. . . the good soil, they are those who, hearing the word, hold it fast in an honest and good heart, and bring forth fruit with patience (Luke 8:15).
About 15 years ago, while I was in graduate school, I hired a cattleman to sell my cattle for me on a commission basis. He told me that Canton, South Dakota was where the market for my calves would be "hot." So, the day before the sale we loaded a "pot" load of 600 pounders and shipped them to Canton.
I had a morning class at the seminary in Sioux Falls, but it would be no problem to make it back to Canton for the sale at 1:00. When I drove into the parking lot of the sale barn there were only a half dozen cars and pickups there and I thought, "Oh joy! I looks like I'm going to lose my shirt today!" With only a few bidders on my calves I thought the price they would bring would be very low and when one only gets paid once a year it is import to get the most out of them.
It turned out that it was a "hot" market! I made some money that day. Though there were only a few people in the sale barn, they were the right people; the people who wanted calves to feed and were willing to pay good money to get them. I have often thought of that experince when I read this parable of Jesus on the parable of the sower and soils (Luke 8: 4-15). The concern of the preacher is not primarily how many people there are to preach to, but that they be the right people, the ones with sincere hearts who desire God in their lives. We often equate success in pastoral ministry with large crowds of people, but it seems to me that our prayer should be that the gospel would be planted in the hearts of the right people, whether the crowd be great or small.
Our Father's Love,
Tom
Tuesday, June 25, 2013
Friday, June 14, 2013
3 WORDS @ 60 MILES PER HOUR
For whoever is ashamed of me and of my words, of him will the Son of man be ashamed when he comes in his glory and the glory of the Father and of the holy angels (Luke 9:26).
It's pure Americana, posting religious signs along the highway to dispose those in passing vehicles toward faith and repentance. "Ye must be born again," "Jesus Saves," or "Prepare to meet thy God" are the most recent examples of signs I have seen lately. Isn't America a great country that we have that kind of freedom?!
Last September, during the hot political race, I decided to get into the sign-posting action. I believed, and still do, and all the recent scandals bear me out, that Obama was bad for the country, so I posted an empty chair and some political signs on the fence line of the Steele property on highway 10. After the election was over I continued to post signs because of comments and reactions I received from the sign posting. I try to change signs every 2 weeks.
The challenge of sign-posting is how to communicate something significant in 4 words or less that will resonate with the viewer. Research has shown that recognition can be measured in milliseconds, so one does not have have to view the sign very long, but the message does have to be simple. If the sign is too busy with lots of letters and lots of words, the message will be lost.
My signs are sometimes political, sometimes humorous and sometimes inspirational, but most often, religious. Hopefully, someone has started the journey of faith because of one of the signs I have posted.
Our Father's Blessings,
Tom
It's pure Americana, posting religious signs along the highway to dispose those in passing vehicles toward faith and repentance. "Ye must be born again," "Jesus Saves," or "Prepare to meet thy God" are the most recent examples of signs I have seen lately. Isn't America a great country that we have that kind of freedom?!
Last September, during the hot political race, I decided to get into the sign-posting action. I believed, and still do, and all the recent scandals bear me out, that Obama was bad for the country, so I posted an empty chair and some political signs on the fence line of the Steele property on highway 10. After the election was over I continued to post signs because of comments and reactions I received from the sign posting. I try to change signs every 2 weeks.
The challenge of sign-posting is how to communicate something significant in 4 words or less that will resonate with the viewer. Research has shown that recognition can be measured in milliseconds, so one does not have have to view the sign very long, but the message does have to be simple. If the sign is too busy with lots of letters and lots of words, the message will be lost.
My signs are sometimes political, sometimes humorous and sometimes inspirational, but most often, religious. Hopefully, someone has started the journey of faith because of one of the signs I have posted.
Our Father's Blessings,
Tom
Saturday, June 08, 2013
BE CAREFUL, OBAMA IS WATCHING
For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive good or evil, according to what he has done in the body (II Corinthians 5:10).
There has been much concern expressed, by liberals and conservatives alike, about government surveillance of American citizens. We should be concerned. Though we would like to trust the government because it is to be a government of the rule of law, we know that the government has violated the law to intimidate, to limit criticism and to cover up unlawful and incompetent behavior. I have known for a long time that even this humble little blog has been monitored by the government.
As concerned as we should be about government intrusion into our lives, there is One who is constantly aware of what we are doing; even what we are thinking. One day we will have to give an accounting to Him. The Creator of an infinite universe, in terms of its expanse, will have no problem dealing justly with all your thoughts and actions. Everything you thought was private will be made public and a just punishment will be required. While that is frightening, we do know that God is just, we can trust Him to keep His word. Those who belong to Christ will find salvation only because they belong to Christ and, as a result, live lives devoted to Him in this present life.
As concerned as you might be about government surveillance of your life, you should be even more concerned that God knows everything, even your very thoughts. Do you belong to Jesus?
Our Father's Love,
Tom
There has been much concern expressed, by liberals and conservatives alike, about government surveillance of American citizens. We should be concerned. Though we would like to trust the government because it is to be a government of the rule of law, we know that the government has violated the law to intimidate, to limit criticism and to cover up unlawful and incompetent behavior. I have known for a long time that even this humble little blog has been monitored by the government.
As concerned as we should be about government intrusion into our lives, there is One who is constantly aware of what we are doing; even what we are thinking. One day we will have to give an accounting to Him. The Creator of an infinite universe, in terms of its expanse, will have no problem dealing justly with all your thoughts and actions. Everything you thought was private will be made public and a just punishment will be required. While that is frightening, we do know that God is just, we can trust Him to keep His word. Those who belong to Christ will find salvation only because they belong to Christ and, as a result, live lives devoted to Him in this present life.
As concerned as you might be about government surveillance of your life, you should be even more concerned that God knows everything, even your very thoughts. Do you belong to Jesus?
Our Father's Love,
Tom
Thursday, June 06, 2013
SHORTER LIFE SPANS?
And which of you by being anxious can add one cubit to his span of life? (Matthew 6:27).
This blurb comes from "The Foster Report." The most educated Americans are making the biggest gains in life expectancy, but now they say mortality data show life spans for some of the least educated Americans are actually contracting. The reasons for the decline remain unclear, but researchers offered possible explanations, including a spike in prescription drug overdoses among young whites, higher rates of smoking among less educated white women, rising obesity, and a steady increase in the number of the least educated Americans who lack health insurance.
I expect to see a greater decline in life spans as "ObamaCare" is implemented, and as a result, health care is rationed. So, the most important things one can do is to become educated and self disciplined in the matters that make for physical health. It has been known for years that staying physically active, having a positive out-look on life, being social and being one who trusts in God are great contributors to extended physical life.
Long life, by itself, is not the reason that a Christian should want to physically live longer. Rather, serving the Lord is our aim. If it should be that God calls me home today, that's okay.
Being a cattleman and a hog farmer, they don't write songs about hog farmers, I need to add that there are no 100-year-old vegetarians.
Our Father's Blessings,
Tom
This blurb comes from "The Foster Report." The most educated Americans are making the biggest gains in life expectancy, but now they say mortality data show life spans for some of the least educated Americans are actually contracting. The reasons for the decline remain unclear, but researchers offered possible explanations, including a spike in prescription drug overdoses among young whites, higher rates of smoking among less educated white women, rising obesity, and a steady increase in the number of the least educated Americans who lack health insurance.
I expect to see a greater decline in life spans as "ObamaCare" is implemented, and as a result, health care is rationed. So, the most important things one can do is to become educated and self disciplined in the matters that make for physical health. It has been known for years that staying physically active, having a positive out-look on life, being social and being one who trusts in God are great contributors to extended physical life.
Long life, by itself, is not the reason that a Christian should want to physically live longer. Rather, serving the Lord is our aim. If it should be that God calls me home today, that's okay.
Being a cattleman and a hog farmer, they don't write songs about hog farmers, I need to add that there are no 100-year-old vegetarians.
Our Father's Blessings,
Tom
Tuesday, May 28, 2013
JUST SIT STILL
Be still and know that I am God (Psalms 46:10).
If one takes the time to read this verse in context it will be found that God fights battles for us. It is not an insane strategy to stop and let God battle for us. It is especially true for Americans that we think we have to do something, and we do something and make things worse.
The great mathemetician-philosopher-theologian, Blase` Pascal is said to have said, All men's miseries derive from not being able to sit in a quiet room alone. If all one did is sit in a quiet room alone, something would be quit wrong. However, if one never sits in a quiet room alone, except for the presence of God, there is something quit wrong too, and the greatest resource of his life is simply disregarded.
Make some time each day to spend some quiet time alone with God. Who knows, you might receive an inspiration that will keep you from making things worse.
Our Father's Blessings,
Tom
If one takes the time to read this verse in context it will be found that God fights battles for us. It is not an insane strategy to stop and let God battle for us. It is especially true for Americans that we think we have to do something, and we do something and make things worse.
The great mathemetician-philosopher-theologian, Blase` Pascal is said to have said, All men's miseries derive from not being able to sit in a quiet room alone. If all one did is sit in a quiet room alone, something would be quit wrong. However, if one never sits in a quiet room alone, except for the presence of God, there is something quit wrong too, and the greatest resource of his life is simply disregarded.
Make some time each day to spend some quiet time alone with God. Who knows, you might receive an inspiration that will keep you from making things worse.
Our Father's Blessings,
Tom
Thursday, May 23, 2013
BEEN THANKFUL?
. . . give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you (I Thessalonians 5:18).
I was on my way to an early morning meeting, listening to Christian music on Sirius satellite radio. I do not remember what song had just played, but I do remember the comment by the radio host. He said, "What if the only things you will have tomorrow are the things you gave thanks for today? What would you have?"
It is a question worth pondering. We go through life just assuming that the things we enjoy will always be there and then the day comes and they are not. What will you do then? Perhaps we need difficult times to remind us of the One who is the Source of all good things.
God supplies good things for both good and bad people. One of the differences between those who belong to Christ and those who do not is that they are thankful people. What about you? Have you given thanks today?
Our Father's Love,
Tom
I was on my way to an early morning meeting, listening to Christian music on Sirius satellite radio. I do not remember what song had just played, but I do remember the comment by the radio host. He said, "What if the only things you will have tomorrow are the things you gave thanks for today? What would you have?"
It is a question worth pondering. We go through life just assuming that the things we enjoy will always be there and then the day comes and they are not. What will you do then? Perhaps we need difficult times to remind us of the One who is the Source of all good things.
God supplies good things for both good and bad people. One of the differences between those who belong to Christ and those who do not is that they are thankful people. What about you? Have you given thanks today?
Our Father's Love,
Tom
Friday, May 17, 2013
POWER OF THE LORD WAS WITH HIM TO HEAL
On one of those days, as he was teaching, there were Pharisees, and teachers of the law sitting by, who had come from every village of Galilee and Judea and from Jerusalem; and the power of the Lord was with him to heal (Luke 5:17).
During my daily Bible reading this morning, this verse made me stop and question, "Did Jesus not always have the power to heal? If not, how did Jesus know when he had the power to heal?" I had always had the view that the power to heal was always with Jesus. Matthew 13 records Jesus' second rejection at Nazareth and says, he did not do many mighty works there because of their unbelief (v. 58). I think, from a thorough investigation of scripture, the lack of faith on the part of the residents of Nazareth manifested itself in not presenting the sick and disabled to Jesus for healing. Jesus power does not depend on another's faith to heal. John 5:1-15 records the healing of the disabled man by the pool of Bethesda. Jesus picked one from many to heal that day--Jesus can heal whom ever he chooses.
The immediate context of Luke 5:17 includes vs 16, But he withdrew to the wilderness and prayed.
What it means to be fully God and fully human will probably not be completely understood this side of heaven, but we do know that Jesus depended on regular communication with his Father for sustenance. With out that time would he have had that power to heal?
God has adopted those in Christ to be his children. How can we have power to manage our lives without regular communication with our Father? If Jesus couldn't, how much less can we?!?
Our Father's Love,
Tom
During my daily Bible reading this morning, this verse made me stop and question, "Did Jesus not always have the power to heal? If not, how did Jesus know when he had the power to heal?" I had always had the view that the power to heal was always with Jesus. Matthew 13 records Jesus' second rejection at Nazareth and says, he did not do many mighty works there because of their unbelief (v. 58). I think, from a thorough investigation of scripture, the lack of faith on the part of the residents of Nazareth manifested itself in not presenting the sick and disabled to Jesus for healing. Jesus power does not depend on another's faith to heal. John 5:1-15 records the healing of the disabled man by the pool of Bethesda. Jesus picked one from many to heal that day--Jesus can heal whom ever he chooses.
The immediate context of Luke 5:17 includes vs 16, But he withdrew to the wilderness and prayed.
What it means to be fully God and fully human will probably not be completely understood this side of heaven, but we do know that Jesus depended on regular communication with his Father for sustenance. With out that time would he have had that power to heal?
God has adopted those in Christ to be his children. How can we have power to manage our lives without regular communication with our Father? If Jesus couldn't, how much less can we?!?
Our Father's Love,
Tom
Friday, May 10, 2013
HAVING HOPE HELPS TO DEAL WITH GRIEF
. . . having no hope and without God in the world. But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near in the blood of Christ (Ephesians 2:12-13).*
I often read "Dear Abby," an advice column in the Sioux City Journal. In a recent column, Abby shared several letters from people who wrote about what they would do if they won the lottery and had millions of dollars to spend on whatever they wanted. Being a counselor, I try to "read between the lines" and evaluate what is really going on in the situation from the contents of the letters. What follows is an excerpt from a letter that made tears flow from my eyes (I tear up easily in my older age). Dear Abby: If I were to win the lottery, I would trade all of it just to have one more hug and one more night talking with my wife, who died 16 years ago . . . my heart still aches over losing her to cancer.
I am blessed to have the lovely and gracious Helen as my wife, but as I read this man's letter I began to think and then feel what it must be like to be in this man's shoes--to be willing to trade the world for one more night with his wife. His words remind about what is truly important in our lives on this earth--relationships.
From this man's letter it appears that he has resolved his grief and raised healthy functioning children, but resolving grief does not mean that grief has ended, it means that grief is managed. Resolution simply means that grief does not keep one from living responsibly in a painful world.
A legitimate hope helps one to come to resolution, for in the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ the promise is that it will not be just one more night, but one more eternity to spend with our loved ones in Christ.
Our Father's Love,
Tom
*If one reads the context of the scripture text I used, it might be inferred that I misused the text. Perhaps, but is there anything that feels more empty and lonely than being hopeless and without God in the world? Is there anything that inspires a legitimate hope more than the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ?
I often read "Dear Abby," an advice column in the Sioux City Journal. In a recent column, Abby shared several letters from people who wrote about what they would do if they won the lottery and had millions of dollars to spend on whatever they wanted. Being a counselor, I try to "read between the lines" and evaluate what is really going on in the situation from the contents of the letters. What follows is an excerpt from a letter that made tears flow from my eyes (I tear up easily in my older age). Dear Abby: If I were to win the lottery, I would trade all of it just to have one more hug and one more night talking with my wife, who died 16 years ago . . . my heart still aches over losing her to cancer.
I am blessed to have the lovely and gracious Helen as my wife, but as I read this man's letter I began to think and then feel what it must be like to be in this man's shoes--to be willing to trade the world for one more night with his wife. His words remind about what is truly important in our lives on this earth--relationships.
From this man's letter it appears that he has resolved his grief and raised healthy functioning children, but resolving grief does not mean that grief has ended, it means that grief is managed. Resolution simply means that grief does not keep one from living responsibly in a painful world.
A legitimate hope helps one to come to resolution, for in the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ the promise is that it will not be just one more night, but one more eternity to spend with our loved ones in Christ.
Our Father's Love,
Tom
*If one reads the context of the scripture text I used, it might be inferred that I misused the text. Perhaps, but is there anything that feels more empty and lonely than being hopeless and without God in the world? Is there anything that inspires a legitimate hope more than the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ?
Thursday, May 09, 2013
A CHARACTERISTIC OF TRULY SUCCESSFUL PEOPLE
My brethren, show no partiality as you hold the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory. For if a man with gold rings and in fine clothing comes into your assembly, and a poor man in shabby clothing also comes in, and you pay attention to the one who wears the fine clothing and say, "Have a seat here, please," while you say to the poor man, "Stand there," or, "Sit at my feet," have you not made distinctions among yourselves, and become judges with evil thoughts? (James 2:1-4).
I was just thinking about the qualities of the truly successful people I have known. One of the characteristics they all have in common is that they treat every person they meet with dignity and respect. It is a trait I admire because I do not do as well as I should in this regard. There are times when it is extremely difficult to be respectful to some people and treat them with dignity, but this is a behavior our Father expects of those who are His children.*
To be successful in business, in professional practice, certainly, in pastoral ministry, or social relationships, dignity and respect must be an obvious characteristic. However, I have seen people in each one of these social relationships who think they are impartial who are not. But I have observed pastors, lawyers, high-end carpenters, doctors who were willing to serve others, no matter who they are. It might well be that the first step on the ladder of real success is that of impartial service.
Our Father's Love,
Tom
*A book could be written on this subject because there are many people who are extremely difficult to treat with dignity. How does one treat a rapist, kidnapper, abuser, murderer with dignity and respect? By prosecuting them to the full extent of the law.
I was just thinking about the qualities of the truly successful people I have known. One of the characteristics they all have in common is that they treat every person they meet with dignity and respect. It is a trait I admire because I do not do as well as I should in this regard. There are times when it is extremely difficult to be respectful to some people and treat them with dignity, but this is a behavior our Father expects of those who are His children.*
To be successful in business, in professional practice, certainly, in pastoral ministry, or social relationships, dignity and respect must be an obvious characteristic. However, I have seen people in each one of these social relationships who think they are impartial who are not. But I have observed pastors, lawyers, high-end carpenters, doctors who were willing to serve others, no matter who they are. It might well be that the first step on the ladder of real success is that of impartial service.
Our Father's Love,
Tom
*A book could be written on this subject because there are many people who are extremely difficult to treat with dignity. How does one treat a rapist, kidnapper, abuser, murderer with dignity and respect? By prosecuting them to the full extent of the law.
Wednesday, May 01, 2013
CALLING IT SCIENCE DOESN'T MAKE IT SCIENCE
Come now let us reason together, says the Lord (Isaiah 1:18).
I do not consider myself to be a scientist, though, as a farmer there is a lot of science in what I do. As a marriage and family therapist, there is a surprising amount of science involved in what I do there as well. In my seminary education a class was required called Research Methods in Family Therapy. The purpose of the course was to help the students to design and evaluate approaches and methods of family therapy for validity and reliability. Even in pastoral ministry one should have a scientific background in subjects as diverse as biology to archeology with a good amount of psychology in between. So, I am not attempting to dismiss the scientific method as something incompatible with faith. I believe that good faith and good science walk together hand in hand. It was faith in a reliable God that produced science in the first place. The God of the Bible has always given man a reason to believe.
Science should be objective, but it seldom is, it can be very subjective and biased. Scientists are human beings. They choose to research what interests them personally or what the government--or other funding agencies will finance. The whole "human-caused-climate-change issue" is a glaring example of this. There was truly little science, a lot of theory and a whole lot of dishonesty involved in this fraud. People with credentials sold their souls and the taxpayers are still funding funding politically directed research on climate change. Calling it science doesn't make it science. Personal pride and funding issues make good science hard to come by.
In this generation, science has become god for many. People look to science to solve the world's problems. Developing sophisticated weaponry to deter evil has resulted in those who are evil to have sophisticated weaponry too. The use of antibiotics has resulted in super germs that antibiotics can't kill. The use of herbicides has resulted in super weeds that herbicides can't kill. What I am saying is that science is, at best, marginal in the salvation of mankind. I do not want to go back to the old days either, but we can see the logical conclusion of science from here. When the remedies of men have run out, then time will have run out too.
When science has reached its logical conclusion and has no answers for you, what will you do? Will it be too late?
Our Father's Love,
Tom
I do not consider myself to be a scientist, though, as a farmer there is a lot of science in what I do. As a marriage and family therapist, there is a surprising amount of science involved in what I do there as well. In my seminary education a class was required called Research Methods in Family Therapy. The purpose of the course was to help the students to design and evaluate approaches and methods of family therapy for validity and reliability. Even in pastoral ministry one should have a scientific background in subjects as diverse as biology to archeology with a good amount of psychology in between. So, I am not attempting to dismiss the scientific method as something incompatible with faith. I believe that good faith and good science walk together hand in hand. It was faith in a reliable God that produced science in the first place. The God of the Bible has always given man a reason to believe.
Science should be objective, but it seldom is, it can be very subjective and biased. Scientists are human beings. They choose to research what interests them personally or what the government--or other funding agencies will finance. The whole "human-caused-climate-change issue" is a glaring example of this. There was truly little science, a lot of theory and a whole lot of dishonesty involved in this fraud. People with credentials sold their souls and the taxpayers are still funding funding politically directed research on climate change. Calling it science doesn't make it science. Personal pride and funding issues make good science hard to come by.
In this generation, science has become god for many. People look to science to solve the world's problems. Developing sophisticated weaponry to deter evil has resulted in those who are evil to have sophisticated weaponry too. The use of antibiotics has resulted in super germs that antibiotics can't kill. The use of herbicides has resulted in super weeds that herbicides can't kill. What I am saying is that science is, at best, marginal in the salvation of mankind. I do not want to go back to the old days either, but we can see the logical conclusion of science from here. When the remedies of men have run out, then time will have run out too.
When science has reached its logical conclusion and has no answers for you, what will you do? Will it be too late?
Our Father's Love,
Tom
Sunday, April 28, 2013
A CREDIBLE BIBLE
All scripture is inspired by God . . . (2 Timothy 3:16).
Faith requires credibility. Those who believe the incredible have a faith that will not save them--it is faith in the truth that makes the difference. True scripture bears the marks of being God-breathed. One of the characteristics of God-breathed scripture is that it is true. First, it is true in its relationship to the events of history. Though the Bible is not intended to be a history book, it has been used as that because it has proven itself to be a trustworthy representation of the time periods of which it speaks.
Second, the Bible is true in its representation of geography. The names and places of which it speaks are accurate according to time period. Those writing much later, or writing a fiction, would not have expressed the such accuracy.
Third, the Bible is true in its representation of the culture in the time periods of which it speaks. The Bible speaks of many cultures, but when it speaks it truly represents the culture from which it is written. Some of the apparent contradictions of the gospels are solved when one understands this.
Another characteristic of God-breathed scripture is that it is dynamic. Scripture is the primary means by which God confronts mankind with himself. One is forced to wrestle with the message of scripture and make a decision about it--what will I do with what the Bible tells me? Because the Bible speaks with such authority, there are many who seek to discredit the Bible, contending that the authors of many books of the Bible are not the actual authors because miracles do not happen, because of differences of style, because of a great time gap between the events of scripture and actual authorship and because of the Hegelian process that must have occurred before Petrine and Pauline teaching could coalesce. However, none of these charges can with stand objective history and archeology--they simply hold no water.
The Bible is the most studied book of all time, without question, the most scrutinized book of all time by both friend and foe alike. There are many foes who would like nothing more than to discredit the Bible. They do not want to be accountable to a holy God. Of course, there are many friends of God who study the Bible because they want to serve Him and worship Him.
The Bible is a dynamic book. It will change your life, for better or for worse. How will you allow it to change your life?
Our Father's Love,
Tom
Faith requires credibility. Those who believe the incredible have a faith that will not save them--it is faith in the truth that makes the difference. True scripture bears the marks of being God-breathed. One of the characteristics of God-breathed scripture is that it is true. First, it is true in its relationship to the events of history. Though the Bible is not intended to be a history book, it has been used as that because it has proven itself to be a trustworthy representation of the time periods of which it speaks.
Second, the Bible is true in its representation of geography. The names and places of which it speaks are accurate according to time period. Those writing much later, or writing a fiction, would not have expressed the such accuracy.
Third, the Bible is true in its representation of the culture in the time periods of which it speaks. The Bible speaks of many cultures, but when it speaks it truly represents the culture from which it is written. Some of the apparent contradictions of the gospels are solved when one understands this.
Another characteristic of God-breathed scripture is that it is dynamic. Scripture is the primary means by which God confronts mankind with himself. One is forced to wrestle with the message of scripture and make a decision about it--what will I do with what the Bible tells me? Because the Bible speaks with such authority, there are many who seek to discredit the Bible, contending that the authors of many books of the Bible are not the actual authors because miracles do not happen, because of differences of style, because of a great time gap between the events of scripture and actual authorship and because of the Hegelian process that must have occurred before Petrine and Pauline teaching could coalesce. However, none of these charges can with stand objective history and archeology--they simply hold no water.
The Bible is the most studied book of all time, without question, the most scrutinized book of all time by both friend and foe alike. There are many foes who would like nothing more than to discredit the Bible. They do not want to be accountable to a holy God. Of course, there are many friends of God who study the Bible because they want to serve Him and worship Him.
The Bible is a dynamic book. It will change your life, for better or for worse. How will you allow it to change your life?
Our Father's Love,
Tom
Tuesday, April 23, 2013
TAXMAN
Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's (Matthew 22:21).
The Beatles recorded this song in 1966--it is just as true today as it was then!
Let me tell you how it will be
There's one for you, nineteen for me
'Cause I'm the taxman, yeah, the taxman
Should five per cent appear to small
Be thankful I don't take it all
'Cause I'm the taxman, yeah I'm the taxman
Don't ask me what I want it for
If you don't want to pay some more
'Cause I'm the taxman, yeah, I'm the taxman
Now my advice for those who die
Declare the pennies on your eyes
'Cause I'm the taxman, yeah, I'm the taxman
And you're working for no one but me.
The Jews of Jesus' day were taxed to death. That was one of the reasons they were so rebellious. After studying the history of the time of Jesus Christ on this earth, I have often thought, "Would I have been any different than them?" Indeed, I was a Constitutional tax protester, and I still believe that the income tax and property taxes are unConstitutional. There are legal and better ways to raise money and we are close to being taxed to death.
But Jesus refused to be drawn into politics. The matter of first importance for every person is to render to God what is God's--your life!
Our Father's Love,
Tom
The Beatles recorded this song in 1966--it is just as true today as it was then!
Let me tell you how it will be
There's one for you, nineteen for me
'Cause I'm the taxman, yeah, the taxman
Should five per cent appear to small
Be thankful I don't take it all
'Cause I'm the taxman, yeah I'm the taxman
Don't ask me what I want it for
If you don't want to pay some more
'Cause I'm the taxman, yeah, I'm the taxman
Now my advice for those who die
Declare the pennies on your eyes
'Cause I'm the taxman, yeah, I'm the taxman
And you're working for no one but me.
The Jews of Jesus' day were taxed to death. That was one of the reasons they were so rebellious. After studying the history of the time of Jesus Christ on this earth, I have often thought, "Would I have been any different than them?" Indeed, I was a Constitutional tax protester, and I still believe that the income tax and property taxes are unConstitutional. There are legal and better ways to raise money and we are close to being taxed to death.
But Jesus refused to be drawn into politics. The matter of first importance for every person is to render to God what is God's--your life!
Our Father's Love,
Tom
Monday, April 15, 2013
THE VICTORS
No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us (Romans 8:37).
Hail! to the victors valiant. Hail! to the conqu'ring heros . . . (University of Michigan fight song).
First, it is important to note that I am not a Michigan fan, except for the times when they are representing the Big Ten. Such was the case a week ago when they were playing Louisville for the NCAA basketball championship. It was late in the game. I believed Michigan had a run in them. The Michigan band boomed their fight song. It seemed to energize the team and they did respond, but they still fell short. I've always thought that the Michigan fight song was worth a touch down in a tight football game or five points in a tight basketball game, as seemed to be the case last week. Sadly, it was not enough.
What makes the Michigan fight song different from the typical college fight song is that it does not exhort the team to fight harder. The song celebrates a victory already won. From Michigan's perspective, to put on the Michigan uniform and play on the university's team makes one a winner in any case. That is good Christian theology. When a person puts on Christ, our uniform, and faces life head on, he is the winner! Sometimes I think Christians need a great fight song to remind them of that! Sometimes we need a pep band booming in the background reminding us of who we are!
I'm getting to be a little sappy* in my old age, so when the Michigan pep band began to play at the time they did, my eyes began to water as I began to think the thoughts I have shared with you.
Our Father's Love,
Tom
*I know that "husker red," "gobucks" and "hawkeye gold" will think I have gone over the edge.
Hail! to the victors valiant. Hail! to the conqu'ring heros . . . (University of Michigan fight song).
First, it is important to note that I am not a Michigan fan, except for the times when they are representing the Big Ten. Such was the case a week ago when they were playing Louisville for the NCAA basketball championship. It was late in the game. I believed Michigan had a run in them. The Michigan band boomed their fight song. It seemed to energize the team and they did respond, but they still fell short. I've always thought that the Michigan fight song was worth a touch down in a tight football game or five points in a tight basketball game, as seemed to be the case last week. Sadly, it was not enough.
What makes the Michigan fight song different from the typical college fight song is that it does not exhort the team to fight harder. The song celebrates a victory already won. From Michigan's perspective, to put on the Michigan uniform and play on the university's team makes one a winner in any case. That is good Christian theology. When a person puts on Christ, our uniform, and faces life head on, he is the winner! Sometimes I think Christians need a great fight song to remind them of that! Sometimes we need a pep band booming in the background reminding us of who we are!
I'm getting to be a little sappy* in my old age, so when the Michigan pep band began to play at the time they did, my eyes began to water as I began to think the thoughts I have shared with you.
Our Father's Love,
Tom
*I know that "husker red," "gobucks" and "hawkeye gold" will think I have gone over the edge.
Saturday, April 13, 2013
POINTY-HEADED INTELLECTUALS
In all toil there is profit, but mere talk leads to poverty (Proverbs 14:23).
I came on to this while reading this morning--it is from my financial newsletter: Karl Marx's wife once told him he should stop writing about capital and go out and make some. Karl Marx and his wife lived in poverty even though he was an intellectual. Of course we know that Marxism resulted in the execution of over 100,000,000 people in the 20th century and brought virtual poverty to many many more millions than that. Watch out for the pointy-headed intellectuals!!!
Having said that, I need to go out and get to work.
Our Father's Blessings,
Tom
I came on to this while reading this morning--it is from my financial newsletter: Karl Marx's wife once told him he should stop writing about capital and go out and make some. Karl Marx and his wife lived in poverty even though he was an intellectual. Of course we know that Marxism resulted in the execution of over 100,000,000 people in the 20th century and brought virtual poverty to many many more millions than that. Watch out for the pointy-headed intellectuals!!!
Having said that, I need to go out and get to work.
Our Father's Blessings,
Tom
Tuesday, April 09, 2013
THE PROBLEM WITH STATISTICS
Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head into Christ . . . (Ephesians 4:15).
The problem with statistics is that they often do not tell the truth. This is what prompted Benjamin Disraeli to say, "there are three kinds of lies, lies, damned lies and statistics." Very often statistic are only factoids, meaning that they look factual, they sound factual because the researchers have some credibility behind them, but the research is flawed so that what appears to be a fact is not a fact, it is only a factoid. So, question the research!
A conversation I had recently with a pastor who fell into the trap of statistics that all of us fall into is what precipitates this "bullet." He repeated this statistic that Christians divorce at the same rate as non Christians. That stat has been out there for 15 years--I remember dealing with it in grad school. First, it must be noted that there are some reasons why Christians should divorce, there are circumstances when there is no other choice. Having said that, I am going to mention a blurb by Gary Foster in the Christian Counseling Connection that reports some of the most recent research that more likely fits reality:
The research actually showed couples who are active in their faith are much less likely to divorce. Catholic couples were 31% less likely. Protestant couples 35% and Jewish couples 97%. (Foster quoted Ed Stetzer's Church Report).
If one wants to question this research, that's okay, but from my experience, it fits reality much better.
Our Father's Blessings,
Tom
The problem with statistics is that they often do not tell the truth. This is what prompted Benjamin Disraeli to say, "there are three kinds of lies, lies, damned lies and statistics." Very often statistic are only factoids, meaning that they look factual, they sound factual because the researchers have some credibility behind them, but the research is flawed so that what appears to be a fact is not a fact, it is only a factoid. So, question the research!
A conversation I had recently with a pastor who fell into the trap of statistics that all of us fall into is what precipitates this "bullet." He repeated this statistic that Christians divorce at the same rate as non Christians. That stat has been out there for 15 years--I remember dealing with it in grad school. First, it must be noted that there are some reasons why Christians should divorce, there are circumstances when there is no other choice. Having said that, I am going to mention a blurb by Gary Foster in the Christian Counseling Connection that reports some of the most recent research that more likely fits reality:
The research actually showed couples who are active in their faith are much less likely to divorce. Catholic couples were 31% less likely. Protestant couples 35% and Jewish couples 97%. (Foster quoted Ed Stetzer's Church Report).
If one wants to question this research, that's okay, but from my experience, it fits reality much better.
Our Father's Blessings,
Tom
Saturday, April 06, 2013
HOW TO FEEL BETTER ABOUT YOURSELF
Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven (Matthew 5:3).
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just, and will forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness (I John 1:9).
I was listening to the Rush Limbaugh program last week when Rush quoted some source about people who refused to apologize had higher self-esteem than those who did apologize. So I did a quick search on line and and found that a University of Queensland researcher, Tyler G. Okimoto, surveyed 228 Americans and found that those who refused to apologize seemed to exhibit higher self-esteem than those who did apologize. Okimoto said, "Refusing to apologize makes you feel more empowered . . . power and control seems to translate into greater feelings of self worth."
That may very well be true. We put feeling better about our selves pretty high on the list of virtues, but, as usual, it is about completely back wards to the way of God. What is important is doing the right thing. What is important is taking responsibility for our behavior. If we have done wrong, apologizing is taking responsibility for our behavior. People who can apologize are the kind of people God can work with. Those are the kind of people who will inherit the Kingdom of Heaven.
Our Father's Blessings,
Tom
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just, and will forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness (I John 1:9).
I was listening to the Rush Limbaugh program last week when Rush quoted some source about people who refused to apologize had higher self-esteem than those who did apologize. So I did a quick search on line and and found that a University of Queensland researcher, Tyler G. Okimoto, surveyed 228 Americans and found that those who refused to apologize seemed to exhibit higher self-esteem than those who did apologize. Okimoto said, "Refusing to apologize makes you feel more empowered . . . power and control seems to translate into greater feelings of self worth."
That may very well be true. We put feeling better about our selves pretty high on the list of virtues, but, as usual, it is about completely back wards to the way of God. What is important is doing the right thing. What is important is taking responsibility for our behavior. If we have done wrong, apologizing is taking responsibility for our behavior. People who can apologize are the kind of people God can work with. Those are the kind of people who will inherit the Kingdom of Heaven.
Our Father's Blessings,
Tom
Tuesday, April 02, 2013
BE CONTAGIOUS--IN A POSITIVE WAY
Your boasting is not good. Do you not know that a little leaven leavens the whole lump? (I Corinthians 5:6).
I found another article in the 4-13 issue of Psychology Today by Ron Friedman called Motivation is Contagious that I thought was important. Essentially the article speaks about how motivation is contagious--both positively and negatively. University of Rochester research has shown that when highly motivated employees are grouped with lesser motivated employees the performance of all the employees was enhanced. It also worked the other way as well. When an employee was paired with a less motivated employee, "their inspiration dwindled and their performance dropped, too." When participants in the study were asked if they had been influenced by the other person they said, 'absolutely not.' They did not personally recognize an influence of the other on their own performance.
There are some lessons here: 1. Though you may not have a choice in a tough job market, choose to work around the most positive people you can because the people you work around have a huge effect on you. 2. Be the one who is positively contagious. Sometimes we don't have the choice, we have to have a job. Determine to be positive, put on a happy face, to look for the good in every desperate situation because, for the Christian, God works together for good in everything for those who love Him, who are called according to His purpose (See Romans 8:28). 3. We do not recognize how others are affecting us, that is why we need to hang around the most positive person there is, Jesus Christ. Praise, prayer, reading the Word, the Lord's Supper celebration, intentional fellowship with the most positive people, brothers and sisters in Christ.
Our Father's Blessings,
Tom
I found another article in the 4-13 issue of Psychology Today by Ron Friedman called Motivation is Contagious that I thought was important. Essentially the article speaks about how motivation is contagious--both positively and negatively. University of Rochester research has shown that when highly motivated employees are grouped with lesser motivated employees the performance of all the employees was enhanced. It also worked the other way as well. When an employee was paired with a less motivated employee, "their inspiration dwindled and their performance dropped, too." When participants in the study were asked if they had been influenced by the other person they said, 'absolutely not.' They did not personally recognize an influence of the other on their own performance.
There are some lessons here: 1. Though you may not have a choice in a tough job market, choose to work around the most positive people you can because the people you work around have a huge effect on you. 2. Be the one who is positively contagious. Sometimes we don't have the choice, we have to have a job. Determine to be positive, put on a happy face, to look for the good in every desperate situation because, for the Christian, God works together for good in everything for those who love Him, who are called according to His purpose (See Romans 8:28). 3. We do not recognize how others are affecting us, that is why we need to hang around the most positive person there is, Jesus Christ. Praise, prayer, reading the Word, the Lord's Supper celebration, intentional fellowship with the most positive people, brothers and sisters in Christ.
Our Father's Blessings,
Tom
Tuesday, March 26, 2013
THE POWER OF TOUCH
It is well for a man not to touch a woman (I Corinthians 7:1).
For some unknown reason, this is the first Scripture verse that came to mind when I was thinking of writing this piece, though there are others that are better, so I am going with it. Touch is a powerful thing. In the area of male and female relationships it must be used very carefully because of the emotions that can be triggered as a result of a touch.
In the most recent issue of Psychology Today (April 2013) there is an article by Rick Chillot called, Touch, Louder than Words. I thought the article was good, but I am only going to share a couple of brief quotes to stimulate your curiosity to read it and to remind Christians how important touching is.
In a study by the University of Illinois, physical contact between professional basketball team mates was tracked: The study revealed that the more on court touching (chest bumps, high fives, back slapping, etc.) there was early in the season, the more successful teams and individuals were by season's end. The effect of touch was independent of salary or performance, eliminating the possibility that players touch more if they're more skilled or better compensated.
. . . research shows that touch can communicate multiple positive emotions: joy, love, gratitude, and sympathy . . . touch is a much more nuanced, sophisticated, and precise way to communicate emotions.
A warm handshake, hug, pat on the back, high five, fist bump, etc can work motivational and attitudinal wonders!
Our Father's Love*
Tom
*I'd give you a hug if I could.
For some unknown reason, this is the first Scripture verse that came to mind when I was thinking of writing this piece, though there are others that are better, so I am going with it. Touch is a powerful thing. In the area of male and female relationships it must be used very carefully because of the emotions that can be triggered as a result of a touch.
In the most recent issue of Psychology Today (April 2013) there is an article by Rick Chillot called, Touch, Louder than Words. I thought the article was good, but I am only going to share a couple of brief quotes to stimulate your curiosity to read it and to remind Christians how important touching is.
In a study by the University of Illinois, physical contact between professional basketball team mates was tracked: The study revealed that the more on court touching (chest bumps, high fives, back slapping, etc.) there was early in the season, the more successful teams and individuals were by season's end. The effect of touch was independent of salary or performance, eliminating the possibility that players touch more if they're more skilled or better compensated.
. . . research shows that touch can communicate multiple positive emotions: joy, love, gratitude, and sympathy . . . touch is a much more nuanced, sophisticated, and precise way to communicate emotions.
A warm handshake, hug, pat on the back, high five, fist bump, etc can work motivational and attitudinal wonders!
Our Father's Love*
Tom
*I'd give you a hug if I could.
Wednesday, March 20, 2013
FROM WHERE DOES OUR POWER COME?
Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness. Stretch out your hand to heal and perform miraculous signs and wonders through the holy name of your holy servant Jesus. After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly (Acts 4:29-31 NIV).
The apostles Peter and John had been jailed for preaching about Jesus Christ. Upon their release they returned to the assembly of Christians and reported to them what had happened. Then they prayed. The cited text above is their prayer.
In his book, The Great Omission, Robert Blair makes an important assertion for us to give some serious consideration: They [Peter and John] didn't petition the Lord to change the authorities' hearts or to alter the high court's decision. They didn't beg for leadership skills and money to form a popular protest. The church solicited two things from God. First, they wanted boldness to continue their witness in the face of threats. Second, they asked God to do something else few Christians request today -- "Stretch out your hand to heal and perform miraculous signs and wonders through the name of your holy servant Jesus." . . . Current Christians depend too much on lawyers, letter-writing campaigns, political clout, and legal maneuver. Jesus' real followers fearlessly declare his good news and pray powerfully. They do not demand a cozy, comfortable, safe environment.
The Christian consensus is gone. Perhaps that is a good thing. In times past, most people lived their lives by Christian assumptions, but they were not Christian. Now the contrast between a Christian and a person of the world is much more distinct--as it should be. It is more difficult to live as a Christian now. Where does the power to stand for Christ come from? I think Blair's point is valid. Our source of power is from God. The great weakness of the church today is that we seek power in the wrong places. As our culture becomes less and less moral, do we try to correct it by more political action or by prayer and disciple making? As I have said in an earlier post, in a government of the people, by the people and for the people, I have the responsibility to participate in it--and I will speak up politically. But my power doesn't come from government, but from God.
Perhaps the most powerful thing you can do for God, others and yourself is to organize a powerful prayer meeting--it is something any Christian can do (see Matthew 7:7-12).
Our Father's Blessing,
Tom
The apostles Peter and John had been jailed for preaching about Jesus Christ. Upon their release they returned to the assembly of Christians and reported to them what had happened. Then they prayed. The cited text above is their prayer.
In his book, The Great Omission, Robert Blair makes an important assertion for us to give some serious consideration: They [Peter and John] didn't petition the Lord to change the authorities' hearts or to alter the high court's decision. They didn't beg for leadership skills and money to form a popular protest. The church solicited two things from God. First, they wanted boldness to continue their witness in the face of threats. Second, they asked God to do something else few Christians request today -- "Stretch out your hand to heal and perform miraculous signs and wonders through the name of your holy servant Jesus." . . . Current Christians depend too much on lawyers, letter-writing campaigns, political clout, and legal maneuver. Jesus' real followers fearlessly declare his good news and pray powerfully. They do not demand a cozy, comfortable, safe environment.
The Christian consensus is gone. Perhaps that is a good thing. In times past, most people lived their lives by Christian assumptions, but they were not Christian. Now the contrast between a Christian and a person of the world is much more distinct--as it should be. It is more difficult to live as a Christian now. Where does the power to stand for Christ come from? I think Blair's point is valid. Our source of power is from God. The great weakness of the church today is that we seek power in the wrong places. As our culture becomes less and less moral, do we try to correct it by more political action or by prayer and disciple making? As I have said in an earlier post, in a government of the people, by the people and for the people, I have the responsibility to participate in it--and I will speak up politically. But my power doesn't come from government, but from God.
Perhaps the most powerful thing you can do for God, others and yourself is to organize a powerful prayer meeting--it is something any Christian can do (see Matthew 7:7-12).
Our Father's Blessing,
Tom
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