Did you ever notice how many times it is recorded in the four Gospels that Jesus ate a meal? He fed and ate with the 4,000 (Mark 8:1-9) and the 5,000. (Luke 9:10-17) He ate a meal with Matthew in his house. (Matthew 9:9-19) He called Zacchaeus down from a tree to share a meal in his place of residence. (Luke 19:1-10) He ate at Mary and Martha’s place. (Luke 10:38-42) Of course, we all know about the Last Supper. (Matthew 26:26-29)
I think Jesus was setting a good example here. Fellowship and hospitality were on continual display. Some people, the religious of the day, did not always think these meals were a good thing. However, Jesus fellow-shipped with those who would have Him and lives were changed. People were impacted through His ministry over a meal.
I think one of the most powerful meals Jesus shared, was when He cooked breakfast for the disciples, encouraged them to eat, and then later spoke to Peter. (John 21)
After Jesus was taken back up into Heaven, we see the church growing and in Acts 2:40-47 there is specific mention of how the early church broke bread from house to house. People were happy, sold items to share with those who were needy and people were getting saved!
What is it about a meal?
A meal helps people to relax. They feel comfortable and will open up more. When people open up, they will share their heart and if we are effective listeners, we can hear how God would have us respond. Maybe it’s to provide for the need. It might be just to walk with them during a time of crisis. We or they just may need some encouragement. Whatever the issue, a meal can break down walls.
I think a meal together can also draw us closer to the Father. Look how many teaching moments came when Jesus was eating with someone. The Bible says where two or more are gathered, He is in the midst. (Matthew 18:20) What better way to gather than over a meal?
When a church family eats together, God can take them deeper than they have ever been before. Lives can be touched and people can be impacted for eternity.
So fire up the BBQ, grab a few friends and LIVE!
4/7/11
4/4/11
Reality vs. Perception
Sometimes what is said and how we perceive or “hear” what is said are two different things.
I remember numerous occasions over the years where someone spoke truth and I was hurt because even though they meant it for good, my filters took it in as, "they don't like me."
I remember in Russia, maybe because I had experienced hunger as a teen when we lost everything, I would race to get in the food line first. Our leaders took me aside one day and said they noticed this and asked me to consider others and to hold back. I was "righteously indignant!". In reality, I was being rude and they called me on it. Later, many years later, the Lord broke through my hard shell and let me know how right they were!
Sometimes though people say hurtful things without realizing it.
Proverbs 18:21 says, “Death and life are in the power of the tongue, And those who love it will eat its fruit.”
We should seek to bridle our tongue just as the Bible mentions. (James 1:26) Our words can impact others for eternity!
The reality is that we are all far from perfect and none of us can cast the first stone. Instead of trying to hurl rocks, we should let people see the love of God emanating from us. If we do this, our perceptions will match our realities.4/1/11
April Fools
April 1st is the day kids and some adults like to try and prank their friends. They hope, with little or no planning, that their "trick" will convince their target long enough for them to say, "April Fools".
Of course most know it's coming.
I remember when I was in the 3rd grade, every kid getting on the bus that morning seemed to have the same "bright" idea. We each, not knowing the others plans, told the bus driver our Mom was pregnant. Of course he feigned surprise at each revelation.
I decided to look up the word fools in the Bible. Fools are mentioned quite often. Mostly in Psalms, Proverbs and Ecclesiastes. The verses that speak to me he most are found in Psalms 14:1 and 53:1.
Both say that a "fool says in his heart there is no God."
By that definition, I have met a few fools over the years. They are convinced there is no God.
There is another verse that I think can be used to apply to believers:
Proverbs 12:15 says, "The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man listens to advice."
I have met a lot of believers who do what they think is right or whatever feels good. They only seek or listen to the wisdom that confirms their ideas and choices. Some feel that a true friend should support you no matter what. I don't agree. I would rather have a friend who warns me when I am in danger and will let me know if I am wrong!
Lord, spare us from wanting to have our ears tickled and help us to walk in and listen to wisdom.
Of course most know it's coming.
I remember when I was in the 3rd grade, every kid getting on the bus that morning seemed to have the same "bright" idea. We each, not knowing the others plans, told the bus driver our Mom was pregnant. Of course he feigned surprise at each revelation.
I decided to look up the word fools in the Bible. Fools are mentioned quite often. Mostly in Psalms, Proverbs and Ecclesiastes. The verses that speak to me he most are found in Psalms 14:1 and 53:1.
Both say that a "fool says in his heart there is no God."
By that definition, I have met a few fools over the years. They are convinced there is no God.
There is another verse that I think can be used to apply to believers:
Proverbs 12:15 says, "The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man listens to advice."
I have met a lot of believers who do what they think is right or whatever feels good. They only seek or listen to the wisdom that confirms their ideas and choices. Some feel that a true friend should support you no matter what. I don't agree. I would rather have a friend who warns me when I am in danger and will let me know if I am wrong!
Lord, spare us from wanting to have our ears tickled and help us to walk in and listen to wisdom.
3/30/11
Day 19
Today we reached Day 19. Today we drank something other than water. After a rough night with little sleep due to a teething child, we both had a cup of coffee.
2 Cor. 12:9 says, "But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me."
Yes, we were weak. However, tomorrow is a new day. We were able to rely on something other than water to wake us up and get us through our day. It makes me appreciate all the more that not everyone has a choice. Many can't even get clean drinking water.
That is the ultimate goal. We will still be contributing to this project.
2 Cor. 12:9 says, "But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me."
Yes, we were weak. However, tomorrow is a new day. We were able to rely on something other than water to wake us up and get us through our day. It makes me appreciate all the more that not everyone has a choice. Many can't even get clean drinking water.
That is the ultimate goal. We will still be contributing to this project.
3/28/11
I Need Your Help!
The time has come.
I need your help!
I am writing a book and I need your stories.
Have you been burned by church in the past? I am looking for your bad church experiences!
Have you been blessed by a church? I am looking for your good church experiences!
How has God used the bad experiences to draw you closer to Him?
Did you ever walk away for a time?
Every story will be kept in confidence unless you give me permission to share it but I would love to talk with you about it.
Please shoot me an email or your email address and I will write you back ASAP.
Thanks!
I need your help!
I am writing a book and I need your stories.
Have you been burned by church in the past? I am looking for your bad church experiences!
Have you been blessed by a church? I am looking for your good church experiences!
How has God used the bad experiences to draw you closer to Him?
Did you ever walk away for a time?
Every story will be kept in confidence unless you give me permission to share it but I would love to talk with you about it.
Please shoot me an email or your email address and I will write you back ASAP.
Thanks!
3/23/11
Separation Anxiety
As a teen, I struggled with separation anxiety quite a bit. The feeling was quite overwhelming. I would break out into a sweat, mutter to myself, get extremely nervous and panicked feeling.
I was not medically diagnosed, because it was a spiritual problem.
See, I was afraid of being separated from God for all eternity.
I am not making light of people who suffer. I was really petrified. My fear was real and almost crushing at times.
It started the week I gave my life to Christ. I was 13 and not versed in Biblical knowledge. Being the inquisitive type, I made the mistake of asking my assistant pastor, "What happens if I sin, now that I am a Christian?"
Instead of using wisdom and pointing me to Scriptures on confession, repentance, and so forth, this man told me I would lose my salvation!
That pastor did not qualify or expand on his comment....EVER!
Thus began my long nightmare.
Because, of course, I made mistakes and committed sin AFTER I became a Christian. With no one to offer wise counsel and being spiritually immature, I would "get saved" over and over and over, week in and week out. I was in bondage to fear.
This continued for YEARS! I would "rededicate" my life to the Lord whenever I heard an altar call. I would say the sinners prayer every time I turned around.
I was battling in my mind to the point where I began to suffer physical manifestations of stress!
A breaking point came when I literally was forced into bed. I was in such pain I could hardly move. The Lord offered relief through a well spoken word. I was asked by my Mom if I was dealing with anything spiritual. I admitted my doubts and fears. She left the room and I literally slid to the floor and truly repented. Except this time, I knew what I was repenting of and for: fear and doubt!
I would love to say the problem instantly stopped. It didn't. However, the Lord led me into His Word where I read a few Scriptures that became very important to me in the battle:
Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? (Romans 8:35)
For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 8:38-39)
Today, free from this fear, I realize how important it is to use Godly wisdom when answering questions about faith. I think the best answer is always to encourage the person to go back to the Word themselves!
I was not medically diagnosed, because it was a spiritual problem.
See, I was afraid of being separated from God for all eternity.
I am not making light of people who suffer. I was really petrified. My fear was real and almost crushing at times.
It started the week I gave my life to Christ. I was 13 and not versed in Biblical knowledge. Being the inquisitive type, I made the mistake of asking my assistant pastor, "What happens if I sin, now that I am a Christian?"
Instead of using wisdom and pointing me to Scriptures on confession, repentance, and so forth, this man told me I would lose my salvation!
That pastor did not qualify or expand on his comment....EVER!
Thus began my long nightmare.
Because, of course, I made mistakes and committed sin AFTER I became a Christian. With no one to offer wise counsel and being spiritually immature, I would "get saved" over and over and over, week in and week out. I was in bondage to fear.
This continued for YEARS! I would "rededicate" my life to the Lord whenever I heard an altar call. I would say the sinners prayer every time I turned around.
I was battling in my mind to the point where I began to suffer physical manifestations of stress!
A breaking point came when I literally was forced into bed. I was in such pain I could hardly move. The Lord offered relief through a well spoken word. I was asked by my Mom if I was dealing with anything spiritual. I admitted my doubts and fears. She left the room and I literally slid to the floor and truly repented. Except this time, I knew what I was repenting of and for: fear and doubt!
I would love to say the problem instantly stopped. It didn't. However, the Lord led me into His Word where I read a few Scriptures that became very important to me in the battle:
Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? (Romans 8:35)
For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 8:38-39)
Today, free from this fear, I realize how important it is to use Godly wisdom when answering questions about faith. I think the best answer is always to encourage the person to go back to the Word themselves!
3/20/11
Road Trip Inspiration
I love worship music. Singing praise to God just excites me and I feel like I connect with the Father more when I praise Him!
One of my favorite worship leaders has always been Keith Green. His songs just resonate with me. I feel his passion desire to go deeper with God just emanated from the songs he wrote. Even 29 years after his passing, his songs still seem fresh today.
I found a Keith Green Live CD this week at the Salvation Army and it became perfect road trip music as we set off as a family to our daughters figure skating competition.
As we went cruising down the road, my wife and I sang to some of our favorite worship songs.
Interspersed throughout the CD were little comments and encouragements from his concerts. One of the things he mentioned was our focus and how we get so caught up looking at ourselves we fail to see the Father!
That sent my wife and I into a fun discussion on the topic of focus and out of it came a great brainstorming experience.
In the end, my wife and I came up with a drama that we will begin working on soon. I think it will be fun. More importantly, the focus is on the King of Kings!
One of my favorite worship leaders has always been Keith Green. His songs just resonate with me. I feel his passion desire to go deeper with God just emanated from the songs he wrote. Even 29 years after his passing, his songs still seem fresh today.
I found a Keith Green Live CD this week at the Salvation Army and it became perfect road trip music as we set off as a family to our daughters figure skating competition.
As we went cruising down the road, my wife and I sang to some of our favorite worship songs.
Interspersed throughout the CD were little comments and encouragements from his concerts. One of the things he mentioned was our focus and how we get so caught up looking at ourselves we fail to see the Father!
That sent my wife and I into a fun discussion on the topic of focus and out of it came a great brainstorming experience.
In the end, my wife and I came up with a drama that we will begin working on soon. I think it will be fun. More importantly, the focus is on the King of Kings!
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