Deconstructed Christmas Carols-Part III

By C. Sampson
The fun continues with our take on O Little Town of Bethlehem. One more still to come-stay tuned!

O Little Town of Bethlehem
 
O little town of Bethlehem, how still we see thee lie!
Above thy deep and dreamless sleep the silent stars go by.
Yet in thy dark streets shineth the everlasting Light;
The hopes and fears of all the years are met in thee tonight.

Bethlehem, just a small town where nothing exciting ever happens. Looking at you, no one would anticipate the miracle you would be involved in. As your residents slept, the Light of the world entered into the darkness and made visible the invisible God. This event brought fulfillment to those who had faithfully waited for the Savior and give them courage that they were not alone.

For Christ is born of Mary, and gathered all above,
While mortals sleep, the angels keep their watch of wondering love.
O morning stars together, proclaim the holy birth,
And praises sing to God the King, and peace to men on earth!

Jesus was born that night. And, though men may have been sleeping, the angels were well aware of what had occurred. The heavens erupted with praises to God, acknowledging the miracle that had been witnessed. There was a joyous time of celebration and excitement now that peace has been made available to man.

How silently, how silently, the wondrous Gift is giv’n;
So God imparts to human hearts the blessings of His Heav’n.
No ear may hear His coming, but in this world of sin,
Where meek souls will receive Him still, the dear Christ enters in.

The gift of God’s own Son came without earthly fanfare. God chose to use humble people of low status rather than the grandeur of royalty or the accessibility of modern times to send the Savior. Though difficult to comprehend, especially while stuck in the depth of our rebellion to God, those who are willing to humble themselves before God, accept the reality of His coming and submit to His authority will be welcomed in to His family.

O holy Child of Bethlehem, descend to us, we pray;
Cast out our sin, and enter in, be born in us today.
We hear the Christmas angels the great glad tidings tell;
O come to us, abide with us, our Lord Emmanuel!

A prayer: Jesus, we believe in You. We ask that you reach out to us and enter our lives. Take away our sin and be Lord of all we are. We have heard the story, the gospel, of Your good news. You came to save us from ourselves and reconcile us to God the Father. We receive that gift of redemption and desire you to be our God and be here with us that we would know true peace.

Deconstructed Christmas Carols-Part II

By C. Sampson
As promised, here is the second song of our Christmas carol rewrite series. I hope that these give you a new appreciation for the author’s heart and a better picture of the Christmas story. It Came Upon a Midnight Clear:

It came upon the midnight clear,
That glorious song of old,
From angels bending near the earth,
To touch their harps of gold;
“Peace on the earth, good will to men,
From Heaven’s all gracious King.”
The world in solemn stillness lay,
To hear the angels sing.

Late one night, a night no different than any other, angels came to earth proclaiming that God had sent a way for men to have true peace and relationship with Him. The message, so glorious and profound, left the audience in silent stillness as they longed to hear every word.

Yet with the woes of sin and strife
The world has suffered long;
Beneath the angel strain have rolled
Two thousand years of wrong;
And man, at war with man, hears not
The love-song which they bring;
O hush the noise, ye men of strife
And hear the angels sing.

For centuries God’s creation has been crushed under the weight of its own sin. Man has struggled and fought against the God who made him and against himself. Even as the angels bring their good news, many are distracted by the chaos of the world and do not hear. Stop! Be quiet! Listen to the words God’s messengers have brought.

And ye, beneath life’s crushing load,
Whose forms are bending low,
Who toil along the climbing way
With painful steps and slow,
Look now! for glad and golden hours
Come swiftly on the wing. O rest beside the weary road,
And hear the angels sing!

If you are one of those who feels that life is unbearable, breaking you down and inflicting pain every minute you remain on this earth, if you feel lost in the chaos, it doesn’t need to be this way. Look! Listen! The messengers of God have come to let you know that rest and peace are available. God’s mercy comes quickly, just stop and hear His words to you.

For lo! the days are hastening on,
By prophet-bards foretold,
When with the ever circling years
Comes round the age of gold;
When peace shall over all the earth
Its ancient splendors fling,
And the whole world send back the song
Which now the angels sing.

This message is not for tomorrow, it is for today. The days are passing quickly and the day when God will return is drawing ever closer. As has been prophesied, God will bring ultimate peace when He takes back His creation from the grips of sin. Will you be ready when He ushers in the next age? A time when all will proclaim the glory of God and those who believe will fully see true peace and the magnificence of God.

The Angels Never Said “Hark!”

By C. Sampson
Being that it’s December, when getting the music ready for this past Sunday’s worship service I was compelled to start adding in Christmas carols. As I looked through my many choices, I realized that though I knew the songs well I had never really looked deeply at what message they are conveying.  I read through the words and saw that the antiquated verbiage and poetic and musical devices employed in the songs distracted or disguised the true meanings of the carols. So, I have taken some artistic license to rewrite a select few in a prose style. I think that looking at these classic songs in this way gives a clearer picture of the Christmas story.  Here is the first one-Hark! The Herald Angels Sing.

Attention! Look! Listen! God’s messengers are worshiping, saying “Glory to the newborn  King.” He’s here to reconcile all mankind to God the Father. For this reason, all nations stand and sing with the messengers and proclaim that God has come, He is born in Bethlehem. Attention! God’s messengers sing “Glory to the newborn King.”

Jesus, Lord of all and worshiped in heaven. Though it felt like He would never come, He did, being born among men. The fullness of God in man. Praise Him, God who came to earth. He faithfully came to live among us and we proclaim Him as God with us. Attention! God’s messengers sing “Glory to the newborn King.”

Praise the Prince of Peace, the bringer of righteousness. He came bringing life and light in the darkness of sin. He has the power to heal all brokenness. Humbly He set aside His rightful glory and sacrificed Himself so that we can have eternal life with Him. He was born for a purpose-to die and rise again, so that we may rise with Him out of death. He came so that we may be born again. Attention! The messengers of God sing “Glory to the newborn King.”

Holding On To Frustration

This morning, I am frustrated.  And, I’m holding on to being frustrated.  Because I can appropriately justify being frustrated.  And this is keeping me from enjoying the fellowship of God through His Spirit inside me.  So, I am going to make a conscious choice to give it up, to “take off” my frustration, and enjoy the presence of God.  They are “mutually exclusive,” I can’t have both.  I choose fellowship with God for the rest of the day.

Why do we hold on to such things?  Why would I hold on to thoughts and attitudes that make me feel frustrated, angry, sad, hurt, or bitter, when all I have to do is let them go, and embrace the presence of God?  In the presence of God, I find myself in the best place that I can be in life.

I face these choices every day, many times a day.  The quality of my relationship with God is regularly dependant on this very thing.  Scripture tells us over and over to quit walking in our “flesh” (that part of us that serves self), and then to walk in His Spirit.  It is a constant choice.

Today, right now, I’m giving my frustration to God, and entering His fellowship.  Oh, my frustration will probably show up again in a while, or something else will.  Then, I’ll have the same choice again.  His presence is SO MUCH better than the junk I can walk around in.  Right now, I choose Christ.  I plan on choosing Him again later, also.

Déjà vu

By C Sampson

As typically happens, I found myself surfing the internet this evening in search of nothing in particular. I hit my usual spots-email, Facebook, the video highlights on the Bundesliga site (yeah, I’m a sucker for German fußball-though I only catch about every 4^th or 5^th word of the announcer). When it hit me that I had not recently checked out my own church’s website in several weeks, and no this isn’t a shameless plug for GoldenCommunity.org but if you’re so inclined you should check it out.  I was curious to see what Mike had been inspired to post to the site and found that we now have a sermon online. It was from a couple weeks ago and discussed what overcoming looks like in light of John 16:33. I was there when this lesson was taught, yet I felt compelled to listen in again.

The last few weeks have been a bit rough in our home, especially on the physical health side. I was, and to a point still am, struggling through the days. At times I felt like God had left us to go through these troubles alone or that He was ignoring our cries to make things better.  But, there were other times when I was drawn even closer to Him, seeking Him out and becoming more reliant on His strength and not that which was dwindling within me. Tonight was difficult and seemed destined to end in a mass of tears and pain. But, as the hours ran down on the evening, I sat here at the computer and took in the words of Jesus “I have told you these things so that in Me you may have peace. In this world there will be tribulation, but take courage for I have overcome the world.”

As I listened to the lesson this second time I was really convicted about what my attitude should be during these struggles.  I have no doubts that I should have faith that God can and will provide healing. I truly believe that we should expect God to provide the best for His children. However, I shouldn’t just be seeking relief. Rather, I need to be allowing Him to work in me and use His strength to not just endure these troubles but to conquer them, to overcome.  God brings us to these places, or allows us to fall into them, for a reason or maybe multiple reasons. The most important of which, in my opinion anyway, is to teach us to look to Him. Putting aside our fear, anger and frustration and turning to Jesus to guide us through. We have been commanded to take courage, this will usually require a strength and perspective we do not possess on our own. Instead, we follow and lean on the all-powerful Creator to push us on.

With this reminder and refocus, I am feeling stronger to face the challenges ahead. If you are struggling, with anything, take courage. Read the passage in John and pray to God about it; ask Him what this means in your situation. If you have some time, listen to the sermon. It’s a different take than you might normally hear from the church-at-large about what life will or should be like for the Believer. As a final note, when I was putting the worship music set together for that Sunday, I was reminded of a song that I think reinforces this idea. Check out “When Everything Falls” by Fee and I think you’ll see what I mean (sometimes it’s good to have some music to go with your study).

Do You Believe In Strings?

In Physics, a theory has been developed to try to describe elementary particles and gravity, and it is hoped that it will end up being a "theory of everything."  It is called "string theory."

Whether you buy that string theory will one day explain how all things work at the particle level or not, this video is an amazing thing to watch.

What does this have to do with relationship with God, and the general topics on this website?  Not much, accept that we appreciate science, striving to understand truth, and creativity.  Mainly, we like it, think it is entertaining, fun, and funny.  Enjoy.

Timothy Blais - A Capella Science - Bohemian Gravity!

Gleanings From Nature: Building Blocks

By C Sampson

While riding the rails into downtown Denver this morning, I found myself staring out the window as the landscape passed by. I do this occasionally, when I’m not engrossed in a book. And, after a week of rain and low clouds it was nice to look out and see the foothills again, their surface green from the copious amounts of water, rolling haphazardly across the western edge of the city. I took in their unique shape and depth of color that lay in stark contrast to the manmade buildings and structures in the foreground. The human designs were symmetrical, redundant and beige. Their conglomerate of parts (metals, woods, plastics, stone) lacked flow and warmth. I was struck deeply by the differences in God’s and man’s creations.

In Genesis, we learn that God created all things in six days and then rested on the seventh. The workload alone is enough to boggle my mind, but what is truly divine about this story, is that everything was created from nothing. God simply spoke it into existence. There were no loose atoms floating around just waiting to bump into each other, only God, and His magnificent ideas of what would make a perfect creation. Conversely, man has been bound by the confines of knowledge and materials found on Earth. We have learned to, with relative success, manipulate the products provided to us to build beneficial items. Trees are cut down, planed and sanded, rocks and sand are mixed with water to form concrete, ores are refined, melted and formed into beams. All of these, and many others, are then used to make the images contrived in the minds of men.

As a species, we have built and designed fabulous things such as the pyramids, Great Wall of China, Boeing’s 777, Sputnik, SCUBA gear, Oreos (this list could go on forever) but in the end all we have really done is rearrange the parts that God gave us. Even things like paintings, poems and music are limited by our ability to make paints and pigments, manipulate language and work within the mathematical confines of music theory. We have no power to truly create. We can no more speak an iron atom into existence than we can add another pitch to the musical scale. This reminded me of a joke where a scientist challenges God to a creation contest. He says that man has advanced so far the he can make a human from dirt and can do it faster. God accepts the challenge and as they prepare for the duel, the scientist picks up a handful of soil. God responds by saying “nope, you get your own dirt.”

All this to say, I am constantly awed by God’s power, especially as I see it in nature. He provided us with a wonderful environment to live in and enjoy. But, not only that, He gives us creative minds and the supplies to make things for both our pleasure and to give Him glory. Take some time to look past the city and out at the original creation, the natural world that was designed by Him with us in mind. I think that as we retrain our eyes to see beyond our own works we will be blown away by the true majesty and beauty that can only be the result of the Master’s hand.

Seek His Face!

By A Schwarz
What would we be like if we lived a life of undivided focus on Jesus alone; If we were to throw away all other pretenses, and misconceptions, and blinders and pursue only Him? Would we not find Him, and would we not be overwhelmed with His presence?

In Psalms, King David expresses this deeply rooted desire to seek after God, to be consumed by Him; “One thing I ask of the LORD, this is what I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the LORD,” “My heart says of you, “Seek his face!” Your face, LORD, I will seek,” “I have sought your face with all my heart;” “My soul faints with longing for your salvation, but I have put my hope in your word,” “As the dear pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God.”  Psalm 27:4,8; Psalm 119:58; Psalm 119:81; Psalm 42:1-2...

Not just a simple desire to know God, but to Yearn for Him, to “faint with longing,” for it to be the sole passion of our lives. David describes God’s presence as anything BUT simple. It is overpowering beyond anything we can even compare to; “Deep calls to deep in the roar of your waterfalls; all your waves and breakers have swept over me.” Psalm 42:7. Think of Victoria Falls or Niagara Falls, and imagine standing directly underneath it and being consumed by its waters. God is even more than that! If we long to seek His face and His face alone, try to fathom the intensity of His glory! It is unimaginable and incomparable to ANYTHING we can even think of! Don’t you want to experience that love here on Earth?

I Believe

A great introduction to the Apostle's Creed



I love this song, and this video.

The Digital Age - Believe

"How are you doing, spiritually?"

Thinking:  “Brutal question, loaded question, unfair question.  Why would you ask me that question...”  Answering:  “Good.”  “Pretty good.”  “Alright, I guess.”  “Not great.”  And my favorite, “Oh, fine.” (You know who you are.)

It is true that this question can mean several things.  Ultimately, the problem we have answering that question often comes down to not knowing what yardstick a person is asking you to measure by.  Am I reading my Bible an appropriate amount?  Am I praying enough?  Am I loving others well, encouraging Believers, being a light to non-believers?  Do I take a big enough Bible to church? 

How do you encapsulate what it means to be “doing well spiritually?”  There are clearly many ways to measure it.  For us as a Body of Believers, our first focus is on living out each moment of each day in the conscious, intentional presence of God.  From there, we can focus on how we are to be living.  Without intentionally being in His presence, we are just trying to do what the Pharisees did in Jesus’ time, and what people of other faiths do today.  To live, by our strength, with our wisdom, with our capabilities.  If given the choice, I’d rather have the abundance of God’s presence, and the fullness of His life in me.

The Bible defines this as much of the struggle of life.  A struggle between the Spirit and the flesh.  The struggle to walk in my new life, or to default to my basic desires.

So, perhaps, when we are talking to those we see often, a better question would be, “How much effort are you putting into being in God’s presence right now?”  I’ll try to remember to ask this question.  If I forget and ask you the more general question of “How are you doing spiritually,” assume this is what I mean...

Gleanings From Nature: Growth

By C Sampson

Well, here we are heading into the final stretch of summer and looking forward to autumn.  School has started and the weather is cooler in the mornings, the Earth is heading towards its less productive seasons. As I look back on the past spring and summer I am struck by the activity of growth.  I see it in my daughters, both of whom started some semblance of schooling this year.  I see it in my garden, where the early season veggies are gone and the late summer and fall crops are full sized plants rather than miniscule seeds filling the palm of my hands.  I see it in the kitten we adopted who gets bigger and crazier every day.  I see it in me.

Growth can be measured in many ways-physical size and strength, knowledge, depth of relationship… It is an interesting phenomenon.  Though it seems to just happen, it can be stymied or enhanced based upon the environment it occurs in and the effort poured in.  Kids will grow, but they will grow better with good food, sleep, discipline, and exercise.  Plants will grow, but will do better with water, sun, good soil, and weed removal.  This is something I often forget when I think about spiritual growth.  Sometimes I get frustrated when I’m not moving forward.  I feel like I should be growing because I’m reading my Bible here and there, going to church, praying some.  It’s not like I’ve become an axe murderer or anything… And, in reality, like the seed that’s just shoved in the ground unattended, I’m probably growing a little bit just by being in the right environment but you will never see me thrive.

The first 2/3 of this year have been a great time of growth for me.  Why? Because it has become more of a focus for me.  It’s not about just being there, it’s about seeking God out, pursuing Him.  One of the greatest things I have been involved in is the genesis of this new church.  The process has made me step out and commit to growing.  And, with the accountability of the founding members, I am becoming more intentional and intense in my relationship with the Creator.  I have also been able to witness the growth of my friends as they take on new responsibilities and face new challenges with me.  We are having deeper times of prayer, we are developing a bigger heart for others, and we are tackling obstacles that used to be stumbling blocks. 

As we head into the final 1/3 of the year, take a look back and see how much taller you are by the presence of God. I think it’s always good to do a spiritual measurement to see if we are still growing in Christ.  If it’s been a little slow, it’s never too late to turn it on.  Dig into God’s Word, set aside some prayer time, and get together with some friends to build each other up and hold each other accountable.  If it’s been a good year, keep it up!  In the words of Peter, continue to crave that pure spiritual milk that helps you grow into salvation.  Though nature is less productive in fall and winter, we don’t have to be.  Grow like it’s summer.

Jesus Is A Crutch

By M McCoubrey

I've heard for years from atheists: Jesus is just a crutch that Christians use to make ourselves feel better. When things are going wrong or bad things happen, Jesus is just a way of making ourselves feel better by saying that it's part of His good plan. When things are going well, it's a purposeful gift to us rather than just luck or happenstance. When things don't make sense, we console ourselves that God has a plan we just can't see. And when we ponder the meaning of it all, of course we want to hear that it was for a wonderful purpose that we are at the center of rather than just randomness. In fact, in my days before getting to know Christ, I said these same things. I bought into the 'religion is for the weak' mentality and fell on my science background as proof that we are alone in the universe and that we must take care of ourselves. Jesus is just a crutch to feel less lost and hopeless.

But here's the catch that I figured out so many years too late: crutches aren't an inherently bad thing. Crutches are used by the weak and the broken. No one blames the man with the broken leg for using them or the paraplegic for using a wheelchair. My mistake wasn't in how I viewed Jesus, it was how I viewed myself. I thought of myself as independent and able, but I am broken. I cannot stand on my own and no matter what I do, nothing can change that. I need a crutch. And so do you. Deep down, we all know that we are unable to do this on our own. And yet because of expectations we feel, we are still racked with guilt and shame when we fail. But really, does anyone blame the paraplegic for not standing?

So when we look at this correctly, the question is not 'Am I using a crutch?' but 'How good is the crutch I am using?' We choose, all of us choose, to use any number of things to look more upright than we are. Some of us use money and position. Some use a fancy car or a nice home. Most of us use a relative ‘goodness’ scale comparing ourselves to the worst of society to justify that we are really not so bad. Others rely on friendships or family or accolades to convince themselves that they aren't completely crippled. But in the end, these are all crutches made of paper. They hold no intrinsic strength, no assurance, and can fail us at any time.

But the crutch I use now, the one who came to give strength to the weak, He is power. He is strength and He is life. Jesus does not command us to walk on our own but says 'I know you can't do this, let me do this for you'. Without requirement, payment, or guilt, Jesus acts as my crutch every day that I let Him and He holds me higher than I could ever be on my own. I stand not in my strength but in His.

Praise be to God - Jesus is my crutch.

Campus Viewpoint: Listening to God - Pride

By A Schwarz 
So often, I find myself longing to hear God speak to me; to hear His guidance of where I should go, how I can better serve Him, or areas in my life I need to work on. I want to grow closer to Him, but often during these times of longing, I tend to expect my own answers rather than what He is truly saying. I come into prayer with preconceived ideas and expectations of what I need to be doing, almost seeking His approval or conformation that I am on the right track. So when we feel like we aren’t hearing God, like He is remaining silent, I think a lot of it is that while He is indeed speaking, we are refusing to listen because it isn’t what we were wanting or expecting to hear.

We think we understand God and how He works and moves, but He is infinite and beyond all understanding. We want to hear Him speak to us how we think He should, rather than be still and listen for His voice. In 1 Kings 19:11-12, Elijah goes out to seek God’s presence. While he stood on the mountain, “a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. After the earthquake came a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper.” God was not in either the wind, the earthquake, or the fire, but He was in the gentle whisper that spoke to Elijah. I think most people would have been so overwhelmed by the first three events, thinking God must be in one of them due to their majesty and power, and therefore wouldn’t have even heard the quiet whisper.

About a week ago, God put on my heart the word pride followed by a parable in Luke 18 of the rich ruler. In this passage, a young ruler came up to Jesus asking him what he needed to do to inherit eternal life. He goes to tell Jesus that he has kept the commandments and basically lived a good and respectable life up to this point. Jesus’ reply came as a shock to the man as he told him, “You still lack one thing. Sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” The man was saddened by this because it was not the answer he had been looking for, and he was not willing to follow Jesus’ instructions.

The disciples overheard the conversation and were shocked, asking Jesus who possibly could be saved then? Here, this man had power, and wealth, and had lived a life in accordance with the commandments, yet he was still not worthy.

I was reading this and asking how it could apply to my life, why God was speaking to me in this way. While I don’t have great wealth or power, the issue with the young ruler is that he suffered from pride, pride in his possessions and accomplishments so much so that he was not willing to sacrifice them in order to follow Jesus.

When I think of pride, I usually think of arrogance or an amplified opinion of one’s self and accomplishments. But really, it is more due to our own failure to realize our need for complete dependence on God.

With this, I find that I am consumed within my own pride, that, like the young ruler, I too have been refusing to submit myself wholeheartedly  to God. This does not have to be specifically wealth or power, but worry, anxiety, and control are all things that we often hold onto with pride as well. Basically, anything that is separating you from God, from submitting wholeheartedly to His will, is rooted in our pride.

Pride blocks our hearts from fully embracing God’s love because it is a consuming thought; “In his pride the wicked does not seek him; in all his thoughts there is no room for God.” Psalm 10:4. Through our own power, we are nothing and can do nothing, but Jesus promises that “What is impossible with men is possible with God.” Luke 18:27. Unlike the young ruler, we need to set down our pride and pick up our crosses to follow Jesus.

This enters into our prayer as well. Our pride deafens us; in order to clearly hear His voice, we first need to lay everything down at the feet of Jesus.  We must surrender our pride and “present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God.” Romans 12:1. This does not mean to present only a part of ourselves, or that which we find acceptable; God is calling us to sacrifice our entire being in order to experience His true presence.

What Is Worship?

By C Sampson

Lately I’ve been thinking a lot about worship. What is it? What does it look like? What isn’t it?... As I look around at churches, and the Christian community as a whole, I think that we may not grasp the depth and intensity of true worship. If I were to ask you “what is worship”, I would likely hear responses such as “singing songs, praying, or my favorite, that part of Sunday service after announcements and before sermon.” Though all these are true (maybe), they don’t get to the core of the issue, they are simply modes or methods of worship. 

Worship is a tricky thing to define. Throughout the Bible we see instances where people were called to worship God, but there only a few verses that say what it should look like. Why is that? I believe the reason for this is that my worship may look totally different than yours. If we were to read that worship looks like a, b, c, d, then we might become legalistic about it; simply doing the steps without knowing why or even caring. How much passion does it take to follow an instruction manual? Instead, we are shown times when God’s people were compelled to worship. We see the overwhelming presence and power of God leaving people with no choice but to give Him glory. And, I think this leads to the best definition of worship, “acknowledge who God is and acknowledge who we are, then act accordingly.” We are His creation, His adopted children, our greatest act of worship is to accept this and give our lives to Him. In Romans 12, Paul writes “therefore, I urge you brothers, by the mercies of God present your bodies as a living sacrifice, wholly acceptable to God for this is your spiritual service of worship.” This is it, the key to all worship is to continually be offering yourself to God. 

This means that worship is not compartmentalized. It is not simply singing a song, offering a prayer, or participating in a Sunday service. We may be worshipping when doing any of these, but it’s all about our hearts. Are we surrendering to God in these times? If so, then it is worship, if not....then…? This truth can also expand our definition of worship. If we are daily living in the presence of God, then helping a friend could be worship, parenting your children could be worship, studying your Bible could be worship, maybe even cooking dinner could be worship! The point is, worship is not a task, it is a lifestyle, a state of being. It is a thread that should run through every part of our lives, not simply be a part of our life. 

This is often easier said than done for me, but I love the challenge. Over time, I am learning to let God move through me and offer myself to Him. It is amazing to feel His presence when I am truly worshipping and humbling to feel the awkwardness when I’m going through the motions. Take time this week to talk to God about your worship. Ask Him to fill it and make it real, true worship. Read through Paul’s words and consider if everything your doing is your spiritual service of worship. Don’t let it be a cold, rote task, instead let it be passionate action that you take because you know who God is and that He deserves your praise.

By C Sampson

Doubts

Do you ever have doubts about God, about spiritual things, or about His will for your life?  

I just happened to be reading through Luke 1, and something jumped out at me.  Zacharias was a well respected priest, a man who God specifically labeled as righteous, and the passage tells us that God listened to his prayers.  Today, we would probably call him “really spiritual,” in a good way.

One day, Zacharias was in the Temple, doing his thing, when an angel showed up and told him that the Lord had heard his prayers, and that he and his wife would have a son.  The angel also told him that his son would be a truly great man, preparing the way for the Son of God.  Wow.

Now, as much as it freaked him out to have an angel showing up and talking to him, he couldn’t bring himself to believe that God was really going to give him a son, because he and his wife were pretty old. 

A mildly careful reading of the passage shows real humanness in Zacharias.  First, he had been praying for this very thing.  Yeah, they were old, but they still were asking God to do this.  Second, the presence of this angel scared him enough that he clearly knew that was no ordinary guy.  But still, he could not believe.  “How will I know this for certain?  For I am an old man, and my wife is advanced in years.”

This was a step backwards in trusting the Lord, and it made his life harder for a while.  However, God used this to strengthen him down the road.

It is easy to see this as a moment of weakness for Zacharias, and it is.  We see that even very strong Believers sometimes wrestle with God’s truth and His promises.  It is the same moment of weakness that most of us who follow Jesus have from time to time. 

“Lord, will You really be guiding me when I make these tough decisions that are in front of me?”  “Are You really hearing me when I pray?”  “Do You really understand what I’m going through?”  “Are You really everything the Bible says You are?”  “Are You really there?”

Faith and trust often mean relying on what we’ve read in Scripture, and might have even experienced in the past, but it looks unlikely or impossible now.  Other times, it means stepping out in action, when you are not sure, or even think the opposite might be true.  Most Believers will wrestle at times (maybe all will).  In those times that we choose NOT to walk in faith, or do what we should there is grace and forgiveness.  However, this usually means that, for a time, you will be moving further away from where you were created to be.

Campus Viewpoint: Suffering as Christians in a Secular World

By A  Schwarz

As Christians, I think we often get caught up in this illusion that life is going to be so much easier for us now that we are part of the body of Christ; that somehow we will be exempt from the sufferings of this world, but we still experience loss, heartache, fears, pain, and sorrow all the same. When things come up, I know I can find myself asking questions like, “maybe my faith isn’t where it should be at; maybe I’m doing something wrong.” We ask these questions with the understanding that, “God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose” Romans 8:28. So what is “good” exactly?

I think from society, we have adopted this idea that what is “good” is something of immediate self gratification; something that meets our own expectations and requirements. But our ideas of what we think we want can be radically different from the plans God has for us. As Christians, we believe in the truth that what is ultimately good is that which is of God, but all too often, we don’t want to accept it or give up our own desires in order to experience it. God states that He will burn away our impurities like a metalsmith does to gold and silver, “He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver; he will purify the Levites and refine them like gold and silver” Malachi 3:3. Though the process leads to our purification through Him, it can be painful as well. But if He were not to do so, we would remain that  same piece of unusable metal riddled with imperfections. So with this, can I make the assumption that, if we are actively living and walking in the Holy Spirit, every trial we face can be considered as good, as a burning away of imperfections to create in us something pure and holy and pleasing to God? Maybe not according to our own definitions, but in following God’s perfect plan for us.

I know for me, my immediate response to any painful situation is to put up a wall to keep myself safe from my emotions. I don’t want to feel grief, so in a way I try to protect myself from it by closing myself off; I lock my emotions away and try to cover them up with a smile. The world teaches us to harden our hearts in order to keep us safe from pain, but God promises to “give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh” Ezekiel 36:26. We are not called to live a life of fear or isolation, but rather of joy in God, but that does not mean that we are free from suffering.

God calls us in 2 Thessalonians 2:16-18 to “be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” So how are we to be joyful and praise God in all circumstances? Again, we so often are searching for joy in only the obvious places, the places where everything is going right; everyone is healthy, happy, loved, financially secure, and so forth; the places WE see as good. But our true joy is through the Holy Spirit which transcends every circumstance. Even during hard times, we can be assured that God has a perfect plan that we can’t even imagine.

This past Spring, there have been many trials God has helped me through that I otherwise would have drowned in. During this time, I found comfort in some of the Psalms where David pours his heart out to God in both his times of celebration and despair. It is his cries to God in those harder situations that seem to reflect how I can often feel. Overwhelmed and lost, I have to remember to continue seeking and praising God. “My tears have been my food day and night, while men say to me all day long, “Where is your God?” ... Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God” Psalm 42:3, 5-6a. It is in these times that He says, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness” 2 Corinthians 12:9a.

No matter how impossible it may seem at the time to find meaning in suffering, He has a perfect plan; “”For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future” Jeremiah 29:11. All we have to do is surrender ourselves to Him, believing that He will keep His perfect promises.

When I was in middle school, my grandmother was diagnosed with an aggressive form of cancer. After a few months of treatments, it had only worsened, and the chemo had deteriorated her immune system to the point where she could only undergo one more treatment. At this point, she told us that she wanted God to work through her in order to reach out to those around her, even if it meant her loss to cancer. (She ended up going into remission shortly thereafter for another five years) Still, I can’t even grasp that kind of submission, but that is exactly what God calls us to do in all circumstances, ESPECIALLY the difficult ones. We need to submit wholeheartedly to Him, and that means giving over that fear of suffering, and instead, submersing ourselves in God’s unending joy. If we choose to open up to Him, He will work in amazing ways in our lives for the good of us and those around us.

Through our pain, God is our ultimate comfort. 2 Corinthians 1:3-5, “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God. For just as the sufferings of Christ flow over into our lives, so also through Christ our comfort overflows.”

It is a comfort to know that God, above all we may think, understands every trial we go through. He knows what it is to be man, He created us, and He walked and lived here on this Earth as a man. He knows pain, loss, temptation, betrayal... He is not a distant God, one who sits on a throne peering down once in a while, separate from creation. Instead, He loved us so much that He chose to endure the same sufferings along with greater pain to save us. This does not mean that our trials will be any less, but it does assure us that, through Christ, we can find comfort and joy in knowing that He is still in control and the anchor of our souls.

“We have this as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul, a hope that enters into the inner place behind the curtain, where Jesus has gone as a forerunner on our behalf, having become a high priest forever after the order of Melchizedek.” Hebrews 6:19-20. 
By A Schwarz

How Truth Can Actually Change Your Life (Part 3)

NOTE:  This is the third of three articles on James 1.  It builds from part 1 and 2, which can be found below. 

Why are Christians often frustrated with their lives, or things in their lives?  The Bible tells us that we can overcome all things, do all things through Christ, and be filled with joy and peace.  What is happening if that is not what your life is like?  The book of James addresses one very real cause for such things.

In the first two articles on James 1, we looked at the instructions to come to God’s truth with the right attitude, and then to receive His truth, owning it as our own, as part of us.  However, James 1:22-24 tells us that knowing it, understanding it, or even owning it as our own isn’t enough.  In fact, if that is all you do, you have missed the whole point.  Once you receive the Word, you have gained nothing until you do what it says. 

To make the point, James tells us that knowing God’s truth and not doing what it says is “deluding yourself.”  And, this delusion is like someone looking at themselves in the mirror and recognizing who they are, and then, later that day, looking at themselves in a mirror and not knowing that that is them.  This would either be the most severe stupidity you have ever seen, or a severe brain condition.

Just imagine that happening.  Someone you know looks at themselves in the mirror and realizes who they are.  Then, a few minutes later, they look at themselves in another mirror and they honestly don’t know who that guy is.  What would you do?  You would take them immediately to the hospital.  You know something is significantly wrong, because they are not capable of that level of radical unintelligence.

This passage is talking about a person who knows Jesus, and understands that the Bible is the Word of God.  The book that contains the truths of life and death for eternity.  The truth of how to have a dynamic relationship with the Creator of all things, right here and right now.  A relationship that can overcome all things, and brings about abundant life.  If you know these truths, but don’t “do” them, than that is sheer foolishness.

In reality, knowledge that you won’t use is worthless.  That guy that walked across the Grand Canyon on a high wire can teach me everything he knows about high wire walking.  I believe that he knows what it takes to do it safely – I saw him do it.  But anything he teaches me is wasted time, and wasted knowledge.  I ain’t never getting up on one of those things, I can assure you.  That knowledge is worthless to me.

On the other hand, James tells us that if you do receive God’s Truth, and do what it says, you will be “blessed” in what you do.  This is a simple truth.  Do what God tells you and it will produce results.  The type of results in your life that your Creator, the God of the universe, who loves you as your Father, intends.

Do you really believe the Word of God?  Do you believe that it is what God says it is, and will do for you what He says it will?  If so, do what it says.

Gleanings From Nature: Smokey’s Wisdom

Every weekday morning I park my car in the distant unpaved lot of my local light rail station and make the ¼ mile walk to board the train downtown. I like these morning walks. There is no better way to start the day than to look out under the clear blue sky at the Rocky Mountains that seem close enough to touch. But a couple days ago the view was less than picturesque. As I opened my car door, my nose was flooded with the smell of burning wood; my eyes itched as the smoke assaulted them. That beautiful, clear blue sky had turned into a hazy brown disaster from the multiple fires burning just to the south. Colorado is extremely dry and afternoon storms have brought lightning that ignites the beetle killed pine forests that cover large portions of the state. The fire causing the effects I experienced that day has since been contained but other fires continue to burn. NBC news is reporting today that the West Fork Fire, which is already 117 square miles, will likely burn for months until the weather becomes more favorable. 

When I got on the train, I got out my Bible to read a bit on the way to work. I was reminded of James 3, which talks about the power of our speech and nature of our tongues. In this chapter, James writes, “how great a forest is set ablaze by such a small fire! And the tongue is a fire, a world of unrighteousness. The tongue is set among our members, staining the whole body, setting on fire the entire course of life, and set on fire by hell.” I was really struck by the power of this image after experiencing the effects of physical fire just moments before. What an impact my words can have! I work in a back-office support position and it is so easy to say bad things about my customers, because they are on the phone. So often in my cubicle jungle, we find ourselves discussing how ridiculous a customer is because of, well, any number of things. James really made me think about how detrimental this can be. Perhaps my negative tone and words push my coworker even deeper into an already bad day. Maybe what I say will inadvertently get back to the target of my words and they will be embarrassed or offended. I could also be creating a negative image of myself to my superiors by demonstrating a poor attitude. Regardless of the actual consequences, this is unacceptable for me to be participating in. Words I say have the power to destroy. Like the fire, their effects are far reaching, polluting and destroying people beyond what I can see.  

I use the work example because it is really where I am most guilty, but uncontrolled or thoughtless speech can easily creep into our conversations with family and friends-and dare I say in our churches? James reminds us that this is not God’s plan as he continues with “From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so.” As you engage people this week, I challenge you to really think before you speak. Is what you are about to say glorifying to God? Yes, there are times to be direct and admonishing, but this can still be done in love. Ask God to show you ways to use your speech positively and do your best to keep silent when the flammable words are queued up in your mouth. I have been convicted by this passage to pay close attention to what I’m saying and why I’m saying it and I encourage you to keep this focus, too. Let’s have the people around us see and hear God’s love by what we say and even by what we don’t say. 

Remember, in the words of Smokey the Bear, “only YOU can prevent wildfires!”  

By C Sampson

How Truth Can Actually Change Your Life (Part 2)

NOTE:  This is the second of 3 articles on James 1.  It builds from part 1, which can be found below. 

In James 1, we are told specifically what the condition of our heart needs to be, for the Word of God to change us (see part 1).  Then, 1:21 goes on to tell us to “... receive the Word implanted...”  If you have known the Lord for a long time, you are probably familiar with this passage.  However, there is a lot more to these simple words than you might have considered in the past.

Christians today are pretty good at taking the Word of God seriously.  We read the Word, study the Word, talk about the Word, maybe even memorize the Word.  However, what does it mean to “receive” the Word? 

To receive something is to take it, to take it in, to take possession of it.  If you receive something, it now belongs to you. However, this might be very different from what many of us do with the Word of God.  Do you really take ownership of God’s Word?  Has it really become yours?

We often talk about the Word as “God’s truth.”  It clearly is that.  However, do we see it as “His truth,” as opposed to “my truth?”  I’m sure all Christians believe that they should do what the Bible tells them because it is God’s truth, and therefore its should be obeyed.  But does this perspective make it harder to put Biblical truths into practice?  For most of us, it is harder to do what someone else wants us to than it is to do what we want to, even if we think they are right.

What if God’s truth actually becomes your truth?  Do you ever feel like it is hard to do what you know God wants you to?  I wonder if we actually took ownership of His truth, and made it our truth, if it would still be so hard to do. 

Taking ownership of the truth moves us from “I’m doing this because God wants me to,” to “I am a child of God.  I’m doing this because it is right for me to do it, it is who I am, and what I am, or at least who I’m trying to allow God to make me be...”  Ownership means it is now your world view, not someone else’s that you are trying to implement in your life.

Next, we are told that we are to receive the Word “implanted.”  Having something implanted means having that thing put inside you.  It now is part of you.  You don’t just own it, but it is LITERALLY a part of you.  If you own a shirt, you can put that shirt on, and take it off.  If something is implanted in you, there is no taking it off.  It is easy to pick and choose from what you own, but what is implanted in you goes where you go, and is always a part of you.

It seems clear to me that this is one of the major reasons that we are not more impacted by the Word of God.  It is easier to disobey God’s Word, even if I know I shouldn’t, than it would be to disobey an internal belief or value of my own. 

Knowing, studying, memorizing, and talking about the Word of God is good.  However, we MUST receive His Word, and receive it implanted.  Make His truth your truth.  Then it can change your life.

How Truth Can Actually Change Your Life (Part 1)

In James 1:21, we are given an amazing command, which I think we often overlook, or mistake to mean something different.  We are told to “receive the Word, implanted...”  There is so much in this little 4 word phrase, that it will take a bit of time to unpack it.  However, before this direct instruction, this passage tells us what condition our heart must be in, for us to be able to “receive the Word...”  Difficult, but absolutely necessary truth about how our hearts must be prepared, or we are unlikely to have any success at all in being changed by God’s truth.

Before the direct instruction, the passage tells us that receiving the Word requires “putting aside all filthiness, and all that remains of wickedness...”  What is this filthiness and wickedness?  It is whatever God views as opposed to Him and His standards.  Filthiness is that which God would see as morally dirty, or stained, or vile.  Wickedness might best be translated today as “all of the badness” in a person. 

This passage also makes clear that it is referring to the filthiness and wickedness that is inside of EACH OF US.  This is a personal list, and yours might look somewhat different than mine.  What types of things fit this?  Lustful thoughts and actions.  Manipulative thoughts and actions.  Self serving thoughts and actions.  Anger and envy and selfishness.  These are just a few.  What would make your personal list?  I know we really don’t like identifying the actual, specific things in our lives that stand in our way of closeness with God.  However, we will never grow by accident or casualness.  We have to look intently, and purposefully address the specific struggles we have.

This passage shows that if you don’t set them aside, you won’t be able to receive the Word.

And why is that true?  Because these things will stand in opposition to what the Word will be directing you toward.  If you are holding on to your sinfulness, you won’t have the capacity to take ahold of the Word.  It is as if you were holding a rock that is so heavy that you need both hands to hold it.  Someone says, “Let go of the rock, and take ahold of the rope.”  You’d like to keep hold of the rock, and grab the rope, but both are not possible. 

So, first off, you need to decide if it is worth it to you to put down the things in your life that will keep the Word from changing you, specifically the filthiness and wickedness in your life.  Your fooling yourself if you think you can hold both.  So “put it away” from you.  I believe this is one major reason the Word of God doesn’t change our lives.  Let go of the junk, so that you can take ahold of the Truth.

Next, James says that you need to “humbly” receive the Word...  So, what does humility have to do with receiving the Word?  Everything.  Humility means putting aside your pride.  Your pride says, “I will do things my way.”  When we approach the Bible in pride, our attitude is often, “I want to filter this truth, and apply it to my life as I think I should...”  The problem is, God doesn’t give us suggestions.  The Word of God is to be received as HE intends it, not as we want to filter and adjust it. 

Putting your pride away from you means giving up control.  It means not holding on to your plans for your future, for how your life is, and how you are.  It means not trying to control how others see you.  Self protective desires and actions probably fit into this as well.  Humility means trusting God with your personal and social safety, as many things that the Word tells us to do will make us feel vulnerable.  Our pride feels very protective but it keeps us from the transformation that God’s Word can bring to our live.

Coming to the Word in pride means you are not “receiving” the Word, but maybe, at best, hearing the Word.  Pride, like the rest of our sinfulness, has to be let go of, in order to grab ahold of the Word, to receive the Word. 

What’s the point?  Come to the Word knowing that this is God’s specific instructions for your life.  It is the key to life, and to abundant life.  Know and realize that His way is always the way of life, and whatever parts of your flesh you want to hold on to only makes your life worse.  God’s Word will only be effective if you are willing to surrender all areas of your life to it.  If you want to pick and choose, it won’t be effective in any area, because that is not how it works.

God, I want to let go of all my ways, and come to You and Your Word with fully open arms.  I want your truths to rule and govern all of my life.  Please teach me Your truth, because I know it will change my life.

Stay Tuned For Scenes From Upcoming Programming

As some of us are working through what it means to develop a ministry, several things are intensifying in our lives and conversations.  One significant theme we are focusing on is, what are the foundational truths that we want to be building our lives and ministry upon.  This has led me back to studying passages that I know well, and that have had great meaning to me in my past. And, once again, I find myself in awe of God’s Word.  How can passages that I know so well, speak to me in new and fresh ways after more than 30 years of trying to apply them to my life?

One of these foundational truths for me center around the Bible.  We Christians consider the Bible to be the most valuable truth in existence.  Truth directly from God.  Life-changing truth.  Truth to build our entire lives on.  And yet, too many times, the Bible is a book on the table, or something we read, or study, or memorize, but doesn’t seem to change us as much as it should.  Why not? 

In the next week, I’m going to be posting three articles on this very topic, as brought to us by the book of James. 

In the mean time, it has been (and continues to be) great for me to be thinking and praying through what I consider to be my foundational truths that I have tried to build my life upon.  These truths have been a part of my growth, and development in Christ.  It is so easy to get too busy, too preoccupied with life to be intentional about spiritual things and spiritual direction.  The problem is, if we don’t take control of these spiritual things, they won’t happen.  Our default is to run on autopilot, to not be intentional.  If you don’t have such foundational truths in your life, or you haven’t thought through them recently, I’d encourage you to take some time.  It is worth it.

Predestination or Free Will? …. Yes

By M. McCoubrey

I’ve always been bothered by the apparent conflict between predestination and free will in Christianity. It’s not something that impacts salvation or anything, but it’s one of those things that just nags at me. It seems that in half the sermons I’ve listened to, the takeaway is that God’s plan rules, that His way is always the way, and that He chooses the elect based on His criteria – things sound pretty set. The other half of the sermons revolve around the fact that we are to choose Jesus, that we need to make ourselves one of the elect (thank you Spurgeon), and that our prayers can change outcomes. 

And the fact is, these differences reflect a duality found in the Bible. God says that His will is done, Paul talks about God having selected the elect at the beginning of time, and God says to Pharaoh “For this very purpose I have raised you up, that I may demonstrate my power in you, and that my name may be proclaimed in all the earth”. I mean, what chance does it sound like the guy had? You think that Jonah felt real empowered as a giant fish swam him to the shore that he was running away from? God and His will are clearly sovereign. 

But then in other passages it is very clear that we have a choice and that our actions and prayers can actually change outcomes. There’s the parable of the persistent widow which, while primarily focusing on a different topic, spells out that prayer can affect change. There’s Paul’s command to the Philippians that they work out their salvation with fear and trembling. And then of course there’s John 3:16 “…that whoever believes in Him shall not perish…” – an open invitation to all, but clearly not all choose to believe. Even back to the very beginning, Adam and Eve were given a command not to eat the forbidden fruit, but equally given the freedom to choose to do so. 

So what to make of this?

I’ve often heard that the answer is that it’s both - predestination and free will. But not having a clue how that could be, I’ve tended to fall on the side of God’s plan being sovereign and as a result, prayer felt pretty useless. I mean, if God knows everything, and how everything plays out all the way to the end of the world in Revelation and beyond, then what’s the point? And if I look at my motivations honestly, this view gave me an excuse to not be praying and, in the worst cases, a justification for poor behavior. 

But I kept coming back to these verses that seemingly contradict that view. Why does God so frequently tell us to pray and show us to pray through Jesus? Why would we be pressed to ‘pray without ceasing’ if it doesn’t have any effect? And really, who wants to believe that they are a choiceless cog that has absolutely no input in how their life or faith turns out? Even if that was what we wanted, it sure doesn’t seem to jive with many parts of the Bible. I was missing something.

Perspectives

I recently had a conversation with a friend of mine who is doing spiritual work in relatively dangerous places.  I was again encouraged by his humility, love for the Lord, and passion to see God change lives.

If you were to ask him how he could sacrifice so much, and do something so dangerous, he would tell you that you were crazy.  To him, it is absolute joy.  He feels bad that many Christians don’t get to experience God using them in the same ways, and don’t get to see such radical life-changes that he does.  Where he is at, there are not great numbers of success stories, compared to some other places in the world.  Overall, the going is hard and slow.  However, God IS working, and lives ARE being racially changed.   It is not just his perception.  He is truly seeing God do great things, and I can see how he really is blessed to be a part of it.

This conversation made me think of we who follow Christ here.  Too often, we tend to downplay the radical results of God’s presence with Believers within this culture.  That is unfortunate.  Receiving Christ in America is no less miraculous than anywhere else.  It is every bit as amazing and awesome.  Likewise, the result of followers who turn away from the distractions of the world to walk more closely to God is as transforming here as in the hardest, most remote parts of the earth. 

 

Walking in God’s presence transcends all the best (and worst) this world could offer, regardless of where you are, or the circumstances of your life.  It is a “supernatural” event, and one that can be had at any time.  Don’t sell God short by believing that walking with Him could be any better in a different setting.  In His presence is all freedom, all love, and all peace.

Calling All Men

Anyone out there a father, husband, or considering becoming one of the aforementioned? This is for you! A few months ago I was meeting with a group of guys and we were discussing what it looks like to balance our relationship with God and our busy work and home lives. I ran across my notes from that session and thought they could be a good conversation starter for other men who had similar concerns about these aspects of life. 

To start, God calls us to “seek first His kingdom” in Matthew 6:33 and in doing so, He will provide all of our necessities. Does this mean we don’t have to work? No, simply that there is no need to worry about these things. If we are seeking after what God has for us, the job or other means we need to have food, clothing, and shelter will be given. Placing highest priority on God, and His plans for us, frees us to do effective work. I believe this is the overarching principal to filter the rest of our activities and responsibilities through.

To balance all aspects of life, one must start with God. Discovering His plan for you and walking with Him will put work and family into perspective. Relying on Him to provide and working as though He is your boss puts you into a position to work an appropriate amount of time without going overboard. It seems to me that most overtime and overexertion at work is the result of chasing after worldly goals not Godly pursuits. If we can follow God’s lead with how much of our day should be at work, then the remaining time should be family time. Though it appears that I’m saying “give the family the leftovers”, this is not the case. As a husband and father, my priority is to be the vessel by which they receive their provision. If I am truly allowing God to lead, He will allow plenty of time at home. I reached this conclusion by looking at the situation from the opposite end. How can I quantify how much time I need to spend at home? Ideally, I would not work at all and spend time with my family. This is not my calling. I think that it is most effective to let God determine how much time the house needs by providing enough work rather than too much. Finally, if I need to be a good manager of my household, I need to be purposeful when I am there. Yes, it is where there is relaxation, but their must also be an atmosphere of love, teaching, and discipline that is soil for the growing children and refreshment for the wife. If I have enough time to instill these characteristics and values in my home, then my balance should be good, even if I am working full time. As with everything, it all comes down to following God first. Much of this balance problem is the result of chasing the wrong things. If I want what is truly best for my family, work will not be all consuming. 

My favorite example of man’s responsibility comes from I Timothy 3 ”A man should manage his own household well, keeping his children under control with all dignity”…”good managers of their children and their own households”. Clearly, work is not everything. If too much time is spent at work, how can one develop the rapport and relationship necessary to effectively lead his wife and children? Trust me; this is all easier said than done. This is an ongoing process within me and my family, but I know that this is a task that I cannot afford to fail at. I challenge all you men to seek God’s will and continually strive to successfully fulfill the role He has placed you in. 

By C. Sampson

Gleanings From Nature: Flock of Seagulls (You Thought this was an 80’s Flashback)

As a relatively consistent observer of nature, there are times when I see things that just seem odd. For example, Colorado as we all know is a landlocked state. And, being that a large portion of our landscape is either mountainous or prairie, one would not think this is the ideal location to watch for sea birds. Yet, without any crafty methods or covert operations, you can easily see several types of sea birds along the Front Range. Two of the most prominent are the gull (usually called a “seagull” but that’s a debate for another day) and the pelican, yes, the pelican. If you don’t believe me check out South Platte Park’s Facebook page for photos of a large flock. One of the craziest sights to behold is the massive, circling flocks of gulls at the local waste transfer station. The “sea” birds enjoy the easy pickings to be had at the dump and seem to thrive, even though there is no coastal area at all. Gulls were not necessarily designed for this particular location, but the birds have found provision and refuge in a foreign environment. I wonder if any of those gulls ever consider if there’s something better than eating someone’s discarded french fries…probably not. But, in a way, I sometimes feel like I’m living in a place that just isn’t quite right.

Do you ever get that feeling? Knowing that you were made and placed here at this particular time but also knowing that you were really made to soar along the coast not scavenge a Wal Mart parking lot?  I often think about what a perfect environment for me is. Clearly, on Earth, I can’t find it. Everything has been corrupted by sin in a painful way. Even nature, which was designed for me, cannot provide the security, comfort and resources that it once did. Why do I feel this way? Why the disconnect with my surroundings and unease about this place? The answer to this can be found in Philippians 3:20-3:21. My citizenship, along with the rest of Christ’s followers, is in heaven. My body was created for this Earth, but my soul longs to be in the presence of God. I thank God that even in spite of the fall He continues to provide for me, allowing me to have food, clothing, shelter and the ability to enjoy all the wonders of this Earth. He has taught me how to find provision and refuge in this world but there’s still that nag, that pull, that deep thought in the corner of my mind that tells me this is not where I ultimately belong. This is difficult for me. There are so many things I’ve come to love about this home and I sometimes get scared at the prospect of leaving it, especially to a place I’ve never seen.  Yet how can I overlook the fact that God has a perfect place out there? What would that gull say if you said to it “I know that you love living here at the transfer station, but I want to take you to the ocean”? The ocean, what the heck is the ocean? I’m sure that gull would choose to stay in the stench and noise of the dump even though that cool, salty breeze was only a stone’s throw away. I like to think that I’m smarter than a gull, but in this case I’m not so sure. My inability to physically see heaven provokes a fear that I have yet to conquer.

I hope that in time I can overcome this fear of the unknown and really embrace my heavenly citizenship. I’ve got to say I’m glad I’ve been given a dual passport, but my loyalty is often to the wrong domain. I’m curious to know if you’ve felt this way, too. Feel free to comment.

By C Sampson

Freedom

It is common among humans to desire and long for freedom.  America was built on the concept.  Interestingly, it is a significant theme in the Bible as well.  However, the Bible defines it somewhat differently.

For people in general, freedom seems to be defined essentially as self determination.  I do what I do because I want to, not because someone makes me do it.  Telling me I have to do something, or that I can’t do something, infringes on my freedom.

However, while the Bible often refers to freedom, the idea of “autonomy” (being self directed) is not the heart of this concept.  Instead of freedom meaning independence, the focus is what you can be set free “to” or “toward.”  

It is true that those who have a relationship with God through Jesus have freedom FROM sin.  However, the reason that Jesus came was not to bring freedom from sin, but relationship with the Father.  Payment for sin was necessary for that relationship.  Sin is what stands in our way of knowing God.  The point is that we were set free to be in relationship with God, not set free to follow our own way.

In fact, if we want to be free from sin and death, it will mean bondage to God.  This is exactly opposite of popular “spirituality” today.  People believe that they are spiritual fee agents.  However, The Bible makes it clear that this is absolutely and completely untrue.  Romans 6:20-23 says:

“For when you were slaves of sin, you were free in regard to righteousness.  But what fruit were you getting at that time from the things of which you are now ashamed?  For the end of those things is death.  But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God the fruit you get leads to sanctification and its end, eternal life.  For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

Those who know God are set free, but they are set free to serve God. 

However, here’s the best news about this.  This service of God DOES NOT MEAN we are to try to help Him, to make Him happy, to add to who or what He is.  God does not need that from us, and we are incapable of it.  Acts 17 tells us that God “is not served by human hands, as though he needed anything, since He Himself gives to all mankind life and breath and everything.” 

What it DOES mean is that we are to be His children.  Not children like we think of today.  Children of His, like Jesus is His child.  Jesus does not merely live with His Father, He is part of His Father's life, plans, and intentions.  And, while we can’t do THAT on our own either, God makes it possible, by placing His Spirit inside those who know Him. 

“For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, ‘Abba! Father!’” (Romans 8:15)

While we must be a spiritual servant (slave) of something, knowing God means that our service of Him is not about being peasants trying to do His bidding.  We “serve” Him as sons and daughters of God.  And we do it in and through Him. 

While our humanness may want to be a spiritual independent free agent, we get to be so much more than that.  We are set free to be sons and daughters of God.  Our service is being a part of His work and His future.  Our freedom is not for us to be able to do whatever we want, because we will be forgiven anyway.  Our freedom is to open the door to walk in the presence of the Creator of all things, being a part of the greatest plan known to all creation, filled with His Spirit.  No greater freedom could be imagined.