As it Should Be

And the LORD shall be King over all the earth. In that day it shall be— “ The LORD is one, and His name one.” Zech14.9 NKJV

We pray, “Your Kingdom come,“ and by it we have in mind a number of things. We are asking first and foremost that Christ reign in our hearts, for surely the Kingdom of Heaven is this before it is anything else. We also ask that our King return to earth, so that the peace He brings within us may rule around us. Many prayers in Scripture, express this single thought. "Come, Lord Jesus!"
Is it not our core belief that, when all is as God desires, all will be as it should be? 6/30/07 ts

As it Should Be

And the LORD shall be King over all the earth. In that day it shall be— “ The LORD is one, and His name one.” Zech14.9 NKJV

We pray, “Your Kingdom come,“ and by it we have in mind a number of things. We are asking first and foremost that Christ reign in our hearts, for surely the Kingdom of Heaven is this before it is anything else. We also ask that our King return to earth, so that the peace He brings within us may rule around us. Many prayers in Scripture, express this single thought. "Come, Lord Jesus!"
Is it not our core belief that, when all is as God desires, all will be as it should be? 6/30/07 ts

True Perfection

The LORD will perfect that which concerns me; your mercy, O LORD, endures forever; do not forsake the works of Your hands. Ps138.8 NKJV

When Christ returns it is said that His reward will come with Him. And what is returning with Him? All of the saints of heaven and earth will come with Him in the clouds of glory. We, are His reward and He, ours. That He views us as such may amaze us, especially when we consider our many imperfections. Yet, the LORD will perfect that which concerns us. Christ will dress us in the wedding gown of His perfection.
He did after all tell us to be perfect as His Father is perfect. Do we really expect Him to marry an incomplete bride.
Here is the hope of our calling, the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints. There awaits for all who eagerly await the Day, the realization of our hopes and dreams, when we at last may look at Him as a bride her lover, and realize for the first time there are no feelings of shame intruding upon our adoration. The LORD will perfect that which concerns me. 6/29/07 ts

True Perfection

The LORD will perfect that which concerns me; your mercy, O LORD, endures forever; do not forsake the works of Your hands. Ps138.8 NKJV

When Christ returns it is said that His reward will come with Him. And what is returning with Him? All of the saints of heaven and earth will come with Him in the clouds of glory. We, are His reward and He, ours. That He views us as such may amaze us, especially when we consider our many imperfections. Yet, the LORD will perfect that which concerns us. Christ will dress us in the wedding gown of His perfection.
He did after all tell us to be perfect as His Father is perfect. Do we really expect Him to marry an incomplete bride.
Here is the hope of our calling, the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints. There awaits for all who eagerly await the Day, the realization of our hopes and dreams, when we at last may look at Him as a bride her lover, and realize for the first time there are no feelings of shame intruding upon our adoration. The LORD will perfect that which concerns me. 6/29/07 ts

We should get on with it, if we want Him to get on with it.

The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance. 2Pt3.9 NKJV

When people ask me if I think Christ is coming soon, my thoughts always run in the direction of whether I think He will come in my lifetime. Now all the events described in Scripture which are supposed to precede His coming, make me wonder if I will live to see it. But everyone knows how quickly the world scene can change, the collapse of the Soviet Union for instance. And, while I wonder if He will come before I taste death, I feel there is a good chance that my children and grandchildren will probably be alive at His coming. All of this, of course, is speculation and mine is no better than any other who ponders the Scriptures.
Yet, I think that the best answer to the question is to say, “Of course He is coming soon.” He told those first century followers that He would, and He told them several times. “Behold, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to everyone according to what he has done.”
But it should be obvious that when a thousand years are as a day to God, then the celebrated words of the Christ character, Aslan, ring true, “I call all times soon.” What is soon to God may not seem soon to us. None the less, He is coming, and any delay, however it is viewed, is because He is not willing that any perish but that all come to repentance.
Like school children we need to stop watching the clock as it does tend to slow time. We should instead get on with the business of the coming King for He will not return until “this gospel of the Kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.”
“Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord” Jesus.”6/28/07 ts

We should get on with it, if we want Him to get on with it.

The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance. 2Pt3.9 NKJV

When people ask me if I think Christ is coming soon, my thoughts always run in the direction of whether I think He will come in my lifetime. Now all the events described in Scripture which are supposed to precede His coming, make me wonder if I will live to see it. But everyone knows how quickly the world scene can change, the collapse of the Soviet Union for instance. And, while I wonder if He will come before I taste death, I feel there is a good chance that my children and grandchildren will probably be alive at His coming. All of this, of course, is speculation and mine is no better than any other who ponders the Scriptures.
Yet, I think that the best answer to the question is to say, “Of course He is coming soon.” He told those first century followers that He would, and He told them several times. “Behold, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to everyone according to what he has done.”
But it should be obvious that when a thousand years are as a day to God, then the celebrated words of the Christ character, Aslan, ring true, “I call all times soon.” What is soon to God may not seem soon to us. None the less, He is coming, and any delay, however it is viewed, is because He is not willing that any perish but that all come to repentance.
Like school children we need to stop watching the clock as it does tend to slow time. We should instead get on with the business of the coming King for He will not return until “this gospel of the Kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.”
“Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord” Jesus.”6/28/07 ts

I, My, Me, Mine, Mine, Mine!

“For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will find it.” Mt16.25 NIV

Jesus strikes at the heart of our misery. It lies in our desire for autonomy, to be in charge, to run the show if you will. We hear it every day in our obsessions with 'I, my, me, and mine." The now famous line from Disney’s, Finding Nemo, “Mine, Mine, Mine!” is a fitting description. (One has to see it to fully appreciate this.)
We need to pay close attention to these words. Jesus is not telling us to lose our lives so that we might lose our lives. He is telling us to lose our life so we may find it. Our problem is not the desire for happiness but in seeking it under our own direction.
I remember offering a distressed child some assistance. She was holding something which required both hands but was holding it wrong. I asked her to give it to me so that I could show her the right way to hold it. Predictably, this daughter of Adam and Eve thought I wanted to take it from her, so she pulled away. Now, my intention was not to take it from her, but for her to give it willingly to me so that I could give it back to her.
Christ is asking us to relinquish our will to His and all the while His desire is not to take happiness from us but to help us find it.
A Christian not only transfers trust to Christ to rescue them from hell but from the very thing that takes us there and that is; I, my me, mine, mine, mine! 6/27/07 ts

I, My, Me, Mine, Mine, Mine!

“For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will find it.” Mt16.25 NIV

Jesus strikes at the heart of our misery. It lies in our desire for autonomy, to be in charge, to run the show if you will. We hear it every day in our obsessions with 'I, my, me, and mine." The now famous line from Disney’s, Finding Nemo, “Mine, Mine, Mine!” is a fitting description. (One has to see it to fully appreciate this.)
We need to pay close attention to these words. Jesus is not telling us to lose our lives so that we might lose our lives. He is telling us to lose our life so we may find it. Our problem is not the desire for happiness but in seeking it under our own direction.
I remember offering a distressed child some assistance. She was holding something which required both hands but was holding it wrong. I asked her to give it to me so that I could show her the right way to hold it. Predictably, this daughter of Adam and Eve thought I wanted to take it from her, so she pulled away. Now, my intention was not to take it from her, but for her to give it willingly to me so that I could give it back to her.
Christ is asking us to relinquish our will to His and all the while His desire is not to take happiness from us but to help us find it.
A Christian not only transfers trust to Christ to rescue them from hell but from the very thing that takes us there and that is; I, my me, mine, mine, mine! 6/27/07 ts

We Cannot Accept Forgiveness if we are not Willing to Grant It.

“Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against one of your people, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the LORD.” Lev19.18 NIV

All who would be children of God are forbidden to retaliate for wrongs against them. We are prohibited to harbor even hard feelings against those who have hurt us. God calls us to return good for evil, and to forgive those who have injured us. This of course, is one example of the radical teachings of Jesus. Not radical in the sense of extreme, oh it is that, but as one of the essential qualities to be forgiven ourselves. Christ tells us that God will not forgive our sins if we do not forgive those who sin against us. We should not view this as some threat held over our head. Rather, Jesus is telling us that the same attitude is needed to ask forgiveness as it is to grant forgiveness. And what is that? Well, everyone knows the difference between one who shows remorse because they have been caught and one who is truly sorry for hurting another. The former thinks only of himself, the latter has escaped such self-centered pride and is thinking of the other.
Mercy is given to the merciful because only the merciful understand the nature of love. They also understand its opposite, which is pride. It is the nature of love to always seek the benefit of another and to do this we must many times forget about ourselves and focus on others. This is especially true when forgiveness is needed even if the other party does not know that they need it. And, just because we forgive our neighbor does not mean that they will accept our forgiveness. They too must get out of their self-centered pride just as we must in order to accept God’s forgiveness. As long as we hold on to our pride we cannot ask forgiveness, or grant it. To let go our pride is the first step of learning to love as we have been loved. 6/26/07 ts

We Cannot Accept Forgiveness if we are not Willing to Grant It.

“Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against one of your people, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the LORD.” Lev19.18 NIV

All who would be children of God are forbidden to retaliate for wrongs against them. We are prohibited to harbor even hard feelings against those who have hurt us. God calls us to return good for evil, and to forgive those who have injured us. This of course, is one example of the radical teachings of Jesus. Not radical in the sense of extreme, oh it is that, but as one of the essential qualities to be forgiven ourselves. Christ tells us that God will not forgive our sins if we do not forgive those who sin against us. We should not view this as some threat held over our head. Rather, Jesus is telling us that the same attitude is needed to ask forgiveness as it is to grant forgiveness. And what is that? Well, everyone knows the difference between one who shows remorse because they have been caught and one who is truly sorry for hurting another. The former thinks only of himself, the latter has escaped such self-centered pride and is thinking of the other.
Mercy is given to the merciful because only the merciful understand the nature of love. They also understand its opposite, which is pride. It is the nature of love to always seek the benefit of another and to do this we must many times forget about ourselves and focus on others. This is especially true when forgiveness is needed even if the other party does not know that they need it. And, just because we forgive our neighbor does not mean that they will accept our forgiveness. They too must get out of their self-centered pride just as we must in order to accept God’s forgiveness. As long as we hold on to our pride we cannot ask forgiveness, or grant it. To let go our pride is the first step of learning to love as we have been loved. 6/26/07 ts

Immortal, Invisible

“Am I a God near at hand,” says the LORD, “And not a God afar off? …Do I not fill heaven and earth?” says the LORD. Jer23.23-24 NKJV

How can one measure the glory of all that is invisible. The air we breathe is unseen. The soul too is beyond sight. Both come from God, who likewise is hid from our eyes. And, though unseen each is manifest in wondrous ways. Wind announces the movements of air. A person who ponders life affirms the specter of the soul and all the processes of heaven and earth declare the presence of the invisible God.
The Hebrew word for soul also translates, breath. And so, we have an invisible soul declaring its presence in the body by breathing invisible air and all sustained by an invisible God.
It is no wonder that we walk by faith and not by sight and that we find comfort in word such as these ''...and though you have not seen Him, you love Him...'' 1Pet.1.8

“Immortal, invisible, God only wise in light inaccessible hid from our eyes. Most blessed, most glorious the ancient of days; Almighty, victorious, Thy great Name we praise.”

6/25/07 ts

Immortal, Invisible

“Am I a God near at hand,” says the LORD, “And not a God afar off? …Do I not fill heaven and earth?” says the LORD. Jer23.23-24 NKJV

How can one measure the glory of all that is invisible. The air we breathe is unseen. The soul too is beyond sight. Both come from God, who likewise is hid from our eyes. And, though unseen each is manifest in wondrous ways. Wind announces the movements of air. A person who ponders life affirms the specter of the soul and all the processes of heaven and earth declare the presence of the invisible God.
The Hebrew word for soul also translates, breath. And so, we have an invisible soul declaring its presence in the body by breathing invisible air and all sustained by an invisible God.
It is no wonder that we walk by faith and not by sight and that we find comfort in word such as these ''...and though you have not seen Him, you love Him...'' 1Pet.1.8

“Immortal, invisible, God only wise in light inaccessible hid from our eyes. Most blessed, most glorious the ancient of days; Almighty, victorious, Thy great Name we praise.”

6/25/07 ts

Soar or Wallow

“but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” Is40.31

Hope is a powerful catalyst for change, an especially so, when hope is put in God. Like faith and love, hope remains one of the big three and often it serves to light the way in times of great distress. But it is difficult to soar with eagles wings if you are wallowing in the mud of self-pity. The promise of these words are to those who hope in the Lord not just to any and all who are downtrodden. Often God must break up the hard ground of self-centered pride before He can sow the seeds of hope in us. My brother once told me that I would not hurt my back when lifting something if I always looked up as I was lifting it. Such simple advise and I have found that it works. I am sure his words have saved me many days of suffering with a strained back.
Look up and you will not be injured, Look down and you will. Hope tells us to look up, self-pity tells us to look at our woes. Look up, or look down. Soar with eagles, or wallow in mud. 6/23/07 ts

Soar or Wallow

“but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” Is40.31

Hope is a powerful catalyst for change, an especially so, when hope is put in God. Like faith and love, hope remains one of the big three and often it serves to light the way in times of great distress. But it is difficult to soar with eagles wings if you are wallowing in the mud of self-pity. The promise of these words are to those who hope in the Lord not just to any and all who are downtrodden. Often God must break up the hard ground of self-centered pride before He can sow the seeds of hope in us. My brother once told me that I would not hurt my back when lifting something if I always looked up as I was lifting it. Such simple advise and I have found that it works. I am sure his words have saved me many days of suffering with a strained back.
Look up and you will not be injured, Look down and you will. Hope tells us to look up, self-pity tells us to look at our woes. Look up, or look down. Soar with eagles, or wallow in mud. 6/23/07 ts

When the Smoke Clears

“The LORD shall preserve you from all evil; He shall preserve your soul.” Ps127.7-8 NKJV

We know these words do not mean that God always keeps His people from getting cancer, having accidents, undergoing debilitating depression or the many other trials of this fallen place. Father does keep us from them though, just not always, and sometimes in ways that we are not able to appreciate. I am sure God has kept me from many things that I know nothing about. And, like most, I am able to point to some instances where His protection was all that stood between me and disaster. The grand assurance of these precious words is that even though evil may come against God’s own, Father will, and He will always see us through it, even use it for good. When all hell is unleashed against the child of God we are assured that when the smoke clears, we, and not our enemy, shall be the one standing.
The story of William Cowper tells this as well as any other. Cowper like many, struggled with depression and doubt. One night he decided to take his life by drowning himself. He called a cab and requested that the driver take him to the Thames River. A thick fog was present that night and long story short, after driving around for sometime, the cabby finally stopped to let Cowper out. To his surprise, William found himself on his own doorstep. Cowper is remembered for his powerful hymn: God Moves in a Mysterious Way.

God Moves in a Mysterious Way His wonders to perform;
He plants His footsteps in the sea And rides upon the storm.
Deep in unfathomable mines Of never failing skill
He treasures up His bright designs And works His sovereign will.
Ye fearful saints, fresh courage take; The clouds ye so much dread
Are big with mercy and shall break In blessings on your head.
Judge not the Lord by feeble sense, But trust Him for His grace;
Behind a frowning providence, He hides a smiling face.
His purposes will ripen fast, Unfolding every hour;
The bud may have a bitter taste, But sweet will be the flower.
Blind unbelief is sure to err And scan His work in vain;
God is His own interpreter, And He will make it plain. 6/22/07 ts

When the Smoke Clears

“The LORD shall preserve you from all evil; He shall preserve your soul.” Ps127.7-8 NKJV

We know these words do not mean that God always keeps His people from getting cancer, having accidents, undergoing debilitating depression or the many other trials of this fallen place. Father does keep us from them though, just not always, and sometimes in ways that we are not able to appreciate. I am sure God has kept me from many things that I know nothing about. And, like most, I am able to point to some instances where His protection was all that stood between me and disaster. The grand assurance of these precious words is that even though evil may come against God’s own, Father will, and He will always see us through it, even use it for good. When all hell is unleashed against the child of God we are assured that when the smoke clears, we, and not our enemy, shall be the one standing.
The story of William Cowper tells this as well as any other. Cowper like many, struggled with depression and doubt. One night he decided to take his life by drowning himself. He called a cab and requested that the driver take him to the Thames River. A thick fog was present that night and long story short, after driving around for sometime, the cabby finally stopped to let Cowper out. To his surprise, William found himself on his own doorstep. Cowper is remembered for his powerful hymn: God Moves in a Mysterious Way.

God Moves in a Mysterious Way His wonders to perform;
He plants His footsteps in the sea And rides upon the storm.
Deep in unfathomable mines Of never failing skill
He treasures up His bright designs And works His sovereign will.
Ye fearful saints, fresh courage take; The clouds ye so much dread
Are big with mercy and shall break In blessings on your head.
Judge not the Lord by feeble sense, But trust Him for His grace;
Behind a frowning providence, He hides a smiling face.
His purposes will ripen fast, Unfolding every hour;
The bud may have a bitter taste, But sweet will be the flower.
Blind unbelief is sure to err And scan His work in vain;
God is His own interpreter, And He will make it plain. 6/22/07 ts

Deliver us from evil.

“He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.” Ps91.1 NKJV

Psalm 91 has been called the “Soldier’s Psalm,” and is still read over kneeling troops before they go into harms way. But, it is not only soldiers who are in harm’s way or who need the assurances given in these words. The world is full of dangers for each of us, threats from without and from within. Body and soul, the physical and spiritual are in constant peril, and this is true every single day. Yet, one encouragement that is repeated to us, over and over again in the Scriptures, is simply this, “Do not be afraid.“
We look to God for provision, we look to Him for protection. Protection and provision are fundamental in any parent child relationship. Father knows that we have need of these things and only heaven will reveal the many times and many ways He has stood watch over us. I think we will be equally surprised to find out how these promises were kept even when a soldier fell in battle or a child of God died in an auto accident. For now, we do what we must, we pray as Christ taught us, “Deliver us from evil.” Thank You Father, for Your kind protection. 6/21/07 ts

Deliver us from evil.

“He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.” Ps91.1 NKJV

Psalm 91 has been called the “Soldier’s Psalm,” and is still read over kneeling troops before they go into harms way. But, it is not only soldiers who are in harm’s way or who need the assurances given in these words. The world is full of dangers for each of us, threats from without and from within. Body and soul, the physical and spiritual are in constant peril, and this is true every single day. Yet, one encouragement that is repeated to us, over and over again in the Scriptures, is simply this, “Do not be afraid.“
We look to God for provision, we look to Him for protection. Protection and provision are fundamental in any parent child relationship. Father knows that we have need of these things and only heaven will reveal the many times and many ways He has stood watch over us. I think we will be equally surprised to find out how these promises were kept even when a soldier fell in battle or a child of God died in an auto accident. For now, we do what we must, we pray as Christ taught us, “Deliver us from evil.” Thank You Father, for Your kind protection. 6/21/07 ts

His Purpose or Our Own

“For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul?” Mk8.36

Jesus is telling us clearly, that if we hold on to autonomy, live for our own purposes and refuse Him the throne of our lives that we can lose our soul. My oldest daughter wrote a paper in grammar school defining success. In it she expressed that if she became the President of the United States and this was not God’s will for her life then she would not be a successful person. This was her simple way of understanding the words of Christ. Each of us would do well I think to flesh out these words of Christ. The recent movie Kingdom of Heaven made an impression in me in a number of ways. In one scene Hospitaller was explaining to young Bailian the nature of the Kingdom of Heaven. Pointing to his head and then his heart he said, “The Kingdom of God is here, and here, and what you decide to do everyday, you will be a good man or not.” We lose or gain our soul each time we choose His purpose or our own. 6/20/07 ts

His Purpose or Our Own

“For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul?” Mk8.36

Jesus is telling us clearly, that if we hold on to autonomy, live for our own purposes and refuse Him the throne of our lives that we can lose our soul. My oldest daughter wrote a paper in grammar school defining success. In it she expressed that if she became the President of the United States and this was not God’s will for her life then she would not be a successful person. This was her simple way of understanding the words of Christ. Each of us would do well I think to flesh out these words of Christ. The recent movie Kingdom of Heaven made an impression in me in a number of ways. In one scene Hospitaller was explaining to young Bailian the nature of the Kingdom of Heaven. Pointing to his head and then his heart he said, “The Kingdom of God is here, and here, and what you decide to do everyday, you will be a good man or not.” We lose or gain our soul each time we choose His purpose or our own. 6/20/07 ts

Loving Someone when you Don’t like them

“Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word,” Ep525-26 NIV

It has been said that the best thing a father can do for his children is to love their mother. Such words are aptly spoken in this day of divorce. I think one of the most important lessons that we learn from Christ is to love someone even when we don’t like them. The pledge of marriage promises to do just that. We troth ourselves to another for better or for worse. This many times, will mean that we stay with someone when we would rather be somewhere else.
Marriage is the pledge, that regardless of how we feel, we will always seek and do what is best for our mate. I will love you even when I don’t like you. At times we must ignore how we feel, if we are to truly love someone. We give ourselves up for them, loving by our actions and all the while we hope and pray that where our treasure is, our heart will follow. He did after all, assure us that it would. 6/19/07 ts

Loving Someone when you Don’t like them

“Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word,” Ep525-26 NIV

It has been said that the best thing a father can do for his children is to love their mother. Such words are aptly spoken in this day of divorce. I think one of the most important lessons that we learn from Christ is to love someone even when we don’t like them. The pledge of marriage promises to do just that. We troth ourselves to another for better or for worse. This many times, will mean that we stay with someone when we would rather be somewhere else.
Marriage is the pledge, that regardless of how we feel, we will always seek and do what is best for our mate. I will love you even when I don’t like you. At times we must ignore how we feel, if we are to truly love someone. We give ourselves up for them, loving by our actions and all the while we hope and pray that where our treasure is, our heart will follow. He did after all, assure us that it would. 6/19/07 ts

Talking with Others, or to Others

Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.” Ep6.4 NIV

I would think these words would have application in a number of settings--work as well as home, a classroom or any place where one person advises or teaches another.
I read the other day that ninety percent of the friction in the world was caused by the tone in one’s voice. People often fail to communicate because the tone drowns out the talk. There are people who talk with others and there are those who talk to others. What good is advise if it is rejected because of the manner in which it is given. "The tongue of the wise makes knowledge acceptable." Pr15.2 NASB 6/18/07

Talking with Others, or to Others

Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.” Ep6.4 NIV

I would think these words would have application in a number of settings--work as well as home, a classroom or any place where one person advises or teaches another.
I read the other day that ninety percent of the friction in the world was caused by the tone in one’s voice. People often fail to communicate because the tone drowns out the talk. There are people who talk with others and there are those who talk to others. What good is advise if it is rejected because of the manner in which it is given. "The tongue of the wise makes knowledge acceptable." Pr15.2 NASB 6/18/07

Environmental Concerns

“But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ,” Phil3.20 NIV

Christians are sometimes accused of being escapists, and that our love for heaven keeps us from making earth a better place. If we are honest, we would concede that this shoe definitely fit’s the attitude of some Christians today. But, this was certainly not the vision of America‘s founding fathers, most of whom were professing Christians. People who have no concern for the environment, or a cure for AIDS, or for anything but the rescue of souls from the sinking ship called earth, are living and sucking on the freedoms secured by the faith a more mature generation of Christians.
In one sense I think those who care the most for heaven will do the most for earth. Why? Because when Christ taught us to set our affections on things above He was not directing us to it’s streets of gold but to that one virtue that transforms everything it touches into a heaven. Heaven is heaven because God abides there. The one who abides in love abides in God. Love is always caring, improving, seeking to benefit in every way. Love is transforming and will transform all that it touches. Christians should not only seek to preserve the environment but to make it better. One way we do this is by making the people who live in the world more caring and more loving. Scriptures teach us that a righteous man cares for the needs of his animals. Love transforms the uncaring into the caring.
As one brother put it, earth can be either the upper reaches of hell or the lower reaches of heaven. The presence or absence of Christian love is what renders it one or the other. 6/14/07 ts

Environmental Concerns

“But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ,” Phil3.20 NIV

Christians are sometimes accused of being escapists, and that our love for heaven keeps us from making earth a better place. If we are honest, we would concede that this shoe definitely fit’s the attitude of some Christians today. But, this was certainly not the vision of America‘s founding fathers, most of whom were professing Christians. People who have no concern for the environment, or a cure for AIDS, or for anything but the rescue of souls from the sinking ship called earth, are living and sucking on the freedoms secured by the faith a more mature generation of Christians.
In one sense I think those who care the most for heaven will do the most for earth. Why? Because when Christ taught us to set our affections on things above He was not directing us to it’s streets of gold but to that one virtue that transforms everything it touches into a heaven. Heaven is heaven because God abides there. The one who abides in love abides in God. Love is always caring, improving, seeking to benefit in every way. Love is transforming and will transform all that it touches. Christians should not only seek to preserve the environment but to make it better. One way we do this is by making the people who live in the world more caring and more loving. Scriptures teach us that a righteous man cares for the needs of his animals. Love transforms the uncaring into the caring.
As one brother put it, earth can be either the upper reaches of hell or the lower reaches of heaven. The presence or absence of Christian love is what renders it one or the other. 6/14/07 ts

The Answer to our Prayers

If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!” Lk11.13 NKJV

We may ask for any number of things from God and while He does not promise to always give us what we ask, He does offer us the assurance that His answer will be a good one. That is, He will never answer us in any way that does not bring His goodness to us. More than likely, He will give us something better than what we have asked.
Jesus tells us that the Holy Spirit is the good gift that Father is more than willing to give. Christ may very well be telling us that the Holy Spirit is the good, even better answer to many of our request. We ask for wisdom, He gives us the Holy Spirit. We ask for health, He gives us the Holy Spirit. We ask for whatever, and God’s better answer is the Holy Spirit.
What a wonderfully good gift is the Spirit of God. He is the mind of Christ. He possesses for our asking the “one thing that is needed,“ in any circumstance. He is our help, light, encouragement even enabling power. The Holy Spirit not only communicates what God’s will is for us--what path is best, He empowers us to walk it working in us to will and do God's good pleasure. His fruit is all that we really desire to be in Christ--love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. It should not surprise us that when we have asked God for something, He may very well answer, “I am here,” rather than, “Here it is.”
We do not know what we ought to pray for,
but the Spirit himself intercedes for us
with groans that words cannot express.
And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit,
because the Spirit intercedes for the saints
in accordance with God's will. Rm8
6/13/07 ts

The Answer to our Prayers

If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!” Lk11.13 NKJV

We may ask for any number of things from God and while He does not promise to always give us what we ask, He does offer us the assurance that His answer will be a good one. That is, He will never answer us in any way that does not bring His goodness to us. More than likely, He will give us something better than what we have asked.
Jesus tells us that the Holy Spirit is the good gift that Father is more than willing to give. Christ may very well be telling us that the Holy Spirit is the good, even better answer to many of our request. We ask for wisdom, He gives us the Holy Spirit. We ask for health, He gives us the Holy Spirit. We ask for whatever, and God’s better answer is the Holy Spirit.
What a wonderfully good gift is the Spirit of God. He is the mind of Christ. He possesses for our asking the “one thing that is needed,“ in any circumstance. He is our help, light, encouragement even enabling power. The Holy Spirit not only communicates what God’s will is for us--what path is best, He empowers us to walk it working in us to will and do God's good pleasure. His fruit is all that we really desire to be in Christ--love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. It should not surprise us that when we have asked God for something, He may very well answer, “I am here,” rather than, “Here it is.”
We do not know what we ought to pray for,
but the Spirit himself intercedes for us
with groans that words cannot express.
And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit,
because the Spirit intercedes for the saints
in accordance with God's will. Rm8
6/13/07 ts

The Makers Praise

The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they display knowledge.” Ps19.1 NIV

There is great joy in waking to the presence of God in all things and at all times. Every sight and sound announces the fragrant aroma of His presence. That sense of the Divine is the lingering gift of His handiwork in our soul. Most people are still stirred by the wonders of creation and who is not humbled when standing under the heavens at night. All creation proclaims the value of the Almighty. Sometimes shouted, other times whispered, the majesty of the Maker is their constant theme. Even an asphalt parking lot and the black rivers that connect our cities, declare the wonder of God. Every invention of man mirrors the Creative Hand. Cars, planes and trains as well as sunsets, flowers and rock towers, instruct us about the majesty of the One from whom, by whom and to whom are all things.
Even the fool who says in his heart that there is no God is the display of His tender mercies. When any person under heaven, believer or not, draws a breath, it is the expressed kindness of God that the air in our lungs is processed into life. He is Creator and Sustainer of both the just and the unjust.
We are taught much by the witness of creation. And as I am a part of it, placed in dominion over it, let my voice too declare the Makers praise. 6/12/07 ts

The Makers Praise

The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they display knowledge.” Ps19.1 NIV

There is great joy in waking to the presence of God in all things and at all times. Every sight and sound announces the fragrant aroma of His presence. That sense of the Divine is the lingering gift of His handiwork in our soul. Most people are still stirred by the wonders of creation and who is not humbled when standing under the heavens at night. All creation proclaims the value of the Almighty. Sometimes shouted, other times whispered, the majesty of the Maker is their constant theme. Even an asphalt parking lot and the black rivers that connect our cities, declare the wonder of God. Every invention of man mirrors the Creative Hand. Cars, planes and trains as well as sunsets, flowers and rock towers, instruct us about the majesty of the One from whom, by whom and to whom are all things.
Even the fool who says in his heart that there is no God is the display of His tender mercies. When any person under heaven, believer or not, draws a breath, it is the expressed kindness of God that the air in our lungs is processed into life. He is Creator and Sustainer of both the just and the unjust.
We are taught much by the witness of creation. And as I am a part of it, placed in dominion over it, let my voice too declare the Makers praise. 6/12/07 ts

Weaning the Soul

“Be still, and know that I am God…” Ps46.10 NKJV

When I was a teenager I began going to the woods for quiet reflection and prayer. I picked out a quit spot, lined it rocks, and set an old log in the middle so that I could sit in repose. I remember carving this verse of Scripture into one of the trees in my little forest garden. I have always sought out quiet places. I have a garden now but I have learned through the years that having a quiet place to pray does not necessarily mean that the soul is quiet. I have sat in many a peaceful place, all the while my soul was a raging torrent of emotions.
We are told that Christ leads His own beside still waters. Why? Quiet waters run deep and our Shepherd is nurturing in us a faith that runs quiet and deep.
The Holy Spirit offers to help us still the soul in the presence of God if we will humbly accept it. David prayed, ''O LORD, my heart is not proud, nor my eyes haughty; Nor do I involve myself in great matters, Or in things too difficult for me. Surely I have composed and quieted my soul; Like a weaned child rests against his mother, My soul is like a weaned child within me." Ps. 131
A weaned child wants for nothing. It rests content in the arms of its mother. To be still and know that God is God, is to rest from the mental labors to "figure it out.“ Be still and rest O my soul. Be still and know that God is God. 6/11/07 ts

Weaning the Soul

“Be still, and know that I am God…” Ps46.10 NKJV

When I was a teenager I began going to the woods for quiet reflection and prayer. I picked out a quit spot, lined it rocks, and set an old log in the middle so that I could sit in repose. I remember carving this verse of Scripture into one of the trees in my little forest garden. I have always sought out quiet places. I have a garden now but I have learned through the years that having a quiet place to pray does not necessarily mean that the soul is quiet. I have sat in many a peaceful place, all the while my soul was a raging torrent of emotions.
We are told that Christ leads His own beside still waters. Why? Quiet waters run deep and our Shepherd is nurturing in us a faith that runs quiet and deep.
The Holy Spirit offers to help us still the soul in the presence of God if we will humbly accept it. David prayed, ''O LORD, my heart is not proud, nor my eyes haughty; Nor do I involve myself in great matters, Or in things too difficult for me. Surely I have composed and quieted my soul; Like a weaned child rests against his mother, My soul is like a weaned child within me." Ps. 131
A weaned child wants for nothing. It rests content in the arms of its mother. To be still and know that God is God, is to rest from the mental labors to "figure it out.“ Be still and rest O my soul. Be still and know that God is God. 6/11/07 ts

The Straight and Narrow

“…narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.” Mt7.14

Of all the radical things said by the Lord Jesus, I think these are among the most sobering. I have met very few people who believe they are not a Christian and looking at the results of numerous polls the notion of most is that few are on the road to destruction and many on the road to life, or at least it is someone else and not I who is on the road to hell.
I have wondered from time to time if I myself walk the straight and narrow or if I am one of the delusional self righteous and religious who will be sorely surprised at Judgment.
When I have these thoughts, I go to the only secure ground that affords any comfort. The old hymn states, “On Christ the solid rock I stand, all other ground is sinking sand.”
It would be a mistake to believe that walking the straight and narrow is trying to merit God’s favor by being good and perfect. Such efforts are condemned as quick sand. The only solid ground is to trust Christ for both atonement and alteration. His death is said to free us from the penalty of sin, and His life from the power of sin. It is also a mistake to believe that one can look to Christ for forgiveness and refuse the change of character He inevitably brings and must necessarily bring if we are to be happy in the Kingdom of God. The Father knows that we cannot clean-up our act or reform ourselves. For this He has given us the gift of His Son. To live in Christ is to be on the straight and narrow road. Did Jesus not say, “I am the way, the truth and the life and no one comes to the Father except through me.” 6/9/07 ts

The Straight and Narrow

“…narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.” Mt7.14

Of all the radical things said by the Lord Jesus, I think these are among the most sobering. I have met very few people who believe they are not a Christian and looking at the results of numerous polls the notion of most is that few are on the road to destruction and many on the road to life, or at least it is someone else and not I who is on the road to hell.
I have wondered from time to time if I myself walk the straight and narrow or if I am one of the delusional self righteous and religious who will be sorely surprised at Judgment.
When I have these thoughts, I go to the only secure ground that affords any comfort. The old hymn states, “On Christ the solid rock I stand, all other ground is sinking sand.”
It would be a mistake to believe that walking the straight and narrow is trying to merit God’s favor by being good and perfect. Such efforts are condemned as quick sand. The only solid ground is to trust Christ for both atonement and alteration. His death is said to free us from the penalty of sin, and His life from the power of sin. It is also a mistake to believe that one can look to Christ for forgiveness and refuse the change of character He inevitably brings and must necessarily bring if we are to be happy in the Kingdom of God. The Father knows that we cannot clean-up our act or reform ourselves. For this He has given us the gift of His Son. To live in Christ is to be on the straight and narrow road. Did Jesus not say, “I am the way, the truth and the life and no one comes to the Father except through me.” 6/9/07 ts

Mother Bear

“I will fall upon them like a bear robbed of her cubs” Hos13.8

The other day I was mad about something. I was walking around the house ranting and raving when I noticed that Maggie our Lab, had her ears folded back and was gingerly avoiding me. It strummed the strings of my heart when I realized that my anger, even though it was not directed at her, was upsetting her. There many passages in the Scriptures which give a vivid description of God’s wrath and judgment. I always feel uncomfortable when I read about God’s anger, even when it is not directed at me.
We live in a day where God’s judgment is not only questioned but condemned by the judgment of men. This generation has put God on trial and people refuse to believe in any God who gets angry or who threatens judgment. A more mature generation would tell us that God would not be good if He did not hate evil. God’s anger is always directed against injustice and though He is full of tender mercy, He tells us that He will come against evil like a mother bear robbed of her cubs. Can you imagine? Would we not say that any mother who did not act in defense of her children was not a good mother? Certainly we would, and God would not be a good God if He did not hate injustice and defend His own. Judgment will certainly come but God who is rich in mercy has given us all a way of escape. It may be unsettling to be around an angry God, but it is also comforting to know that His anger is directed against anything that threatens to harm those He loves. He is our mother bear. 6/8/07 ts

Mother Bear

“I will fall upon them like a bear robbed of her cubs” Hos13.8

The other day I was mad about something. I was walking around the house ranting and raving when I noticed that Maggie our Lab, had her ears folded back and was gingerly avoiding me. It strummed the strings of my heart when I realized that my anger, even though it was not directed at her, was upsetting her. There many passages in the Scriptures which give a vivid description of God’s wrath and judgment. I always feel uncomfortable when I read about God’s anger, even when it is not directed at me.
We live in a day where God’s judgment is not only questioned but condemned by the judgment of men. This generation has put God on trial and people refuse to believe in any God who gets angry or who threatens judgment. A more mature generation would tell us that God would not be good if He did not hate evil. God’s anger is always directed against injustice and though He is full of tender mercy, He tells us that He will come against evil like a mother bear robbed of her cubs. Can you imagine? Would we not say that any mother who did not act in defense of her children was not a good mother? Certainly we would, and God would not be a good God if He did not hate injustice and defend His own. Judgment will certainly come but God who is rich in mercy has given us all a way of escape. It may be unsettling to be around an angry God, but it is also comforting to know that His anger is directed against anything that threatens to harm those He loves. He is our mother bear. 6/8/07 ts

Hitting the Wall

Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever You had formed the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, You are God. Ps90.2 NKJV

“Where did God come from?” Every year I expect and receive this question in Bible class. When I tell the students that the Scriptures teach us that God has no beginning and that He is from everlasting to everlasting I can almost hear the thump of their heads hitting the wall. The reason that I can hear this is because my head is leaning against the same wall. God staggers the imagination as no other.
What does it mean to be God? Only God can tell us and even then there are limitations to our ability to understand. He has chosen to reveal Himself in nature and in the Word. All that we see of Him in nature is focused in the Scriptures. Moses penned this reflection about God. We are told that God spoke to Moses as a man speaks with a friend. So it was God who explained to Moses that He was from everlasting to everlasting. I am sure that had we been privy to this conversation we would have heard Moses head go thump as he too would have hit the wall of trying to comprehend something incomprehensible. God no more can explain certain aspects of what it means to be God than I can explain to my lab why her ear hurts every time she plays in water. Then why does He tell us these things? Well, we are told some things not so that we will comprehend them but so that when we realize that we do not, the revelation serves to put us in our place. When God tells us that He is from everlasting to everlasting I think He is helping us to see that we are not the hub of life and that one of the reasons why our lives are so out of balance is due to the fact that we have sought to make ourselves the center. 6/7/07 ts

Hitting the Wall

Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever You had formed the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, You are God. Ps90.2 NKJV

“Where did God come from?” Every year I expect and receive this question in Bible class. When I tell the students that the Scriptures teach us that God has no beginning and that He is from everlasting to everlasting I can almost hear the thump of their heads hitting the wall. The reason that I can hear this is because my head is leaning against the same wall. God staggers the imagination as no other.
What does it mean to be God? Only God can tell us and even then there are limitations to our ability to understand. He has chosen to reveal Himself in nature and in the Word. All that we see of Him in nature is focused in the Scriptures. Moses penned this reflection about God. We are told that God spoke to Moses as a man speaks with a friend. So it was God who explained to Moses that He was from everlasting to everlasting. I am sure that had we been privy to this conversation we would have heard Moses head go thump as he too would have hit the wall of trying to comprehend something incomprehensible. God no more can explain certain aspects of what it means to be God than I can explain to my lab why her ear hurts every time she plays in water. Then why does He tell us these things? Well, we are told some things not so that we will comprehend them but so that when we realize that we do not, the revelation serves to put us in our place. When God tells us that He is from everlasting to everlasting I think He is helping us to see that we are not the hub of life and that one of the reasons why our lives are so out of balance is due to the fact that we have sought to make ourselves the center. 6/7/07 ts

Knowing in the Biblical Sense of the Word

“…that you… may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height—to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge… Ep3.17-19 NKJV

Yesterday Brenda and I celebrated our 31st wedding anniversary and went to Montgomery for an evening together. Both of us, in our own way, conveyed love for the other. All through the evening we expressed words, held hands, smiled and shared resonating looks, ate at our favorite restaurant, and drove home watching a beautiful sunset drinking our favorite coffee. When you love someone you not only want them to know that you do, you want them to experience it. Driving around Montgomery we noticed at least two billboard signs which boldly declared, “Jesus loves You.“ I had commented on the first and when I saw the second, I asked Brenda if she thought that perhaps Christ was trying to tell us something. There was one moment where I was keenly aware of His pleasure in our marriage.
I think that because God loves us He desires that we not only know that He does, He wants us to experience His love. The prayer above is that we would be able to comprehend or lay hold of just how much He loves us, not only with our mind but in our experience. His desire is that we know the love of Christ which goes beyond mere knowledge. When Christ tells us to abide in His love He is in effect telling us to live under the umbrella of its joy, protection, comfort and benefit. He explains that we abide in His love when we do as He asks just as He abides in His Father’s love by doing the same. It is one thing to know that an umbrella can keep you out of the rain, it is another to actually come out of the rain and under its protection and benefit. The Bible tells us that Adam knew Eve and she conceived and gave birth to a son. What interesting way of describing sexual intimacy. To know in the biblical sense of the word is to have an intimate and personal encounter with what one is knowing. God wants our knowledge of His love to be in the biblical sense of the word, an intimate, personal and experiential knowing. 6/6/07 ts

Knowing in the Biblical Sense of the Word

“…that you… may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height—to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge… Ep3.17-19 NKJV

Yesterday Brenda and I celebrated our 31st wedding anniversary and went to Montgomery for an evening together. Both of us, in our own way, conveyed love for the other. All through the evening we expressed words, held hands, smiled and shared resonating looks, ate at our favorite restaurant, and drove home watching a beautiful sunset drinking our favorite coffee. When you love someone you not only want them to know that you do, you want them to experience it. Driving around Montgomery we noticed at least two billboard signs which boldly declared, “Jesus loves You.“ I had commented on the first and when I saw the second, I asked Brenda if she thought that perhaps Christ was trying to tell us something. There was one moment where I was keenly aware of His pleasure in our marriage.
I think that because God loves us He desires that we not only know that He does, He wants us to experience His love. The prayer above is that we would be able to comprehend or lay hold of just how much He loves us, not only with our mind but in our experience. His desire is that we know the love of Christ which goes beyond mere knowledge. When Christ tells us to abide in His love He is in effect telling us to live under the umbrella of its joy, protection, comfort and benefit. He explains that we abide in His love when we do as He asks just as He abides in His Father’s love by doing the same. It is one thing to know that an umbrella can keep you out of the rain, it is another to actually come out of the rain and under its protection and benefit. The Bible tells us that Adam knew Eve and she conceived and gave birth to a son. What interesting way of describing sexual intimacy. To know in the biblical sense of the word is to have an intimate and personal encounter with what one is knowing. God wants our knowledge of His love to be in the biblical sense of the word, an intimate, personal and experiential knowing. 6/6/07 ts

Givers and Takers

Therefore comfort each other and edify one another, just as you also are doing. 1Th5.11 NKJV

We meet Christ in other people. He comes to us to enlighten, encourage and enable. Christ meets with others in us when we come along side them to do the same. Each day I receive email messages from family and friends. It is a pleasant sensation to hear the familiar ding, announcing that you have mail. To know that others are thinking about you is a great encouragements. Everyday, I get jokes, prayer request, pictures, and messages, some needing comfort, some offering it.
The “Our” in “Our Father who art in heaven,” makes it abundantly clear that God considers us a community. Everyday each person is either giving or taking from that community. Givers or takers. I am not saying that when we need comfort we are takers. No, when I come to someone for comfort and they give it, my need gives meaning to their encouragement. A taker is one who sucks on the world like a leech, a mosquito or a tick. There are givers and there are takers and then there are people in transition between the two, sometimes giving sometimes taking all in the same day. Christ who lives in us would, not leave us a taker but transform us into perpetual givers. Pray the prayer of one who would be a giver:
Lord, make me an instrument of Thy peace;
where there is hatred, let me sow love;
where there is injury, pardon;
where there is doubt, faith;
where there is despair, hope;
where there is darkness, light;
and where there is sadness, joy.
O Divine Master,
grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console;
to be understood, as to understand;
to be loved, as to love;
for it is in giving that we receive,
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned,
and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life. Amen. St. Francis of Assisi
6/5/07 ts

Givers and Takers

Therefore comfort each other and edify one another, just as you also are doing. 1Th5.11 NKJV

We meet Christ in other people. He comes to us to enlighten, encourage and enable. Christ meets with others in us when we come along side them to do the same. Each day I receive email messages from family and friends. It is a pleasant sensation to hear the familiar ding, announcing that you have mail. To know that others are thinking about you is a great encouragements. Everyday, I get jokes, prayer request, pictures, and messages, some needing comfort, some offering it.
The “Our” in “Our Father who art in heaven,” makes it abundantly clear that God considers us a community. Everyday each person is either giving or taking from that community. Givers or takers. I am not saying that when we need comfort we are takers. No, when I come to someone for comfort and they give it, my need gives meaning to their encouragement. A taker is one who sucks on the world like a leech, a mosquito or a tick. There are givers and there are takers and then there are people in transition between the two, sometimes giving sometimes taking all in the same day. Christ who lives in us would, not leave us a taker but transform us into perpetual givers. Pray the prayer of one who would be a giver:
Lord, make me an instrument of Thy peace;
where there is hatred, let me sow love;
where there is injury, pardon;
where there is doubt, faith;
where there is despair, hope;
where there is darkness, light;
and where there is sadness, joy.
O Divine Master,
grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console;
to be understood, as to understand;
to be loved, as to love;
for it is in giving that we receive,
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned,
and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life. Amen. St. Francis of Assisi
6/5/07 ts

The Proper Appendage

Yours, O LORD, is the greatness, The power and the glory, The victory and the majesty; For all that is in heaven and in earth is Yours; Yours is the kingdom, O LORD, And You are exalted as head over all. 1Ch29.11 NKJV

An appendage is often added to something to fill out the meaning of what has been said. These words are thought by many to have been appended, at least in short form, to the Lord’s Prayer to better suit it for use in liturgy. But, they certainly also fill out what we have been trying, at least with proper attitude, to say to God. It is a fitting conclusion to the prayer that Christ taught us to pray.
Often when we speak to God about God, we are in truth addressing not only Him, we are reminding our own heart the truths we believe about Him. Why ask for something, for anything if we do not believe that He has the power to grant it. It is good to remind ourselves that God is over all things.
This is especially true when He does not answer us as we perhaps, would like. When I have asked God for something and He has refused it, it is not that He was unable to give it, but unwilling. That He was unwilling means that He has something better in mind. We are told that all the promises of God are “Yes,” in Christ. God will not give us anything that does not mirror His greatest gift. Would we really want Him to do so. Sometimes He says 'no' because He has in fact already said yes to a greater good. For instance, when I claim God's promise to give 'whatever' I ask, He may decide to answer 'No' from my narrow perspective but 'Yes' from His infinite one. This is not some mumbo jumbo way of trying to explain unanswered prayer. If we really believe that God is head over all, then all things, even our unanswered prayers express this. When we ask that His Kingdom come and His will be done we are not trying to bend God to our will, but we to His. If we really believe in His infinite glory would we have it any other way? 6/4/07 ts

The Proper Appendage

Yours, O LORD, is the greatness, The power and the glory, The victory and the majesty; For all that is in heaven and in earth is Yours; Yours is the kingdom, O LORD, And You are exalted as head over all. 1Ch29.11 NKJV

An appendage is often added to something to fill out the meaning of what has been said. These words are thought by many to have been appended, at least in short form, to the Lord’s Prayer to better suit it for use in liturgy. But, they certainly also fill out what we have been trying, at least with proper attitude, to say to God. It is a fitting conclusion to the prayer that Christ taught us to pray.
Often when we speak to God about God, we are in truth addressing not only Him, we are reminding our own heart the truths we believe about Him. Why ask for something, for anything if we do not believe that He has the power to grant it. It is good to remind ourselves that God is over all things.
This is especially true when He does not answer us as we perhaps, would like. When I have asked God for something and He has refused it, it is not that He was unable to give it, but unwilling. That He was unwilling means that He has something better in mind. We are told that all the promises of God are “Yes,” in Christ. God will not give us anything that does not mirror His greatest gift. Would we really want Him to do so. Sometimes He says 'no' because He has in fact already said yes to a greater good. For instance, when I claim God's promise to give 'whatever' I ask, He may decide to answer 'No' from my narrow perspective but 'Yes' from His infinite one. This is not some mumbo jumbo way of trying to explain unanswered prayer. If we really believe that God is head over all, then all things, even our unanswered prayers express this. When we ask that His Kingdom come and His will be done we are not trying to bend God to our will, but we to His. If we really believe in His infinite glory would we have it any other way? 6/4/07 ts

Bumper Sticker Theology

To those who eagerly wait for Him He will appear a second time, apart from sin, for salvation. He9.28 NKJV

I once saw a bumper sticker that said, “Jesus is coming! Everybody look busy!" Now, I must confess that I did chuckle out loud. The theology behind this bumper sticker does imply some interesting attitudes about how people view Christ. Not all of them are correct mind you, but common enough to resonate with most people so as to draw a similar response as mine. I think a good many people have been caught off guard, by a boss at work. I remember once working or I should say goofing off in the stock room with a fellow worker when we both looked up and saw the manager staring at us. Both of us immediately started “looking busy.” It was no good of course, we knew he had caught us with our pants down.
Christ tells us that His second coming will be “like a thief in the night,” that is He come unexpected. Yet, we are told over and over again to wait expectantly for Him. Actually this expression is used only seven times in the New Testament, and all of them refer to the second coming. The word also means to wait patiently and assiduously. In other words, to be attentive and industrious as we look for His return. So, instead of saying that Jesus is coming, everybody look busy, it might be better to say, though not quite as humorous, Jesus is coming, Everybody, be busy. 6/2/07 ts

Bumper Sticker Theology

To those who eagerly wait for Him He will appear a second time, apart from sin, for salvation. He9.28 NKJV

I once saw a bumper sticker that said, “Jesus is coming! Everybody look busy!" Now, I must confess that I did chuckle out loud. The theology behind this bumper sticker does imply some interesting attitudes about how people view Christ. Not all of them are correct mind you, but common enough to resonate with most people so as to draw a similar response as mine. I think a good many people have been caught off guard, by a boss at work. I remember once working or I should say goofing off in the stock room with a fellow worker when we both looked up and saw the manager staring at us. Both of us immediately started “looking busy.” It was no good of course, we knew he had caught us with our pants down.
Christ tells us that His second coming will be “like a thief in the night,” that is He come unexpected. Yet, we are told over and over again to wait expectantly for Him. Actually this expression is used only seven times in the New Testament, and all of them refer to the second coming. The word also means to wait patiently and assiduously. In other words, to be attentive and industrious as we look for His return. So, instead of saying that Jesus is coming, everybody look busy, it might be better to say, though not quite as humorous, Jesus is coming, Everybody, be busy. 6/2/07 ts

Flat Thinking

Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away. Also there was no more sea. Rev.21.1 NKJV

I remember the first time that I read these words, I was somewhat troubled by them. You might very well wonder why this description of the new earth would disturb someone. The expression, “there was no more sea,” bothered me. I was unsettled by the thought that if there is no sea in the world to come, what else might be missing. Now, I have never been a beach person but prefer the woods and mountains as my playground. But I could not help but think of people who love surfing, diving or deep sea fishing. I was wondering how they would feel to discover that in the eternal state there would be no more sea. I also wondered if something that I loved to do in the here and now would no longer be available in heaven. I confess that streets of gold have never had much of an appeal to one who loves wood, wind and water.
Now my young thinking was wrong in a number of ways. The first was that I was reading and understanding the Scriptures in some flat or literal manner. Flat thinking does not take into account that a picture of a hand cannot fully describe a real hand. Should we understand that if God wipes every tear from our eyes, that there will be no tears of joy in glory? John’s description of heaven is much like our looking at a picture of someplace we have never been. The picture is flat, lacking the depth which only being there can describe.
My second mistake was not taking into account something that should be quite obvious. Cannot God, who made chocolate and made my palate love the taste of chocolate also make my heart love, and truly love what awaits me in glory. The new heaven and the new earth will be different from the present heavens and earth but so also will I. What ever awaits us is sure to be heaven because heaven itself will rule in our hearts. 6/1/07 ts

Flat Thinking

Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away. Also there was no more sea. Rev.21.1 NKJV

I remember the first time that I read these words, I was somewhat troubled by them. You might very well wonder why this description of the new earth would disturb someone. The expression, “there was no more sea,” bothered me. I was unsettled by the thought that if there is no sea in the world to come, what else might be missing. Now, I have never been a beach person but prefer the woods and mountains as my playground. But I could not help but think of people who love surfing, diving or deep sea fishing. I was wondering how they would feel to discover that in the eternal state there would be no more sea. I also wondered if something that I loved to do in the here and now would no longer be available in heaven. I confess that streets of gold have never had much of an appeal to one who loves wood, wind and water.
Now my young thinking was wrong in a number of ways. The first was that I was reading and understanding the Scriptures in some flat or literal manner. Flat thinking does not take into account that a picture of a hand cannot fully describe a real hand. Should we understand that if God wipes every tear from our eyes, that there will be no tears of joy in glory? John’s description of heaven is much like our looking at a picture of someplace we have never been. The picture is flat, lacking the depth which only being there can describe.
My second mistake was not taking into account something that should be quite obvious. Cannot God, who made chocolate and made my palate love the taste of chocolate also make my heart love, and truly love what awaits me in glory. The new heaven and the new earth will be different from the present heavens and earth but so also will I. What ever awaits us is sure to be heaven because heaven itself will rule in our hearts. 6/1/07 ts