Wednesday, July 31, 2013
PRAYER THOUGHTS: WHAT DOES ANSWERED PRAYER LOOK LIKE?
"What father among you, if his son asks for a fish, will instead of a fish give him a serpent; or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!" (Luke 11:11-13). * Answered prayer takes some surprising turns, but they always work out for God's glory and our blessing--even when the answer is, "No!" * Answered prayer can come disguised as hard work. God promised Zerubbabel in Zechariah 4:6 "Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit says the Lord of hosts. What are you, O great mountain? Before Zerubbabel you shall become a plain; and he shall bring forward the top stone amid shouts of 'Grace to it!'" (Zechariah 4:6ff). The rebuilding of the temple was an answer to the prayers of the Jewish people. God said He would help in the building--in fact, if it weren't for the the power of God it never would have been rebuilt. The Jews had no money, no tools, no weapons, but they worked. And, with God's provision, after 20 years of hard work and toil, in faith, the temple was built. It was an answer to prayer. * What I am trying to say is that sometimes God's answers to our prayers might not be what we expected, but they will always bless us. Prayers for wisdom, for example, might be answered with a disciplined study of the Bible in a Bible study group. Prayers for healing might be answered by following a disciplined life style. * Sometimes answered prayers meet our expectations, sometimes they do not. Before we assume the prayer is unanswered or the answer is, "No" we need to take a closer look and see if God has placed some resources at our disposal to use in making our request happen. * Love & Prayers, Tom * **For me, the answer to my prayers is the lovely and gracious Helen who has been a blessing to my life for 43 years.
Friday, July 26, 2013
PRAYER THOUGHTS: HOW TO GET YOUR PRAYERS ANSWERED
When you spread forth your hands, I will hide my eyes from you; even though you make many prayers, I will not listen; your hands are full of blood. Wash ourselves; make yourselves clean; remove the evil of your doings from before my eyes; cease to do evil, learn to do good . . . (Isaiah 1:15-17).
The one who asks, "How can I get my prayers answered?" is one who doesn't understand the importance of relationship with God and what it means to pray in Jesus' name. First, it must be understood that God can respond to the requests of anyone in any way he chooses. There are many testimonies of desperate sinners who have been answered in miraculous ways when they prayed--God is free to answer in any way he sees fit. God can answer prayers, "yes" or "no," or he simply may refuse to listen or ignore the prayers of the unrepentant. How has he been responding to you?
When you can relate to God as "daddy, daddy,"(Romans 8:15) you are well on the way to praying prayers that can be answered in a positive way. Children know what their dad's values are. Children, being immature, sometimes make foolish requests of their dads, but they also know this: "And this is the confidence which we have in him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us. And if we know that he hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have obtained the requests made of him" (I John 5:14-15).
"Whatever you ask in my name, I will do it, that the Father may be glorified in the Son; if you ask anything in my name, I will do it (John14:13-14). Praying in Jesus' name is not a way of ending your prayers so that you will get your prayers answered--it is not magic. Rather, it is first an acknowledgement that it is through the grace of Christ Jesus that we are able to come to the throne of grace at all. It is also in the character of Christ that we come to our Father too, making our requests to God. God wants us to ask (James 4:2), but I just happen to believe that he wants us to ask thoughtfully in the character of Jesus. The answer to one of Jesus' prayers was "no." The answer to some prayers of yours may be, "no," but you will know that all of your prayers are answered.
Love & Prayers,
Tom
The one who asks, "How can I get my prayers answered?" is one who doesn't understand the importance of relationship with God and what it means to pray in Jesus' name. First, it must be understood that God can respond to the requests of anyone in any way he chooses. There are many testimonies of desperate sinners who have been answered in miraculous ways when they prayed--God is free to answer in any way he sees fit. God can answer prayers, "yes" or "no," or he simply may refuse to listen or ignore the prayers of the unrepentant. How has he been responding to you?
When you can relate to God as "daddy, daddy,"(Romans 8:15) you are well on the way to praying prayers that can be answered in a positive way. Children know what their dad's values are. Children, being immature, sometimes make foolish requests of their dads, but they also know this: "And this is the confidence which we have in him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us. And if we know that he hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have obtained the requests made of him" (I John 5:14-15).
"Whatever you ask in my name, I will do it, that the Father may be glorified in the Son; if you ask anything in my name, I will do it (John14:13-14). Praying in Jesus' name is not a way of ending your prayers so that you will get your prayers answered--it is not magic. Rather, it is first an acknowledgement that it is through the grace of Christ Jesus that we are able to come to the throne of grace at all. It is also in the character of Christ that we come to our Father too, making our requests to God. God wants us to ask (James 4:2), but I just happen to believe that he wants us to ask thoughtfully in the character of Jesus. The answer to one of Jesus' prayers was "no." The answer to some prayers of yours may be, "no," but you will know that all of your prayers are answered.
Love & Prayers,
Tom
Tuesday, July 23, 2013
PRAYER THOUGHTS: WHY PRAY?
Have no anxiety about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which passes all understanding, will keep your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:6-7).
The question has been asked many times, "Why pray? God knows what we need before we need it so why doesn't he just give it? Not only that but, God's mind can't be changed once he has determined something so isn't prayer just futility?" Pardon me for saying it, but questions like these are indicative of the relationship of the person who is asking with God. They see God only as useful if he gets them out of the jam they are in right now.
Prayer is necessary for relationship with God. In a letter written to Christian folks the Lord said, "Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if any one hears my voice and opens the door, I will come into him and eat with him, and he with me (Revelation 3:20). Similarly, in Isaiah 1:18 the Lord extends the invitation, "Come now, let us reason together, says the Lord." God is not there only to save us from hell and to get us out of jams. God is there to have a relationship with you and me. The closer the relationship, the more we will become more and more like Christ (2 Corinthians 3:18). We should pray because God wants us to, and we will be blessed because of it.
Prayer also draws Christians closer to each other. In Matthew 18:19 Jesus tells us, "Again I say to you, if two of you agree on earth about anything they ask, it will be done for them by my father in heaven." Prayer isn't something that is done only alone in your prayer closet, it is something we should do together as well. We should at least agree about the things that we need to pray about in church so that as a body we can pray together. As a result it will draw us closer together and closer to the Lord. No one will then be able to say, "It was my prayer that brought about this powerful answer," but only, "It was our prayers that God heard and answered." One of the good things about agreement in prayer is that others can help the one requesting see the true need for prayer, not just the emotional desire. We should pray to deepen our relationship with others.
In sum, those who see God only in utilitarian or fatalistic terms, do not have a relationship with God. God calls us into relationship with Him--that is His desire. Without prayer your relationship with God and others will be shallow.
Love & Prayers,
Tom
The question has been asked many times, "Why pray? God knows what we need before we need it so why doesn't he just give it? Not only that but, God's mind can't be changed once he has determined something so isn't prayer just futility?" Pardon me for saying it, but questions like these are indicative of the relationship of the person who is asking with God. They see God only as useful if he gets them out of the jam they are in right now.
Prayer is necessary for relationship with God. In a letter written to Christian folks the Lord said, "Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if any one hears my voice and opens the door, I will come into him and eat with him, and he with me (Revelation 3:20). Similarly, in Isaiah 1:18 the Lord extends the invitation, "Come now, let us reason together, says the Lord." God is not there only to save us from hell and to get us out of jams. God is there to have a relationship with you and me. The closer the relationship, the more we will become more and more like Christ (2 Corinthians 3:18). We should pray because God wants us to, and we will be blessed because of it.
Prayer also draws Christians closer to each other. In Matthew 18:19 Jesus tells us, "Again I say to you, if two of you agree on earth about anything they ask, it will be done for them by my father in heaven." Prayer isn't something that is done only alone in your prayer closet, it is something we should do together as well. We should at least agree about the things that we need to pray about in church so that as a body we can pray together. As a result it will draw us closer together and closer to the Lord. No one will then be able to say, "It was my prayer that brought about this powerful answer," but only, "It was our prayers that God heard and answered." One of the good things about agreement in prayer is that others can help the one requesting see the true need for prayer, not just the emotional desire. We should pray to deepen our relationship with others.
In sum, those who see God only in utilitarian or fatalistic terms, do not have a relationship with God. God calls us into relationship with Him--that is His desire. Without prayer your relationship with God and others will be shallow.
Love & Prayers,
Tom
Saturday, July 20, 2013
PRAYER THOUGHTS: WHAT IS PRAYER?
Pray like this: Our Father who art in heaven . . . (Matthew 6:9).
I'm putting a few thoughts together for a prayer ministry that will be meeting at my church each Monday evening. What I am writing here will not be the final form, but I find that writing out a few of my thoughts helps me to think more. The next few posts are a part of my thinking process, so here we go.
A simple dictionary definition of prayer is that it is a solemn request for help from God or an expression of thanksgiving to God. From the model prayer the Lord Jesus gave us, prayer is also an acknowledgement of who God is--He is holy and he is our Father. By implication, God is our creator and redeemer. Prayer, then, is not just asking and thanking, it is acknowledging the relationship that God wants to have with us.
Prayer is an exercise of faith. First, it is a part of the body of faith that is to be believed and obeyed. Second, God is a spirit, He cannot be seen, touched, smelled, tasted or heard unless He wills it. Thus, whether it be in church, at home or in the forest, that prayers are getting a listening higher than the treetops is a matter of believing God's word. But the Bible tells us that the just shall live by faith (Habakkuk 2:4, Romans 1:17, Hebrews 10:38). We cannot have a relationship with God unless it is by faith. One of the ways that faith grows is through prayer.
How is your prayer life--is your faith growing?
Our Father's Blessings,
Tom
I'm putting a few thoughts together for a prayer ministry that will be meeting at my church each Monday evening. What I am writing here will not be the final form, but I find that writing out a few of my thoughts helps me to think more. The next few posts are a part of my thinking process, so here we go.
A simple dictionary definition of prayer is that it is a solemn request for help from God or an expression of thanksgiving to God. From the model prayer the Lord Jesus gave us, prayer is also an acknowledgement of who God is--He is holy and he is our Father. By implication, God is our creator and redeemer. Prayer, then, is not just asking and thanking, it is acknowledging the relationship that God wants to have with us.
Prayer is an exercise of faith. First, it is a part of the body of faith that is to be believed and obeyed. Second, God is a spirit, He cannot be seen, touched, smelled, tasted or heard unless He wills it. Thus, whether it be in church, at home or in the forest, that prayers are getting a listening higher than the treetops is a matter of believing God's word. But the Bible tells us that the just shall live by faith (Habakkuk 2:4, Romans 1:17, Hebrews 10:38). We cannot have a relationship with God unless it is by faith. One of the ways that faith grows is through prayer.
How is your prayer life--is your faith growing?
Our Father's Blessings,
Tom
Wednesday, July 17, 2013
HOME FROM VACATION 2013
When day came, Jesus left and went to a secluded place; and the crowds were searching for Him . . . (Luke 4:42).
Even Jesus needed some time off, though His times off were short. Every year the Tom and Helen Steele family attempts to round up as many children and grandchildren as can come and do a family vacation together. This kind of togetherness helps to integrate inlaws and grandchildren into the Steele family system--at least we have not scared anyone away yet, though we might have come close this year.
We rented two cottages near the northern-most tip of Michigan's lower peninsula on Black Lake. The trip to Black Lake included driving a lot of miles on two-lane roads through Wisconsin's and Michigan's rural areas. That was a treat because of the beauty of those states. We stayed the night in Green Bay, Wisconsin the first night. We football fans could not stay the night without visiting Lambeau Field--it would be a sin not to visit. None of our family are "Packer" fans, but we were inspired, none the less, by the great tradition of the Packers.
The next highlight of the vacation was crossing the Mackinac bridge. The Mackinac bridge is the third longest suspension bridge in the world. Including approaches, the total length of the bridge is a bit more than 5 miles long. The height of the roadway above the water at its highest point is 200 feet and, depending on wind strength, the bridge can sway as much as 35 feet. So, to me, it was an adventure just to cross the Mackinac bridge.
The time we had together on vacation was priceless. It will be a dynamic in the formation of the lives of our grandchildren. Hopefully, the faith in Christ that is lived out in their grandparents and parents will take root and grow in their lives too.
On the way home we stayed the night in Elkhart, Indiana, very close to South Bend and Notre Dame University. Though none of us are fans of the "Fighting Irish," the men among us could not not visit one of the revered sites of college football. Our visit to the campus was inspiring and makes for a more favorable perspective of Notre Dame University and football.
Much more could be said about vacation, but we arrived safely home for some much-needed rest.
Our Father's Blessings,
Tom
*If you are planning a vacation, the Mackinac area is a great place to go--it will be a "Moment in Time" that will not be forgotten. We spent a day on Mackinac Island and it was an enjoyable historical experience.
Even Jesus needed some time off, though His times off were short. Every year the Tom and Helen Steele family attempts to round up as many children and grandchildren as can come and do a family vacation together. This kind of togetherness helps to integrate inlaws and grandchildren into the Steele family system--at least we have not scared anyone away yet, though we might have come close this year.
We rented two cottages near the northern-most tip of Michigan's lower peninsula on Black Lake. The trip to Black Lake included driving a lot of miles on two-lane roads through Wisconsin's and Michigan's rural areas. That was a treat because of the beauty of those states. We stayed the night in Green Bay, Wisconsin the first night. We football fans could not stay the night without visiting Lambeau Field--it would be a sin not to visit. None of our family are "Packer" fans, but we were inspired, none the less, by the great tradition of the Packers.
The next highlight of the vacation was crossing the Mackinac bridge. The Mackinac bridge is the third longest suspension bridge in the world. Including approaches, the total length of the bridge is a bit more than 5 miles long. The height of the roadway above the water at its highest point is 200 feet and, depending on wind strength, the bridge can sway as much as 35 feet. So, to me, it was an adventure just to cross the Mackinac bridge.
The time we had together on vacation was priceless. It will be a dynamic in the formation of the lives of our grandchildren. Hopefully, the faith in Christ that is lived out in their grandparents and parents will take root and grow in their lives too.
On the way home we stayed the night in Elkhart, Indiana, very close to South Bend and Notre Dame University. Though none of us are fans of the "Fighting Irish," the men among us could not not visit one of the revered sites of college football. Our visit to the campus was inspiring and makes for a more favorable perspective of Notre Dame University and football.
Much more could be said about vacation, but we arrived safely home for some much-needed rest.
Our Father's Blessings,
Tom
*If you are planning a vacation, the Mackinac area is a great place to go--it will be a "Moment in Time" that will not be forgotten. We spent a day on Mackinac Island and it was an enjoyable historical experience.
Tuesday, July 16, 2013
PROMISE, NOT PERFORMANCE
That is, it is not the children of the flesh who are children of God, but the children of the promise are regarded as descendants (Romans 9:8).
What a privilege to be a child of God! One is not a child of God because of the color of skin, the amount of money, power or beauty that is possessed. One is not a child of God because of apparent fulfillment of the good works of the Old Testament Law. One is a child of God because of faith in Christ. That is the promise of God . . . for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation (Romans 10:10).
What a person believes changes his life. If a person believes and there is no life change, does he really believe?
Our Father's Blessings,
Tom
What a privilege to be a child of God! One is not a child of God because of the color of skin, the amount of money, power or beauty that is possessed. One is not a child of God because of apparent fulfillment of the good works of the Old Testament Law. One is a child of God because of faith in Christ. That is the promise of God . . . for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation (Romans 10:10).
What a person believes changes his life. If a person believes and there is no life change, does he really believe?
Our Father's Blessings,
Tom
Wednesday, July 03, 2013
MUSING ON THE 4TH OF JULY
A city set on a hill cannot be hid (Matthew 5:14).
A person who "muses" is one who thinks deeply. Right now my mind is exhausted so I do not know if I am capable of thinking deeply, but the question has crossed my mind today, "What would the world be like if America would never have come into existence?" It is not difficult for me to believe that the world would have progressed little from the time of the forming of America until now. I do not believe that the world would have continued on, progressing as though America had no influence on the progress of nations.
Without America, Hitler would have won. Without America, the Soviets would have won. Without America, the Islamists would have won--oh wait, that one isn't over yet. In any of these cases, freedom would have been killed and the vast majority of humanity would be living in slavery. Freedom is rare! It is precious! It is not free!
The Lord has said that man does not live by bread alone. A tyrant can feed his people, but without freedom they can never really live and thrive. The freedom that Americans enjoy has fed the aspirations of the peoples of the world. The basis of that freedom is the rule of law, law founded on the God of the Bible. Laws of purely human origin are arbitrary and unlawful, but laws based in the character of God are truly lawful. What has made America exceptional is that, for the most part, America is a nation of the rule of that kind of law.
Times are changing. American jurisprudence is becoming more and more arbitrary. Becoming as the other nations of earth, the light of America is going out, then what will the world be like?
Our Father's Blessings,
Tom
A person who "muses" is one who thinks deeply. Right now my mind is exhausted so I do not know if I am capable of thinking deeply, but the question has crossed my mind today, "What would the world be like if America would never have come into existence?" It is not difficult for me to believe that the world would have progressed little from the time of the forming of America until now. I do not believe that the world would have continued on, progressing as though America had no influence on the progress of nations.
Without America, Hitler would have won. Without America, the Soviets would have won. Without America, the Islamists would have won--oh wait, that one isn't over yet. In any of these cases, freedom would have been killed and the vast majority of humanity would be living in slavery. Freedom is rare! It is precious! It is not free!
The Lord has said that man does not live by bread alone. A tyrant can feed his people, but without freedom they can never really live and thrive. The freedom that Americans enjoy has fed the aspirations of the peoples of the world. The basis of that freedom is the rule of law, law founded on the God of the Bible. Laws of purely human origin are arbitrary and unlawful, but laws based in the character of God are truly lawful. What has made America exceptional is that, for the most part, America is a nation of the rule of that kind of law.
Times are changing. American jurisprudence is becoming more and more arbitrary. Becoming as the other nations of earth, the light of America is going out, then what will the world be like?
Our Father's Blessings,
Tom
Tuesday, June 25, 2013
THE RIGHT PEOPLE
. . . 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
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
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
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