I love music! Music has always stirred deep emotions within me as it is something I could not live without. To be honest, I'm not that musically inclined and so I am thankful for those who share with the world the gift of music.
This week, I purchased the latest Hillsong recording entitled "God is Able". I've always enjoyed the music of Hillsong and have found this latest recording an incredible encouragement and motivator. Please know that I don't state this lightly as I understand the emotional power found in music that can lead us down paths that stray from the truth of God's word. I state this because my favourite song off of the recording is rooted in a truth from Scripture (it has a good beat as well).
The song is entitled "God is Able" and speaks powerfully to the greatness and might of our God. I must confess that sometimes I get lost in the details and pressures of life and forget this truth. There are times in both my personal life and ministry life that I lose sight of God's goodness and in His ability to do more than I could humanly dream or imagine and I stop asking and dreaming big dreams in Him and for Him.
So... I have determined this week to be very intentional about dreaming God sized dreams on a weekly basis. As I reflect on both the personal side of my life and the ministry side of my life (which are very much intertwined) I am going to be sure to always have one or two God sized dreams rattling around in my heart and prayer life so as to never lose sight of the greatness and power of God. HE is ABLE!!!
So what is your God sized dream? Have you stopped dreaming God sized dreams? What are you trusting Him for that only He can do?
"Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us, to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! (Ephesians 3:20-21)
Friday, September 30, 2011
Friday, September 23, 2011
Approaching a Throne with Confidence
Tomorrow evening, I have the privilege of speaking to the International Fellowship at the MET Bible Church in Ottawa, ON. When they approached me to speak, they asked that I consider following their theme of "God's grace and mercy." As I thought on this, I could not help but feel a bit overwhelmed in that this theme runs richly throughout the entirety of Scripture. But, yesterday I found clarity and determined to speak briefly from Hebrews 4:14-16. What a beautiful passage of Scripture that speaks powerfully to we who are in Christ and the privilege we have to daily live as recipients of His grace and mercy.
Few quick thoughts from this passage...
First, we can approach the very throne of King Jesus with confidence. This is highly contradictory to the invitations extended by most earthly kings. Yet, for those who have trusted Jesus (our heavenly King) to save us from our sin, we have this incredible invitation to approach His throne with confidence because we are a part of the family of God and have redeemed by the blood of Jesus our High Priest.
Secondly, as we approach the throne we find a King/High Priest who is sympathetic. As humans, we all long to have people understand and feel our hurts and heartaches with us. The Bible teaches us that we find a sympathetic High Priest who understands completely the sometimes painful and hard journey we all face on earth. How good it is to know there is one who understands the deepest feelings and longings of our heart.
Finally, it is good to know that as we approach this throne with confidence we find not only one who understands, but one who has the power to help us in our times of need. This throne we approach is one of grace, mercy and power. What a wonderful combination!!!
So, when I think about God's grace and mercy my mind often goes to this Hebrews passage as the very throne of God is a throne of grace where daily I can go with confidence as one of His followers to receive what is needed to navigate this life in Him and for Him.
Few quick thoughts from this passage...
First, we can approach the very throne of King Jesus with confidence. This is highly contradictory to the invitations extended by most earthly kings. Yet, for those who have trusted Jesus (our heavenly King) to save us from our sin, we have this incredible invitation to approach His throne with confidence because we are a part of the family of God and have redeemed by the blood of Jesus our High Priest.
Secondly, as we approach the throne we find a King/High Priest who is sympathetic. As humans, we all long to have people understand and feel our hurts and heartaches with us. The Bible teaches us that we find a sympathetic High Priest who understands completely the sometimes painful and hard journey we all face on earth. How good it is to know there is one who understands the deepest feelings and longings of our heart.
Finally, it is good to know that as we approach this throne with confidence we find not only one who understands, but one who has the power to help us in our times of need. This throne we approach is one of grace, mercy and power. What a wonderful combination!!!
So, when I think about God's grace and mercy my mind often goes to this Hebrews passage as the very throne of God is a throne of grace where daily I can go with confidence as one of His followers to receive what is needed to navigate this life in Him and for Him.
Friday, September 16, 2011
Margin
I've been thinking quite a bit this week about "margins". For those who know me, I absolutely love "to do" lists as they keep me on track and organized and allow me to accomplish much. At the end of every week, I take about 15 mins to reflect on the week gone by and prepare my calendar and to do lists for the upcoming week. With each of these items, the concept of "margin" can clearly be seen in the print out themselves. Allow me to explain...
As I look at my calendar for any given week, well over half of it will be booked up with regularly scheduled meetings and appointments. But on most weeks, you will also find two to three large blocks of time that are reserved for me. I usually call them "study times" or as one of my past administrative assistants fondly called it "Tim time." Now I understand that there is an incredible temptation to fill that time with an appointment or feel as though you need to justify what that "spare" time is really being used for. Yet, without some of those moments in my weekly calendar, I would be taking work home with me every night as there are some things that just need to get done on a weekly basis. I've also always wanted to keep an open door policy with my team and so there must be margin in my calendar to accommodate that.
As I look at my "to do" list, I am committed to keeping it to one sheet weekly. I am also committed to leaving plenty of space by having somewhat large margins and white space on the print out. I've learned to do this as I know that things will arise next week that I did not see coming which will need to be added to the to do list. If I fill the sheet with all kinds of unrealistic goals and leave no room for the "write ins" then I have lost margin and will soon burn out.
To be honest, I am still growing in this as I have a real tendency to over commit if I am not careful and yet God continues to teach me how to utilize simple practices to help me "redeem the time".
"Be very careful, then how you live - not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity because the days are evil." (Ephesians 5:16-17)
As I look at my calendar for any given week, well over half of it will be booked up with regularly scheduled meetings and appointments. But on most weeks, you will also find two to three large blocks of time that are reserved for me. I usually call them "study times" or as one of my past administrative assistants fondly called it "Tim time." Now I understand that there is an incredible temptation to fill that time with an appointment or feel as though you need to justify what that "spare" time is really being used for. Yet, without some of those moments in my weekly calendar, I would be taking work home with me every night as there are some things that just need to get done on a weekly basis. I've also always wanted to keep an open door policy with my team and so there must be margin in my calendar to accommodate that.
As I look at my "to do" list, I am committed to keeping it to one sheet weekly. I am also committed to leaving plenty of space by having somewhat large margins and white space on the print out. I've learned to do this as I know that things will arise next week that I did not see coming which will need to be added to the to do list. If I fill the sheet with all kinds of unrealistic goals and leave no room for the "write ins" then I have lost margin and will soon burn out.
To be honest, I am still growing in this as I have a real tendency to over commit if I am not careful and yet God continues to teach me how to utilize simple practices to help me "redeem the time".
"Be very careful, then how you live - not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity because the days are evil." (Ephesians 5:16-17)
Friday, September 9, 2011
O Canada, Consumed and the Faithfulness of God
It has been a few weeks that will not soon be forgotten! We all have the moments/seasons of life that permanently etch themselves into our hearts and minds and this will be one of them for me. To summarize, we lived through an earthquake, hurricane, final Sunday at one church, a move, customs, new home, first Sunday at another church, first day of school, first day of work, first staff meeting at new church and that was week number one. With that being said, I am home in Canada and enjoying my daily Tim Horton's.
But, I can also say that I am enjoying the faithfulness of God as well. A few blog posts ago I spoke of my need to be a man/husband/father that walks by faith into the seasons of life whereby the only thing you know for certain is God's leading. Having sought to do that, I now wanted to take time to reflect upon God's faithfulness even when my faith grew weak.
Jeremiah writes; "Because of the LORD's great love we are not consumed, for His compassions never fail. they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness." (Lamentations 3:22-23)
As I thought about the hectic pace of life over the past few weeks, I could not help but think of all the times I felt somewhat "consumed" by the pressures, emotions and fatigue of life as mere mortals. It is so easy for all of us to find ourselves consumed by the temporal things/feelings/situations of life. Yet, as Christ followers (those in Christ) we have the privilege of living in the presence of God without being consumed by His holiness. Instead we find His faithful compassion which allows us daily to avoid being consumed by the everyday situations of life that can bring us to places of fear, hopelessness and even bitterness.
Thank you LORD for your faithful compassion which is new every morning no matter what our day entails!
But, I can also say that I am enjoying the faithfulness of God as well. A few blog posts ago I spoke of my need to be a man/husband/father that walks by faith into the seasons of life whereby the only thing you know for certain is God's leading. Having sought to do that, I now wanted to take time to reflect upon God's faithfulness even when my faith grew weak.
Jeremiah writes; "Because of the LORD's great love we are not consumed, for His compassions never fail. they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness." (Lamentations 3:22-23)
As I thought about the hectic pace of life over the past few weeks, I could not help but think of all the times I felt somewhat "consumed" by the pressures, emotions and fatigue of life as mere mortals. It is so easy for all of us to find ourselves consumed by the temporal things/feelings/situations of life. Yet, as Christ followers (those in Christ) we have the privilege of living in the presence of God without being consumed by His holiness. Instead we find His faithful compassion which allows us daily to avoid being consumed by the everyday situations of life that can bring us to places of fear, hopelessness and even bitterness.
Thank you LORD for your faithful compassion which is new every morning no matter what our day entails!
Thursday, August 25, 2011
Thank You and Still Blogging
As the time for my departure from Grace soon arrives, I wanted to take a moment to publicly give thanks. Although the days have not always been easy, there is so much in life to give thanks for daily that one would be remiss to not see and express gratitude.
First, a great big thank you to our Heavenly Father. He was (and is) faithful on the days full of laughter and smiles and He was (and is) faithful on the days when my faith was weak. I could not imagine doing life without a personal relationship with Almighty God through the person and work of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Secondly, a great big thank you to the team I got to serve with day in and day out. You will not soon be forgotten and as the apostle Paul wrote "I give thanks upon my every remembrance of you." I will miss you and give thanks for the many lessons we learned together and the many lessons you taught me.
Thirdly, a great big thank you to the Grace Church family. It is not always easy to shepherd a flock and it is not always possible to be in agreement at all times with everyone. Yet, the privilege of getting to serve the Lord Jesus as a shepherd to His people is something I will never take for granted and will always give thanks for. So thank you Grace Church for letting me be one of your pastor's.
Finally, a great big thank you to my wife and children. The life of being a pastor's wife and PK is not always an easy one. What we as shepherds do day in and day out follows us always and this impacts a family. Please know that I would not have made it all these years as a pastor without the love and support of a loving, encouraging and gracious life partner. You are a blessing to me family!
Also, many from Grace have asked if I will keep on blogging and the answer is yes. I am still "En Route" in this life and until the Lord calls me home I will seek to express myself through thoughts on this blog. So many thanks for reading and may many of you continue to be encouraged through reading my thoughts on life as a Christ follower!
First, a great big thank you to our Heavenly Father. He was (and is) faithful on the days full of laughter and smiles and He was (and is) faithful on the days when my faith was weak. I could not imagine doing life without a personal relationship with Almighty God through the person and work of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Secondly, a great big thank you to the team I got to serve with day in and day out. You will not soon be forgotten and as the apostle Paul wrote "I give thanks upon my every remembrance of you." I will miss you and give thanks for the many lessons we learned together and the many lessons you taught me.
Thirdly, a great big thank you to the Grace Church family. It is not always easy to shepherd a flock and it is not always possible to be in agreement at all times with everyone. Yet, the privilege of getting to serve the Lord Jesus as a shepherd to His people is something I will never take for granted and will always give thanks for. So thank you Grace Church for letting me be one of your pastor's.
Finally, a great big thank you to my wife and children. The life of being a pastor's wife and PK is not always an easy one. What we as shepherds do day in and day out follows us always and this impacts a family. Please know that I would not have made it all these years as a pastor without the love and support of a loving, encouraging and gracious life partner. You are a blessing to me family!
Also, many from Grace have asked if I will keep on blogging and the answer is yes. I am still "En Route" in this life and until the Lord calls me home I will seek to express myself through thoughts on this blog. So many thanks for reading and may many of you continue to be encouraged through reading my thoughts on life as a Christ follower!
Thursday, August 18, 2011
Transitions and Faith
"And without faith it is impossible to please God..." (Hebrews 11:6)
"By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going." (Hebrews 11:8)
It is well known that my family and I are in the process of a large transition to Ottawa, ON. We are very excited about this transition in that we truly believe within our hearts that we have been called by God to go to this place.
But, there have been days whereby we have felt the pressure of such a change as there are many unknowns yet to be answered which can lead to stress (especially in those of us who like every single duck in a row). In light of the pressures, I have found myself continually returning to Hebrews 11 and 12 to remind myself that this journey is not one of "every duck being neatly in a row" but rather an incredible journey of faith whereby I am left with no choice but to trust God to provide and work things out.
I am encouraged by the story of Abraham as he walked and lived an incredible journey of faith. I am also encouraged that he was considered a man of faith even though he too had his moments of doubt whereby God had to grow Him. Life is not always easy and transitions can and will stretch us. But, when we walk in the will and promises of God, you realize afresh and anew that there is no other way to walk but the walk of faith.
I am still striving to get all of my ducks in a row for this transition as I do believe we have to do our part with the minds and bodies God has given us but I continue to ask God to help me walk by faith in the things I can't control for this I know pleases Him.
So, whatever transition you may find yourself in today, walk in His will by faith for this will please our Heavenly Father and grow you immensely.
"By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going." (Hebrews 11:8)
It is well known that my family and I are in the process of a large transition to Ottawa, ON. We are very excited about this transition in that we truly believe within our hearts that we have been called by God to go to this place.
But, there have been days whereby we have felt the pressure of such a change as there are many unknowns yet to be answered which can lead to stress (especially in those of us who like every single duck in a row). In light of the pressures, I have found myself continually returning to Hebrews 11 and 12 to remind myself that this journey is not one of "every duck being neatly in a row" but rather an incredible journey of faith whereby I am left with no choice but to trust God to provide and work things out.
I am encouraged by the story of Abraham as he walked and lived an incredible journey of faith. I am also encouraged that he was considered a man of faith even though he too had his moments of doubt whereby God had to grow Him. Life is not always easy and transitions can and will stretch us. But, when we walk in the will and promises of God, you realize afresh and anew that there is no other way to walk but the walk of faith.
I am still striving to get all of my ducks in a row for this transition as I do believe we have to do our part with the minds and bodies God has given us but I continue to ask God to help me walk by faith in the things I can't control for this I know pleases Him.
So, whatever transition you may find yourself in today, walk in His will by faith for this will please our Heavenly Father and grow you immensely.
Wednesday, July 27, 2011
Lessons from my Rafting Experience!
While on vacation, my family and I tried out a new experience together. We went whitewater rafting as a family and had an absolute blast. While on our adventure, there were a few lessons that crossed my mind that apply to my journey with Christ.
The first lesson had to do with the river itself. While on our journey the river had many different twists, turns and levels of rapids. There were portions of absolute calm where the kids hopped out of the raft and gently floated down the river and other portions where we hit level four rapids and the kids (and I) held on for dear life. It just reminded me of what life is really like. We would love for it to always be calm and yet there are all sorts of seasons that God allows us to live through. "There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven..." (Ecclesiastes 3:1)
The second lesson had to do with our river guide. I could not imagine going down that river without him. As we approached some of the rapids, his ability to give us instruction and navigate our boat kept us safely afloat and on course. Just as I could not imagine going down that river without our guide, I could not imagine going through life without Christ Jesus as my Shepherd. He is there to lead, protect, teach and walk with me through every season (twist/turn) of life. (John 10:1-18)
The final lesson had to do with our need on the raft to listen and act upon our guides instruction. As we got aboard and prepared to head down river, our guide gave us three simple instructions. Our only task was to listen for and then act upon his instruction to us. Failure to do so could lead to trouble on the river. How true for us as we live out our lives for Jesus. He simply asks us to trust Him, listen to Him and then act in obedience upon His instruction to us. (1 John 2:1-6)
How wonderful to live out our lives in the Lord Jesus Christ as our ultimate guide in life no matter what part of the river journey we find ourselves currently on!
The first lesson had to do with the river itself. While on our journey the river had many different twists, turns and levels of rapids. There were portions of absolute calm where the kids hopped out of the raft and gently floated down the river and other portions where we hit level four rapids and the kids (and I) held on for dear life. It just reminded me of what life is really like. We would love for it to always be calm and yet there are all sorts of seasons that God allows us to live through. "There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven..." (Ecclesiastes 3:1)
The second lesson had to do with our river guide. I could not imagine going down that river without him. As we approached some of the rapids, his ability to give us instruction and navigate our boat kept us safely afloat and on course. Just as I could not imagine going down that river without our guide, I could not imagine going through life without Christ Jesus as my Shepherd. He is there to lead, protect, teach and walk with me through every season (twist/turn) of life. (John 10:1-18)
The final lesson had to do with our need on the raft to listen and act upon our guides instruction. As we got aboard and prepared to head down river, our guide gave us three simple instructions. Our only task was to listen for and then act upon his instruction to us. Failure to do so could lead to trouble on the river. How true for us as we live out our lives for Jesus. He simply asks us to trust Him, listen to Him and then act in obedience upon His instruction to us. (1 John 2:1-6)
How wonderful to live out our lives in the Lord Jesus Christ as our ultimate guide in life no matter what part of the river journey we find ourselves currently on!
Friday, July 8, 2011
Rest, Rekindle, Recalibration, Recreation
The other day I was speaking with a friend and we both commented on how we feel like the summer is half over. We've just celebrated the fourth and now we start gearing up towards the Fall. But, somewhere in there are a whole lot of vacations planned by families including my own.
As I think about another family vacation and time away from the office, I always make sure to think through the primary purposes of getting away. I've touched on some of these before, but thought these four were worth sharing as I contemplate them for my life.
REST
I continue to learn that my need for physical, emotional and spiritual rest is necessary. One can only live off of adrenaline for so long without crashing. Sleep is necessary and the chance to sleep in for a few mornings will be wonderful. Emotional and spiritual rest is also necessary. It is far too easy to get caught up in just going through the motions and time is needed to just stop and think about where one is at emotionally and spiritually. God rested on the 7th day of creation not because He was tired but because He was establishing a pattern for us as His created to follow. Rest is necessary.
REKINDLE
I believe immensely in the importance of families stepping out of the ordinary patterns and systems of life to enjoy time together and rekindle relationships. As the family unit erodes within our current culture, there is something special about getting away from the routines of life to just enjoy one another over hours in a car, playing games or experiencing new things together. Time away from the office with my family gives my an opportunity to focus the most important relationships of my life.
RECALIBRATE
By taking the time to rest and remove myself from the normal business of life allows me the time needed to recalibrate spiritually. I try on a regular basis to pause long enough to make sure I am still on track for the Lord. Time away where I am feeling rested gives me the opportunity to set goals for myself that are not being tainted through a mindset of weariness or pressure that can lead to unhealthy or unrealistic personal expectations. We all need to pause long enough to recalibrate spiritually once in a while.
RECREATION
I am also a firm believer that families need to find time to intentionally step away from the routines of life to just have some fun. Please know that I don't buy into the current culture that believes you can only enjoy yourself if you spend lots of money. Time away allows families to spend time trying many news things as well as doing the things they love to do. Whether it involves spending money for a new experience or just laughing together in the car while Dad sings to the radio (its true... I do it and can still bring my wife and kids to tears from laughing so hard), families must learn to have fun and just enjoy being together. God did not create us to never laugh or enjoy life. In Him we have such freedom and joy with every day being viewed as a gift from Him.
So there you go... some of my thoughts in the season of vacations.
As I think about another family vacation and time away from the office, I always make sure to think through the primary purposes of getting away. I've touched on some of these before, but thought these four were worth sharing as I contemplate them for my life.
REST
I continue to learn that my need for physical, emotional and spiritual rest is necessary. One can only live off of adrenaline for so long without crashing. Sleep is necessary and the chance to sleep in for a few mornings will be wonderful. Emotional and spiritual rest is also necessary. It is far too easy to get caught up in just going through the motions and time is needed to just stop and think about where one is at emotionally and spiritually. God rested on the 7th day of creation not because He was tired but because He was establishing a pattern for us as His created to follow. Rest is necessary.
REKINDLE
I believe immensely in the importance of families stepping out of the ordinary patterns and systems of life to enjoy time together and rekindle relationships. As the family unit erodes within our current culture, there is something special about getting away from the routines of life to just enjoy one another over hours in a car, playing games or experiencing new things together. Time away from the office with my family gives my an opportunity to focus the most important relationships of my life.
RECALIBRATE
By taking the time to rest and remove myself from the normal business of life allows me the time needed to recalibrate spiritually. I try on a regular basis to pause long enough to make sure I am still on track for the Lord. Time away where I am feeling rested gives me the opportunity to set goals for myself that are not being tainted through a mindset of weariness or pressure that can lead to unhealthy or unrealistic personal expectations. We all need to pause long enough to recalibrate spiritually once in a while.
RECREATION
I am also a firm believer that families need to find time to intentionally step away from the routines of life to just have some fun. Please know that I don't buy into the current culture that believes you can only enjoy yourself if you spend lots of money. Time away allows families to spend time trying many news things as well as doing the things they love to do. Whether it involves spending money for a new experience or just laughing together in the car while Dad sings to the radio (its true... I do it and can still bring my wife and kids to tears from laughing so hard), families must learn to have fun and just enjoy being together. God did not create us to never laugh or enjoy life. In Him we have such freedom and joy with every day being viewed as a gift from Him.
So there you go... some of my thoughts in the season of vacations.
Wednesday, June 29, 2011
Not for Self
I recently received my quarterly copy of PBU Today from Philadelphia Biblical University. The focus of this current publication revolved around the graduating class of 2011 and the call for them to leave the University and make a difference in this world for God's Glory.
The president, Dr. Todd Williams, wrote an article entitled "Not for Self" as noted in my title above that tied so well into all that has been going through my head as of late. Here are a few thoughts from the article that have struck a nerve and are worth chewing on I believe;
"A vision of the true God leads to a belief that His purposes and glory are the things for which we live and work." I would guess that most Christ followers would nod their heads in agreement with this statement, but what if the rubber were to hit the road and we all had to start evaluating our lives one piece at a time in light of that statement. Do we live in the house we live in for the glory of God or would something smaller work just as well in order to give away more for His glory? Do we work to build more into our retirement plans so we can someday cease to work and just enjoy life or do we work to build more into our retirement plans so I can spend the last 20 years of my life on the mission field for His glory? To truly evaluate our lives based upon the above mentioned statement may have both our lives and our churches looking quite different if we truly believed it.
"The idols of self worship, self gratification and self service must be torn down and destroyed. They have no place in the Christian life." There is not much need to say anything here other than OUCH! We may not set up wooden or golden idols in our backyards that look like a bull but we have bought hook, line and sinker into the worship of self above the one true and living God here in America and fail to acknowledge it is a form of idolatry.
A few weeks ago in a previous blog post, I quoted the following Scriptures which speaks powerfully to the above statements; "Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images made to look like mortal man and birds and animals and reptiles." (Romans 1:22-23). The troubling part about this verse in light of today's blog post is that we don't even bother worshipping images of mortal man. We have moved right to worship of mortal man, namely self. Sobering and yet I have to believe God will honor those who seek to honor Him. So let us live for His Glory and not for self. Counter cultural... YES, but that's OK in light of eternity.
The president, Dr. Todd Williams, wrote an article entitled "Not for Self" as noted in my title above that tied so well into all that has been going through my head as of late. Here are a few thoughts from the article that have struck a nerve and are worth chewing on I believe;
"A vision of the true God leads to a belief that His purposes and glory are the things for which we live and work." I would guess that most Christ followers would nod their heads in agreement with this statement, but what if the rubber were to hit the road and we all had to start evaluating our lives one piece at a time in light of that statement. Do we live in the house we live in for the glory of God or would something smaller work just as well in order to give away more for His glory? Do we work to build more into our retirement plans so we can someday cease to work and just enjoy life or do we work to build more into our retirement plans so I can spend the last 20 years of my life on the mission field for His glory? To truly evaluate our lives based upon the above mentioned statement may have both our lives and our churches looking quite different if we truly believed it.
"The idols of self worship, self gratification and self service must be torn down and destroyed. They have no place in the Christian life." There is not much need to say anything here other than OUCH! We may not set up wooden or golden idols in our backyards that look like a bull but we have bought hook, line and sinker into the worship of self above the one true and living God here in America and fail to acknowledge it is a form of idolatry.
A few weeks ago in a previous blog post, I quoted the following Scriptures which speaks powerfully to the above statements; "Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images made to look like mortal man and birds and animals and reptiles." (Romans 1:22-23). The troubling part about this verse in light of today's blog post is that we don't even bother worshipping images of mortal man. We have moved right to worship of mortal man, namely self. Sobering and yet I have to believe God will honor those who seek to honor Him. So let us live for His Glory and not for self. Counter cultural... YES, but that's OK in light of eternity.
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
Blessing and Purpose: A Disconnect?
As I mentioned in my previous blog post, I am currently reading Radical by David Platt. As I work my way through this book, I find myself continuing to digest my February experience in the Central African Republic in order to somehow connect the realities of what I saw with my daily life on a radically different continent. One concept that came out of the book that is helping revolves around the belief that there is an honest disconnect here in North American between God's blessing (as we define it) and His divine purpose for our lives.
For those of us who have seen and experienced (even if for a very short time) the poverty so many within our world live in, we cannot help but wrestle with the question "Why did God bless me and allow me to live in North America?" We have fresh water, food to eat, the American dream to pursue etc... For many of us, we spend a lifetime grappling with this concept because you never go to your refrigerator or step into a hot shower without some tinge of guilt when you think about how the rest of the world lives.
On the flip side, we spend millions within our culture seeking to explore our purpose in life. Whether we do so with a spiritual perspective or not, so many daily wrestle with why they exist and long for life to have some sort of meaning. This is as true in the church as it is anywhere else. People who fill the pews speak often of trying to find meaning and purpose in their current level of education, promotion at work or the latest vacation home purchased for retirement 30 years down the road. And yet, they grapple as well because this stuff just doesn't lend itself to the longings of our hearts that cry out for divine purpose.
Is it possible that we need to make a connection point with these two concepts? Is it possible that the simple answer is this; God has blessed us in North America so that we can connect, merge and mesh it together with God's ultimate purposes for our lives. Is it possible that you have received a fine education to use it somewhere else in the world for God? Is it possible that God has blessed you financially so that you can have your one home and spend the rest on helping others place some sort of shelter around them? Is it possible that you have been gifted in an area (finances, medicine, handyman, music, teaching, leading, administrating etc...) for the purpose of not only earning a living here in North America but rather to be used somewhere else in the world.
If we are all about bringing glory to God (which I'm not sure we are in the American church), we must connect the dots between God's blessing and His divine purpose for our lives. Life is too short and too many people still need to experience the tangible love of Christ around this globe for us to have a disconnect in this area. Something worth chewing on I believe...
For those of us who have seen and experienced (even if for a very short time) the poverty so many within our world live in, we cannot help but wrestle with the question "Why did God bless me and allow me to live in North America?" We have fresh water, food to eat, the American dream to pursue etc... For many of us, we spend a lifetime grappling with this concept because you never go to your refrigerator or step into a hot shower without some tinge of guilt when you think about how the rest of the world lives.
On the flip side, we spend millions within our culture seeking to explore our purpose in life. Whether we do so with a spiritual perspective or not, so many daily wrestle with why they exist and long for life to have some sort of meaning. This is as true in the church as it is anywhere else. People who fill the pews speak often of trying to find meaning and purpose in their current level of education, promotion at work or the latest vacation home purchased for retirement 30 years down the road. And yet, they grapple as well because this stuff just doesn't lend itself to the longings of our hearts that cry out for divine purpose.
Is it possible that we need to make a connection point with these two concepts? Is it possible that the simple answer is this; God has blessed us in North America so that we can connect, merge and mesh it together with God's ultimate purposes for our lives. Is it possible that you have received a fine education to use it somewhere else in the world for God? Is it possible that God has blessed you financially so that you can have your one home and spend the rest on helping others place some sort of shelter around them? Is it possible that you have been gifted in an area (finances, medicine, handyman, music, teaching, leading, administrating etc...) for the purpose of not only earning a living here in North America but rather to be used somewhere else in the world.
If we are all about bringing glory to God (which I'm not sure we are in the American church), we must connect the dots between God's blessing and His divine purpose for our lives. Life is too short and too many people still need to experience the tangible love of Christ around this globe for us to have a disconnect in this area. Something worth chewing on I believe...
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