lost, and is found (Luke 15:32).
. . . Home . . . remains in the mind as a place where reunion, if it were ever to occur, would happen . . . It is about restoration of the right relations among things--and going home is where that restoration occurs, because that is where it matters most (A. Bartlett Giamatti).
It has been said that you cannot go home again, but if that is true, what do you do when you have to go home again? Things can never be as they once were because life goes on. Births, deaths, illness, weddings, divorces, new friendships, changing financial fortunes, and changing techonologies make life different, so, one can never really go home again. However, isn't it strange that with all the changes it seems that family themes tend to replay over and over again? Conflicted, cut-off, over-involved and abusive relationships, divorces, addictions, mental illnesses are some of the themes that are recycled through the generations in dysfunctional families.
Why would a person have to go home? It may be to forgive or it may be to be forgiven; it may be to support and encourage or it may be to be supported and encouraged, but in every case, one should go home to gain understanding. Sometimes actually going home can be dangerous, so having someone to help with interpreting family experiences might be the only way to go home, but it will pay dividends on the journey to the home where we belong.
Grace&Peace,
Tom
It was fitting to make merry and be glad, for this your brother was dead, and is alive; he was lost, and is found (Luke 15:32).
. . . Home . . . remains in the mind as a place where reunion, if it were ever to occur, would happen . . . It is about restoration of the right relations among things--and going home is where that restoration occurs, because that is where it matters most (A. Bartlett Giamatti).
It has been said that you cannot go home again, but if that is true, what do you do when you have to go home again? Things can never be as they once were because life goes on. Births, deaths, illness, weddings, divorces, new friendships, changing financial fortunes, and changing techonologies make life different, so, one can never really go home again. However, isn't it strange that with all the changes it seems that family themes tend to replay over and over again? Conflicted, cut-off, over-involved and abusive relationships, divorces, addictions, mental illnesses are some of the themes that are recycled through the generations in dysfunctional families.
Why would a person have to go home? It may be to forgive or it may be to be forgiven; it may be to support and encourage or it may be to be supported and encouraged, but in every case, one should go home to gain understanding. Sometimes actually going home can be dangerous, so having someone to help with interpreting family experiences might be the only way to go home, but it will pay dividends on the journey to the home where we belong.
Grace&Peace,
Tom
Friday, October 23, 2009
DYNAMICS OF CHANGE: FELLOWSHIP
And they devoted themselves to . . . fellowship . . . (Acts 2:42).
And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near (Hebrews 10:24-25).
Do not be deceived, "Bad company ruins good morals" (I Corinthians 15:33).
Fellowship is a relationship of people that results from shared faith and share values--both positively and negatively. One of the indicators of a person's character and potential for success is the kind of people he or she hangs out with because a person tends to hang out with those who are of like mind. If you want to change then change the kind of people with whom you spend most of your time. It has been said that the first step to becoming rich is to begin to hang around rich people because one learns from and is encouraged by those with whom he or she spends most of their time.
Fellowship was one of the priorities of the first-century Church; they were devoted to it. In the twenty-first century Church, fellowship has to remain a priority! The challenges to remain faithful to Christ are just as difficult as ever so the relational support of fellow Christians is more important than ever. Dr. Larry Crabb wrote a book called Connecting. In it he said with regard to helping people change, If we advise them to live more consistently with biblical principles without offering meaningful connection, we leave them frustrated (p. 45). Christian relationships, themselves, are needed for change. It is not just about sharing knowledge and techniques of change, it is about sharing one's self. Christians are brothers and sisters in Christ. We are family; we must take that seriously! We are to have a family relationship that is safe and secure for it is in that environment that there can be change, growth and healing.
Grace&Peace,
Tom
PS. A dynamic is a powerful influence. I have used each one of these dynamics in my counseling practice to bring about change. It is not uncommon for the counselee to resist these dynamics because God has given each person the freedom to make choices so that love can be freely given from the heart rather than being forced by an irresistible power.
And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near (Hebrews 10:24-25).
Do not be deceived, "Bad company ruins good morals" (I Corinthians 15:33).
Fellowship is a relationship of people that results from shared faith and share values--both positively and negatively. One of the indicators of a person's character and potential for success is the kind of people he or she hangs out with because a person tends to hang out with those who are of like mind. If you want to change then change the kind of people with whom you spend most of your time. It has been said that the first step to becoming rich is to begin to hang around rich people because one learns from and is encouraged by those with whom he or she spends most of their time.
Fellowship was one of the priorities of the first-century Church; they were devoted to it. In the twenty-first century Church, fellowship has to remain a priority! The challenges to remain faithful to Christ are just as difficult as ever so the relational support of fellow Christians is more important than ever. Dr. Larry Crabb wrote a book called Connecting. In it he said with regard to helping people change, If we advise them to live more consistently with biblical principles without offering meaningful connection, we leave them frustrated (p. 45). Christian relationships, themselves, are needed for change. It is not just about sharing knowledge and techniques of change, it is about sharing one's self. Christians are brothers and sisters in Christ. We are family; we must take that seriously! We are to have a family relationship that is safe and secure for it is in that environment that there can be change, growth and healing.
Grace&Peace,
Tom
PS. A dynamic is a powerful influence. I have used each one of these dynamics in my counseling practice to bring about change. It is not uncommon for the counselee to resist these dynamics because God has given each person the freedom to make choices so that love can be freely given from the heart rather than being forced by an irresistible power.
Thursday, October 22, 2009
DYNAMICS OF CHANGE: ORDEAL
I have led you forty years in the wilderness; your clothes have not worn out upon you; and your sandals have not worn off your feet; you have not eaten bread, and you have not drunk wine or strong drink; that you may know that I am the Lord your God (Deuteronomy 29:5-6).
Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal which comes upon you to prove you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice in so far as you share Christ's sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed (I Peter 4:12-13).
An ordeal has to do with pain; if there is no pain there is no ordeal. An ordeal can be a religious ritual, a rite of passage or a psychotherapeutic intervention. Whatever the context of an ordeal, the purpose of it is to test character or to help a person relinquish a problem behavior rather than to hold on to it.*
My dad believed in spanking and he did a lot of it. When I was a kid, if I made it through a week without a spanking I thought it to be a big deal. This information is important to this little story. When I was in third grade, I used to ride my bike to my friend's house. He would steal some of his dad's cigarettes and my friend and I would have a great time smoking them. One day at school one of the boys in my class brought some cigarettes. After lunch we went behind the bus barn and smoked. We were caught. Part of our discipline was for us to tell our parents what we had done. Having older siblings who already knew about it, there was no way I could escape telling them. Knowing that I was facing the spanking of my life, in tears, I told dad and mom what I had done. That evening my dad did some of the best parenting in his life when he asked, "Are you going to do it again?" I sobbed, "No." Then he said, "If you mean it, then this is over." From that day to this I have never smoked anything, keeping my promise, though I have been severely tempted. Literally, it was my dad's severe discipline that saved my life because my life would have already ended if I would have become addicted to smoking tobacco. **
Grace&Peace;
Tom
*See Jay Haley, Ordeal Therapy, Josey-Bass, 1984.
**Spanking is one of the tools of discipline, not a response of anger.
Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal which comes upon you to prove you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice in so far as you share Christ's sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed (I Peter 4:12-13).
An ordeal has to do with pain; if there is no pain there is no ordeal. An ordeal can be a religious ritual, a rite of passage or a psychotherapeutic intervention. Whatever the context of an ordeal, the purpose of it is to test character or to help a person relinquish a problem behavior rather than to hold on to it.*
My dad believed in spanking and he did a lot of it. When I was a kid, if I made it through a week without a spanking I thought it to be a big deal. This information is important to this little story. When I was in third grade, I used to ride my bike to my friend's house. He would steal some of his dad's cigarettes and my friend and I would have a great time smoking them. One day at school one of the boys in my class brought some cigarettes. After lunch we went behind the bus barn and smoked. We were caught. Part of our discipline was for us to tell our parents what we had done. Having older siblings who already knew about it, there was no way I could escape telling them. Knowing that I was facing the spanking of my life, in tears, I told dad and mom what I had done. That evening my dad did some of the best parenting in his life when he asked, "Are you going to do it again?" I sobbed, "No." Then he said, "If you mean it, then this is over." From that day to this I have never smoked anything, keeping my promise, though I have been severely tempted. Literally, it was my dad's severe discipline that saved my life because my life would have already ended if I would have become addicted to smoking tobacco. **
Grace&Peace;
Tom
*See Jay Haley, Ordeal Therapy, Josey-Bass, 1984.
**Spanking is one of the tools of discipline, not a response of anger.
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
DYNAMICS OF CHANGE: ADVENTURE
And Jonathan said to the young man who bore his armor, "Come, let us go over to the garrison of these uncircumcised; it may be that the Lord will work for us; for nothing can hinder the Lord from saving by many or by few," And his armor-bearer said to to him, "Do all that your mind inclines to; behold, I am with you, as is your mind so is mine" (I Samuel 14:6-7).
It's just nuts! Jonathan and his armor bearer decide to take on a garrison of the Philistines. Most likely, Jonathan knew the story of how Gideon's three hundred men took on thousands of Midianites and won--if one is on God's side, numbers do not matter. As a result, Jonathan and his armor bearer's adventure brought a great military victory to Israel.
There is always a risk in an adventure and if there is no risk there is no adventure. It is that simple. For people who suffer from anxiety it seems as if all of life is a risk, and more than any, these are the ones who should challenge themselves with an adventure. It is difficult to lead a successful life if one imprisons one's self in a stockade of security. For the anxious, adventure of itself has value, but I believe it needs to be emphasized that adventure is to be pursued with the purpose of Christ in view.
Purposeful adventure might seem like a waste of money, but every person's faith and courage must be challenged if they are to grow. The purpose of Jonathan's adventure was the saving of Israel. The purpose of your adventure might be to save your family, your church or your nation, or perhaps, even yourself for his service. Though salvation is a gift of grace, the children of God cannot be content to be ineffective. And, it is certainly not God's will that we play it safe!
Grace&Peace,
Tom
It's just nuts! Jonathan and his armor bearer decide to take on a garrison of the Philistines. Most likely, Jonathan knew the story of how Gideon's three hundred men took on thousands of Midianites and won--if one is on God's side, numbers do not matter. As a result, Jonathan and his armor bearer's adventure brought a great military victory to Israel.
There is always a risk in an adventure and if there is no risk there is no adventure. It is that simple. For people who suffer from anxiety it seems as if all of life is a risk, and more than any, these are the ones who should challenge themselves with an adventure. It is difficult to lead a successful life if one imprisons one's self in a stockade of security. For the anxious, adventure of itself has value, but I believe it needs to be emphasized that adventure is to be pursued with the purpose of Christ in view.
Purposeful adventure might seem like a waste of money, but every person's faith and courage must be challenged if they are to grow. The purpose of Jonathan's adventure was the saving of Israel. The purpose of your adventure might be to save your family, your church or your nation, or perhaps, even yourself for his service. Though salvation is a gift of grace, the children of God cannot be content to be ineffective. And, it is certainly not God's will that we play it safe!
Grace&Peace,
Tom
Sunday, October 18, 2009
DYNAMICS OF CHANGE: EDUCATION*
That men may know wisdom and instruction, understand words of insight, receive instruction in wise dealing, righteousness, justice, and equity; that prudence may be given to the simple, knowledge and discretion to the youth--the wise man also may hear and increase in learning, and the man of understanding acquire skill, to understand a proverb and a figure, the words of the wise and their riddles (Proverbs 1:2-6).
You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind (Matthew 22:37b, emphasis added).
Education increases knowledge and fosters wisdom. It is a complex world in which we live so an education is necessary to understand how it works. It was for that purpose the book of Proverbs was written. Education decreases anxiety and opens the mind to new possibilities and equips one to access opportunities that never would have existed without it.
God is not glorified by an undisciplined and ignorant mind. If we love God then it follows that the mind will be educated and disciplined. Faith in God does not glorify ignorance; God wants his people to be disciplined thinkers who can be powerfully influential by articulating their faith in a complex and unbelieving world. Not only that, God wants his people to be able to provide for the needs of their families and educated people tend to do it better. Educated parents are better equipped to break the destructive cycles of the families they came from.
The down side of much of public education is indoctrination. Though there is to be academic freedom in education, many times a grade depends on agreement with the teacher's perspective rather than truth. Many teachers and tests have a socialist, secular humanist agenda that they want their students to believe so it remains for parents to teach and model critical thinking skills to their children and to support them as they face the challenges of public education.
Grace&Peace,
Tom
*Dedicated to my great aunt Sylvia Scott who matriculated at the University of Mississippi as a history student when she was 90 years of age. She is my example for life-long learning.
You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind (Matthew 22:37b, emphasis added).
Education increases knowledge and fosters wisdom. It is a complex world in which we live so an education is necessary to understand how it works. It was for that purpose the book of Proverbs was written. Education decreases anxiety and opens the mind to new possibilities and equips one to access opportunities that never would have existed without it.
God is not glorified by an undisciplined and ignorant mind. If we love God then it follows that the mind will be educated and disciplined. Faith in God does not glorify ignorance; God wants his people to be disciplined thinkers who can be powerfully influential by articulating their faith in a complex and unbelieving world. Not only that, God wants his people to be able to provide for the needs of their families and educated people tend to do it better. Educated parents are better equipped to break the destructive cycles of the families they came from.
The down side of much of public education is indoctrination. Though there is to be academic freedom in education, many times a grade depends on agreement with the teacher's perspective rather than truth. Many teachers and tests have a socialist, secular humanist agenda that they want their students to believe so it remains for parents to teach and model critical thinking skills to their children and to support them as they face the challenges of public education.
Grace&Peace,
Tom
*Dedicated to my great aunt Sylvia Scott who matriculated at the University of Mississippi as a history student when she was 90 years of age. She is my example for life-long learning.
Saturday, October 17, 2009
DYNAMICS OF CHANGE: FAITH
And without faith it is impossible to please him. For whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him (Hebrews 11:6).
Actually, every person lives by faith--there is no one without faith in something. If a person wants to change his life, he must change what he believes; it is pretty much that simple. Quite frquently, people have irrational beliefs that imprison them in a state of helplessness or negativism that can bring outright destruction into their lives. They believe: "It must be done perfectly," "I'm not smart," "I am no good," "I must fit in," "Mom would want me to do it this way," "God will only love me if I am perfect," "I should have it all," "I should not have to suffer pain," etc. These are just a few of the destructive lies that people often believe.
It is belief in God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit that is true, life-changing faith, for the person who trusts in God will obey him. The person who trusts in God will worship, expressing praise and gratitude for God's blessings. The person who trusts in God will forgive as God has forgiven us. The person who trusts in God is optimistic about the future because it is in God's hands. Each one of these natural results of faith is a powerful life-changing dynamic so that the one who believes will grow in love. Faith in God does not mean that the believer will never experience pain or sorrow, but it does mean that one has a legitimate hope in the midst of pain and sorrow.
One of our prayer requests of God should be that he helps us to recognize the destructive beliefs that we cling to and that he helps us to let them go so that our faith in him can grow.
Grace&Peace,
Tom
Actually, every person lives by faith--there is no one without faith in something. If a person wants to change his life, he must change what he believes; it is pretty much that simple. Quite frquently, people have irrational beliefs that imprison them in a state of helplessness or negativism that can bring outright destruction into their lives. They believe: "It must be done perfectly," "I'm not smart," "I am no good," "I must fit in," "Mom would want me to do it this way," "God will only love me if I am perfect," "I should have it all," "I should not have to suffer pain," etc. These are just a few of the destructive lies that people often believe.
It is belief in God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit that is true, life-changing faith, for the person who trusts in God will obey him. The person who trusts in God will worship, expressing praise and gratitude for God's blessings. The person who trusts in God will forgive as God has forgiven us. The person who trusts in God is optimistic about the future because it is in God's hands. Each one of these natural results of faith is a powerful life-changing dynamic so that the one who believes will grow in love. Faith in God does not mean that the believer will never experience pain or sorrow, but it does mean that one has a legitimate hope in the midst of pain and sorrow.
One of our prayer requests of God should be that he helps us to recognize the destructive beliefs that we cling to and that he helps us to let them go so that our faith in him can grow.
Grace&Peace,
Tom
Friday, October 16, 2009
DYNAMICS OF CHANGE: GOD
But Jesus answered them, "My Father is working still, and I am working" (John 5:17).
And he made from one every nation of men to live on all the face of the earth, having determined allotted periods and the boundaries of their habitation, that they should seek God, in the hope that they might feel after him and find him. Yet he is not far from each one of us, for "In him we live and move and have our being"; as even some of your poets have said, "For we are indeed his offspring" (Acts 17:26-28).
Sometimes we are frustrated because it seems that some people or some situations never seem to change; just ask a resident of Israel or one trapped in poverty or abuse. And yet, one of the absolute certainties of life is change. If we sit and do absolutely nothing, change will come; it cannot be escaped. I am reminded of a line from the old hymn, Abide With Me: Change and decay in all around I see; O Thou who changest not, abide with me. God is the only one who can make inevitable change work for his purposes.
God is the principal dynamic of change. Being sovereign, all other dynamics of change are subject to him. What is necessary is not that God is on our side, but that we are found on God's side so that when change comes it can be viewed as a blessing, no matter how much it hurts. God is always working so that his purposes will be accomplished. And, God is always working whether we believe in him or not! So, I have always tried to assure my counselees that, even if they are atheists, change will come because God is the dynamic of change so begin looking for it first in one's self.
Grace&Peace,
Tom
And he made from one every nation of men to live on all the face of the earth, having determined allotted periods and the boundaries of their habitation, that they should seek God, in the hope that they might feel after him and find him. Yet he is not far from each one of us, for "In him we live and move and have our being"; as even some of your poets have said, "For we are indeed his offspring" (Acts 17:26-28).
Sometimes we are frustrated because it seems that some people or some situations never seem to change; just ask a resident of Israel or one trapped in poverty or abuse. And yet, one of the absolute certainties of life is change. If we sit and do absolutely nothing, change will come; it cannot be escaped. I am reminded of a line from the old hymn, Abide With Me: Change and decay in all around I see; O Thou who changest not, abide with me. God is the only one who can make inevitable change work for his purposes.
God is the principal dynamic of change. Being sovereign, all other dynamics of change are subject to him. What is necessary is not that God is on our side, but that we are found on God's side so that when change comes it can be viewed as a blessing, no matter how much it hurts. God is always working so that his purposes will be accomplished. And, God is always working whether we believe in him or not! So, I have always tried to assure my counselees that, even if they are atheists, change will come because God is the dynamic of change so begin looking for it first in one's self.
Grace&Peace,
Tom
Monday, October 12, 2009
THE WATCHER
So we are always of good courage; we know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord, for we walk by faith, not by sight. We are of good courage, and we would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord (II Corinthians 5:6-8).
I went to a funeral today for the wife of a friend and brother in Christ, and with whom I traveled to Romania on a short-term mission in 2003. The officiating pastor clearly expressed the Christian hope and gospel in the funeral sermon so that we might not grieve as those who have no hope grieve. On the back of the funeral folder in which the order of service and obituary is written was the following poem called, The Watcher.
She always leaned to watch for us,
Anxious if we were late,
In winter by the window,
In summer by the gate.
And though we mocked her tenderly,
Who had such foolish care,
The Long way home would seem more safe
Because she waited there.
Her thoughts were all so full of us,
She never could forget!
And so I think that where she is
She must be watching yet.
Waiting till we come home to her,
Anxious if we are late-
Watching from heaven's window,
Leaning from Heaven's gate.
--Author unknown
Perhaps the poem is just sentiment, but it accurately expresses the character of my mother, or any mother who loves her children, and does not want them to miss the glories of Heaven! I absolutely know that if it is at all possible, this is what my mother will be doing when she passes from this life to the next. Statistically speaking, I will likely die before my wife. It will be glorious to be at home with the Lord, but I will always praying for the safe entry of all my family and loved ones into the city called Heaven too.
Grace&Peace,
Tom
I went to a funeral today for the wife of a friend and brother in Christ, and with whom I traveled to Romania on a short-term mission in 2003. The officiating pastor clearly expressed the Christian hope and gospel in the funeral sermon so that we might not grieve as those who have no hope grieve. On the back of the funeral folder in which the order of service and obituary is written was the following poem called, The Watcher.
She always leaned to watch for us,
Anxious if we were late,
In winter by the window,
In summer by the gate.
And though we mocked her tenderly,
Who had such foolish care,
The Long way home would seem more safe
Because she waited there.
Her thoughts were all so full of us,
She never could forget!
And so I think that where she is
She must be watching yet.
Waiting till we come home to her,
Anxious if we are late-
Watching from heaven's window,
Leaning from Heaven's gate.
--Author unknown
Perhaps the poem is just sentiment, but it accurately expresses the character of my mother, or any mother who loves her children, and does not want them to miss the glories of Heaven! I absolutely know that if it is at all possible, this is what my mother will be doing when she passes from this life to the next. Statistically speaking, I will likely die before my wife. It will be glorious to be at home with the Lord, but I will always praying for the safe entry of all my family and loved ones into the city called Heaven too.
Grace&Peace,
Tom
Tuesday, October 06, 2009
HELP! I'M LOSING MY FAITH!
Jesus answered them, "This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent" (John 6:29).
I believe; help my unbelief (Mark 9:24).
A member of my congregation asked, "How do you answer someone when they tell you they are losing their faith?" What follows are some of my thoughts as I answered her.
1. No one has perfect faith, so it is natural for doubts to creep into the minds of even the most devout saints from time to time. This is true when life is going well, so when it becomes difficult then doubts come much more easily.
2. When someone confesses that they are losing their faith, there is probably a lot more going on than just the confession. The loss of faith could well be a symptom of a past trauma, a heavy stress load, unresolved grief and anger. It has been reported that mother Teresa felt spiritually abandoned and cut off from God for the last fifty years of her life. She felt no presence. She felt alone, but she continued on because she believed anyway. Her experience seems to be the common experience of those who work in difficult and traumatic situations. The Lord Jesus Christ himself cried out, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" The Psalmist questioned with tears, "How long, O Lord? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me?" Within the pages of scripture these honest expressions of doubt are allowed. God understands. This is one of the reasons I believe that the Bible is God's Word; it is real; it speaks truly of the human experience. Somtimes faith is not easy; we under estimate how hard this work of believing is. Doing God's work means believing in Jesus through extremely difficult times when believing doesn't seem to make sense.
3. Many are unbelievers because to be a believer means that they would have to change and they refuse to do that; they do not want to be born--again (Hosea 13:13).
Do not forget two things: 1. Often our feelings do not reflect the truth. 2. No one understands like Jesus.
Grace&Peace,
Tom
I believe; help my unbelief (Mark 9:24).
A member of my congregation asked, "How do you answer someone when they tell you they are losing their faith?" What follows are some of my thoughts as I answered her.
1. No one has perfect faith, so it is natural for doubts to creep into the minds of even the most devout saints from time to time. This is true when life is going well, so when it becomes difficult then doubts come much more easily.
2. When someone confesses that they are losing their faith, there is probably a lot more going on than just the confession. The loss of faith could well be a symptom of a past trauma, a heavy stress load, unresolved grief and anger. It has been reported that mother Teresa felt spiritually abandoned and cut off from God for the last fifty years of her life. She felt no presence. She felt alone, but she continued on because she believed anyway. Her experience seems to be the common experience of those who work in difficult and traumatic situations. The Lord Jesus Christ himself cried out, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" The Psalmist questioned with tears, "How long, O Lord? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me?" Within the pages of scripture these honest expressions of doubt are allowed. God understands. This is one of the reasons I believe that the Bible is God's Word; it is real; it speaks truly of the human experience. Somtimes faith is not easy; we under estimate how hard this work of believing is. Doing God's work means believing in Jesus through extremely difficult times when believing doesn't seem to make sense.
3. Many are unbelievers because to be a believer means that they would have to change and they refuse to do that; they do not want to be born--again (Hosea 13:13).
Do not forget two things: 1. Often our feelings do not reflect the truth. 2. No one understands like Jesus.
Grace&Peace,
Tom
Friday, October 02, 2009
MORE REMEDIES FOR LAZINESS
Be not among wine bibbers, or among gluttonous eaters of meat; for the drunkard and the glutton will come to poverty, and drowsiness will clothe a man with rags (Proverbs 23:20-21).
There are many causes of laziness; one of them might be genetic. My paternal grandmother was one who could rock her life away in the rocking chair. I think I inherited that same tendency to be a "sitter." To deal with this genetic predisposition one has to order his life so that his work is interesting and low stress.
Another cause of laziness is connected to how much we eat. Some authorities blame too much fat, while others blame too many carbs. It is my personal belief that it is simply eating too much. We all eat and drink more than we admit to eating and drinking. Both obesity and type 2 diabetes are epidemic in the United States. Both obesity and type 2 diabetes contribute to a lack of energy and lethargy. For me, too much sugar is an energy killer. Gluttony is a respectable sin, meaning that we speak too little of it in the Church. Many Christians, especially pastors, are over weight and obese. Learning to eat a healthful diet must become a priority if one is going to combat laziness!
A third cause of laziness is the lack or organizational skills. Because of this many are simply buried by their work and, as a result, give up and do not do anything. The remedy for this is difficult because of the depression that is involved in this, but basically it is this: Make life as simple as possible. Make learning organizational skills a priority. As skills increase, complexity can increase. Life should not become more complex than one's ability to organize--do not volunteer for other work if your own house is a mess.
The opposite of laziness is diligence. In Biblical use, diligence is not only persistent effort, it is working with a defined purpose, it is working with wisdom, doing what needs to be done as well as it needs to be.
Grace&Peace,
Tom
There are many causes of laziness; one of them might be genetic. My paternal grandmother was one who could rock her life away in the rocking chair. I think I inherited that same tendency to be a "sitter." To deal with this genetic predisposition one has to order his life so that his work is interesting and low stress.
Another cause of laziness is connected to how much we eat. Some authorities blame too much fat, while others blame too many carbs. It is my personal belief that it is simply eating too much. We all eat and drink more than we admit to eating and drinking. Both obesity and type 2 diabetes are epidemic in the United States. Both obesity and type 2 diabetes contribute to a lack of energy and lethargy. For me, too much sugar is an energy killer. Gluttony is a respectable sin, meaning that we speak too little of it in the Church. Many Christians, especially pastors, are over weight and obese. Learning to eat a healthful diet must become a priority if one is going to combat laziness!
A third cause of laziness is the lack or organizational skills. Because of this many are simply buried by their work and, as a result, give up and do not do anything. The remedy for this is difficult because of the depression that is involved in this, but basically it is this: Make life as simple as possible. Make learning organizational skills a priority. As skills increase, complexity can increase. Life should not become more complex than one's ability to organize--do not volunteer for other work if your own house is a mess.
The opposite of laziness is diligence. In Biblical use, diligence is not only persistent effort, it is working with a defined purpose, it is working with wisdom, doing what needs to be done as well as it needs to be.
Grace&Peace,
Tom
Thursday, October 01, 2009
LAZINESS REMEDIES
I have learned, in whatever state I am, to be content (Philippians 4:11b).
Go therefore and make disciples of all nations . . . (Matthew 28:19a).
I believe one of Newton's laws of motion goes something like this: A body at rest tends to stay at rest. I do not know that anyone has a method of motivating people that works every time, but one thing that every person must do, especially the lazy, is to examine his own philosophy of life, or world-view. Why should a person work in the first place? What would the world be like if everyone sat around and procrastinated and waited for the other person to do it? We would still be living in caves. In most situations, God answers our prayers through diligent work.
One of the blessings of salvation in Jesus Christ is that we are rescued from the wasted effort and futility of sin. In Christ, every effort for him counts. In Christ, it is easier to be diligent because life is now about the Lord, it is not about me. Diligence is more than persistence; it is working with wisdon and doing a job as well as it needs to be done.* When one is wise about work it takes less effort; a diligent person, at times, can look kind of lazy.
Defining success is different to those who possess salvation. The accumulation of wealth is not the primary pursuit of the Christian. Success is defined by how we serve the Savior. Our service to the Savior is a team effort as we work with brothers and sisters in Christ to reach out to the lost, the poor, the orphans, the widowed and the abused. Working is much easier when it is a team effort than it is when one is working alone, and can actually be enjoyable.
My advice for those who battle laziness is to come to a clear understanding of why you need to work and of whom you are working for, Jesus Christ. As much as possible, team up with someone else, you can accomplish more and it is more enjoyable. And, work with diligence--that means there will be much less wasted effort.
Grace&Peace,
Tom
*For the obsessive-compulsives, you will drive yourselves nuts if you believe a job has to be done perfectly every time. It only needs to be done as well as it needs to be.
Go therefore and make disciples of all nations . . . (Matthew 28:19a).
I believe one of Newton's laws of motion goes something like this: A body at rest tends to stay at rest. I do not know that anyone has a method of motivating people that works every time, but one thing that every person must do, especially the lazy, is to examine his own philosophy of life, or world-view. Why should a person work in the first place? What would the world be like if everyone sat around and procrastinated and waited for the other person to do it? We would still be living in caves. In most situations, God answers our prayers through diligent work.
One of the blessings of salvation in Jesus Christ is that we are rescued from the wasted effort and futility of sin. In Christ, every effort for him counts. In Christ, it is easier to be diligent because life is now about the Lord, it is not about me. Diligence is more than persistence; it is working with wisdon and doing a job as well as it needs to be done.* When one is wise about work it takes less effort; a diligent person, at times, can look kind of lazy.
Defining success is different to those who possess salvation. The accumulation of wealth is not the primary pursuit of the Christian. Success is defined by how we serve the Savior. Our service to the Savior is a team effort as we work with brothers and sisters in Christ to reach out to the lost, the poor, the orphans, the widowed and the abused. Working is much easier when it is a team effort than it is when one is working alone, and can actually be enjoyable.
My advice for those who battle laziness is to come to a clear understanding of why you need to work and of whom you are working for, Jesus Christ. As much as possible, team up with someone else, you can accomplish more and it is more enjoyable. And, work with diligence--that means there will be much less wasted effort.
Grace&Peace,
Tom
*For the obsessive-compulsives, you will drive yourselves nuts if you believe a job has to be done perfectly every time. It only needs to be done as well as it needs to be.
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
DEFINING LAZINESS
A slack hand causes poverty, but the hand of the dilegent makes rich (Proverbs 10:4).
Defining laziness is not as easy as it might seem, because there a quite a number of factors that are involved in it. For instance, some do not have the intellect and understanding to know how to do effective work. As a result, they cannot access the productive working world. Are they lazy? Some have physical disorders that leave them feeling low on energy so that any physical exertion leaves them feeling fatigued and exhausted. Are they lazy? Some have psychological disorders so that they are not able to focus on their work. Are they lazy? In each of these instances the technical answer is "yes" and they will suffer the practical consequence of laziness which is poverty. However, in each of these cases, each one of these people could have a will to work, so, no they are not lazy.
Can it be that the busiest man in town is lazy? I have seen people busily doing good things while neglecting the most important things. Are they lazy? Can it be that the person who thinks he is above certain kinds of work is lazy? He thinks that a person with a college degree or a graduate degree is above doing menial work; is that laziness? In both of these instances, though there has been accomplishment, they have not the will to do what is needed, so, yes, they are lazy and could suffer the logical consequence of laziness.
A dictionary definition of lazy is, With little will to work; lack of exertion (Webster). I believe the "will to work" plays a much bigger role in laziness than the "lack of exertion." Laziness begins with the will, with the decision as to whether or not one will work because it is true that some work harder at not working than if they would have done the job in the first place. It is also interesting to me that a lazy person often thinks of himself as being very busy.
Grace&Peace,
Tom
Defining laziness is not as easy as it might seem, because there a quite a number of factors that are involved in it. For instance, some do not have the intellect and understanding to know how to do effective work. As a result, they cannot access the productive working world. Are they lazy? Some have physical disorders that leave them feeling low on energy so that any physical exertion leaves them feeling fatigued and exhausted. Are they lazy? Some have psychological disorders so that they are not able to focus on their work. Are they lazy? In each of these instances the technical answer is "yes" and they will suffer the practical consequence of laziness which is poverty. However, in each of these cases, each one of these people could have a will to work, so, no they are not lazy.
Can it be that the busiest man in town is lazy? I have seen people busily doing good things while neglecting the most important things. Are they lazy? Can it be that the person who thinks he is above certain kinds of work is lazy? He thinks that a person with a college degree or a graduate degree is above doing menial work; is that laziness? In both of these instances, though there has been accomplishment, they have not the will to do what is needed, so, yes, they are lazy and could suffer the logical consequence of laziness.
A dictionary definition of lazy is, With little will to work; lack of exertion (Webster). I believe the "will to work" plays a much bigger role in laziness than the "lack of exertion." Laziness begins with the will, with the decision as to whether or not one will work because it is true that some work harder at not working than if they would have done the job in the first place. It is also interesting to me that a lazy person often thinks of himself as being very busy.
Grace&Peace,
Tom
Thursday, September 17, 2009
THE CHRISTIAN AND THE CONSTITUTION
Be subject for the Lord's sake to every human institution, whether it be to the emperor as supreme, or to governors as sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to praise those who do right (I Peter 2:13-14).
In the United States we take pride in being a nation ruled by law, not by whim, even if that whim is expressed by the popular vote of the people. True law is not established by the legislature, by the president, the judiciary or even the will of the people if it is not God's will or if it is not Constitutional, the Constitution being the supreme law of the land. Our founding fathers generally had a Christian perspective of the law of God and the nature of man. Thus the Constitution was constructed in a way the recognizes the value and dignity of each person by guaranteeing their God-given rights (the bill of rights), and also recognizes human depravity through the separation of powers. God has richly blessed the American people through this kind of constitutional government!
The Constitution is just a scrap of paper without the intelligent support of each citizen of the United States. I believe that it certainly is a Christian's responsibility to support the Constitution. But, the Constitution is like the Bible, there are a lot of people who express reverence for it but they do not know what is in it. We cannot rely on our public officials to properly apply the Constitution to civil law because, though they take an oath to protect and defend the Constitution, they regularly undermine it in each branch of government. The day-to-day responsibility of defending and protecting the Constitution lays on the backs of every-day citizens. Each citizen must know what is in the Constitution so that they can hold their elected officials accountable by writing them, in town-hall meetings and, ultimately, in the voting booth. If we continue in ignorance, we will lose America.
Grace&Peace,
Tom
In the United States we take pride in being a nation ruled by law, not by whim, even if that whim is expressed by the popular vote of the people. True law is not established by the legislature, by the president, the judiciary or even the will of the people if it is not God's will or if it is not Constitutional, the Constitution being the supreme law of the land. Our founding fathers generally had a Christian perspective of the law of God and the nature of man. Thus the Constitution was constructed in a way the recognizes the value and dignity of each person by guaranteeing their God-given rights (the bill of rights), and also recognizes human depravity through the separation of powers. God has richly blessed the American people through this kind of constitutional government!
The Constitution is just a scrap of paper without the intelligent support of each citizen of the United States. I believe that it certainly is a Christian's responsibility to support the Constitution. But, the Constitution is like the Bible, there are a lot of people who express reverence for it but they do not know what is in it. We cannot rely on our public officials to properly apply the Constitution to civil law because, though they take an oath to protect and defend the Constitution, they regularly undermine it in each branch of government. The day-to-day responsibility of defending and protecting the Constitution lays on the backs of every-day citizens. Each citizen must know what is in the Constitution so that they can hold their elected officials accountable by writing them, in town-hall meetings and, ultimately, in the voting booth. If we continue in ignorance, we will lose America.
Grace&Peace,
Tom
Tuesday, September 08, 2009
FILLING THE EXISTENTIAL VACUUM
Vanity of vanities, says the Preacher, vanity of vanities! All is vanity. What does man gain by all the toil at which he toils under the sun? (Ecclesiastes 1:2-3).
One of the most worn books in my personal library is Victor Frankl's Man's Search for Meaning. In it Frankl uses the term existential vacuum (EV) to describe the feelings of emptiness and meaninglessness that characterize the people of our time; Fankl called EV a mass neurosis. The general symptoms of EV are depression, aggression and addiction, or more specifically, boredom, inertia, work addiction, drug, alcohol and sex dependency and abusive behaviors.
In the pysical world, vacuums do not continue to be vacuums for long. Vaccums suck--they suck things into them to fill the vacuum. Thus, a vacuum cleaner sucks dirt and debris into it until it is full. So it is when a person does not have a meaning for his life, he sucks in all kinds of things to fill the vacuum in an attempt to find meaning. The pursuit of status, the pursuit of power, the pursuit of pleasure and the collection of "toys" are all vain attempts to fill the existential vacuum in each of us.
If you have ever eaten your fill of junk food, though it tastes good it still leaves you feeling strangely empty because you have eaten food that does not satisfy--lots of sugar and fat but no nutrition. That is how the existential vacuum is, filling the life with all kinds of things that do not satisfy until the point is reached that it is full and yet it is strangely empty.
Augustine expressed a true-to-the-Bible truth when he said, 'God has made us for himself; our souls cannot rest until they rest in him.' What Frankl said in secular terms, Augustine said in theological terms hundreds of years earlier. It is in God, through Jesus Christ, that meaning is found! No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us (Romans 8:37). God has created us in his image and redeemed us so that we can be more than just products of our heredity and environment. We can stand up against circumstances that seem overwhelming and be victors because of our God and Savior, Jesus Christ!
The question to be answered is, will the remaining years of your life have meaning or will it be filled with the strange emptiness of having everything, but having nothing?
Grace&Peace,
Tom
One of the most worn books in my personal library is Victor Frankl's Man's Search for Meaning. In it Frankl uses the term existential vacuum (EV) to describe the feelings of emptiness and meaninglessness that characterize the people of our time; Fankl called EV a mass neurosis. The general symptoms of EV are depression, aggression and addiction, or more specifically, boredom, inertia, work addiction, drug, alcohol and sex dependency and abusive behaviors.
In the pysical world, vacuums do not continue to be vacuums for long. Vaccums suck--they suck things into them to fill the vacuum. Thus, a vacuum cleaner sucks dirt and debris into it until it is full. So it is when a person does not have a meaning for his life, he sucks in all kinds of things to fill the vacuum in an attempt to find meaning. The pursuit of status, the pursuit of power, the pursuit of pleasure and the collection of "toys" are all vain attempts to fill the existential vacuum in each of us.
If you have ever eaten your fill of junk food, though it tastes good it still leaves you feeling strangely empty because you have eaten food that does not satisfy--lots of sugar and fat but no nutrition. That is how the existential vacuum is, filling the life with all kinds of things that do not satisfy until the point is reached that it is full and yet it is strangely empty.
Augustine expressed a true-to-the-Bible truth when he said, 'God has made us for himself; our souls cannot rest until they rest in him.' What Frankl said in secular terms, Augustine said in theological terms hundreds of years earlier. It is in God, through Jesus Christ, that meaning is found! No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us (Romans 8:37). God has created us in his image and redeemed us so that we can be more than just products of our heredity and environment. We can stand up against circumstances that seem overwhelming and be victors because of our God and Savior, Jesus Christ!
The question to be answered is, will the remaining years of your life have meaning or will it be filled with the strange emptiness of having everything, but having nothing?
Grace&Peace,
Tom
Monday, August 31, 2009
TERMS OF ENTRANCE
But when the king came in to look at the guests, he saw there a man who had no wedding garment; and he said to him, "Friend, how did you get in here without a wedding garment?" And he was speechless. Then the king said to the attendants, "Bind him hand and foot, and cast him into the outer darkness; there men will weep and gash their teeth" (Matthew 22:11-13).
Everyone is invited to the wedding feast in Heaven. Not everybody accepts the invitation. Some actually refuse to go. Others think they have better things to do. And still others accept the invitation, but want to come on their own terms. In the parable the invitation was offered freely to all. The only requirments of entrance into the wedding feast was to accept the invitation, show up at the main entrance and put on the wedding garment. The garment itself was free. It was an invitation of pure grace. The guest did nothing to merit the invitation, nor to enter the feast. All the guest had to do was to put on the garment that was freely given. A great celebration, a great party with great food and drink and beautiful people all for free. The host paid for it all!
This was all very expensive to the King, but he wanted every one to be there looking good. Strolling up to the main entrance came a very well-dressed man. When the attendent handed him his wedding garment, the man looked at his own clothing, then looked at the wedding garment and said, "My clothing looks better than the wedding garment, I will just go on in. Give this to someone else who needs it." So he pushed his way on in only to encounter the King. The King was insulted and would not have anyone without a wedding garment at his feast. As a result, the man who came on his own terms was cast into outerdarkness with the others who refused and neglected the invitation.
For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ (Galatians 3:27).
Have you put on the wedding garment?
Grace&Peace,
Tom
Everyone is invited to the wedding feast in Heaven. Not everybody accepts the invitation. Some actually refuse to go. Others think they have better things to do. And still others accept the invitation, but want to come on their own terms. In the parable the invitation was offered freely to all. The only requirments of entrance into the wedding feast was to accept the invitation, show up at the main entrance and put on the wedding garment. The garment itself was free. It was an invitation of pure grace. The guest did nothing to merit the invitation, nor to enter the feast. All the guest had to do was to put on the garment that was freely given. A great celebration, a great party with great food and drink and beautiful people all for free. The host paid for it all!
This was all very expensive to the King, but he wanted every one to be there looking good. Strolling up to the main entrance came a very well-dressed man. When the attendent handed him his wedding garment, the man looked at his own clothing, then looked at the wedding garment and said, "My clothing looks better than the wedding garment, I will just go on in. Give this to someone else who needs it." So he pushed his way on in only to encounter the King. The King was insulted and would not have anyone without a wedding garment at his feast. As a result, the man who came on his own terms was cast into outerdarkness with the others who refused and neglected the invitation.
For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ (Galatians 3:27).
Have you put on the wedding garment?
Grace&Peace,
Tom
Friday, August 28, 2009
THE TIME IS FULFILLED*
"Seventy weeks of years are decreed concerning your people and you holy city, to finish the transgression, to put an end to sin, and to atone for iniquity, to bring in everlasting righteousness to seal both vision and prophet, and to anoint a most holy place" (Daniel 9:24).
On my Holy Land tour in 2008 the first point of interest in Israel was Qumran. The Essenes lived there from about 200 B.C. until 70 A.D. It has been suggested that John the Baptizer was a member of the Essenes. If he was then one has some insight into how conservative the community of the Essenes was. The Essenes thought it to be their duty to preserve the Scriptures by making exact copies, sealing them in containers and hiding them in the numerous caves of the area. People of the Judeo-Christian faith are extremely indebted to the Essenes! It is because of their obsession for accuracy and preservation that we are assured that we have accurate Old Testament Scriptures.
The book most studied by the Essenes was the book of Daniel. More fragments of it have been found at Qumran than any other. The reason there was so much messianic expectation during the time of Christ is that Daniels "70 Weeks" prophecy is dateable. The scholars of 2,000 years ago could count. They knew that their time was the time to expect the Messiah. It was for this reason that there were quite a few people like Anna and Simeon who waited in the Temple night and day worshipping and watching for the Lord's Messian (Luke 2:25-38). And it was for this same reason that our Lord Jesus came saying, "The time is fulfilled and the Kingdom of God is at hand (Mark 1:14-15).
While the time-line of the first coming of Christ was definite and dateable, the time-line of the second coming is not. Paul the Apostle's "man of sin" has been revealed (II Thessalonians 2:3), the dead-sea scrolls have been found and Israel has been resurrected as a nation. But these are only signposts along the way indicating that we are on course and not indicating a timeline. The Lord himself said that NO ONE knows the day or the hour. The Apostolic message was that the Lord's return would be like a thief in the night. The truth is, Jesus could come at any time. Are you ready?
Grace&Peace,
Tom
*Revised from an earlier post.
On my Holy Land tour in 2008 the first point of interest in Israel was Qumran. The Essenes lived there from about 200 B.C. until 70 A.D. It has been suggested that John the Baptizer was a member of the Essenes. If he was then one has some insight into how conservative the community of the Essenes was. The Essenes thought it to be their duty to preserve the Scriptures by making exact copies, sealing them in containers and hiding them in the numerous caves of the area. People of the Judeo-Christian faith are extremely indebted to the Essenes! It is because of their obsession for accuracy and preservation that we are assured that we have accurate Old Testament Scriptures.
The book most studied by the Essenes was the book of Daniel. More fragments of it have been found at Qumran than any other. The reason there was so much messianic expectation during the time of Christ is that Daniels "70 Weeks" prophecy is dateable. The scholars of 2,000 years ago could count. They knew that their time was the time to expect the Messiah. It was for this reason that there were quite a few people like Anna and Simeon who waited in the Temple night and day worshipping and watching for the Lord's Messian (Luke 2:25-38). And it was for this same reason that our Lord Jesus came saying, "The time is fulfilled and the Kingdom of God is at hand (Mark 1:14-15).
While the time-line of the first coming of Christ was definite and dateable, the time-line of the second coming is not. Paul the Apostle's "man of sin" has been revealed (II Thessalonians 2:3), the dead-sea scrolls have been found and Israel has been resurrected as a nation. But these are only signposts along the way indicating that we are on course and not indicating a timeline. The Lord himself said that NO ONE knows the day or the hour. The Apostolic message was that the Lord's return would be like a thief in the night. The truth is, Jesus could come at any time. Are you ready?
Grace&Peace,
Tom
*Revised from an earlier post.
Monday, August 24, 2009
ENTROPY HAPPENS*
"Look carefully then how you walk,not as unwise men but as wise, making the most of the time, because the days are evil" (Ephesians 5:15-16).
Entropy is a word from the sciences. It defines the inevitable movement from order to disorder. It defines the movement of all matter and all energy as it moves toward a state of inert uniformity. It defines the loss of information in a transmitted message, and the inevitable and steady deterioration of a system or society. This is what the Apostle Paul was speaking about when he said, "the days are evil."
There is always entropy in every human relationship. Every relationship will deteriorate unless there is something that can renew it and hold it together! It takes commitment; it takes faith; it takes the motivation that comes from love to overcome relationship entropy. It means that husbands must expend the kind of energy it takes to really understand their wives, learning to take the time to really watch and listen to what she is saying. To not do this is to communicate that she is not that important. As well, wives owe their husbands the same courtesy. Many wives could have spared themselves a lot of heartache if they would have taken the time to understand their husbands rather than expecting him to follow to follow her around like a whipped puppy.
The good news about relationship entropy is that it can be overcome, but it takes a personal sacrificial investment to do it. When the cited text says, "making the most of the time," a more accurate translation is "redeeming the time." It is to buy up time and opportunities to show the love of Jesus in one's relationships. If your relationships are not going very well, it could be that you are just letting entropy happen.
Grace&Peace,
Tom
*Revised from an earlier post.
Entropy is a word from the sciences. It defines the inevitable movement from order to disorder. It defines the movement of all matter and all energy as it moves toward a state of inert uniformity. It defines the loss of information in a transmitted message, and the inevitable and steady deterioration of a system or society. This is what the Apostle Paul was speaking about when he said, "the days are evil."
There is always entropy in every human relationship. Every relationship will deteriorate unless there is something that can renew it and hold it together! It takes commitment; it takes faith; it takes the motivation that comes from love to overcome relationship entropy. It means that husbands must expend the kind of energy it takes to really understand their wives, learning to take the time to really watch and listen to what she is saying. To not do this is to communicate that she is not that important. As well, wives owe their husbands the same courtesy. Many wives could have spared themselves a lot of heartache if they would have taken the time to understand their husbands rather than expecting him to follow to follow her around like a whipped puppy.
The good news about relationship entropy is that it can be overcome, but it takes a personal sacrificial investment to do it. When the cited text says, "making the most of the time," a more accurate translation is "redeeming the time." It is to buy up time and opportunities to show the love of Jesus in one's relationships. If your relationships are not going very well, it could be that you are just letting entropy happen.
Grace&Peace,
Tom
*Revised from an earlier post.
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
ARE YOU NUTRICIOUS AND DELICIOUS?
But speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by every joint with which it is supplied, when each part is working properly, makes bodily growth and upbuilds itself in love (Ephesians 4:15,16).
Dr. M.W. Orth, associate professor of skeletal biology in the department of animal science at Michigan State University, wrote, With the advances made in genetics, certain livestock species have attained some impressive growth rates. To try to give some perspective, if a week-old, 10 lb. baby boy grew at the rate of a market pig, he would weigh about 467 lbs. at 24 weeks of age. If the same baby grew at the rate of a turkey, he could weigh as much as 1320 lbs. at 22 weeks of age. That is more than four times the size of Shaquille O'Neal. In addition, his body composition would likely compare to that of a middle linebacker.*
That kind of growth really is incredible, but even with the benefit of modern genetics it would not be possible without a proper ration (diet and medication) and environment (shelter and ventilation). Without meeting these other physical needs appropriately, the mortality rates would be very high!
Whether we are leading a family or a church, all the needs of the members need to be considered for life, growth and development. Even when all needs are perfectly met there will be some mortality--Adam and Eve sinned in Eden. Nevertheless, that does not release us from our responsibility to provide the best environment for our families and churches, speaking and doing the truth in love.
What do you contribute to the diet and environment of your family or church so that it can grow in health rather than deteriorate in dysfunction?
Grace&Peace,
Tom
*Revised from an earlier post. The quote is from FEEDSTUFFS magazine.
Dr. M.W. Orth, associate professor of skeletal biology in the department of animal science at Michigan State University, wrote, With the advances made in genetics, certain livestock species have attained some impressive growth rates. To try to give some perspective, if a week-old, 10 lb. baby boy grew at the rate of a market pig, he would weigh about 467 lbs. at 24 weeks of age. If the same baby grew at the rate of a turkey, he could weigh as much as 1320 lbs. at 22 weeks of age. That is more than four times the size of Shaquille O'Neal. In addition, his body composition would likely compare to that of a middle linebacker.*
That kind of growth really is incredible, but even with the benefit of modern genetics it would not be possible without a proper ration (diet and medication) and environment (shelter and ventilation). Without meeting these other physical needs appropriately, the mortality rates would be very high!
Whether we are leading a family or a church, all the needs of the members need to be considered for life, growth and development. Even when all needs are perfectly met there will be some mortality--Adam and Eve sinned in Eden. Nevertheless, that does not release us from our responsibility to provide the best environment for our families and churches, speaking and doing the truth in love.
What do you contribute to the diet and environment of your family or church so that it can grow in health rather than deteriorate in dysfunction?
Grace&Peace,
Tom
*Revised from an earlier post. The quote is from FEEDSTUFFS magazine.
Friday, August 14, 2009
THE COST OF A DRINK
Wine is a mocker, strong drink is a brawler, and whosoever is led astray by it is not wise (Proverbs 20:1).
Former Iowa governor and senator, Harold Hughes, who was an alcoholic himself, said, If politicians ignored any other disease that affected as many young people, put as many people in jail and caused as many deaths on the highway as alcoholism and chemical dependency, Americans would tar and feather them. But because it's alcohol and chemical dependency, we do nothing, absolutely nothing.
According to Iowa Parole Board statistics, 95 percent of the cases it handles have a connection with alcohol and chemical dependency. Furthermore, 85 percent of all crimes in America are committed under the influence of alcohol.
Though I have never knowingly tasted an alcoholic beverage, I always drink the kid's punch, I have had enough experience with it to know that alcohol consumption is bad news. I remember counseling a woman whose husband would drink and then beat her up. I remember having to awaken a young wife at 1:00 a.m. and tell her that her husband had been killed in an automobile accident caused by alcohol abuse. I remember the town alcoholic, who literally drank up a fortune, dying of cirrhosis--he was my uncle. Not one of those who sold him all of that alcohol came to his funeral.
The cost of a drink is more than its price. The real cost is the millions of lives that are damaged and destroyed by alcohol each year. The one who leaves it alone is wise.
Grace&Peace,
Tom
Former Iowa governor and senator, Harold Hughes, who was an alcoholic himself, said, If politicians ignored any other disease that affected as many young people, put as many people in jail and caused as many deaths on the highway as alcoholism and chemical dependency, Americans would tar and feather them. But because it's alcohol and chemical dependency, we do nothing, absolutely nothing.
According to Iowa Parole Board statistics, 95 percent of the cases it handles have a connection with alcohol and chemical dependency. Furthermore, 85 percent of all crimes in America are committed under the influence of alcohol.
Though I have never knowingly tasted an alcoholic beverage, I always drink the kid's punch, I have had enough experience with it to know that alcohol consumption is bad news. I remember counseling a woman whose husband would drink and then beat her up. I remember having to awaken a young wife at 1:00 a.m. and tell her that her husband had been killed in an automobile accident caused by alcohol abuse. I remember the town alcoholic, who literally drank up a fortune, dying of cirrhosis--he was my uncle. Not one of those who sold him all of that alcohol came to his funeral.
The cost of a drink is more than its price. The real cost is the millions of lives that are damaged and destroyed by alcohol each year. The one who leaves it alone is wise.
Grace&Peace,
Tom
Wednesday, August 05, 2009
HUMANZEE?
The fool says in his heart, "There is no God." They are corrupt, they do abominable deeds . . .(Psalms 14:1).
For not all flesh is alike, but there is one kind for man, another kind for animals, another for birds, and another for fish (I Corinthians 15:39).
Ilya Ivanov (born in Russia 1870-1932) was a biologist with a considerable reputation in the field of artificial insemination. Not only was he successful in conventional artificial insemination practice, he was also successful at producing hybrids resulting from a donkey and a zebra, for example. He established the world's first center for the artificial insemination of horses in Moscow. The Societs needed strong animals to establish "Utopia."
Because the Soviets wanted to destroy belief in God, proving Darwinism was essential, so they financed Ivanov's efforts to make a human-ape hybrid. He tried to inseminate both human and ape females with the other species sperm. Judeo-Christian ethical concerns were certainly not a concern of either Ivanov or the Soviets.
Today, reports of human-ape hybrids fall into the realm of Big-foot and UFOs because Ivanov, and others following, failed. I do expect that the research will continue, however, because the Darwinists refuse to believe in the Creator to whom they will give account.
This kind of research is an embarrassment to science.
Grace&Peace,
Tom
For not all flesh is alike, but there is one kind for man, another kind for animals, another for birds, and another for fish (I Corinthians 15:39).
Ilya Ivanov (born in Russia 1870-1932) was a biologist with a considerable reputation in the field of artificial insemination. Not only was he successful in conventional artificial insemination practice, he was also successful at producing hybrids resulting from a donkey and a zebra, for example. He established the world's first center for the artificial insemination of horses in Moscow. The Societs needed strong animals to establish "Utopia."
Because the Soviets wanted to destroy belief in God, proving Darwinism was essential, so they financed Ivanov's efforts to make a human-ape hybrid. He tried to inseminate both human and ape females with the other species sperm. Judeo-Christian ethical concerns were certainly not a concern of either Ivanov or the Soviets.
Today, reports of human-ape hybrids fall into the realm of Big-foot and UFOs because Ivanov, and others following, failed. I do expect that the research will continue, however, because the Darwinists refuse to believe in the Creator to whom they will give account.
This kind of research is an embarrassment to science.
Grace&Peace,
Tom
Monday, August 03, 2009
GENTLE MAN OR WILD MAN?
And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit . . . (Ephesians 6:17).
And Jonathan said to the young man who bore his armor, "Come, let us go over to the garrison of these uncircumcised; it may be that the Lord will work for us; for nothing can hinder the Lord from saving by many or by few" (I Samuel 14:6). Read the whole story of this "wild man" who was also gentle.
A Christmas present from my son-in-law, Kirk, was a book called, Why Men Hate Going to Church, by David Murrow. It was an enjoyable read and I think it made some important points about masculinity. One of them was this, Christianity was never intended as an antidote to masculinity. As is the case with both males and females, Christianity was never intended to cancel out either masculinity or femininity. I believe there will be genders in heaven! Certainly, Christianity was not intended to make us into a neutral gender. Boys naturally tend to be more rough and tumble, willing to take chances than girls. It seems as if, not only in the church, but in our educational systems, we are more focused on neutering boys than civilizing them. The difference between neutering and civilizing is teaching boys to become men of faith who reject passivity, accept responsibility and lead courageously rather than just to become compliant.
Murrow also asked the question, What if Christ turns him into wild man instead of a gentle man? True faith changes our lives. One encounters true masculinity or femininity by faith in Christ. Faith in Christ is the first step to the true you! So, come on guys, pick up the sword, we have a battle to fight!
Grace&Peace,
Tom
And Jonathan said to the young man who bore his armor, "Come, let us go over to the garrison of these uncircumcised; it may be that the Lord will work for us; for nothing can hinder the Lord from saving by many or by few" (I Samuel 14:6). Read the whole story of this "wild man" who was also gentle.
A Christmas present from my son-in-law, Kirk, was a book called, Why Men Hate Going to Church, by David Murrow. It was an enjoyable read and I think it made some important points about masculinity. One of them was this, Christianity was never intended as an antidote to masculinity. As is the case with both males and females, Christianity was never intended to cancel out either masculinity or femininity. I believe there will be genders in heaven! Certainly, Christianity was not intended to make us into a neutral gender. Boys naturally tend to be more rough and tumble, willing to take chances than girls. It seems as if, not only in the church, but in our educational systems, we are more focused on neutering boys than civilizing them. The difference between neutering and civilizing is teaching boys to become men of faith who reject passivity, accept responsibility and lead courageously rather than just to become compliant.
Murrow also asked the question, What if Christ turns him into wild man instead of a gentle man? True faith changes our lives. One encounters true masculinity or femininity by faith in Christ. Faith in Christ is the first step to the true you! So, come on guys, pick up the sword, we have a battle to fight!
Grace&Peace,
Tom
Saturday, August 01, 2009
IF YOU ARE GOING THROUGH HELL . . .
God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear though the earth should change though the mountains shake in the heart of the sea; though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble with its tumult (Psalms 46:1-3).
Winston Churchill is said to have said, If you are going through hell, keep on going. We* did. On the return trip from California we lost our air conditioning in Bakersfield. It was 4:30 in the afternoon and 105 degrees. Our goal was to make it to Las Vegas before we quit for the night. So we opened the rear vent windows in our Chrysler minivan and headed for the Mohave desert where the temperature rose to 114 degrees. The hot dry air dried my eyes out. Though Helen and I made sure that we had plenty of water and ice, we couldn't keep cool. Sin City (Las Vegas) was never a more welcome sight as we arrived there. It was still 105 degrees at 9 in the evening. Next morning I called a technician who thought he found the source of the problem, but the needed parts could not be obtained. So, at about noon with the temp well over 100 we pushed on. Finally in the mountains of Utah we saw the temperature fall to under 9o and the air coming in the vents felt like air conditioning. It was cooler in Grand Junction, Colorado where we spent the night and visited friends the next morning. At about noon the next day we continued our journey home, stopping for lunch at Rifle, Colorado, where I served as pastor of the Christian Church and where our beautiful daughter, Rebecca was born. When we reach Vailed, Colorado, we encountered rain and much cooler temps, in the 50's, and a little rain. The elevation at Vail pass is over 10,000 feet. At the Eisenhower tunnel, elevation almost 12,000 feet, the temperature had dropped to 37 degrees and there was heavy rain, ice and snow. What made this dangerous was that the malfunctioning of the air conditioning would not allow the heater to work either. The windshield fogged over. I used paper towels to keep it clear as I could. I followed a slow truck down the mountain. Helen and the kids were wrapped in blankets, but I needed none, being too busy keeping things under control. By the time we reached Denver we were doing well and it was a cool and uneventful trip on home.
Churchill's quote came to my mind in the Mohave desert. When one is going through hell, there are not too many options but to keep on going. Churchill knew something of going through hell, suffering with severe bouts of depression** his entire adult life. He could never rid himself of the "black dog," as he called it, yet look at what he accomplished as an author and his life of public service. He did not allow the "black dog" to be his excuse!
What also must be said about going through hell is that the hells we suffer on this earth are only mini hells compared to the great hell.
Grace&Peace,
Tom
*Tom, Helen and our grandchildren, Alex and Samantha.
**Actually, Churchill suffered from what we know now as bipolar disorder, suffering bouts of deep depression and then great bursts of energy without losing touch with reality.
Winston Churchill is said to have said, If you are going through hell, keep on going. We* did. On the return trip from California we lost our air conditioning in Bakersfield. It was 4:30 in the afternoon and 105 degrees. Our goal was to make it to Las Vegas before we quit for the night. So we opened the rear vent windows in our Chrysler minivan and headed for the Mohave desert where the temperature rose to 114 degrees. The hot dry air dried my eyes out. Though Helen and I made sure that we had plenty of water and ice, we couldn't keep cool. Sin City (Las Vegas) was never a more welcome sight as we arrived there. It was still 105 degrees at 9 in the evening. Next morning I called a technician who thought he found the source of the problem, but the needed parts could not be obtained. So, at about noon with the temp well over 100 we pushed on. Finally in the mountains of Utah we saw the temperature fall to under 9o and the air coming in the vents felt like air conditioning. It was cooler in Grand Junction, Colorado where we spent the night and visited friends the next morning. At about noon the next day we continued our journey home, stopping for lunch at Rifle, Colorado, where I served as pastor of the Christian Church and where our beautiful daughter, Rebecca was born. When we reach Vailed, Colorado, we encountered rain and much cooler temps, in the 50's, and a little rain. The elevation at Vail pass is over 10,000 feet. At the Eisenhower tunnel, elevation almost 12,000 feet, the temperature had dropped to 37 degrees and there was heavy rain, ice and snow. What made this dangerous was that the malfunctioning of the air conditioning would not allow the heater to work either. The windshield fogged over. I used paper towels to keep it clear as I could. I followed a slow truck down the mountain. Helen and the kids were wrapped in blankets, but I needed none, being too busy keeping things under control. By the time we reached Denver we were doing well and it was a cool and uneventful trip on home.
Churchill's quote came to my mind in the Mohave desert. When one is going through hell, there are not too many options but to keep on going. Churchill knew something of going through hell, suffering with severe bouts of depression** his entire adult life. He could never rid himself of the "black dog," as he called it, yet look at what he accomplished as an author and his life of public service. He did not allow the "black dog" to be his excuse!
What also must be said about going through hell is that the hells we suffer on this earth are only mini hells compared to the great hell.
Grace&Peace,
Tom
*Tom, Helen and our grandchildren, Alex and Samantha.
**Actually, Churchill suffered from what we know now as bipolar disorder, suffering bouts of deep depression and then great bursts of energy without losing touch with reality.
Thursday, July 23, 2009
EVEN BIBLE TRIVIA IS IMPORTANT
He said: (Job 3:2 NIV).
Jesus wept (John 11:35 NIV).
. . . the holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work (II Timothy 3:15b-17 NIV).
While visiting in California, a jail chaplain pointed out to me--no, I wasn't in jail--that the shortest verse in the Bible is Job 3:2, not John 11:35. I was surprised by this. I guess that I need to read my Bible more carefully! But, this bit of trivia reminded me that there really is no trivia in the Bible. In context, every word is important, being inspired by God and teaching us lessons for this life and the life to come. Because of his great losses Job was driven to the depths of despair. It is important to know what "he said." Though Job said many important things, I think the most important is found in 42:5 when he said at the end, "My ears have heard of you but now my eyes have seen you." Job helps us to understand that for faith to be real it must be tested! Will an untested faith bring us into the presence of the Creator?
In both Job 3:2 and John 11:35 the emotion is intense. The emotion of Job is easily understood; the emotion of Jesus is not. Countless opinions have been expressed, my view being that the One who knows when a bird falls from the air and who has the hairs on our heads numbered shares in our emotions too. There is sorrow in life. God did not insulate himself from it--he feels with you, "Jesus wept. Then the Jews said, 'see how he loved him'" (John 11:35-36).
Grace&Peace,
Tom
Jesus wept (John 11:35 NIV).
. . . the holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work (II Timothy 3:15b-17 NIV).
While visiting in California, a jail chaplain pointed out to me--no, I wasn't in jail--that the shortest verse in the Bible is Job 3:2, not John 11:35. I was surprised by this. I guess that I need to read my Bible more carefully! But, this bit of trivia reminded me that there really is no trivia in the Bible. In context, every word is important, being inspired by God and teaching us lessons for this life and the life to come. Because of his great losses Job was driven to the depths of despair. It is important to know what "he said." Though Job said many important things, I think the most important is found in 42:5 when he said at the end, "My ears have heard of you but now my eyes have seen you." Job helps us to understand that for faith to be real it must be tested! Will an untested faith bring us into the presence of the Creator?
In both Job 3:2 and John 11:35 the emotion is intense. The emotion of Job is easily understood; the emotion of Jesus is not. Countless opinions have been expressed, my view being that the One who knows when a bird falls from the air and who has the hairs on our heads numbered shares in our emotions too. There is sorrow in life. God did not insulate himself from it--he feels with you, "Jesus wept. Then the Jews said, 'see how he loved him'" (John 11:35-36).
Grace&Peace,
Tom
Saturday, July 11, 2009
A HISTORY LESSON*
Now these things happened to them as a warning, but they were written down for our instruction, upon whom the end of the ages has come (I Corinthians 10:11).
It has often been said that those who do not learn from history are doomed to repeat it. Why is it then that there are so few that learn from history? As a counselor, I know that people with problems very often do not learn the right lessons from their own experience and need someone to help them interpret their own experiences so that positive course corrections can be made in their lives. Unless the right changes are made, all other changes are in vain.
Another reason history is so often repeated is that there is a class of people who think of the past as something to be out grown, not to learn from. To them, with the advances of our age, affluence, science, technology and medical treatments, the past seems so irrelevant. To them the new priest or pastor is a technician wearing a lab coat.
The truth is, history cannot be safely ignored or discarded! The Lord says that in the time when people are saying peace and safety, look out or sudden destruction will come upon them! When people say, "There is peace and security," then sudden destruction will come upon them as travail comes upon a woman with child, and there will be no escape (I Thessalonians 5:3). We will never out grow the lessons of history--past or future (I was just thinking about the lessons of prophecy too, but that is another lesson).
Grace&Peace,
Tom
*Completely rewritten from an earlier post.
**I will be away from the computer for a couple of weeks. Do not be discouraged, I shall return if the Lord is willing.
It has often been said that those who do not learn from history are doomed to repeat it. Why is it then that there are so few that learn from history? As a counselor, I know that people with problems very often do not learn the right lessons from their own experience and need someone to help them interpret their own experiences so that positive course corrections can be made in their lives. Unless the right changes are made, all other changes are in vain.
Another reason history is so often repeated is that there is a class of people who think of the past as something to be out grown, not to learn from. To them, with the advances of our age, affluence, science, technology and medical treatments, the past seems so irrelevant. To them the new priest or pastor is a technician wearing a lab coat.
The truth is, history cannot be safely ignored or discarded! The Lord says that in the time when people are saying peace and safety, look out or sudden destruction will come upon them! When people say, "There is peace and security," then sudden destruction will come upon them as travail comes upon a woman with child, and there will be no escape (I Thessalonians 5:3). We will never out grow the lessons of history--past or future (I was just thinking about the lessons of prophecy too, but that is another lesson).
Grace&Peace,
Tom
*Completely rewritten from an earlier post.
**I will be away from the computer for a couple of weeks. Do not be discouraged, I shall return if the Lord is willing.
Saturday, July 04, 2009
IT IS FREEDOM DAY!
Once when Jacob was boiling pottage, Esau came in from the field, and he was famished. And Esau said to Jacob, "Let me eat some of that red pottage, for I am famished" . . . Jacob said, "First sell me your birthright." Esau said, "I am about to die; of what use is a birthright to me?" Jacob said, "Swear to me first." So he swore to him, and sold his birthright to Jacob. Then Jacob gave Esau bread and pottage of lentils, and he ate and drank, and rose and went his way. Thus Esau despised his birthright (Genesis 25:29-34).
And proclaim liberty throughout the land to all its inhabitants (Leviticus 25:10).
Freedom is our heritage. It is easy to take it for granted when it is possessed, but when it is gone, it might not ever be possessed again even if it is sought with blood, sweat and tears. Freedom is the absence of arbitrary control. Our founding fathers pledged their lives, fortunes and sacred honor, not to free us from law, but to free us from the whims of unrepresentative government; "czars" and bureaucrats. A very large portion of the world's people suffers abuse and/or sheer terror at the hands of arbitrary government. I thank God for the wisdom and the personal sacrifices of our fathers and for each one who has given his or her life to preserve our liberty!
My greatest concern for America is that we are trading our birthright of freedom for a bowl of government promises. If we turn over our freedom, the government will give us everything from cradle to grave. It is like the temptation of Christ, the devil says, 'worship me and I will give you everything," trading our freedom for the promise of security is a deal with the devil! We will have lost our freedom and will be left with poverty. As it has always been, the political elites will live in luxury while the rest of us live in misery!
Be responsible, take a risk and stand for freedom!
Grace&Peace,
Tom
And proclaim liberty throughout the land to all its inhabitants (Leviticus 25:10).
Freedom is our heritage. It is easy to take it for granted when it is possessed, but when it is gone, it might not ever be possessed again even if it is sought with blood, sweat and tears. Freedom is the absence of arbitrary control. Our founding fathers pledged their lives, fortunes and sacred honor, not to free us from law, but to free us from the whims of unrepresentative government; "czars" and bureaucrats. A very large portion of the world's people suffers abuse and/or sheer terror at the hands of arbitrary government. I thank God for the wisdom and the personal sacrifices of our fathers and for each one who has given his or her life to preserve our liberty!
My greatest concern for America is that we are trading our birthright of freedom for a bowl of government promises. If we turn over our freedom, the government will give us everything from cradle to grave. It is like the temptation of Christ, the devil says, 'worship me and I will give you everything," trading our freedom for the promise of security is a deal with the devil! We will have lost our freedom and will be left with poverty. As it has always been, the political elites will live in luxury while the rest of us live in misery!
Be responsible, take a risk and stand for freedom!
Grace&Peace,
Tom
Wednesday, July 01, 2009
GOD'S POLITICS*
A wise man's heart inclines him toward the right, but a fool's heart toward the left (Ecclesiastes 10:2).
Actually, God's place in politics is above what is thought of left and right today. If the political left and the political right are pushed to their extremes, they meet out back somewhere making as bed fellows.
That God is involved politics is without question. The Bible clearly indicates that God is, in ways we do not always perceive, involved in the forming of nations and the decline of nations so that we would seek him (Acts 17:26).
I do believe that God's politics are conservative because, as Margaret Thatcher, former Prime Minister of Britain is said to have said, 'The facts of life are conservative.' The Lord concurred when he said to Jeremiah, "Thus says the Lord, Stand by the roads, and look, and ask for the ancient paths, where the good way is; and walk in it, and find rest for your souls" (Jeremiah 6:16). When traditional values are violated there will be national trouble!!!
Conservatives are the brakeman of the national train. They are criticized because it seems like the only word they can say is no. But understand, no is a good word. It is a word that adults say to children for their education and protection. It is a word that law-abiding people say to the lawless and childish for the sake of an orderly society. And finally, no is a word that has to be said to the government so that the rights of each person can be preserved. No is a very good word!!!
Grace&Peace,
Tom
Actually, God's place in politics is above what is thought of left and right today. If the political left and the political right are pushed to their extremes, they meet out back somewhere making as bed fellows.
That God is involved politics is without question. The Bible clearly indicates that God is, in ways we do not always perceive, involved in the forming of nations and the decline of nations so that we would seek him (Acts 17:26).
I do believe that God's politics are conservative because, as Margaret Thatcher, former Prime Minister of Britain is said to have said, 'The facts of life are conservative.' The Lord concurred when he said to Jeremiah, "Thus says the Lord, Stand by the roads, and look, and ask for the ancient paths, where the good way is; and walk in it, and find rest for your souls" (Jeremiah 6:16). When traditional values are violated there will be national trouble!!!
Conservatives are the brakeman of the national train. They are criticized because it seems like the only word they can say is no. But understand, no is a good word. It is a word that adults say to children for their education and protection. It is a word that law-abiding people say to the lawless and childish for the sake of an orderly society. And finally, no is a word that has to be said to the government so that the rights of each person can be preserved. No is a very good word!!!
Grace&Peace,
Tom
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
EMPATHY, COMPASSION, SYMPATHY, PITY (part 2)
For we do not have a high priest who is unable to "suffer with" (literal translation) our weaknesses, but one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are . . . (Hebrews 4:15).
Jesus did not call us to be sympathetic and pity the lost, rather he called us to be empathetic and be compassionate to the lost. Pit is the expression of sympathy and compassion is the expression of empathy. Jesus is the example of empathy and compassion. He made a decision to enter into human flesh and suffer what every human being suffers. No longer can anyone complain, "God! You do not understand what it is like to be me," because God does understand--he knows what it is like to be you. God made the supreme effort to come into understanding distance of you and me in Jesus Christ!!!
Pity is commiserating with the hurting one, agreeing that one should feel as he or she does. A common example of this is when a child falls and bumps his head. Mother comes running and says, "Poor dear!" "Poor dear!" and the child cries harder than before. Mom, in her pity, has just increased the emotional reaction of the child, making the problem worse.
Compassion is the expression of the understanding that comes with empathy. Perhaps complete understanding of feelings and problems of another can never be attained, but we are all more alike than we are different. There is a great deal of common experience and feeling among all people. So, when the child of a compassionate parent falls, there is concern because dad or mom knows it hurts, "been there and done that." They observe and ask questions for indications of possible injury. Finding none they say, "You will be alright. This kiss will make it feel better.. Now go and play." This expression of empathy/compassion is much more likely to help the child cope with the realities of life than the expression of sympathy/pity.
Taking the time to come into understanding distance is the greatest gift we can give to another; that is compassion. God knows, it isn't easy, but it is in this way that we will have the greatest possibility of helping others.
Grace&Peace,
Tom
*I think it must be emphasised that having the same feeling as the hurting one does not result in understanding when it is emotionally driven. The intensity of the emotion itself prevents one from seeing the "whole picture."
Jesus did not call us to be sympathetic and pity the lost, rather he called us to be empathetic and be compassionate to the lost. Pit is the expression of sympathy and compassion is the expression of empathy. Jesus is the example of empathy and compassion. He made a decision to enter into human flesh and suffer what every human being suffers. No longer can anyone complain, "God! You do not understand what it is like to be me," because God does understand--he knows what it is like to be you. God made the supreme effort to come into understanding distance of you and me in Jesus Christ!!!
Pity is commiserating with the hurting one, agreeing that one should feel as he or she does. A common example of this is when a child falls and bumps his head. Mother comes running and says, "Poor dear!" "Poor dear!" and the child cries harder than before. Mom, in her pity, has just increased the emotional reaction of the child, making the problem worse.
Compassion is the expression of the understanding that comes with empathy. Perhaps complete understanding of feelings and problems of another can never be attained, but we are all more alike than we are different. There is a great deal of common experience and feeling among all people. So, when the child of a compassionate parent falls, there is concern because dad or mom knows it hurts, "been there and done that." They observe and ask questions for indications of possible injury. Finding none they say, "You will be alright. This kiss will make it feel better.. Now go and play." This expression of empathy/compassion is much more likely to help the child cope with the realities of life than the expression of sympathy/pity.
Taking the time to come into understanding distance is the greatest gift we can give to another; that is compassion. God knows, it isn't easy, but it is in this way that we will have the greatest possibility of helping others.
Grace&Peace,
Tom
*I think it must be emphasised that having the same feeling as the hurting one does not result in understanding when it is emotionally driven. The intensity of the emotion itself prevents one from seeing the "whole picture."
Monday, June 22, 2009
EMPATHY, COMPASSION, SYMPATHY, PITY*
When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, "The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; pray therefore the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest" (Matthew 9:36-37).
Not all that is called empathy is empathy. Even professionals confuse empathy and sympathy, sometimes intentionally I think, politicians being the worst offenders. Confusing sympathy and empathy can have severe consequences so it is essential to be able to tell the difference. Sympathetic counsel almost always results in freezing the problem in place, if not making it worse. While empathy alone is not the "silver bullet" that heals all problems, it is foundational to problem solving and healing because in empathy one reaches an understanding of the person with the problem.
Sympathy seems to come to human beings fairly naturally, but empathy is a skill that needs to be learned and developed. Some people seem to be more naturally inclined towards empathy than others, but the skill can be developed in most people through the example of a role model, education and training.
A classic definition of sympathy is sameness of feeling--"I feel your pain." A classic definition of empathy is the power to enter into the feeling of another resulting in understanding. In other words, empathy is the decision to come into understanding distance of another by entering into their pain. Sympathy is completely an emotional experience while empathy is decision to enter into the world of another to gain understanding and with understanding one is more likely to bring about solutions and healing. (To be continued)
Grace&Peace,
Tom
*Revised from an earlier post
Not all that is called empathy is empathy. Even professionals confuse empathy and sympathy, sometimes intentionally I think, politicians being the worst offenders. Confusing sympathy and empathy can have severe consequences so it is essential to be able to tell the difference. Sympathetic counsel almost always results in freezing the problem in place, if not making it worse. While empathy alone is not the "silver bullet" that heals all problems, it is foundational to problem solving and healing because in empathy one reaches an understanding of the person with the problem.
Sympathy seems to come to human beings fairly naturally, but empathy is a skill that needs to be learned and developed. Some people seem to be more naturally inclined towards empathy than others, but the skill can be developed in most people through the example of a role model, education and training.
A classic definition of sympathy is sameness of feeling--"I feel your pain." A classic definition of empathy is the power to enter into the feeling of another resulting in understanding. In other words, empathy is the decision to come into understanding distance of another by entering into their pain. Sympathy is completely an emotional experience while empathy is decision to enter into the world of another to gain understanding and with understanding one is more likely to bring about solutions and healing. (To be continued)
Grace&Peace,
Tom
*Revised from an earlier post
Friday, June 12, 2009
FINANCIAL ADULTERY*
For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also (Matthew 6:21).
A person's bank statements are a record of one's true values. Do you suppose God has a direct line to the local bank's records? In any case, Jesus taught that where a person's money is spent is where the heart is. If one spends his money on heaven, his heart will be there too.
Financial problems are the leading factor involved in divorce. In most cases it isn't that there isn't sufficient money, but it is that there isn't sufficient money to satisfy competing values. Of course, there is never enough money to satisfy our wants, but there is enough to satisfy our needs.
When couples marry, they promise faithfulness to one another, but if one of the partners spends money in disregard of the other, thinking only of personal desires, that is what I call, Financial Adultery. The way the money is being spent indicates where the heart is--it is not in the marriage, if fact, it undercuts the stability of the marriage. Financial infidelity is just as serious a breach of trust as an affair.
I have said all this to introduce a quote from Dr. Val Farmer, a psychotherapist and columnist in a weekly area farm paper I used to receive, Complete trust about money is about as basic to a relationship as is sexual and emotional loyalty. Financial unfaithfulness in a marriage is just as destructive to a marriage as any other kind of unfaithfulness. Of course, just as an affair doesn't have to mean the end of a marriage, financial infidelity doesn't have to end it either, but the recovering of trust can be just as difficult.
Grace&Peace,
Tom
*Revised from an earlier post.
**I will be a dorm dad to about 35 boys for the next week, so be patient about receiving a new post.
A person's bank statements are a record of one's true values. Do you suppose God has a direct line to the local bank's records? In any case, Jesus taught that where a person's money is spent is where the heart is. If one spends his money on heaven, his heart will be there too.
Financial problems are the leading factor involved in divorce. In most cases it isn't that there isn't sufficient money, but it is that there isn't sufficient money to satisfy competing values. Of course, there is never enough money to satisfy our wants, but there is enough to satisfy our needs.
When couples marry, they promise faithfulness to one another, but if one of the partners spends money in disregard of the other, thinking only of personal desires, that is what I call, Financial Adultery. The way the money is being spent indicates where the heart is--it is not in the marriage, if fact, it undercuts the stability of the marriage. Financial infidelity is just as serious a breach of trust as an affair.
I have said all this to introduce a quote from Dr. Val Farmer, a psychotherapist and columnist in a weekly area farm paper I used to receive, Complete trust about money is about as basic to a relationship as is sexual and emotional loyalty. Financial unfaithfulness in a marriage is just as destructive to a marriage as any other kind of unfaithfulness. Of course, just as an affair doesn't have to mean the end of a marriage, financial infidelity doesn't have to end it either, but the recovering of trust can be just as difficult.
Grace&Peace,
Tom
*Revised from an earlier post.
**I will be a dorm dad to about 35 boys for the next week, so be patient about receiving a new post.
Sunday, June 07, 2009
THE NON-ANXIOUS PRESENCE 5*
But when the time had fully come, God sent forth his Son, born of a woman . . . (Galatians 4:4).
God is the ultimate non-anxious presence. From the first promise of a Savior, as announced 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 intervene in miraculous fashion, but always intervening according to his covenants. It is according to his purposes that God intervenes in the lives of humanity--he is not emotionally driven to do something because someone might not believe in him. The Bible very clearly says that God had a plan for us, before the foundation of the world (Ephesians 1:4). Before the creation, God had a plan for those whom he would create, so when the time was right, he sent forth his Son.
God does not use quick fixes to meet our whims and make us feel better. God takes the long view toward bringing about healing. God does not ordinarily "zap" us with a cure. He is willing to spend what ever it takes to bring about true healing for us. God will not give to us that which costs him nothing. The great salvation that we enjoy was bought and paid for by our Lord Jesus Christ. Oh how we have been blessed by God's non-anxious presence!!!
Grace&Peace,
Tom
*Revised from a previous post and, thank God, the last in the series!
God is the ultimate non-anxious presence. From the first promise of a Savior, as announced 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 intervene in miraculous fashion, but always intervening according to his covenants. It is according to his purposes that God intervenes in the lives of humanity--he is not emotionally driven to do something because someone might not believe in him. The Bible very clearly says that God had a plan for us, before the foundation of the world (Ephesians 1:4). Before the creation, God had a plan for those whom he would create, so when the time was right, he sent forth his Son.
God does not use quick fixes to meet our whims and make us feel better. God takes the long view toward bringing about healing. God does not ordinarily "zap" us with a cure. He is willing to spend what ever it takes to bring about true healing for us. God will not give to us that which costs him nothing. The great salvation that we enjoy was bought and paid for by our Lord Jesus Christ. Oh how we have been blessed by God's non-anxious presence!!!
Grace&Peace,
Tom
*Revised from a previous post and, thank God, the last in the series!
Friday, June 05, 2009
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).
One of the necessary characteristics of a leader is non-anxious presence. In the midst of conflict, chaos, tragedy and sorrow a leader will keep it together when everyone else has come apart. Does that mean that a good leader is emotionless? A thousand times, no! A leader weeps with those who weep! She rejoices with those who rejoice! He is shocked by immorality! Non-anxious presence is not emotionless, but it is the appropriate display of the emotions in a given situation. Those who do not display their emotions could be the most anxious of all because they are likely to be 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? Do you know what you believe and act consistently with your beliefs in spite of opposing pressure? Does your presence inspire love, righteousness and praise to God? These are some of the qualities of a non-anxious presence.
Grace&Peace,
Tom
*Revised from an earlier post.
One of the necessary characteristics of a leader is non-anxious presence. In the midst of conflict, chaos, tragedy and sorrow a leader will keep it together when everyone else has come apart. Does that mean that a good leader is emotionless? A thousand times, no! A leader weeps with those who weep! She rejoices with those who rejoice! He is shocked by immorality! Non-anxious presence is not emotionless, but it is the appropriate display of the emotions in a given situation. Those who do not display their emotions could be the most anxious of all because they are likely to be 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? Do you know what you believe and act consistently with your beliefs in spite of opposing pressure? Does your presence inspire love, righteousness and praise to God? These are some of the qualities of a non-anxious presence.
Grace&Peace,
Tom
*Revised from an earlier post.
Thursday, June 04, 2009
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? (Psalms 13:1-2).*
By his wounds you have been healed (I Peter 2:2-4).
Is it our expectation of God to be to us a genie to grant our wishes? Should we be able to bring our requests to God, 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 God? For what reason should we worship him? We tend to be pragmatic; if it works, do it. If it doesn't work, forgetaboutit!!
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 is not relieved, when we feel like God isn't around.
What I want you to remember is that God is the great physician; he is not the great magician. It is not wrong to bring all our our requests to God! 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. He will not, however, be your "magic man" to satisfy your every whim, but he will grant to you what is best.
Grace&Peace,
Tom
*Our loving Heavenly Father does not feel threatened by our requests and emotions. One of the reasons I believe that the Bible is the word of God is because it is so true to life--it allows the full range of human emotion even if it is directed against him.
**John Madden.
By his wounds you have been healed (I Peter 2:2-4).
Is it our expectation of God to be to us a genie to grant our wishes? Should we be able to bring our requests to God, 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 God? For what reason should we worship him? We tend to be pragmatic; if it works, do it. If it doesn't work, forgetaboutit!!
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 is not relieved, when we feel like God isn't around.
What I want you to remember is that God is the great physician; he is not the great magician. It is not wrong to bring all our our requests to God! 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. He will not, however, be your "magic man" to satisfy your every whim, but he will grant to you what is best.
Grace&Peace,
Tom
*Our loving Heavenly Father does not feel threatened by our requests and emotions. One of the reasons I believe that the Bible is the word of God is because it is so true to life--it allows the full range of human emotion even if it is directed against him.
**John Madden.
Wednesday, June 03, 2009
THE NON-ANXIOUS PRESENCE 2*
Those who sow in tears will reap with songs of joy (Psalms 126:5).
Problems are not solved until we attack them as intelligent beings. We suffer in our attempt to escape this 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 off 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, MD).
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 someone understand and be accepting was powerful therapy. God is that way--he understands! The Messiah was described as the Wonderful Counselor. The Holy Spirit is another counselor, the Comforter, the One who walks along side. The Bible is clear, God is love and he loves each one.
We live in a world that is, in the words of Paul the apostle, "in bondage to decay." In this fallen world there is sickness, hate, death, greed, lust, unfaithfulness and weeds, to name a few. God has determined that it be so, but he has commanded us to deal with this fallen world in practical ways. That is why we have theology, civil law, science, medicine, engineering, biotechnology, etc..
Suppose God always dealt with our prayers by 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 pain and the sacrifices of those who have gone on before us! God's non-anxious presence has provided for the achievement of the comforts and blessings we enjoy today! Soren Kierkegaard is said to have said, Prayer does not change God, but it changes him who prays. God changes us in his non-anxious presence.
Have you ever considered that those who labor in their chosen field of work that benefits humanity are answers to prayer?
Grace&Peace,
Tom
*Revised from an earlier post.
Problems are not solved until we attack them as intelligent beings. We suffer in our attempt to escape this 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 off 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, MD).
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 someone understand and be accepting was powerful therapy. God is that way--he understands! The Messiah was described as the Wonderful Counselor. The Holy Spirit is another counselor, the Comforter, the One who walks along side. The Bible is clear, God is love and he loves each one.
We live in a world that is, in the words of Paul the apostle, "in bondage to decay." In this fallen world there is sickness, hate, death, greed, lust, unfaithfulness and weeds, to name a few. God has determined that it be so, but he has commanded us to deal with this fallen world in practical ways. That is why we have theology, civil law, science, medicine, engineering, biotechnology, etc..
Suppose God always dealt with our prayers by 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 pain and the sacrifices of those who have gone on before us! God's non-anxious presence has provided for the achievement of the comforts and blessings we enjoy today! Soren Kierkegaard is said to have said, Prayer does not change God, but it changes him who prays. God changes us in his non-anxious presence.
Have you ever considered that those who labor in their chosen field of work that benefits humanity are answers to prayer?
Grace&Peace,
Tom
*Revised from an earlier post.
Tuesday, June 02, 2009
THE NON-ANXIOUS PRESENCE*
Let not your hearts be troubled; believe in God, believe also in me (John 14:1).
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, MD).
Doctor Hertzler practiced medicine in both the 19th and 20th centuries, building a clinic of some renown in Halstead, Kansas. My first ministry was in Abbyville, Kansas, some 40 miles from Halstead so when I read his book, Horse and Buggy Doctor, I connected with it. Dr. Hertzler's father was a Mennonite lay minister, but Dr. Hertzler, himself, was skeptical of prayer and of Christians as they practiced their Christianity, but he did believe in God.
If a person can keep his head on when everyone else is losing theirs, this is what is called, "non-anxious presence." If one can do that over an extended period of time then those who are around him, or her, will begin to regain their heads. This is more easily said than done because the only true "non-anxious presence" is God--to be human is to be anxious. Just as God has a plan for His creation and is working his plan, to be non-anxious ourselves is to trust in God, believe that he is working his plan, and as Christians, live out that plan. As a result, non-anxious people live by their faith and do not allow themselves to be drawn into anxious defensive behaviors like gossip, destructive criticism, outbursts of anger or addictive behaviors.
Non-anxious presence is emotional, but it is not emotionally driven. When one is emotionally driven, he or she ceases to think and only reacts. God, being the only true non-anxious presence, is not stampeded into action by our anxious prayers, rather he answers in the way that is right. One of the reasons Hertzler was skeptical of prayer was that God did not answer in the way he thought God should answer. Eventually, Hertzler did come to the understanding that the answer to prayer is the diligent pursuit of a worthy cause. In this way he saw diphtheria antitoxin as an answer to prayer. God did answer in the way that was best. How much poorer would we be if God "zapped" us with answers to prayer with no effort on our part?
One of the qualities of Godliness is being a non-anxious presence.
Grace&Peace,
Tom
*Revised from an earlier post
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, MD).
Doctor Hertzler practiced medicine in both the 19th and 20th centuries, building a clinic of some renown in Halstead, Kansas. My first ministry was in Abbyville, Kansas, some 40 miles from Halstead so when I read his book, Horse and Buggy Doctor, I connected with it. Dr. Hertzler's father was a Mennonite lay minister, but Dr. Hertzler, himself, was skeptical of prayer and of Christians as they practiced their Christianity, but he did believe in God.
If a person can keep his head on when everyone else is losing theirs, this is what is called, "non-anxious presence." If one can do that over an extended period of time then those who are around him, or her, will begin to regain their heads. This is more easily said than done because the only true "non-anxious presence" is God--to be human is to be anxious. Just as God has a plan for His creation and is working his plan, to be non-anxious ourselves is to trust in God, believe that he is working his plan, and as Christians, live out that plan. As a result, non-anxious people live by their faith and do not allow themselves to be drawn into anxious defensive behaviors like gossip, destructive criticism, outbursts of anger or addictive behaviors.
Non-anxious presence is emotional, but it is not emotionally driven. When one is emotionally driven, he or she ceases to think and only reacts. God, being the only true non-anxious presence, is not stampeded into action by our anxious prayers, rather he answers in the way that is right. One of the reasons Hertzler was skeptical of prayer was that God did not answer in the way he thought God should answer. Eventually, Hertzler did come to the understanding that the answer to prayer is the diligent pursuit of a worthy cause. In this way he saw diphtheria antitoxin as an answer to prayer. God did answer in the way that was best. How much poorer would we be if God "zapped" us with answers to prayer with no effort on our part?
One of the qualities of Godliness is being a non-anxious presence.
Grace&Peace,
Tom
*Revised from an earlier post
Monday, May 25, 2009
HERE I RAISE MY EBENEZER
Then Samuel took a stone and set it up between Mizpah and Jeshanah, and called its name Ebenezer, for he said, "Hitherto the Lord has helped us." So the Philistines were subdued and did not again enter the territory of Israel. And the hand of the Lord was against the Philistines all the days of Samuel (I Samuel 7:12-13).
The last Monday in May is Memorial Day, a holiday that was originally intended to honor the memory of those who have served in the United States military and have died. Though that is still the primary purpose of Memorial Day, it has become a holiday in which we honor the memory of all of our deceased loved ones.
This weekend I helped my elderly mother place flowers at the graves of about a dozen family members, one of them being Ebenezer Bunce, my great, great grand father. Ebenezer was a pastor in the United Brethren Church. Ebenezer's name brought home to me the significance of what we were doing--remembering, honoring and being thankful. Ebenezer means, stone of God's help. It was a monument intended to help the Israelites remember how God helped them! Every monument in the cemetery is an Ebenezer. Who would I be without Ebenezer Bunce? Who would I be without the influence of my Dad? What kind of a country would we have were it not for the ultimate sacrifice of those who have died for it in military service? What kind of country would we have were it not for those whose lives were salt and light as they served Jesus Christ? God used every one of them. Their grave stones are Ebenezers!
Grace&Peace,
Tom
The last Monday in May is Memorial Day, a holiday that was originally intended to honor the memory of those who have served in the United States military and have died. Though that is still the primary purpose of Memorial Day, it has become a holiday in which we honor the memory of all of our deceased loved ones.
This weekend I helped my elderly mother place flowers at the graves of about a dozen family members, one of them being Ebenezer Bunce, my great, great grand father. Ebenezer was a pastor in the United Brethren Church. Ebenezer's name brought home to me the significance of what we were doing--remembering, honoring and being thankful. Ebenezer means, stone of God's help. It was a monument intended to help the Israelites remember how God helped them! Every monument in the cemetery is an Ebenezer. Who would I be without Ebenezer Bunce? Who would I be without the influence of my Dad? What kind of a country would we have were it not for the ultimate sacrifice of those who have died for it in military service? What kind of country would we have were it not for those whose lives were salt and light as they served Jesus Christ? God used every one of them. Their grave stones are Ebenezers!
Grace&Peace,
Tom
Friday, May 22, 2009
BEWARE OF THE FACTOIDS*
Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter! (Isaiah 5:20).
Though it has always been true, in the age of the Internet it is even more true, beware of the factoids! I read in a column by Wesley Pruden that the term "factoid" was coined and defined by Norman Mailer, so if that is not a fact do not blame me. A "factoid" is something that , "looks like a fact, could be a fact, but in fact is not a fact."
Of course, politicians are the ones who make the most use of factoids, but so do scientists, sociologists, lawyers, teachers, preachers, counselors, etc.. Factoids are used to make the wrong look right and black look white. Facts are used to reveal and teach the truth. My dad often warned me, "Figures don't lie, but liars sure can figure." So it is always wise for a person to check the "facts" because they might be factoids!
Grace&Peace,
Tom
*Revised from an earlier post.
Though it has always been true, in the age of the Internet it is even more true, beware of the factoids! I read in a column by Wesley Pruden that the term "factoid" was coined and defined by Norman Mailer, so if that is not a fact do not blame me. A "factoid" is something that , "looks like a fact, could be a fact, but in fact is not a fact."
Of course, politicians are the ones who make the most use of factoids, but so do scientists, sociologists, lawyers, teachers, preachers, counselors, etc.. Factoids are used to make the wrong look right and black look white. Facts are used to reveal and teach the truth. My dad often warned me, "Figures don't lie, but liars sure can figure." So it is always wise for a person to check the "facts" because they might be factoids!
Grace&Peace,
Tom
*Revised from an earlier post.
Saturday, May 16, 2009
THE SAFETY OF RISK TAKING*
Then Jesus said to Simon, "Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching people" (Luke 5:10).
What is your top prayer request? Is it "God, keep us safe" or "Watch over us and protect us" or "Keep my life rolling smoothly"?
God is good, but He is also dangerous and He calls those who follow Him into danger. It is one of life's great paradoxes that following the Lord into great danger is the safest place you can be.
Perhaps one of our top prayer requests should be, "Father, help me to take risks for Jesus."
Grace&Peace,
Tom
*Revised from a previous post.
What is your top prayer request? Is it "God, keep us safe" or "Watch over us and protect us" or "Keep my life rolling smoothly"?
God is good, but He is also dangerous and He calls those who follow Him into danger. It is one of life's great paradoxes that following the Lord into great danger is the safest place you can be.
Perhaps one of our top prayer requests should be, "Father, help me to take risks for Jesus."
Grace&Peace,
Tom
*Revised from a previous post.
Sunday, May 10, 2009
I BELIEVE . . . *
Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen (Hebrews 11:1).
The first time I remember hearing the song, I Believe, was on the Lawrence Welk television program way back in the 1950's. The lyrics go something like this:
I believe for every drop of rain that falls, A flower grows . . .
I believe that somewhere in the darkest night, A candle glows . . .
Though those are only the first two lines, it is an inspirational song to me and it still reminds me that when things appear to be hopeless, God is still there. Out of the floods and out of the darkness He will bring beauty and light!
Allied soldiers found in an abandoned house, shortly following World War II, similar words scrawled on a wall; probably written by a holocaust victim:
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.
When it seems as if God is silent, He is still working--working for the good of those who love Him. When it seems that evil is unstoppable, do not give up the faith for with out faith in God all hope is lost!!!
And without faith it is impossible to please him. For whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him (Hebrews 11:6).
Grace&Peace,
Tom
*Revised from an earlier post.
The first time I remember hearing the song, I Believe, was on the Lawrence Welk television program way back in the 1950's. The lyrics go something like this:
I believe for every drop of rain that falls, A flower grows . . .
I believe that somewhere in the darkest night, A candle glows . . .
Though those are only the first two lines, it is an inspirational song to me and it still reminds me that when things appear to be hopeless, God is still there. Out of the floods and out of the darkness He will bring beauty and light!
Allied soldiers found in an abandoned house, shortly following World War II, similar words scrawled on a wall; probably written by a holocaust victim:
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.
When it seems as if God is silent, He is still working--working for the good of those who love Him. When it seems that evil is unstoppable, do not give up the faith for with out faith in God all hope is lost!!!
And without faith it is impossible to please him. For whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him (Hebrews 11:6).
Grace&Peace,
Tom
*Revised from an earlier post.
Friday, May 08, 2009
PROBLEM SOLVING 2
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 does not have a solution. Actually, there are many problems that do not have a clear solution, but there are courses of action that are clearly better than others in managing the problem. Simply wallowing in the woe-is-me victim status is the payoff for those who do not want to change. They receive sympathy and pity from the well-meaning people-helper--that is the payoff. So they remain stuck in their problems.
Job, of the Bible, was a true victim. He suffered at the hand of satan quite a string of tragedies. There are relatively few Job's. There are many people who seem to have a never-ending run of bad luck which prevents them from accomplishment, "The car broke down so I couldn't make it to the job interview," or "I have sent out ten resumes, but no one answers" kind of thing. And so they see themselves as victims of life's unlucky lottery. Of course, the truth is that by taking responsibility one can develop his organizational and communication skills that would prevent these kinds of things from happening.
Many people see money as the solution to life's problems--even many churches do, what a shame. Certainly, money is power, but money cannot solve a non money problem. Money cannot solve a spiritual problem and money cannot solve a character problem. 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 because victims are not responsible.
. . . therefore teach me wisdom in my secret heart (Psalm 51:6b).
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 does not have a solution. Actually, there are many problems that do not have a clear solution, but there are courses of action that are clearly better than others in managing the problem. Simply wallowing in the woe-is-me victim status is the payoff for those who do not want to change. They receive sympathy and pity from the well-meaning people-helper--that is the payoff. So they remain stuck in their problems.
Job, of the Bible, was a true victim. He suffered at the hand of satan quite a string of tragedies. There are relatively few Job's. There are many people who seem to have a never-ending run of bad luck which prevents them from accomplishment, "The car broke down so I couldn't make it to the job interview," or "I have sent out ten resumes, but no one answers" kind of thing. And so they see themselves as victims of life's unlucky lottery. Of course, the truth is that by taking responsibility one can develop his organizational and communication skills that would prevent these kinds of things from happening.
Many people see money as the solution to life's problems--even many churches do, what a shame. Certainly, money is power, but money cannot solve a non money problem. Money cannot solve a spiritual problem and money cannot solve a character problem. 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 because victims are not responsible.
. . . therefore teach me wisdom in my secret heart (Psalm 51:6b).
Grace&Peace,
Tom
Thursday, May 07, 2009
PROBLEM SOLVING*
Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the Lord of hosts (Zechariah 4:6).
One of the counselor's undeniable truths of life is: There is no pain-free or cost-free way of dealing with a problem. Much of the time people expect the counselor to find an easy-does-it cure or a win-win solution, but this is an unrealistic expectation of the counselor. The only pain-free cure is a miracle. I do believe in miracles, but one of the characteristics of miracles is that they are rare, so one should expect to deal with pain when doing problem solving!!!
The role of the Holy Spirit in the life of the Christian is not to make life pain-free, but it is to encourage fruit production (Galatians 5:22-24) and sometimes it takes a little cutting and pruning to accomplish that (John 15:2). So, the cost of problem solving is pain, but the growth that will result will be worth the pain. Your counselor, the Spirit of God, will walk along side of you, encouraging you and strengthening you as you deal appropriately with problems.
Grace&Peace,
Tom
*Revised from an earlier post.
One of the counselor's undeniable truths of life is: There is no pain-free or cost-free way of dealing with a problem. Much of the time people expect the counselor to find an easy-does-it cure or a win-win solution, but this is an unrealistic expectation of the counselor. The only pain-free cure is a miracle. I do believe in miracles, but one of the characteristics of miracles is that they are rare, so one should expect to deal with pain when doing problem solving!!!
The role of the Holy Spirit in the life of the Christian is not to make life pain-free, but it is to encourage fruit production (Galatians 5:22-24) and sometimes it takes a little cutting and pruning to accomplish that (John 15:2). So, the cost of problem solving is pain, but the growth that will result will be worth the pain. Your counselor, the Spirit of God, will walk along side of you, encouraging you and strengthening you as you deal appropriately with problems.
Grace&Peace,
Tom
*Revised from an earlier post.
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
SWEAT EQUITY*
Train yourself in godliness; for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come (I Timothy 4:7b-8).
According to Iowa State University research, exercising elderly mice boosts their immunity systems so that they are more like young mice. For people it seems to be true as well. Many of the diseases that afflict those in old age are simply caused by weakening immune systems. Exercise enough to sweat every day; that will help keep you young.
I am sure that Paul the Apostle would agree that bodily training has value if it helps us to serve the Lord on this earth a little better for a little longer. That, I think, it does. Do not, however, let up on the godliness training to spend more time on the bodily training!!! Conditioning the "heart" is way more important than conditioning the body!
Grace&Peace,
Tom
*Revised from an earlier post in Silver Bullets.
According to Iowa State University research, exercising elderly mice boosts their immunity systems so that they are more like young mice. For people it seems to be true as well. Many of the diseases that afflict those in old age are simply caused by weakening immune systems. Exercise enough to sweat every day; that will help keep you young.
I am sure that Paul the Apostle would agree that bodily training has value if it helps us to serve the Lord on this earth a little better for a little longer. That, I think, it does. Do not, however, let up on the godliness training to spend more time on the bodily training!!! Conditioning the "heart" is way more important than conditioning the body!
Grace&Peace,
Tom
*Revised from an earlier post in Silver Bullets.
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
GRIEF IS ALWAYS AN ISSUE*
He was despised and rejected by men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief; and as one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not. Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows . . . (Isaiah 53:3-4).
At a workshop I attended on grief and loss, one of the points the presenting psychologist made was, "Loss is anytime life is different from how I wanted or expected it to be." If that is true then in every counseling situation the counselor has to deal with grief. With every problem comes the realization that life doesn't match the picture of life we have in our heads. Our "should-be" world has been lost.
It is a fallen world in which we live, so our dreams of a perfect world, on this earth, will never be realized. As a result, we will always struggle with grief in this life. Grief is not a bad thing--it is an emotional response to the loss of something important or someone who was dear and loved. A person who doesn't grieve is a person who does not care, a person who does not love. What kind of person is that? Nevertheless, even though grief does not ever really go away, it cannot dominate our lives because life does not stop. Grief must be managed because we still have a life to live! Because of Christ, we can find meaning and hope in our grief, . . . that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope. For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again . . . (I Thessalonians 4:13-14). It is in Jesus that grief finds its resolution because His resurrection gives us a legitimate hope for a reunion with loved ones; hope for a perfect world in which we will live and the perfect presence of the One who created all things.
Grace&Peace,
Tom
*Revised from an earlier post.
At a workshop I attended on grief and loss, one of the points the presenting psychologist made was, "Loss is anytime life is different from how I wanted or expected it to be." If that is true then in every counseling situation the counselor has to deal with grief. With every problem comes the realization that life doesn't match the picture of life we have in our heads. Our "should-be" world has been lost.
It is a fallen world in which we live, so our dreams of a perfect world, on this earth, will never be realized. As a result, we will always struggle with grief in this life. Grief is not a bad thing--it is an emotional response to the loss of something important or someone who was dear and loved. A person who doesn't grieve is a person who does not care, a person who does not love. What kind of person is that? Nevertheless, even though grief does not ever really go away, it cannot dominate our lives because life does not stop. Grief must be managed because we still have a life to live! Because of Christ, we can find meaning and hope in our grief, . . . that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope. For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again . . . (I Thessalonians 4:13-14). It is in Jesus that grief finds its resolution because His resurrection gives us a legitimate hope for a reunion with loved ones; hope for a perfect world in which we will live and the perfect presence of the One who created all things.
Grace&Peace,
Tom
*Revised from an earlier post.
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
IT'S A GREAT DAY! IT'S TAX DAY!
Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. Therefore he who resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgement. For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad . . . (Romans 13:1-3).
God has ordained that there be civil government. Civil government is God's instrument to provide order in society. As a result, government officials are entitled to respect and obedience. It goes without saying that government cannot exist if it does not have money; salaries must be paid, office buildings must be built and maintained, equipment and weapons must be purchased, etc. to meet the needs of an orderly society. So, sadly, taxes must be paid; freedom is not free; every one should pay some tax.
Naturally, there is disagreement about what the government should do, how it should work and what the values should be that guide it. One value that has to guide government is that of goodness. If a government does evil and those who do good and stand for what is good are punished then government looses its legitimacy. Government that is a terror to good conduct has lost its legitimacy.
What are the light that guide our government as to what is good or evil? The Bible; Judeo-Christian principles provided the values from which our government has traditionally governed. The Declaration of Independence and, especially, the Constitution are the primary lights. In the case of every American citizen, the Constitution is the governing authority instituted by God. God has not instituted governing officials who took an oath to uphold and protect the Constitution and yet govern arbitrarily.
When Americans allow the lights that guide us to go out, what will become of America? Will we follow lesser lights to our destruction?
Grace&Peace,
Tom
God has ordained that there be civil government. Civil government is God's instrument to provide order in society. As a result, government officials are entitled to respect and obedience. It goes without saying that government cannot exist if it does not have money; salaries must be paid, office buildings must be built and maintained, equipment and weapons must be purchased, etc. to meet the needs of an orderly society. So, sadly, taxes must be paid; freedom is not free; every one should pay some tax.
Naturally, there is disagreement about what the government should do, how it should work and what the values should be that guide it. One value that has to guide government is that of goodness. If a government does evil and those who do good and stand for what is good are punished then government looses its legitimacy. Government that is a terror to good conduct has lost its legitimacy.
What are the light that guide our government as to what is good or evil? The Bible; Judeo-Christian principles provided the values from which our government has traditionally governed. The Declaration of Independence and, especially, the Constitution are the primary lights. In the case of every American citizen, the Constitution is the governing authority instituted by God. God has not instituted governing officials who took an oath to uphold and protect the Constitution and yet govern arbitrarily.
When Americans allow the lights that guide us to go out, what will become of America? Will we follow lesser lights to our destruction?
Grace&Peace,
Tom
Tuesday, April 07, 2009
MORE EVIDENCE FOR THE RESURRECTION OF CHRIST
If Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile, and you are still in your sins (I Corinthians 15:17).
Books have been written on the evidence for the resurrection of Jesus Christ. What I present here is not new, but is often over-looked evidence that adds weight to the testimony of the Bible.
1. The bodily resurrection of Christ from the grave is the foundation stone of the Christian faith; if Christ did not rise from the dead, none of it is true. Every time the gospel was preached to the Greeks, the resurrection was spoken of as evidence of the truth of the gospel. Yet, because of the religious and philosophical back-ground of the Greeks, resurrection of a body was not a good thing. To them, the body was not good, it was evil. The tendency of the Greeks would have been to disbelieve it or to change it to something more acceptable; there was no advantage to speak of resurrection to them.
2. It was the women who find the empty tomb and meet the risen Christ first. Given the preference of that culture, this is evidence of the truth of the story. If the story were a made-up one it would have been one of the male apostles, Peter or John, who first met the risen Christ to give more gravitas to the story. But, no, it was the lowly women, perhaps the most lowly one, Mary Magdalene, who had the honor of first seeing the risen Christ. When the resurrection story was told to the males, 'it seemed an idle tale to them.'
These bits of evidence simply add more weight to the already thoroughly documented resurrection event of Jesus Christ. It is because of this event that we have a legitimate hope of entering the eternal country whose builder and maker is God!
Grace&Peace,
Tom
The empty tomb in the garden about 100 meters from the place of crucifixion.
Monday, April 06, 2009
CRUCIFIXION DAY
It was now about the sixth hour, and there was darkness over the whole land until the ninth hour, while the sun's light failed, and the curtain of the temple was torn in two. Then Jesus, crying with a loud voice, said, "Father, into thy hands I commit my spirit!" And having said this he breathed his last (Luke 23:44-46).
Jesus was crucified at about noon on the 14th day of the Hebrew month of Nisan. There are those who argue that the day of Jesus' crucifixion was Wednesday. Others say, Thursday, but tradition says, "Friday." There will always be arguments about the day of the week because the Hebrew calendar is a lunar calendar. As a result, today there are even disagreements about how one calculates the dates for the Easter season. But, there is no disagreement that Jesus was crucified on the 14th day of Nisan, the beginning of the Passover celebration.
The 14th of Nisan was the day God prescribed for the Jews to reenact the events of the Passover. One can read about the institution of the Passover holiday in Exodus 12. Jesus is the real Passover Lamb! He died at about three in the afternoon, the time when it was allowed for the beginning of the sacrificing of the Passover lambs. What the day of the week was is not nearly so important as the fact that He went to the cross for you and for me. Love is the reason for this season because it was His love for God the Father, His love for you and me that held Him on that cross, He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed (I Peter 2:24).
In Jesus Christ is the healing of the relationship of God and man; the curtain of the temple was torn in two. The Passover Lamb was slain that we might have exodus from sin to a life of righteousness. All this because of Crucifixion Day! Have you applied the blood of the Passover Lamb to your life?
Grace&Peace,
Tom
The picture is of a likely place for the crucifixion near the garden tomb.
Friday, April 03, 2009
TRIUMPHAL ENTRY
And the crowds that went before him and that followed him shouted, "Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!" (Matthew21:9).
Save us, we beseech thee, O Lord! O Lord, we beseech thee, give us success! Blessed be he who enters in the name of the Lord (Psalms 118: 25-26).
Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout aloud, O daughter of Jerusalem! Lo, your king comes to you triumphant and victorious is he, humble and riding on an ass, on a colt the foal of an ass (Zechariah 9:9).
A book could be written about this one event in our Lord's life. There are so many events in the history of Israel that are at play in the minds of those who are meeting Jesus. The Davidic covenant in which God promised that Israel would always have a king of the line of David, was one of them. Another major event in the history of Israel that was influencing the people was the celebration of the liberation of the nation of Israel under the Maccabees. Then there were the miracles of Jesus himself. He fed the multitudes, healed the sick and raised the dead--especially Lazarus. Jesus had to be the one who fulfilled the prophets!
Prophecy its self is a major factor in what happened in the triumphal entry. One of the characteristics of the Jews that made them different from all others is that they had a linear view of history, not a circular view. They believed that history had direction because God was in control of it. They believe history had purpose, that it was not just never-ending cycles. Therefore, the prophets could prophesy because God was in control of the future. Because of the prophets, there was a great deal of expectation for the appearance of the promised Messiah immediately before Jesus' birth, during his life, and for a time after his life on this earth. Jesus' life on this earth fit the description of the prophet's Messiah and so he was welcomed in triumphal entry into Jerusalem.
In less than a week's time the Jews rejected Jesus as the Messiah because he did not fit their expectations of what a messiah should be. Knowing that it leads to this question, What are your expectations of the Messiah? How do they measure up against the truth of God's Word? Has Jesus had a triumphal entry into your life?
Grace&Peace,
Tom
The picture is of the Golden Gate where Jesus would have entered Jerusalem.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
