Where are you building?

Vanity of vanities, all is vanity!

We are born… and then we die!
The events of our life between these two moments are of little relevance, in the scope of eternity.
Life is over almost before it begins.
We were raised from dirt and to dirt we are departed.
What remains… the essence of who we were, was born of God and to God we are returned.

That is the essence of Ecclesiastes 12:7-9.

When it is finished the only thing that will remain of the time that existed between life and death are the moments given in service to God. All else will be consumed in the fire as wood, hay and stubble. (1 Corinthians 3:11-13)

Think about this...

Imagine we had discovered a new planet that was a paradise, along with the means for anyone who wishes to leave here the ability to go there… to a virtual Garden of Eden. Most are skeptical and decide to stay here, but you are convinced it is a far better world offering a much better life for those who would go, and you are determined to go. The only catch is when the space ship takes off it is a one way ride, you will never again return to this world and will have no communication or contact with this world once you leave. A new home will be built for you when you arrive in this paradise, but you must provide the materials from your resources in the here and now and pack them on the ship yourself. Anyone you want to bring to this new world is allowed to go, but has to be personally convinced to leave with you and must adhere to the same standard of providing and loading what is needed in their new home… You will be leaving in two years... You still have to support you and your family for the next two years while waiting to go... but you must focus your time and energy on the building materials needed for your new home and convincing those you know and love, to go with you and what they must also do.

Now that you are planning to leave and no longer make this world your home, where are you going to focus your time and energy? Will you be working to build a better life here for the next two years? Will you build a bigger house, buy a nicer car, and take more vacations? Will you chase vanity? …Or would your focus be on building your future home in the new world of tomorrow, (the one you will live in for eternity)?

This is the Christian life… our home is not here, but while we are here we are told to begin building for the home in the next life to come… its kind of like moving across town, when we die we just change neighborhoods.

So what about you??? Where are you building, for the here and now, or for the morrow?

… And who are you taking with you?

Why we are at war.

My Father emailed this to me the other day, I thought it said a lot, in a simplistic yet deep way... enjoy!

The other day, my nine year old son wanted to know why we were at war. My husband looked at our son and then looked at me. My husband and I were in the Army during the Gulf War and we would be honored to serve and defend our Country again today. I knew that my husband would give him a good explanation. My husband thought for a few minutes and then told my son to go stand in our front living room window. He said 'Son, stand there and tell me what you see?''I see trees and cars and our neighbor's houses,' he replied.'OK, now I want you to pretend that our house and our yard is the United States of America and you are President Bush.'Our son giggled and said 'OK.''Now son, I want you to look out the window and pretend that every house and yard on this block is a different country,' my husband said.'OK Dad, I'm pretending.'''Now I want you to stand there and look out the window and pretend you see Saddam Hussein come out of his house with his wife, he has her by the hair and is hitting her. You see her bleeding and crying. He hits her in the face, he throws her on the ground, then he starts to kick her to death.Their children run out and are afraid to stop him, they are screaming and crying, they are watching this but do nothing because they are kids and they are afraid of their father. You see all of this, son...what do you do?''Dad?'''What do you do son?'''I'd call the police, Dad.'''OK. Pretend that the police are the United Nations. They take your call..They listen to what you know and saw but they refuse to help. What do you do then son?'''Dad......... but the police are supposed to help!' My son starts to whine. ''They don't want to, son, because they say that it is not their place or your place to get involved and that you should stay out of it,'my husband says.'But Dad...he killed her!!' my son exclaims. ''I know he did...but the police tell you to stay out of it. Now I want you to look out that window and pretend you see our neighbor who you're pretending is Saddam turnaround and do the same thing to his children.'''Daddy...he kills them?' ''Yes, son, he does. What do you do?' ''Well,if the police don't want to help, I will go and ask my next door neighbor to help me stop him,' our son says.''Son, our next door neighbor sees what is happening and refuses to get involved as well. He refuses to open the door and help you stop him,' my husband says. 'But Dad, I NEED help!!! I can't stop him by myself!!'''WHAT DO YOU DO SON?' Our son starts to cry. ''OK, no one wants to help you. Sadam (the man across the street) saw you ask for help and saw that no one would help you stop him.He stands taller and puffs out his chest. Guess what he does next, son?'''What Daddy?' ''He walks across the street to the old ladies house and breaks down her door and drags her out, steals all her stuff and sets her house on fire and then...he kills her. He turns around and sees you standing in the window and laughs at you. WHAT DO YOU DO?''Daddy..'''WHAT DO YOU DO?' Our son is crying and he looks down and he whispers,'I'd close the blinds, Daddy.'My husband looks at our son with tears in his eyes and asks 'Why?''Because, Daddy.....the police are supposed to help people who need them.....and they won't help..... You always say that neighbors are supposed to HELP neighbors, but they won't help either....they won't help me stop him.....I'm afraid.... I can't do it by myself, Daddy.....I can't look out my window and just watch him do all these terrible things and,and, do nothing. So.....I'm just going to close the blinds.... So I can't see what he's doing........and I'm going to pretend that it is not happening.'I start to cry. My husband looks at our nine year old son standing in the window, looking pitiful and ashamed at his answers to my husband's questions and he says...'Son'''Yes, Daddy.' 'Open the blinds because that man.....He's at your front door... WHAT DO YOU DO?'My son looks at his father, anger and defiance in his eyes. He balls up his tiny fists and looks his father square in the eyes, and without hesitation he says: 'I'D DEFEND MY FAMILY, DAD!! I'M NOT GONNA LET HIM HURT MOMMY OR MY SISTER, DAD!!! I'M GONNA FIGHT HIM, DAD, I'M GONNA FIGHT HIM!!'I see a tear roll down my husband's cheek and he grabs our son to his chest and hugs him tight, and says... 'It's too late to fight him, he's too strong and he's already at YOUR front door son..... you should have stopped him BEFORE he killed his wife, and his children, and the old lady across the way. You have to do what's right, even if you have to do it alone, before its too late,' my husband whispers.'THAT scenario I just gave you is WHY we are at war with Iraq. When good men stand by and let evil happen, son, THAT is the greatest atrocity in the world.YOU MUST NEVER BE AFRAID TO DO WHAT IS RIGHT EVEN IF YOU HAVE TO DO IT ALONE!'

Walking a Balance Beam

Have you ever walked on a balance beam?

It is the craziest thing but if you look at your feet or the beam (something you think you should do), you lose your balance and fall. However, if you look ahead in the direction you are going it is as simple as walking down the sidewalk. I think that our Christian walk is much the same. When we look at our circumstances and focus on what step to take next we end up stressing out over the little details of our day to day life, and struggle just to get to the next day. But when we look ahead and focus on God and the plans that He has for us, the challenges we face fall away and the little things (Like where next to put your foot) disappear.

2 Corinthians 4:18 So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

Keeping your eyes on Jesus and walking in the Spirit makes life as simple as walking down the sidewalk.

2 Corinthians 5:7 for we walk by faith, not by sight—

And when we place our trust in the author of all things, it is He that writes the novel that is our life… we are just along for the ride.

Proverbs 16:9 The mind of man plans his way, But the LORD directs his steps.

Super Start!

I am sorry it has been a few days… or a week or so, since I have blogged, but on an upward note in this downward economy we have been really busy… almost too busy. God has seen fit to bless my business partner and I to live and continue growing to fight another day.

I just returned from a weekend conference with about a thousand 9,10,11 and some 12 year olds that had no other agenda than to scream (at the top of their lungs) praises to God. It was put on by a group called “SuperStart ” and I would highly recommend it for any one who leads a youth group full of middle schoolers… we took ten kids and every one of them heralded the success of the weekend. It really was an awesome HIGH ENERGY, ‘Christ centered’ weekend.

One of the things that struck me about the entire weekend was the absence of all that we as adults carry around with us. The economy… the election results… our jobs (or lack thereof)… the price of gas, or any one of the other million and one things that Jesus specifically told us not to worry about.

Matthew 6:25 "Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear.”

I really try hard not to let the circumstances of my life dictate my attitude… and I would like to believe that I succeed at this most of the time. Part of the reason we are not to worry (if it is God that opened the door) is because there isn’t a darn thing we can do about it anyway, and even if we could… if we are Christians we wouldn’t or shouldn’t because it is not our life that we live, it is His. We have the security of knowing that no matter what happens, it is filtered through His hands, for His purpose, to bring Glory to His name… and when we get to heaven, no matter what we think about it now… it will all make sense and we will understand.

If there is any one thing I could wish for all those that will read this… it is to enjoy the freedom from worry that the kids I was with this weekend enjoy… the freedom from worry that Matthew 6:25 commands… yes I said; “COMMANDS” us to live.

We can’t even do the simplest of things (as it would be to God) like adding one more minute to the end of our life… so give up… give in… and quit sweating the small stuff...

AND REMEMBER TO GOD… IT IS ALL SMALL STUFF!!!

The Fault is our Own!

I am doubtful for the continuation of our country as we have known it. The recent empowerment of our judicial system and its unhindered ability by Godless judges to legislate and re-write the foundational principles that our country was based upon and the mindless masses that have followed a shallow, faithless, socialist contemporary messiah, and then elected him as our leader are all signs of our demise.

We were once a great force in the world for our God. Our beginning was nothing short of spectacular and the power for good that we amassed was unparalleled. But the faithful became complacent and then most became faithless. Out of complacency and apathy, we have allowed the Godless to rise up and gain control of this once great country. I fear the wave of contemporary liberalism that permeates our country has grown to proportions that are almost unstoppable. I am not one to go down with out a fight, and I am not giving up… but there are so few who even recognize the problem and even fewer who are willing to do anything about it.

If we are to have any effectiveness in changing the tides of the times, then we must join in, in supporting the host of organizations that are making a difference. Groups like the ACLJ, Focus on the Family, The family Research Council and a host of others that bear mentioning and are worthy of our time and resources. We must come together locally and organize under a common cause to change our communities, not just in government but in the home. This is where we have failed the most. We have failed our families, our communities, and our God.

Jesus gave us the great commission… to go out and make believers of all those that we know… it was a command not a suggestion, and it was given to all who would follow Him. But how many have taken up the mantle… I will tell you the answer…

IT IS ALMOST NONE!

The number of Christians that have led someone to Christ (outside of pastoral staff) is so pathetically low that it is an embarrassment to even call ourselves “Children of God”.

Imagine what the country… even the world would look like, if we took seriously the only NEW commandment that Jesus gave us. He only gave us one new task, one new commandment to carry out… and had we listened there would be no place for the Godless to freely rule in this country. Every single solitary ill and woe that besets our country… even our world, is the fault of those of us who call ourselves “Christian”.

Why is it our fault, you ask?

It is our fault, because we did not do the one thing Jesus asked us to do, and even worse, on our watch we stood idly by while the faithless of this world have eroded almost every single foundation that our forefathers spilt their own blood to create. It has been widely publicized in the media since the elections that the era of conservatism has passed.

Will you still remain complacent and stand idle while we watch it pass?

Or, will you wake up… WAKE UP!!! There are so many fronts to fight on, that it seems almost impossible to know where to begin. But we do know where to begin… it begins on your knees. Asking for Gods forgiveness for not being what He has called each of us to be. And then asking again for another chance to be what we are… more than conquers… an unstoppable force in the hand of the one who made us. Drop to your knees, even as you read this… and repent… then get up and begin anew to live the life that He has given you. Study His word, and seek His will. Learn how to reach others of Christ… THEN DO IT! Quit wasting what little time we have left seeking what this world offers, and begin to earnestly seek the will of your Father. Ask Him where He wants you to be… THEN GO THERE… and DO WHAT HE TELLS YOU TO DO!
We have precious little time left, to regain what has been lost. It begins with YOU, it begins with ME… it begins with ALL of us who call ourselves ‘Christians’ to really BE CHRISTIANS.

And if you don’t know where to begin, then contact me, you can email me through my PROFILE, we can work together to make your life count for the one who created you. To do the one and only thing that will really change what is wrong with our world… to change lives for Jesus, and teach others to do the same.

Intentional Christianity

The more I study Gods word, the more I am convinced that the vast majority of the church as we know it today is riding a one way train to eternal damnation. Look around you in the church you attend and consider that most, if not all of those around you… and even YOU may be riding that train.

We preach (and it is true) that Faith in Jesus will save you from the fires of Hell. But what is 'Faith'?

We know that it is not just acknowledgement of His existence or believing in Jesus’ act of propitiation for our sin. The Bible says that even Satan acknowledges these things, and I know where He is headed.

James 2:19 You believe that God is one you do well; the demons also believe, and shudder.

I truly believe that just possessing a fire insurance policy from Jesus while standing in front of Gods judgment seat isn’t going to cut it. If there isn't any evidence of Faith in your life, then you have no Faith and you will hear the words… Away from me!

Matthew 7:22-23 Many will say to me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?' Then I will tell them plainly, 'I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!'

The people He was addressing in this verse had way more than just an intellectual belief in who Jesus was… they were driving out demons and performing miracles in the name of Jesus (a significantly larger contribution to the kingdom than most of the pew warmers around you in the church you attend) … but yet, they still missed the mark and were headed to the fires of eternal damnation.

So the question still remains; "what is Faith"?

I think we can look at Jesus’ life for the example. He spent all that He had and all that He was, serving God and us… and told us to do the same. And when the rubber needed to hit the road He paid the ultimate price as a demonstration of 'Faith' in what He said. We can also look at the thief on the cross… He was never even given a chance to demonstrate his Faith… yet he still possessed what Faith was, because based on his confession Jesus granted him eternal life.

So what is this thing called Faith?

Let’s extrapolate what took place with the thief. He recognized who Jesus was and acknowledged it in his life. He recognized his worthlessness before God and in a heartfelt way repented from what he had done… and had he been given the opportunity to live beyond that day, he would have lived the remainder of his life in indentured service out of gratitude to the God who saved him. Just as Jesus lived His life on this earth fulfilling the will of God and serving mankind.

Like the thief on the cross, our life as a Christian must begin with a belief and acceptance in who He is and what He has done for you (first). Then an acknowledgement of our worthlessness before a Holy God (second), and a commitment to changing from whom we were to what He wants us to be (third). Then, from that day forward literally walking in the footsteps of and living for Jesus as a living example and profession of your belief.

Most of those who profess to be Christians mentally take the first three steps… it is in the last step, the act of carrying out the Faith we claim to have that we come up short.

Can you remember your first love or when you first met your spouse and began dating? Did your thoughts ever stray very far from the time you spent together? And when you were apart didn’t you spend time dreaming of the time when you would be back together again. These are the exact same feelings that God wishes to inspire in us. He wants to be an all consuming fire in us, to be all that we want or desire. He wants to be first, in front of everything else in our life.

Mark 12:30 and you shall love the lord your god with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength.'

Matthew 6:33 "But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you

John 8:29 …for I always do the things that are pleasing to Him."

Think about your own life. Is God a continual part of it? Do you begin and end each day with Him and live continually for Him? Do you dream of new ways to serve and please Him? Or does He reside in a box on a shelf that you dust off on Sunday mornings or only reach for in an emergency?

There is a very high price to be paid for taking a casual approach to developing a relationship with God.

Revelation 3:16 So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth.

God is intentional about His relationship with you… He will accept no less from us in return.

Part time God

God has revealed to us that the demands of running the Universe have necessitated that He change His level of involvement in our lives.
Starting today, He will be available to meet with you one day a week for one hour, between the hours of 8:30 AM and 12:00 PM. He will be on a very tight schedule so be punctual and please do not exceed the allotted one hour time slot. This is assuming that there is not a world wide crisis that demands His attention during that time. If He is not available to make the scheduled appointment, then He promises to try and make it again the following week. Be prepared for Him to be distracted during the time He has with you, because the cares and worries of the Universe certainly will be invading His thoughts… and He will probably be concerned about the wait time at the restaurant He will be eating at immediately following your scheduled meeting.

Does this sound absurd to you? I know it does to Him! But, this is how most Christians approach the Father, the Lord God and Creator of you and all that is. Who has made Himself available to each of us 24 hours a day 7 days a week, 365 days a year for as long as you walk the planet! He is the same God that has said in His word to Love Him with all that we are and have, and to place Him first in our lives, to spend every waking moment in service to Him alone.

Casual Christianity is not Christianity, and there is no such thing as an over committed Christian. God is not pleased nor does He recognize half hearted feeble attempts to serve Him one day a week (if it is convenient to our schedule) in a church service where we are physically present but mentally absent.

Serving God is like being pregnant… you either are or you’re not. And if you are pregnant, then your life is consumed with nurturing the child growing within you. Your life did not stop because you became pregnant, but your priorities changed. You changed the things you ate, the way you lived and made plans for the new life you would enjoy after the birth of your child.
The way we walk with Christ is much the same, we change the things we do, removing the activities that are not pleasing to Him and engaging in activities that do. We begin to live with a new purpose, looking forward to and making plans for the future that He holds for us.

And like being pregnant, you always are… and the life you live is for the baby inside of you, just as the life we live as Christians is full time and is always for the God we serve.

Somewhere Over the Rainbow

Somewhere; over the rainbow, way up high. There's a land that I heard of once in a lullaby.
Somewhere, over the rainbow, skies are blue. And the dreams that you dare to dreamreally do come true.
Someday I'll wish upon a star and wake up where the clouds are far behind me.
Where troubles melt like lemon drops, away above the chimney tops.That's where you'll find me.
Somewhere, over the rainbow, bluebirds fly. Birds fly over the rainbow,Why then - oh, why can't I?
If happy little bluebirds fly beyond the rainbow,Why, oh, why can't I?

I love this song… it brings to mind vivid imagery and inspires feelings of; “One day it’s all gonna be alright”. I doubt that EH Harburg had any Biblical context in mind when he wrote it, but in many ways this song mirrors an image the Bible gives us of a better life that is waiting beyond the troubles of today.

It is the day before the elections, and there is about a 50/50 split between people who are worried that life as we know it in America will end and those that feel life will begin after Tuesday. The one thing we can rest assured of… whoever wins the presidency will be by Gods design.

Daniel 2:21 "It is He who changes the times and the epochs; He removes kings and establishes kings; He gives wisdom to wise men and knowledge to men of understanding.

His designs do not necessarily line up with our ideas of what should come to pass, but they are never with out a purpose. And if Satan is looking more like the victor in where the leadership of this country is taking us, it too is by Gods design, and He has given us another verse that we can hold on to.

2 Thessalonians 3:3 But the Lord is faithful, and He will strengthen and protect you from the evil one.

We have a responsibility to pray for Gods will to be carried out, and to vote according to what He has led you to do. Beyond this, we must place our country and the lives we live within in it into His capable hands.

And regardless of the outcome it is comforting to know that we do have a better home waiting for us…

‘Somewhere Over the Rainbow’.