Eye's in the Back of My Head

"Anyone who will not receive the Kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it".
Mark 10:15

I have kids and I can tell my girls just about anything and they'll believe it. Recently, I told my 3 year old that I could see everything she was doing in the backseat because I had eyes in the back of my head. You know what she did? She reached up and poked me in the head to poke me in the eye (you don't know Laini!). I reacted, saying "ouch! that hurt! You poked me in the eye". She got a kick out of it and tried it again (and again, and again...).

That's the kind of "faith" we need to have with regards to Jesus. We need to be childlike in our faith. Now, in my case I was joking around and playing; Jesus is serious. Unless we come to him with a child like faith, we will never, his words not mine, never enter the kingdom of God. How then, does that play out in our "adult" world?

Mission "Possible"

Mark 9:23 "...Everything is possible for him who believes."

What does that mean to you? Let me give you the context of the verse. The disciples had just failed miserably in trying to oust a demon from a child. So, they brought the child to Jesus. The Father of the child says to Jesus, "if you can do anything...help us." "If?" Jesus responds. "Everything is possible for him who believes." He then frees the child of the demon.
This verse has been twisted like a pretzel. You see, the verse doesn't say "everything that we want will occur or will materialize if we believe." If that were the case I could believe I'll win the lottery or that I'll land the dream job or that life would be easy. No, it says that everything is "possible". In other words, if we have faith, the conditions will be favorable. Faith is not a genie in the bottle we release when we want something. It's a walk. It's a way of life and when we walk in faith, it sets up the conditions for God to move in our lives in such a way that the "miraculous" can happen.

The story doesn't end there. Afterwards, the disciples and Jesus "huddle up". The disciples, embarrassed I would imagine, ask Jesus, "what gives? Why couldn't we do that?" Remember, just a few chapters previous in Mark, Jesus had given them the authority to cast out demons. Jesus' response? You didn't read the handbook on spiritual warfare. No, I'm sorry, he didn't say that. "You didn't pray". That was his response. "OH!!!! So If I PRAY I can win the lottery!" Nope, didn't say that either. Jesus lays out a 2 step plan, if you will, for overcoming difficult situations in life. Have faith and pray. With this combination, we can face life with all its ups and downs victoriously. Remember, the outcome isn't up to us. If we're fully surrendered to God, it's his game, not ours. The outcome is up to him.

Man Imprisoned For 27 Years Says He's Not Bitter

http://www.cfnews13.com/News/Local/2008/11/19/man_imprisoned_for_27_years_says_hes_not_bitter.html

VIERA -- For the first time in nearly 28 years, William Dillon woke up Wednesday morning outside a prison cell.
Dillon had been serving a life sentence for killing James Dvorak in 1981 at Indian Harbor Beach. Because of new DNA evidence, a judge granted him a new trial. His lawyers said the new DNA testing showed Dillon did not wear the killer's T-shirt.
Dillon was released Tuesday afternoon after posting $100,000 bond.
He said he's not at all bitter about spending a large portion of his life in prison.
"I'm not going to sit here and dwell on anything that's missed or passed or anything. I'm just going to move ahead right now from this day forward," Dillon said.

Without speculating on the details of the case and the re-trial, I want to focus on one thing; This man, who has spent 28 years in prison for a crime he may not have committed has no bitterness? Either he's lying or, he has experienced something that has transformed him. I don't know if he is a Christian but I can tell you, he has displayed more forgiveness than some Christians. If I were in his shoes, I'd be looking for the most high powered attorney I could find to sue whomever I could. I'm just being honest. The thought of missing my girls growing up and missing out on the experiences that I have had all because of a false conviction is beyond me. But this man has chosen to not dwell on the past and chooses to "live in the now". We can all learn from this man's attitude on life. How much energy do we spend wishing and trying to change things from the past? How much bitterness do we harbor against those that have wronged us? How much life are we missing right now because of something we had no control over? Let it go. Like this man, "move ahead right now from this day forward..."

What would you do in his shoes? How would you respond?

Who Cares?

How much stock do you put into what people think of you? Do you become anxiety stricken if someone has a less than favorable opinion of you? Harv Ecker, author and conference speaker used to say that "what people think of you is more about their stuff than about you". Tozer, whom I've been reading a lot of lately writes, "a free Christian should act from within a total disregard for the opinion of others." He goes on to say, "any act done because we are afraid not to do it is of the same moral quality as the act that is not done because we are afraid to do it."
Honestly, Nike says it best, "Just Do It". But the point is, we get so caught up over what people think. I mean really, who cares if you pray in public or carry a Bible to school. Don't do it to cause controversy, do it because you love God and don't worry about what people think. Really, what they think is their problem, not yours.

How is Your Devotional Life?

I've been reading and contemplating a compilation of devotional thoughts by A.W.Tozer. Tozer was a Pastor, editor and a conference speaker in the 40's and 50's. The book is called Renewed Day by Day. Anyways, I stumbled across yet another timely article called "The Devotional Life is Almost Crowded Out". In it, he blames our dependence on the the media (TV, Radio, and Newspaper, he didn't have cable and internet mind you! ) and compares it to a pet lion cub which eventually grows to devour us! "One of the ways the civilized world destroys men [and women] is by preventing them from thinking their own thoughts." This was in the 50's. How bad is it now in the age of 24 hour media? How do we get away from it?

The solution? "there are some of God's children who...want to relearn the ways of solitude and simplicity...to discover the blessedness of what has been called spiritual aloneness- a discipline that will go far in making us acquainted with God and our own souls." Are you up for the challenge? Do you really want to get to know God and your "self"?

The A Team

I love my wife. She pointed out something to me yesterday that I was doing and put a spiritual perspective on it. I'm putting a team of people together to help me start a Saturday night service. What she pointed out to me is that the people that I've asked to come along are people that have had a real encounter with Jesus that has turned their lives around; we're talking 180 degrees. I'm not going to go into detail of what they have gone through; that's for them to share. She told me I've gone "outside the box" selecting people that maybe others wouldn't select to be "leaders" in a church. COOL! I'm in good company. Isn't that what Jesus did? He selected 12 men who were let's say, very "unpolished". He poured his life into these men and 3 years later they went out to change world forever.

One of my favorite TV shows growing up was the A-Team. This was a team of four very odd people but each one had some sort of a skill that was useful. there was Hannibal, the ring-leader. He "loved it when a plan came together". There was Murdock, the pilot, who was just crazy. "I got no fear. I'll go up in anything. 'Cept an elevator." B.A. played by Mr. T. The tough guy that hated flying, especially with Murdock. Faceman was the, well, face. He was suave and good looking. Separately, they were a mess. Together, they accomplished the mission. Was it always pretty? No. Did it always go as planned? No, but they got it done and that is what the Church is; it's an A-Team of people with various skills and quirks that individually may not "have it all together" but as a unit they can accomplish the task at hand.

That's what I'm building; that's what God is building. I love it when a plan comes together!

If Starbucks marketed like the Church...

Wow. What did you think? I know this video pushed some buttons and stepped on some "sacred cows".

The Absentee Child

a 1998 statistic estimated over 3 million absent fathers in this country. That means, at least 3 million kids in this country have no dad in their lives. They may know they have a dad but they don't "know" their dad.

You know, it's like this with God. The Bible teaches that God is our Father; He created us to have relationship with us. We see an awesome picture of that in Genesis where Adam walked with God in the cool of the day. Imagine, having such a close and intimate relationship with God!
That's how God designed it! Many know there is a God, but they don't "know" God.

God was and is always there for us. He hasn't gone anywhere. We are the ones that have run from him! Isaiah 53:6 says that "We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way." That's us folks! WE have turned from God and not the other way around.

So, my question to you; if God can't be the absentee God are you the absentee child?

Christian "blood sucking creatures" (Politics)

What is the definition of politics? Many blood sucking creatures... If I have to explain it, it isn't funny anymore.

So, in the aftermath, I've begun pondering a question; how political should Christians be? I can't speak for the African-American church but I know from the "Evangelical" perspective, if you didn't vote for McCain, it was practically a sin. Now, I did vote for McCain for some very specific reasons but I'm not screaming out "the sky is falling" because of an Obama presidency. Where do we get off as a Church claiming a political party? Show me chapter and verse in the Bible, please? James Dobson and others were out toting the McCain vote (after earlier saying they wouldn't support him) and black preachers across the country were heralding Obama in large part because he broke the racial barrier. Are they any less "Christian"? No.

A friend of mine who was distraught over Christians voting for Obama "Facebooked" me and I had an epiphany at that moment; I told him that the enemy of our souls would like nothing more than to divide Christians over the issue of politics and he has. How sad. I was caught up in it myself so I can say that from personal experience. "But God hates abortion" you say, yes, he does, but I'm pretty sure he's not too happy about the war either. After all, people are dying daily in Iraq and Afghanistan and entering a Christ-less eternity; that should bother us too. But because they are "terrorists or Muslim Extremists or whatever label makes us feel better about their dying, we don't seem to care too much. "But they want gay marriage," yeah, maybe so, but who made you and I the judge? Let God handle issues of the heart; I think he's pretty good at it. "But they'll increase our taxes!", give to Caesar what is Caesar's..."

My Pastor had a good long talk with me; it was an adult scolding really, but I deserved it. I had said some thing's that really hurt someone in our church. Here's the thing; as a church we are in the business of changing lives and hearts. "As we, the Church, do our job, it will change the landscape much more so than politics ever could", he said.

So, how do we break the wall between "Christian Democrats and Christian Republicans, and Christian this, that and the other" and just be Christian brothers and sisters? We put down the placards and work together; "A house divided against itself cannot stand". You know, I even question if we should vote? WHAT!!! I know, I heard you. "It's our civic duty" you say. Let me ask you a question; which is more powerful, a vote or prayer? Does voting "help" prayer? That means prayer isn't sufficient. Does prayer help voting? Prayer is not a good luck charm we rub to get our way. Explain to me how 2 Christians can vote for two different people and only one wins. One says God's will was done the other says it wasn't because "his candidate" didn't win. I've begun to believe it really doesn't matter who's in the White House. I think God will use whomever "we" elect.

I by no means have figured this out. I've got at least 2 years until the next election. What are your thoughts?

President Elect Barack Obama

Congratulations to President elect Obama...



Well, it's 2:45 am and I woke up to well, let's just say, I had to wake up... (Nature called ;0) )and decided while I was up I would check the results of the election. I wasn't surprised.

A few thoughts...

“The king’s heart is a stream of water in the hand of the Lord; He turns it wherever He will.” (Proverbs 21:1 ESV)

I've read his acceptance speech. It was good. I believe he means it.

Look, I'll just be honest; many know that I am not a fan of Barack Obama. That said, I've come to realize that WHATEVER happens in this nation, it's not an accident and that God is still in control. Sometimes, we get what we want and sometimes we get what we deserve; just follow the book of Judges and read how Israel went through leader after leader. We'll see how this plays out in the coming years. This new President needs our prayers just as much as the previous one. I pray that Barack Obama truly will be a President that attempts to bring us together, and that he will fight his own party and special interests which seeks to go further and further to the left. I pray that he will remember what our country stands for; freedom and opportunity and democracy. I pray that he will seek God's face in his decisions. Early on I remember him saying that prayer is very important to him; I hope that wasn't just political speak but rather a sincere statement.

In essence, nothing changes. A nation isn't changed by changing Presidents or laws or political titles, it's changed by prayer; by changing people's hearts. I have dear friends that love God whole heartedly that I serve with through sweat and tears that voted for Barack Obama. We all see different things in this man; that's OK. I'm good with that. It's time to come together in prayer for OUR new President and the challenges he will face.

Well, It's late, I gotta teach a class in 2 hours.

Just one more thought... Senator Al Franken?? Wow, only in America...

Have you prayed today?

I heard this thought this morning...
"The saint who advances on his knees never has to retreat." Be in prayer, stay in prayer.

Election Eve Thoughts

In 2 days (barring a hanging chad fiasco!) we'll know who the next President of the United States is. Exciting? Depends on who you are for and who wins, I guess. I was reminded of some things this past weekend. Really, it doesn't matter who wins the election. "Oh yes it does!" you may say. Well, if you're a Jesus follower (note, I didn't say Christian for specific reasons) then, no, it really doesn't. All throughout biblical history we see story after story of rulers that were used of God for specific reasons. For example, Pharaoh wasn't a Christian or a Jew and certainly didn't believe in the God of Abraham that the Jews followed and yet the Bible says that God used Pharaoh.

Moses, who, by his own admission, couldn't even speak (sound familiar) and yet God used him to bring the Israelites out of captivity and establish the nation.

David, in the Old Testament was considered a "man after God's own heart". He was close to God and yet, had an affair and had the woman's husband killed in battle. That makes the Monica Lewinsky scandal look tame!

Read through the book of Judges and see how "evil" rulers came and went followed by "godly" ones and how each and everyone was for a specific purpose.

My point; if you are a Christian, you are a citizen of heaven first and foremost. We are just passing through on this Earth. Our "rights" and "freedoms" come from God. Don't get tangled up in the divisiveness (like I did recently) of this election. Contrary to the pundits and the talking heads, this election is no different than any other election. The most important thing we can do is to pray. Vote yes, but pray first. Pray that God will use whomever wears the title President on November 5 and pray that the church will step up and do the "world changing" it was called to do. It's not government's responsibility to change the world. It's ours...
Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."
Matthew 28:18-20