Shadows and Light Wednesday, Aug 8 2007

For many years God has been calling all nations and cultures to repent and put our trust in Him.  He has provided the Way for all to walk in newness of life day by day, hour by hour; moment by moment.  That Way is by putting all our trust in Jesus, His perfect, sinless Son, Who willingly laid down His life to make full restitution for the sins of every man, woman, and child who ever lived or ever will live!

No longer are any of us bound by sin to commit acts which invariably lead to our own demise! When we believe in Jesus, and give Him full control over the thoughts we think, words we speak, decisions we make and the actions we take, we pass from death to life.  We turn from the darkness to the light!

Last night I had a dream which illustrates this last point wonderfully as well as providing insight into applying it in my own life.  It’s my hope that this will bless you as well.

As I recall, there were two people in this dream.  One was walkng toward this brilliant, all iluminating light. His head held high and he walked with confidence though the light was all that could be seen.  The other person was walking away from the light, stooped, and trying to “catch his shadow.”  His steps were uncertain, halting and irratic.

As the two passed each other, the person chasing his shadow noticed the confidence with which the other person was walking and asked, “Where are you going?” The other simply replied, “Home,” and just kept walking.  At this the shadow chaser stopped and looked down at his shadow.  “But… That’s where I’m going!” He exclaimed, turning to the other as he passed.  The other merely gestured for him to follow the light.

The man began to turn, but fear rose in his mind.  He knew his shadow, but as for this light… It was blinding! And the vista was infinite before him! It was so unfamiliar whereas he knew his shadow intimately.  Granted, it often lead him to stumble over a rock, or turn his ankle when his foot caught a hole.  But it  never left him.  And THAT he could trust! Yet it never spoke a word about getting him home safely.  He simply had to trust that it would.

That is where the dream ended.  So anyway, just a couple quick observations lest this post turns into a book! I’m convinced that the shadow the man was following represents our sin-nature; the old man.  And Jesus, since He bore our sins and died (and was resurrcted), has no shadow (in deed He’s the Light of the world).  When we follow Him we verily “die” to the whims of our shadow to follow Jesus.  Now as long as we keep walking after the light our shadow has no pull on our will.  But turn from the light even slightly, and there it is again.  Luring us out of our intended path.

If you will read Romans 7:14 – 8:2 I believe the things I have shared here will become even more clear! Jesus said in John 8:12, ”… I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.”

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The night is far spent! Monday, Aug 6 2007

Friend, if you’re reading this and you’ve got this terrible ache inside, or questions that you just can’t find the answer to,  fear about the future, or simply this restlessness deep inside you, I want you to know your coming across this post is no accident.  You’re here because God loves you and He has a message just for you!

It’s not a message that’s going to give you the warm fuzzies or of prosperity beyond your wildest dreams! In fact, some will very likely reject it outright! Others won’t buy it because it promises to strip you of ALL in this world that you hold near and dear! But those who are willing to cling to God in spite of what’s coming WILL have a safe refuge!

Take a few minutes to listen to what God says through his servant, David Wilkerson, Senior Pastor of Times Square Church in New York City: http://www.tscnyc.org/sermons.php?hl=830

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A Simple Word can change the world! Thursday, Aug 2 2007

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”

-  (John 3:16 KJV)

Many people are familiar with this scripture verse from the Holy Bible.  Perhaps so familiar, it’s become passe!  Yet contained within this single verse, beats the very heart of God.  His eternal passion is to know, and be known by you and me! His all consuming longing is to pour out His Infinite love and have that love be reciprocated! The infinite, omnipotent, omnipresent, everlasting God desires above all else, an intimate relationship with you and I!

But there’s a problem.  God is Holy and Perfect.  We are sinners and flawed.  God is eternal.  Because of sin, we die (Romans 6:23).  But God sent His Son Jesus to literally take our sins upon Himself and die in our place (the penalty for sin).  But because Jesus Himself had never sinned, God the Father raised Him from the dead.  Thereby confirming to all who believe on Jesus, that they too have eternal life and intimate relationship with God.

That’s the good news: The Everlasting Gospel! Sin and death have been defeated, once and for all time! So why is there death and heinous acts of selfishness and barbarism still happening? Even escalating to mind boggling proportions?

Might it be because we have failed to do our part? And that is to “Repent! And believe the gospel!”

Repent! And take the poor into our hearts and homes.

Repent! And be the parents we should be to our children.

Repent! And love our neighbor as we love ourselves.

Repent! And stop the horrific slaughter of our unborn children.

Repent! And pray for our enemies and those who spitefully use us.

Repent! And tear down the idols of pornography, homosexuality, and materialistic greed.

Repent! And stop following after strange doctrines that are contrary to scripture!

REPENT! And recognize that God is HOLY! And worthy, not only of our praises, but also of our REVERENCE!

“If at any time I announce that a nation or kingdom is to be uprooted, torn down and destroyed, and if that nation I warned repents of its evil, then I will relent and not inflict on it the disaster I had planned.  And if at another time I announce that a nation or kingdom is to be built up and planted, 10 and if it does evil in my sight and does not obey me, then I will reconsider the good I had intended to do for it.”
- (Jeremiah 18:7-10 NIV)

So this is the word I’ve heard.  First for myself and then for our nation:
REPENT!

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A short thought Friday, Jun 22 2007

It’s been a long day.  Very long.  And hot.  So this is gonna’ probably be a very condensed post.  Kinda’ like those can’s of condensed milk.  A little weird tasting, but rich and sweet (at least, I hope).

 Every person on this planet has a desire to be loved. This I believe is the most driving need any human being has.  Wouldn’t it be astounding if we each remembered that when the person or persons around us are acting like schmultzes? (No, I’m not jewish–at least by a few generations)

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Al Thursday, Jun 21 2007

Yesterday, I spoke much about the ills I’ve seen of late in the world, our nation, the church, and in myself.  Today, I realize it is only by God’s grace that any of these ills can be overcome.  And the first step in that process is to allow God’s grace to change my heart.  To accept, with thankfulness, this new day.A day bursting with limitless potential to bless and to be blessed!  To make my Daddy smile when He sees how I’ve learned to walk in those areas where just yesterday I may have stumbled — or even fallen and scuffed my armor a little.I can still envision a joyfilled tear on His cheek when I stopped to talk with Al, the homeless Vietnam Vet who used to sit at the north end of the old footbridge leading from the U of M campus.

Sure Al was dirty and his breath and body invariably carried the odor of stale, cheap beer or mouthwash, but he always had a smile just for me.  We never exchanged more than a few words whenever I passed that way, yet I always made a point of stopping just to hear what he had to say… I think he appreciated that as much as (if not more than) the money people handed him to help him out.  He’d often introduce me to his friends if they were present when I drove by…

“Hey! Michael, my buddy! Come ‘ere… I want you to meet my friend, Tim! Tim, this is Michael, my good friend… Michael and I go way back, don’t we Michael?” — Michael was a name I used to go by, but that’s a post in itself –

Like I said, we never really talked much, but he always made me feel like I was the best friend he ever had!

The Lord always gave me a kind or encouraging word for this man.  And when he’d offer me a drink, that was all the opportunity I needed to tell him of a drink that would ever quench his thirst.

It’s been years now since I’ve seen Al.  And I haven’t a clue as to what became of him.  But, God has promised that His Word will not return void, so I fully expect to sit down with Al one day and share a drink together: A cup of the New Wine!

I long to see my Father’s eyes mist with tears again.  So today I choose walk in His newness of life, and let God’s grace affect a change in me, and hence change the world!

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Who’s counting? Wednesday, Jun 20 2007

I’m certainly not qualified (in my own right) to act as moral authority in regard to our society’s morays (Lord knows, I’ve got enough skeletons in my closet to keep me humble!).  Yet I’m not at all averse to being labeled “politically incorrect”.  In fact, I delight in breaking this hallowed commandment forged by the hand of Baal.

I have one question for those who tout the idea that homosexuality is ”okay.” My question is, since our society began adopting this ‘lifestyle’ as ‘acceptable’, why does good and right behavior toward our fellow man get more obscure by the day?It seems to me that, if granting equal rights to those who have adopted homosexuality as a lifestyle has indeed rectified a grave injustice, the moral fabric of this nation should be hardier and more robust than ever.

But I quite frankly, don’t see any sign of that.  Rather, I see a nation in the throes of political, social, economic, and moral decline, bordering on collapse.

Am I blaming the homosexual lifestyle for all these woes? Hardly! There’s more than enough blame to go around.  I merely singled this group out because (from where I sit) they are the most militant special interest group out there.  Abortion is just as heinous a  wound in our nation’s psyche.  The war (with its roots firmly entrenched in greed, I suspect) is yet another.  Gang wars in our streets, pedophiles, illegal imigrants, drug abuse…  The list grows longer everyday.

Ancient Israel was a nation that enjoyed unparalleled prosperity in its day much as the United States has since its inception.  And just as God warned that nation when they fell into moral depravity and decadence, so He warns us today, saying:

“Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool. If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land: But if ye refuse and rebel, ye shall be devoured with the sword: for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken it.”
- (Isaiah 1:18-20 KJV)

Is anyone counting the cost of our apathy? Will we continue turning a deaf ear to the One who gives us our very breath? Christian, I’m talking to you (of whom I am a part) especially.  I fear we have embraced the world rather than the sinner (whom Jesus loves).

The feminist, abortionist, homosexual bare far less responsibility than we, the Called of Christ, for the state of our nation and the peoples of the world.  Why? Because we’ve allowed ourselves to be duped into doing things the world’s way.  We give God lipservice for an hour on Sunday and feed our lusts the rest of the week (Hey! I’ve got 3 fingers pointing my way too!).

But how do I know this? There’s NO POWER! And where there’s no power, there’s no REPENTANCE! And where there’s no repentance, sin rules the day.  And when Sin reigns, PEOPLE DIE WITHOUT GOD!!!

But who’s counting anyway?

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One Moment please… Friday, Jun 8 2007

Although my previously stated views are indeed what I believe, none of it is true if it is devoid of God’s infinite grace motivated by His unfailing love.  God hates no one.  He takes no delight in the hurt of those who fail to acknowledge His absolute sovereignty.  Thus, every person who stubbornly rejects His ways, do so to their own destruction.

But the one who turns to Him with sincerity of heart, forsaking his own way, and continues seeking after God’s heart, this is the one whom God Himself will honor, bless, and protect.

 So yes I openly condemn murder, lying, cheating, stealing, adultery, homosexuality and every other kind of sexual perversion.  But, as with God, only because these things can only wreak havoc and destruction.

Yet His Hand of mercy is outstretched still… He offers life abundant! We have but to choose it!

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“If you don’t stand for something…” You know the rest. Thursday, Jun 7 2007

If I were accused of being a christian, would there be enough evidence to convict me? I pray so! So what flavor of christian am I? Well here’s a quick run down of where I stand on various issues…

I believe Jesus, the Christ (anointed One of God) is the only begotten Son of God, the Father who was anointed with the Holy Spirit to do the Father’s will.  Namely to make complete atonement (pay the penalty and set in right standing with God) for all Mankind by His death, burial, and resurrection according to the Bible.  As a result, everyone has free access to God’s unmerited favor.  Yet,  in order to take advantage of God’s eternal salvation, it is necessary to believe that Jesus is indeed the only way by which we may rightfully come to God.  And in believing this, we understand and acknowledge our own sin, knowing He has forgiven us on account of Christ’s death on our behalf.

Further, I believe that if one has truly made Jesus Lord, that person (with the help of the Holy Spirit) in effect “dies” to the old nature and puts on, as it were, the very nature of Christ.  Does this mean true christians don’t commit sin? Of course we do! But this dying to the old nature is a gradual process. The Bible itself says that if we claim we are without sin (this is speaking directly to christians, mind you),  we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. (1 John 1:8) The process of dying to our old nature and assuming Christ’s nature then becomes a daily acknowledgement, committal, and complete reliance on God and His promises to appropriate all He earnestly desires to give us.

I believe in the manifold gifts of the Spirit.  Including the gift of speaking in tongues.  But this is at the bottom of the list, and as far as I see it, is not the only definitive proof that one has received the baptism of the Holy Spirit.

I believe God is still working miracles in the lives of people every day: Miracles of spiritual, emotional, and physical healing.  I believe God wants His people to be prosperous.  Yet Prosperity does not necessarily mean financial wealth.  To me it means, having enough to meet the needs of those around me with enough left to meet my own needs.

I believe in the sanctity of life.  Accept in cases where the life of the mother is in danger, abortion is murder.   Euthanasia is murder.

The gay and lesbian lifestyle is an abomination. As is pedophilia and beastiality.  Sex as an industry: pornography, prostitution, strip clubs, etc.,  are a blight and a curse to any society.

I believe Bible reading and prayer should not only be permitted, but actually encouraged on all school campuses.  Even simply posting copies of the ten commandments where students could view it would slow the rate of moral decay in our society considerably.

I stand whole-heartedly with the nation of Israel.  As God’s covenant people they have a divine birthright to the land they now inhabit and woe to any people or nation who attempts to alter that birthright! God will honor His covenant with his people, not based on their worthiness, but rather, based upon His promise.

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