What about that for a headline? I don't think I have ever seen it; but it would certainly get attention...atleast it would get mine. I think we take it for granted that pastors would give, consistently and generously, at all times. I have never heard a message geared toward pastors giving financially, along with everyone else. I think it is assumed. However, just this last week, the thought crossed my mind: do I really have to give...joyfully, voluntarily, sacrificially (as I preach to everyone else)? My mind starts to build a case for justifying not to give, just once: the Bible doesn't direct pastors to give; it seems to emphasize that the giving by others cares for the pastors; finances are tight; I could the money for so many other good causes; an appliance broke and we had to use money to fix it; and there were a few more thoughts I have forgotten.
My point is this: I am just like everyone else - no more holy - not a robot. I am tempted, like everyone else, not to follow through with living sacrificially, for the glory of God, at all times. And when it comes to financial giving, I have the same challenges others face. And I am faced with the same temptations, including when it comes to withholding my giving from what God requires.
Thankfully, God's Spirit won't let me give in to the lies; and I have decided to continue giving. it doesn't mean I will never be tempted again in this area; but for now, I have come to my senses. I must continue to rely on what I know to be true: my responsibility is to give as God has asked; and it is His responsibility to meet all my needs (He has never let me down). Tomorrow, as I place my envelope in the contribution box, I will choose to give joyfully, and see it as a great opportunity to worship.
Saturday, September 24, 2011
Saturday, September 17, 2011
LOVE
I have heard the words very often, from I Corinthians 13. It is known as the love chapter, and I am very familiar with it. However, it was just over the past couple of weeks, that this chapter impacted me in a fresh way. Our family decided to memorize I Corinthians 13, learning 1 verse 5 days a week; so in just over a couple weeks, we had the entire chapter put to memory. We reviewed it as a family and each had a chance to say the entire chapter (only 13 verses). Listening to it over and over again, learning it myself, saying it over and over again; and really concentrating on the words, made me think more about the message of this chapter than I had for many, many years. It is something I think about in some way, almost every day. As I write it here, let' consider the words, the truth and their intended impact on us:
I Corinthians 13
1- If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal.
2 - If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries, and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.
3 - If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing.
4 - Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.
5 - It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.
6 - Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.
7 - It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, alwys perseveres
8 - Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away.
9 - For we know in part and we prophesy in part.
10 - But when perfection comes, the imperfect disappears.
11 - When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me.
12 - Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.
13 - And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.
I Corinthians 13
1- If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal.
2 - If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries, and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.
3 - If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing.
4 - Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.
5 - It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.
6 - Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.
7 - It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, alwys perseveres
8 - Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away.
9 - For we know in part and we prophesy in part.
10 - But when perfection comes, the imperfect disappears.
11 - When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me.
12 - Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.
13 - And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.
Friday, September 9, 2011
NINE ELEVEN
That's all you have to say and people know what you are talking about. This morning, I grabbed a tee shirt out of my drawer, and it said America on it. Normally, I wouldn't think twice about what the shirt said, but this weekend, it's different...isn't it? The likelihood is, that if you watch news channels, or the history channel, this weekend, you are going to be watching hours of reflection from an event 10 years ago that touched us all...in some way.
How did it touch my life? That morning, I was working at the church and the custodian came to tell me that planes crashed into the world trade center towers. I called Teresa and told her to turn on the TV. I remember going to some appointment that day or soon after and hearing the president talk about it on the radio. I remember these deep, intense feelings of patriotism rising to engulf my entire being. Did you feel the same way? We were looking for en enemy to fight, to show American resolve and to somehow bring to justice those that took American lives in their acts of cowardice.
But, over these past 10 years, I have had much more time to reflect, biblically, on what happened on 9/11. I am not one of those that believes that every disaster or tragedy is a specific act of God's judgment on America for a particular sin or political view. I believe in a sovereign God who ALWAYS does what is right, and what brings Him glory. If there is something to blame, the blame goes to the sinful nature of man, that brings death as a consequence. It is the only explanation, really, for why people would do the terribly things they did that day. It is only a loving, merciful God that would rescue any of us, or keep us from being wiped off the planet. And, in the big picture of things, God's desire is not to keep us here as long as possible, keep us safe, and help us accomplish the American Dream (whatever that is).
Whatever happens in our lives, including 9/11 level events, it gives us an opportunity to focus on our God, who is the Creator of all life; and most importantly, offers eternal life to all who will go to Him through His Son, Jesus Christ. 9/11 affected all kinds of people all kinds of different ways. I can't pretend to know what it was like for those who lost loved ones that day. But, I do know that all of life's events allow us to grow, to reflect on our short, uncertain lives, and to place our complete trust in the only one who really knows the reason for all things - and has everything in control - the one and only true God! May He receive attention and glory, this weekend, for the protection He has given us, for the great blessings we still enjoy; and most of all, for who He is.
How did it touch my life? That morning, I was working at the church and the custodian came to tell me that planes crashed into the world trade center towers. I called Teresa and told her to turn on the TV. I remember going to some appointment that day or soon after and hearing the president talk about it on the radio. I remember these deep, intense feelings of patriotism rising to engulf my entire being. Did you feel the same way? We were looking for en enemy to fight, to show American resolve and to somehow bring to justice those that took American lives in their acts of cowardice.
But, over these past 10 years, I have had much more time to reflect, biblically, on what happened on 9/11. I am not one of those that believes that every disaster or tragedy is a specific act of God's judgment on America for a particular sin or political view. I believe in a sovereign God who ALWAYS does what is right, and what brings Him glory. If there is something to blame, the blame goes to the sinful nature of man, that brings death as a consequence. It is the only explanation, really, for why people would do the terribly things they did that day. It is only a loving, merciful God that would rescue any of us, or keep us from being wiped off the planet. And, in the big picture of things, God's desire is not to keep us here as long as possible, keep us safe, and help us accomplish the American Dream (whatever that is).
Whatever happens in our lives, including 9/11 level events, it gives us an opportunity to focus on our God, who is the Creator of all life; and most importantly, offers eternal life to all who will go to Him through His Son, Jesus Christ. 9/11 affected all kinds of people all kinds of different ways. I can't pretend to know what it was like for those who lost loved ones that day. But, I do know that all of life's events allow us to grow, to reflect on our short, uncertain lives, and to place our complete trust in the only one who really knows the reason for all things - and has everything in control - the one and only true God! May He receive attention and glory, this weekend, for the protection He has given us, for the great blessings we still enjoy; and most of all, for who He is.
Saturday, September 3, 2011
FIELD DAY!
alternate title: Feeling Old Day!
At this time of year, just at the beginning of the school year, our children would often have a field day, where classes were suspended, and they would do a variety of activities together as a school. Since we have all 5 of our kids home for school this year, we decided to have our own field day: Friday, September 2nd. The structure of our field day was built on each family member choosing 1 activity for all of us to participate in.
Our first 2 activities were a unique soccer game and ultimate frisbee. It was hot and muggy out, which is what I am going to blame my pure exhaustion on. It can't be because I'm out of shape, or old, can it? It was our first ultimate frisbee game together as a family; but it really worked well. I might even be able to say that all 7 of us enjoyed it (that is a rare thing)!
But, what made me feel the oldest, was the obstacle course. This was also pretty fun, as each family member put together one obstacle for everyone to participate in. However, this is where my aging was revealed. My goal was to beat my teenage son's time. I had a great start. But, once I got to the obstacle of spinning my body around a bat 5 times, everything went a little blurry. I could hardly stand up, let alone run to the next obstacle. We have video evidence (which means my kids must have expected I would have a problem) but don't expect to see it anytime soon, or ever. The only thing that makes me feel better is that my young wife had more problems with that obstacle than I did. Perhaps I can secretly get that video to you. It is funny (at least in my humble opinion)!
After all the heart pumping, sweating work we did earlier in the day, the last few activities were more the speed for us older folks. We went to our favorite pizza place, favorite ice cream place, watched the sunset at the beach (make my wife happy); and played hide and seek at the church. These are things I can do, without heavy breathing. It was a full day, but a good one.
So, that was Field Day, or Feeling Old Day; but either way, it was a fun family day!
At this time of year, just at the beginning of the school year, our children would often have a field day, where classes were suspended, and they would do a variety of activities together as a school. Since we have all 5 of our kids home for school this year, we decided to have our own field day: Friday, September 2nd. The structure of our field day was built on each family member choosing 1 activity for all of us to participate in.
Our first 2 activities were a unique soccer game and ultimate frisbee. It was hot and muggy out, which is what I am going to blame my pure exhaustion on. It can't be because I'm out of shape, or old, can it? It was our first ultimate frisbee game together as a family; but it really worked well. I might even be able to say that all 7 of us enjoyed it (that is a rare thing)!
But, what made me feel the oldest, was the obstacle course. This was also pretty fun, as each family member put together one obstacle for everyone to participate in. However, this is where my aging was revealed. My goal was to beat my teenage son's time. I had a great start. But, once I got to the obstacle of spinning my body around a bat 5 times, everything went a little blurry. I could hardly stand up, let alone run to the next obstacle. We have video evidence (which means my kids must have expected I would have a problem) but don't expect to see it anytime soon, or ever. The only thing that makes me feel better is that my young wife had more problems with that obstacle than I did. Perhaps I can secretly get that video to you. It is funny (at least in my humble opinion)!
After all the heart pumping, sweating work we did earlier in the day, the last few activities were more the speed for us older folks. We went to our favorite pizza place, favorite ice cream place, watched the sunset at the beach (make my wife happy); and played hide and seek at the church. These are things I can do, without heavy breathing. It was a full day, but a good one.
So, that was Field Day, or Feeling Old Day; but either way, it was a fun family day!
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