What do you think?

What comes into our minds when we think about God is the most important thing about us. - A.W. Tozer, The Knowledge of the Holy

Reading this statement out of Tozer’s book makes it easy for us to look in the mirror and feel guilty or even judgmental.  It would be easy to read a statement like Tozer's above and feel guilty or judgmental because we live in a world that would rather accuse or point fingers, however, let’s avoid this view and let’s open it up and look at it from the view of someone who diagnoses … What I think about God shapes the manner of who I think God is.

Are my thoughts of God in a manner that makes Him out to be like a loving grandpa or even like a Santa Claus? In this walk it is so easy for us to brush off sin as if it is "no big deal," because that gentle grandfather view of God will always forgive me no matter what I do or how far I fall.  Dare I even say that I expect God to shower me with blessings and gifts as long as I'm “worthy enough.” However the danger in that skewed way of thinking blatantly disregards God's holiness and justice.

I can’t see God so does that mean He is near me or in a far distant land? So in essence in my mind he is a distant authority figure? Meaning I’ve got to do things for myself, I have to rely on my strength spiritually so that when God does take notice of me, He will be pleased or at least not angry with my efforts.  However, again the danger in this thought disregards God's presence and personal interest in my life.  After all the very hairs on my head are numbered and if His eye is on the sparrow I know He watches me.  I am fearfully and wonderfully made. 

If my idea of God paints the picture that I see Him as an annoyed judge, I end up with a life filled with fear and am guilt-ridden over things I do.  I might flinch every time I “feel” the hammer about to fall; I’d “hide” to avoid being punished or be a performance driven person so that I can always have my arms full of “success” and keep it in His face.  However, the danger here is I’ve rendered God’s compassion, grace and love useless in my life.  I ignore the very essence of God in doing so.

Or is my idea of God that He’s some “force” with the universe in the palm of His hand; Someone who doesn’t care about what happens to me at all. If that’s the case, than I am truly on my own, just working within a guide of happenstance and chance.  However (you knew it was coming) however, this disregards God’s personhood and sovereignty.

So what do you think about God?

Don't vote it don't count for nothing...

Don't Vote, It Doesn't Count Anyway

“Well, the answer isn't clear, but in 90% of the races today, the differences between candidates are only semantic, not real. In general, the end result in City Hall and State Capitols will be the same. So why bother to vote?” – Mac MacArthur, political journalist

I disagree with this claim. In the Song of Solomon 2:15 it says, "Take us the foxes, the little foxes, which spoil the vines: for our vines have tender grapes." Foxes sometimes in search of food would enter into the grape orchards and devour the grapes and spoil the crop. However, the little foxes were too small to reach the grape bunches so they would chew on the vines and it would kill the whole vine. Instead of the farmer just losing his crop, he would lose his vine which was more disastrous. Spiritually some things we do or allow that we might think are little or insignificant can also be disastrous for us. Not voting would allow the roots of our vines to be eaten.

In Matthew 22, Jesus said render to Caesar what is Caesar’s in talking about paying taxes Caesar was the Roman emperor at that time, so Jesus was telling them they were to pay their taxes, as well as support the work of God. These scriptures tell us as Christians that we are to be good citizens and pay our taxes as well. As good citizens in our government structure, we should not leave the operation of the government to ungodly men. How can we prevent that? One way is to use our one vote wisely. We will be accountable before God as to how we voted. Another issue will be did we spend the time in study and prayer so that we could vote wisely for the proper candidates, as well as the right issues?

As Christians we should consider how the candidates stand on the issues and not get caught in the trap of voting strictly along party lines. Check voting records and see which candidates most closely follow Biblical standards. Some Christians just vote the Democratic or the Republican ticket because their parents voted that way. We should vote for the best man or woman for the job. They should not only be qualified for the job but should be moral people with good character traits. Voting for someone just because they tell us certain things that sound good is not the way to vote.

If we have complaints about those in leadership that are immoral and the new laws that have been passed that are offensive and anti-Biblical; we might lay the complaint at the steps of the church. However, what about our responsibility as good citizens? Are you registered to vote? Will you take the time to study the voting records and lifestyles of candidates? Which candidates most closely follow Bible standards? Will you set apart some time to pray about who would make the best leader? Will you take time to study the propositions? How will voting "for" or "against" an issue affect God's plans for humanity?  

If you don't vote in reality you have voted, but you can let your voice be heard.  More importantly when we do vote we've got to pray. Pray for the right candidate to vote for, pray for conviction to come upon those who have been given authority.  They have a high calling on their lives and it's when they forget where that power comes from when troubles arise.

Get out there y'all and get ready ... We must vote!

Higher standard of living

According to Romans 12:14-21 No more fighting, getting or paying back.  God's called us to a higher standard.  The choice we make determines the path for our lives ... so the question is do you want the lessor or fuller life?

How many times have we settled for the lower road when God desires for us the higher road?  There are so many things that God has in store for each of us but we choose not to be ready to receive.  You know that's all we really have to do to receive the blessing ... prepare for it.  How do we prepare to receive?  By running the path of Romans 12:1-2; it is when we present our bodies as living sacrifices holy and pleasing to the Father and we become transformed by the renewing of our minds.

We no longer think the way we used to think or do the things we used to do.  In the words of one of my pastors in Germany he would say no more slippin', tippin' and dippin'  .... it's time that we walk in the Spirit and choose life over the roads we've chosen previously; you know the ones that lead to destruction.

A surrendered life ... that's the key to walking this walk to the end ... surrendered.  Not as in giving up surrenedered but in the way of letting go of our thoughts, our desires, our dreams and falling under the obedience of God the Father.  He called us all to holiness as He declared us to be holy as He is holy.

Is it easy? No. God never said it would be easy, so shame on those who ever said the Christian life/walk would be easy.  However, while it isn't easy because it goes contrary to how the selfishness in each of us wants, Christ did say we would have a safe place to land if we abided in Him.

Do you know who you are?

Psalm 8:3-6‏  You are majestic, you are royalty, you are awesome. You have glory, honor and dominion, which God has given you to live out on earth.

Some great words from the book Kingdom Man by Dr. Tony Evans ... this has been a great read thus far.  I'm taking my time with it because I'm finding some great nuggets to share with folks along the way and God has been using these nuggets in a mighty way.

D-Day +73 years

Just a blip on the radar ... Hard to believe 13 years have passed.  I've got a piece I did while taking a leadership class at Moody. My subject was 1SG Lomell, whom I got the chance to talk with while I was at the Ranger point if attack at Pointe du Hoc. I'll post it when I get near a computer but in the mean time I just want to say thank you to those who sacrificed so that I might be writing this today.

The following was written during the 68th observance of D-Day and I was trying to get there for 70.

Wow how time flies by .... it was only (yeah ONLY?) eight years ago today that I was near the cliffs of Pointe du Hoc with the honor of doing the narration for the 60th Anniversary of D-Day.  It was the wreath laying ceremony for the Rangers who scaled the cliffs on that fateful day.  Sometimes in your life you get the opportunity to see things, do things and meet some people who have made a difference in life. 

To see the vast open beaches on Normandy and what the brave men (even boys at that time) faced in order to make life better for those who suffered under the tyranny of an evil dictator.  To meet some of the Rangers on that day was a humbling experience.  I even had the opportunity to meet Pvt. Ryan; no not that Pvt. Ryan but this gentleman was a man who survived a mighty opposing task before him. 

To see those cliffs and where these guys scaled and to hear their stories of bravery and heart ache and to know that it was the Grace of Almighty God who allowed them to make it through the tough missions and survive.  I'll never forget this special opportunity I was given (I've got the bottle of sand I collected on that day in my office) ... hey maybe someone might search me out and maybe I could go narrate the Pointe du Hoc ceremony for the 70th Anniversary.  That would be so cool and such an honor so someone make that phone call to USAREUR (U.S. Army, Europe) and let them know I should be available for the 2014 70th observance of D-Day ... I'll have just graduated from Moody Bible Institue-Spokane ... and I think my Pastor will let me have a few days to off to do it as well as my wife and kids (maybe they could go with me?)

Here in the Spokane paper I want to thank Slice writer Paul Turner for mentioning at least something about D-Day that was written yesterday and wait for it y'all for today the anniversary of it, it was reduced to a blip on A-5

Also on this date

(From the Associated Press)
1944: During World War II, Allied forces stormed the beaches of Normandy, France, on “D-Day,” beginning the liberation of German-occupied Western Europe.

Funny how something that affected some many has been pushed to the back pages of newspapers and such. Sad that we can't even pause from our "busy" lives that can't even say thank you. Wow how far do we really need to slip or fall before we forget where we came from?

Anyway I wanted to say thank you to all those veterans from D-Day who are still with us for what you did, for the bravery you displayed and paving the way for guys like me. I salute you.

 

The heart of the matter

This book by Pastor Andy Stanley is right on ... I've been poking around and researching why things happen the way they do and what actually is the root of some of the things we do.  Often times what we call an issue is only the symptom and if we keep taking pills to take care of the symptom the disease isn't cured it only goes dormant again.  when you want to rid your garden or yard of weeds you've got to go to the root and exterminate it you can't just lop it off at the head as it will return.  The same thing with sin, if you've been struggling with some things, this book just may expose the root so you can exterminate what ails you.

Again thanks to WaterBrook Multnomah for the free book with their blogging for books program.

Put on the heart guard

Proverbs 4:23 Watch over your heart with all diligence, for from it flow the springs of life.  Has your heart infected with guilt, anger, greed or jealousy? Take them to the Cross where His blood flows out and covers all our iniquities.  He will deliver you from every oppression, but we have to let it go, lay it down, walk away without picking them back up.

He loves us and wants the best for us ... He is awesome and His Name is Wonderful ....

Stir up the gift...

Like that good ole' gospel song, Stir Up The Gift .... God has been stirring and I've been a bit overwhelmed with it all ... no worries though I will try to wrap it up a bit so I can post on here later, but today was a busy day and I've got to hit the rack so that I can be refreshed and ready to raise a praise up in the house tomorrow because He is worthy of all we can give and so much more.

If you want to be used by God, on your way to church go praying that Holy Spirit would have His way and that He would start with you ... scroll down and check out It starts with you entry .... God wants to move in our churches and communities but it starts with us, me, you ... keep praying and praising and worshipping all the way to church instead of grumbling and fussing and see if Holy Spirit don't show up in your church tomorrow.