I loved my Grandpa. He was the most gentle man I’ve ever known. That’s not to say he was weak. He was a man who stood by his convictions. He worked 15 acres of oranges by himself (except for picking) well into his 70’s. He was a farmer from a family of farmers. He fought in WW I, following the war he worked at a petroleum refinery until he had saved enough to buy the orange orchard. His passion was to see things grow. That included his oranges, garden and honey bees as well as his children and grandchildren.
Almost every summer, until I was old enough to get a job, I stayed several weeks with Grandma & Grandpa. Sometimes I would “help” with the tractor work, spraying weeds, extracting honey and irrigating. I was so proud to be “helping” my Grandpa. As I look back I realize that I really wasn’t much of a help. If the truth be told, he could have gotten his work done in half the time without “my help”. He took the extra time because he loved me and wanted me to become a man both he and I would be proud of. Although he was not perfect he had a good heart, a loving heart, a caring heart. I was proud to be his grandson and wanted to be like him.
Grandpa died 25 years ago yet the lessons he taught are still with me. I recall one time when my father asked me to do something and I botched it really good. Dad got angry but Grandpa said, “Son, you had to learn that too. Take time to teach him.” That was my Grandpa and I loved him. I still miss him today.
I thought about him because 2 weeks ago was his birthday. In the mid 1970’s, when I was stationed with the US Air Force on the island of Crete, he wrote and asked me a question, “What, other than God, who is love, is the most important thing in life?” Typical Grandpa! I was half way around the world and he wanted to teach me something! I contemplated that question for countless hours. No matter what I came up with, it seemed it all boiled down to God, who is love. When I returned to the states, I asked him what the answer was and in typical fashion, he said “Keep thinkin’ on it and you’ll figure it out.” For the last 35 years I’ve been “thinkin’ on it”. I still don’t have an answer! To be honest, I’m not sure there is “one” answer.
I’m 60 now and come from long lived people and expect to be around another 25 or 30 years. Will I ever know the answer or will I still be “thinkin’ on” that question for the next 30 years. Or is it that always looking for truth is what is important. Is it the “seeking with the whole heart” that is the crux of the matter.
Matthew 7:7-8 (NIV) says "Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.” The tense of the verb indicates continual action and probably could be better translated “ask and keep on asking, seek and keep on seeking, knock and keep on knocking.” Why is this?
I told my daughter awhile back that when we accept Christ we are adopted into the family. We are then His kids, part of His family. From that point on it is a matter of maturity. We don’t learn everything we need to learn when we are babies. At every stage of our development, in both the physical and spiritual, we learn the things we need for that stage. God doesn’t infuse us with all the wisdom and knowledge we need when we are born. He teaches us like my Grandpa taught me, by taking time and teaching us what we need to know. Letting us learn at our own pace and not getting angry while we are trying. It takes time, it takes a lifetime!
Don’t misunderstand, God does get angry. But not at his children who are trying! His anger is toward those who misrepresent Him, His kingdom, and His kids! Are you trying? Then keep on trying. You’ll get there. When (not if) you mess up, even mess up real bad, He has an answer in 1 John 1:9 (NLT) “But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness. “ You see, we are His kids and He loves us even more than we love our own kids and grandkids.
Oh by the way, what do you think the most import thing is, other than God, who is Love?
Saturday, August 29, 2009
Thursday, August 27, 2009
Rights & Responsibilities Restored
I was thinking about the parable of the prodigal son today (Luke 15). Most of us know the story. There was a man with two sons. One of them got tired of living the life his father wanted. He wanted to do his own thing, go his own way. He exercised his God given right to choose. He asked his father for his share of the inheritance. The father gave it to him. I know it had to break his heart, but the father could not ignore the son’s right to choose.
The son took his share and went to a far off land. Just as a side note, anytime we go anywhere without God we are in a far off land. The son used his money in wild living. The Bible says riotous living. I imagine he had one heck of a party. When the money was gone so were his friends. About that time there was a famine. No one would give him anything. He took a job feeding pigs. Now, to the Jew that was just about as low as you get, pigs were unclean animals. He was starving and soon the pig swill started to look good to him. The Bible says that he finally “came to his senses” and realized that the hired hands at his father’s farm ate better than he did. So he decided that he would return and tell his Dad that he had sinned and wasn’t worthy anymore to be called a son, but could he work as a hired hand. To most of us we would agree that this would be fair. After all he had done all these things so he shouldn’t be restored until he had “paid the penalty”. But what was the Dad’s reaction.
I find the father’s response amazing. He had never stopped loving his son. We are told that he saw his son far off coming home. He had been watching for his son, expecting him to return home. Most of us – seeking justice – would have let the son grovel for awhile. He needed to suffer for the pain and heartache he caused. We would have had him start at the bottom of the business to prove his loyalty and love. But that’s not what the father did. When he saw his son far off he ran to him with his forgiveness. Isn’t that just like the heart of a “true” father. The son asked forgiveness. The father called for the signet ring, his sign of authority, the best robes to wear and called for a feast. All because his son who had been lost was now found. His son who had been dead was now alive. The party began.
You see, too often we want justice to be inflicted on the sinner. We want to see them punished as the law requires. We forget that to the man or woman who repents and turns to Jesus, justice has already been served. That is why Jesus died, to take our punishment, to pay the price for our sin. In our zeal for justice, we cast aside the only sacrifice that could ever cover man’s sin. The death and resurrection of Jesus.
In this parable, maybe you are the father, or maybe the son. I know in my life I have been both. Jesus has paid the price for what you have done. However, for his sacrifice to mean anything in your life, you first have to admit your sin and accept his sacrifice. It’s still free will. Once you do, you are restored to full son ship, with all the rights and responsibilities.
The son took his share and went to a far off land. Just as a side note, anytime we go anywhere without God we are in a far off land. The son used his money in wild living. The Bible says riotous living. I imagine he had one heck of a party. When the money was gone so were his friends. About that time there was a famine. No one would give him anything. He took a job feeding pigs. Now, to the Jew that was just about as low as you get, pigs were unclean animals. He was starving and soon the pig swill started to look good to him. The Bible says that he finally “came to his senses” and realized that the hired hands at his father’s farm ate better than he did. So he decided that he would return and tell his Dad that he had sinned and wasn’t worthy anymore to be called a son, but could he work as a hired hand. To most of us we would agree that this would be fair. After all he had done all these things so he shouldn’t be restored until he had “paid the penalty”. But what was the Dad’s reaction.
I find the father’s response amazing. He had never stopped loving his son. We are told that he saw his son far off coming home. He had been watching for his son, expecting him to return home. Most of us – seeking justice – would have let the son grovel for awhile. He needed to suffer for the pain and heartache he caused. We would have had him start at the bottom of the business to prove his loyalty and love. But that’s not what the father did. When he saw his son far off he ran to him with his forgiveness. Isn’t that just like the heart of a “true” father. The son asked forgiveness. The father called for the signet ring, his sign of authority, the best robes to wear and called for a feast. All because his son who had been lost was now found. His son who had been dead was now alive. The party began.
You see, too often we want justice to be inflicted on the sinner. We want to see them punished as the law requires. We forget that to the man or woman who repents and turns to Jesus, justice has already been served. That is why Jesus died, to take our punishment, to pay the price for our sin. In our zeal for justice, we cast aside the only sacrifice that could ever cover man’s sin. The death and resurrection of Jesus.
In this parable, maybe you are the father, or maybe the son. I know in my life I have been both. Jesus has paid the price for what you have done. However, for his sacrifice to mean anything in your life, you first have to admit your sin and accept his sacrifice. It’s still free will. Once you do, you are restored to full son ship, with all the rights and responsibilities.
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
It is He
Nearly 30 years ago, my nine year old daughter, wrote a poem and gave it to me. I’ve kept it and periodically will bring it out to read. That little poem has brought me much comfort over the years. Sometimes it takes a child to remind us why Jesus died and that He loves us.
As children, my sisters and I were allowed to go to Sunday School and Church . . . . if someone would take us. A few doors down lived a Baptist Minister and his family. His kids were about our ages and we were friends. They would take us. So we were “bus kid” before there was officially a “Bus Ministry”. As is typical, in a couple of years, the minister was reassigned. Tragically, no one in that church cared enough about us to pick us up, so when I was 9 (interesting isn’t it) I stopped going to church.
Nearly 20 years later I was living in McAlester, OK. Wonder of wonders, on a Saturday morning another young Baptist Pastor, who had a vision for children, came by and asked to take my kids to Sunday School and Church. So my kids were officially “bus kids”. Several months later I started taking them and in the process I accepted Christ as my personal Savior. Now you can see why this little poem means so much to me.
It’s Jesus Christ
It is Jesus Christ
It is He
Who died for me.
It is He,
He is the one that died for you
And me He loves
You and He will always care
He loves me and you
Jesus Christ Our Lord.
By -------- (age 9)
It was soon after she wrote this that her mother took the kids away. For many years I had no contact with them, I didn’t know where they were a lot of the time and had no idea what their lives were like. I do know that at one point she walked to a church and was told not to come back until she had better clothes.
There were many years that I held Philippians 1: 6 close, “And I am sure that God, who began a good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on that day when Christ Jesus comes back again” (NLT).
I have to admit that I sometimes get frustrated with “The Church”. It seems to me that we focus on the unimportant details and ignore the eternal mission – “Souls”. God loves every child, every adult on every street in America and the world. We want them to change their cloths before we accept them – God accepts them as they are, then begins to change their hearts, minds, and yes sometimes even their clothes.
His admonition was to preach the “Good News” – that Jesus died for our sin. We won’t see any change in people until we show them the “Good News” of His love to man. HE heals, HE cleans and HE makes whole those who accept his sacrifice. Quit trying to change their shirt, show them His Love so their hearts can be changed.
As children, my sisters and I were allowed to go to Sunday School and Church . . . . if someone would take us. A few doors down lived a Baptist Minister and his family. His kids were about our ages and we were friends. They would take us. So we were “bus kid” before there was officially a “Bus Ministry”. As is typical, in a couple of years, the minister was reassigned. Tragically, no one in that church cared enough about us to pick us up, so when I was 9 (interesting isn’t it) I stopped going to church.
Nearly 20 years later I was living in McAlester, OK. Wonder of wonders, on a Saturday morning another young Baptist Pastor, who had a vision for children, came by and asked to take my kids to Sunday School and Church. So my kids were officially “bus kids”. Several months later I started taking them and in the process I accepted Christ as my personal Savior. Now you can see why this little poem means so much to me.
It’s Jesus Christ
It is Jesus Christ
It is He
Who died for me.
It is He,
He is the one that died for you
And me He loves
You and He will always care
He loves me and you
Jesus Christ Our Lord.
By -------- (age 9)
It was soon after she wrote this that her mother took the kids away. For many years I had no contact with them, I didn’t know where they were a lot of the time and had no idea what their lives were like. I do know that at one point she walked to a church and was told not to come back until she had better clothes.
There were many years that I held Philippians 1: 6 close, “And I am sure that God, who began a good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on that day when Christ Jesus comes back again” (NLT).
I have to admit that I sometimes get frustrated with “The Church”. It seems to me that we focus on the unimportant details and ignore the eternal mission – “Souls”. God loves every child, every adult on every street in America and the world. We want them to change their cloths before we accept them – God accepts them as they are, then begins to change their hearts, minds, and yes sometimes even their clothes.
His admonition was to preach the “Good News” – that Jesus died for our sin. We won’t see any change in people until we show them the “Good News” of His love to man. HE heals, HE cleans and HE makes whole those who accept his sacrifice. Quit trying to change their shirt, show them His Love so their hearts can be changed.
The Toad
The Toad sat in quiet defiance of the Snake. Not once, but many times, he had seen Snake strike and devour his friends and family. But he was smarter, and more important, faster than any of his friends ever had been. Hadn’t he won this game countless times? He would always win! Each time he would wait a little longer. It was great fun. He would sit alert, tense and just as Snake started to strike, he would flex his muscled legs and soar through the air to escape. Snakes’ fangs would grasp thin air. Ha ha, oh what fun! And the excitement, thrilling.
Toads’ friend, “Old Owl”, had tried to tell him he was tempting fate. “Stay away from Snake,” Owl said, “or one day you’ll end up as lunch. Snake is mighty tricky.”
Now, “Old Owl” was the king of the pond. As far as Toad knew, Owl had never been wrong about anything, but there had never been a toad like him before either. Wasn’t he the fastest toad that had ever existed? Wasn’t he the smartest toad that had ever come to the Pond? He was proud of his muscled legs and his deep bass croak. He was the finest of specimens’, and he knew it. He would always win!
Snake moved! Toad was instantly alert. He focused his whole attention on Snake. His timing had to be exact. He tensed his muscles, he was ready to soar. His heart was beating faster, blood rushing through his body. His eyes flashed defiance to Snake. Owl didn't know what he was talking about. He was ready!
Suddenly, a pain shot through his leg. He tried to jump but couldn’t. He looked back and saw Snake’s brother with his fangs buried deep in his leg. Snake was smiling now. As Snake opened his mouth wide for his lunch, Toad remembered what he had heard, “Snake is mighty tricky.”
James 4:7-8, “So humble yourselves before God. Resist the Devil, and he will flee from you. Draw close to God, and God will draw close to you…”
Monday, August 24, 2009
Comfort and Strength As Close As A Whisper
If you're like me, there are times when you need comfort, assurance and strength. The daily grind added to the attacks on our souls, seems to wear us down.
We have a tendency to fight our battles with the strength of our own arms. While we do need to go to battle, to fight the good fight, our strength is not sufficient. One person, alone, cannot muster enough strength to win the fight.
Knowing that we are on God's side is enough to help us maintain our stand during adversity. In Isiah 40 verse 1 (NLT) God says " Comfort, comfort my people...Speak tenderly to Jerusalem. Tell her that her sad days are gone and that her sins are pardoned..." They still had 100 years of trouble and 70 years of exile. God didn't say they would escape adversity (and neither will we). He said they were forgiven. Even today we have that same comfort. Going into our personal daily battles with the knowledge that God is with us, can give us the strength to overcome those adversities and trials.
Sounds simple, right? It is simple but not easy. At the end of Chapter 40 God says, " He gives power to the weak and strength to the powerless. Even youths will become weak and tired, and young men will fall in exhaustion. But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint."
"Trust" is not a noun, it is a verb. It is action. So how do we trust in the Lord? By prayer, worship and service to others.
So when (not if) you need His comfort, Strength, and Assurance, "Trust in the Lord" with your worship, prayer and service. He is as close as a whisper.
We have a tendency to fight our battles with the strength of our own arms. While we do need to go to battle, to fight the good fight, our strength is not sufficient. One person, alone, cannot muster enough strength to win the fight.
Knowing that we are on God's side is enough to help us maintain our stand during adversity. In Isiah 40 verse 1 (NLT) God says " Comfort, comfort my people...Speak tenderly to Jerusalem. Tell her that her sad days are gone and that her sins are pardoned..." They still had 100 years of trouble and 70 years of exile. God didn't say they would escape adversity (and neither will we). He said they were forgiven. Even today we have that same comfort. Going into our personal daily battles with the knowledge that God is with us, can give us the strength to overcome those adversities and trials.
Sounds simple, right? It is simple but not easy. At the end of Chapter 40 God says, " He gives power to the weak and strength to the powerless. Even youths will become weak and tired, and young men will fall in exhaustion. But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint."
"Trust" is not a noun, it is a verb. It is action. So how do we trust in the Lord? By prayer, worship and service to others.
So when (not if) you need His comfort, Strength, and Assurance, "Trust in the Lord" with your worship, prayer and service. He is as close as a whisper.
Sunday, August 23, 2009
There Is Always A Plan
When Israel was in captivity in Babylon, a group of people; calling themselves prophets, encouraged Israel to get comfortable, build houses, and to plant crops. They were to begin their lives in captivity as if it would never end. That's exactly what the enemy of your soul wants you to think, there is no hope so just get comfortable. They were there because of the choices they made not because God was mean. We need to remember they were there because of sin. They had, in essence, thrown out God's plan for their lives and gone their own way. They had exercised the God given right to decide. The travesty is that it not only affected them, but their children and grandchildren.
It's still true today. We can exercise the same God given right to choose and put aside God's plans for us and "do our own thing". We go into "captivity". But we are not captives of Babylon but of Satan. It is still our children and grandchildren who suffer from our rebellion against God.
There is hope for us today, just as there was for Israel. God always has a plan for us. Even when it is sidetracked by our parents or ourselves, there is a way to get back to God's plan.
In Jeremiah 29: 8-14, God gives a warning and a promise. He says, “Do not let your prophets and fortune-tellers who are with you in the land of Babylon trick you. Do not listen to their dreams, because they are telling you lies in my name. I have not sent them,” says the Lord. This is what the Lord says: “You will be in Babylon for seventy years. But then I will come and do for you all the good things I have promised, and I will bring you home again. For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. In those days when you pray, I will listen. If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me. I will be found by you,” says the Lord. “I will end your captivity and restore your fortunes. I will gather you out of the nations where I sent you and will bring you home again to your own land.”
The thing I like the best in that is we will find God if we look and He will end our captivity, bring us home, and restore what we lost and fulfill His promises in our lives.
No matter where you are or what you've done, God is waiting for you to "seek" Him so he can bring you home.
It's still true today. We can exercise the same God given right to choose and put aside God's plans for us and "do our own thing". We go into "captivity". But we are not captives of Babylon but of Satan. It is still our children and grandchildren who suffer from our rebellion against God.
There is hope for us today, just as there was for Israel. God always has a plan for us. Even when it is sidetracked by our parents or ourselves, there is a way to get back to God's plan.
In Jeremiah 29: 8-14, God gives a warning and a promise. He says, “Do not let your prophets and fortune-tellers who are with you in the land of Babylon trick you. Do not listen to their dreams, because they are telling you lies in my name. I have not sent them,” says the Lord. This is what the Lord says: “You will be in Babylon for seventy years. But then I will come and do for you all the good things I have promised, and I will bring you home again. For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. In those days when you pray, I will listen. If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me. I will be found by you,” says the Lord. “I will end your captivity and restore your fortunes. I will gather you out of the nations where I sent you and will bring you home again to your own land.”
The thing I like the best in that is we will find God if we look and He will end our captivity, bring us home, and restore what we lost and fulfill His promises in our lives.
No matter where you are or what you've done, God is waiting for you to "seek" Him so he can bring you home.
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