Bulldogs - Off the Field Training - Dealing With Adversity

Each week during Football season I have the privilege of talking with the Football Players at La Porte High School.  We talk about life.   I'm not qualified nor gifted enough to coach these boys on the field - but I can offer wisdom for life off the field.  The Coaching Staff/Administration of LPISD cares for these boys not only on the field, but in the classroom and in life.

ADVERSITY

Dale Brown, the former great LSU Coach and great motivator of young men said this, "Adversity will come at some time to every man.  How you meet it, and what you make of it, what you allow it to take from you or give to you is determined by you mental habits.  All experience will do something for you or something to you."

Adversity is Inevitable -  Sometimes you will bring it on yourself through foolish actions or choices, sometimes it is forced on you by someone else, sometimes it is just part of life - But it will come.  The sooner you come to grip with the fact that life isn't always fun and easy - the better prepared for difficult times you will be.  You will not always win.  You will fail on plays - miss tackles, blocks, or turn the ball over - You WILL fail at times.  How you handle these failures will go far in determining what kind of ball player you will be and what kind of man you will become.

Prepare Yourself for Adversity - When adversity comes it won't last forever.  This will be more plays - more games - more days.   Understand that loss, failure and pain are a natural part of life - just as are gain, winning and joy.  Life is a mixture of these.  When  you are experiencing one, understand that the other is just around the corner.

Learn from Adversity - Adversity can be an amazing teacher.  When adversity strikes refuse to blame others.  Own it.  Embrace it.  Learn from it.  Ask questions.  What did I do wrong?  What I unprepared.  What can I do better?  What new skill do I need to learn?  Don't whine - don't waller in self-pity.   Take the opportunity to learn from what you have experienced.

Be Careful Who You Listen to in Adversity -  Some will say that none of it was your fault.  There will be others that say it was all your fault.  Be careful about those who are quick to blame others and never accept responsibility themselves.  Don't be ready to claim responsibility for victories if you are unwilling to shoulder your share of blame in loss.

Get Back in the Game - You are never defeated as long as you are still fighting.   Losing a game is one thing - quitting is another.

QUESTIONS

Last week you played Clear Brook and won the game.   Name a time you as a player - or as a team faced adversity.

How did you respond?       What did you learn?

If faced again with the same situation this week against Bellaire - how will you respond?

Name a time in life/class room you faced adversity.   What did you learn from adversity on the field that will help you deal with adversity in life/class?

Highlights from the Bulldogs Game against Clear Brook.

Baptism Gathering - August 15th - 9:00 - Sylvan Beach Park: What It Is All About

Baptism Gathering

Saturday, August 15th - 9:00AM 

Sylvan Beach Park

In just a few days, we are going to have a time in which people are baptized down at Sylvan Beach.  I have been asked the questions, “Who is being baptized and why are they being baptized?”   Those are excellent questions.  While I have answered several times I thought it good to post these answers so all minds would be clear.

First, let’s talk about what baptism is not.   Being baptized isn’t a lucky charm, a magic spiritual event, or some sort of religious act that is going to change your life into something better.  If all you are is “getting dunked” then all you are is “getting wet.”  There is no spiritual power or magic water in the act of baptism itself.  Being baptized doesn’t change your standing with God.   Being baptized doesn’t fix your life.   But that isn’t to say that baptism isn’t important.  It can be very important.

Baptism is a sign.  In scripture when a person chooses to abandon all else and follow Jesus as His hope for this life and the afterlife, he symbolizes this decision by being baptized.   This is an “outward” sign of an “inward” change that has been made.  In Acts 8, the Ethiopian Eunuch decided to follow Jesus.  He then asked Phillip if he could be baptized.   And immediately he was.    This differs from Infant Baptism in the fact that a baby cannot cognitively choose to follow Jesus.  A person is baptized after a decision to follow Jesus has been made.

Baptism is also a reminder of the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus.  It gives an illustration of what Jesus has done for us and we identify ourselves publically with Him by being baptized.  Baptism also is a picture of Jesus “washing away all our sin.”   In the Bible, water is often symbolic of cleansing.

Additionally, some people were baptized as children/teens and then as adults choose to reaffirm their commitment to follow Jesus – kind of start fresh – by being rebaptized.   This is an outward declaration that even though they are a follower of Jesus, they are recommitting themselves to follow Him in a more genuine way.  While there is no biblical precedent for this, there is nothing that prohibits it either.   A baptism such as this can be a powerful “reboot” in ones walk with God.

There may be some that are reading this that have given up on “the church thing.”  Maybe as a kid you “walked the aisle and were baptized” only to flame out after a while.   Maybe you have been hurt/disappointed by a church or pastor.  Let me say this – don’t confuse Jesus with church/pastors/Christians.   I know that in my years of church work I hurt/disappointed people unintentionally.   Churches/pastors will disappoint you, maybe even give up or discard you, but Jesus never will.  I know Christians are supposed to be like Jesus – but much of the time we really don’t a good job treating people like He would.  Maybe you can take this opportunity to reconnect to Him and let Him take care of the church thing for you.   He hasn’t given up on you.   No matter what you have done, He loves you.  You can’t change what has been – but with Him, you can change what will be.  Just because it has been doesn’t mean it has to be anymore.

If you want to talk – about baptism or anything else – message/email me.

Mark

Judging - Who Can Judge if Anyone?

Ok ... we've seen the tattoos - read the T-Shirts - heard the phrase - "Only God Can Judge Me!" Is that true? Are we supposed to Judge? In Matthew Jesus tells His followers not to judge - what exactly does that mean? Are we not to tell a murderer that he is wrong? Isn't that "judging?" Did Jesus mean that no one can tell us we are wrong? That's "judging" isn't it? Even if we say we are "right" - isn't there "judging" involved? Quite the quagmire don't you think?

Judging

"Don't pick on people, jump on their failures, criticize their faults—unless, of course, you want the same treatment.  That critical spirit has a way of boomeranging.  It's easy to see a smudge on your neighbor's face and be oblivious to the ugly sneer on your own.  Do you have the nerve to say, 'Let me wash your face for you,' when your own face is distorted by contempt?  It's this whole traveling road-show mentality all over again, playing a holier-than-thou part instead of just living your part. Wipe that ugly sneer off your own face, and you might be fit to offer a washcloth to your neighbor.  "Don't be flip with the sacred. Banter and silliness give no honor to God. Don't reduce holy mysteries to slogans. In trying to be relevant, you're only being cute and inviting sacrilege. Matthew 7:1-6 (MSG)  

Word for Judging is "krino" - which is used in 3 different ways in the New Testament.

Titus 3:12 (NIV) As soon as I send Artemas or Tychicus to you, do your best to come to me at Nicopolis, because I have decided to winter there.

1. Krino = Decided  (Not how it is used in Matthew)

John 18:31 (NIV) Pilate said, "Take him yourselves and judge him by your own law." "But we have no right to execute anyone," the Jews objected.

2. Krino - Courtroom Setting -

1 Corinthians 4:5 (NIV) Therefore judge nothing before the appointed time; wait till the Lord comes. He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of men's hearts. At that time each will receive his praise from God.

3. Something God Does - Involves exposes motives of people's hearts.

John 7:24 (NIV) Stop judging by mere appearances, and make a right judgment."

So what is God saying in Matthew 7?  No more decisions?  No more Courts?   NO.

Jesus is saying - So ascribing motives and worth to a person based on what you see them do. 

·         To judge is to raise yourself by lowering them.  

·         To judge is to assume divine responsibility for the evaluating the worth and value of another. 

·         To judge is to do God's Job.

The Judging that is being referred to here means to means to criticize, condemn, judge, censor. It is fault-finding; it is being picky. It is the habit of censorious and carping criticism. It is not the moral judgments that have to be made sometimes (cp. 1 Cor. 5:3-5, 12-13); not the specific occasions when value judgments have to be made; not the careful discrimination that is sometimes necessary (Matthew 7:6). Note that the beam in the criticizer's eye is much larger than the speck in the eye of the one being judged.

When a person has come short or done wrong and fallen, he is often judged, condemned and censored. However, such judgment misses a critical point.

1.  When a person has slipped, it is time for compassion not censoring. It is time for reaching out with one's hand and offering to pull the person to oneself, not to push him farther away. It is time to speak kindly of him, not negatively and destructively (Ephes. 4:30-32).

2.  There is never a spirit of criticism in the humble and loving person. There is only a loving compassion for those who have come short (Galatians 6:1-3).

There are several reasons why people tend to judge and criticize.

·         Criticism boosts our own self-image. Pointing out someone else's failure and tearing him down makes us seem a little bit better, at least in our own eyes. It adds to our own pride, ego, and self-image.

·         Criticism makes us feel that our own lives (morality and behavior) are better than the person who failed.

·         Criticism points out to our friends how strong we are. Criticism gives good feelings because our rigid beliefs and strong lives are proven again. Proven how? By our brother's failure.

·         Criticism is an outlet for hurt and revenge. We feel he deserves it. Subconsciously, if not consciously, we think, "He hurt me so he deserves to hurt, too." So we criticize the person who failed.

Matthew 7:3-5 (NIV) "Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, 'Let me take the speck out of your eye,' when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye.

There are several reasons why no person should ever criticize.

·         All the circumstances and all the facts are never known.

·         All people—religious as well as non-religious—come short, fail, and fall. And we all sin often (1 John 1:8, 10). No one is ever exempt from sin. When we criticize and judge, we have a problem: we forget that we are sinners.  

·         All there is to know about a person is never known. How then can we criticize?

·         Judging others usurps God's authority. When a person criticizes another, he is saying that he is worthy and has the right to be the Judge over other lives. He is claiming the right to be God, which is ridiculous. Yet most lay claim to the right at one time or another, and some claim the right to exercise a judgmental spirit all the time.

Entrusting Others to God

Matthew 6:9-14 (NIV) "This, then, is how you should pray: "'Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.' For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.

How You Deal With Life - Who do you trust! - Entrust all of Life to God

·         Father who is in Heaven - I acknowledge God's Holiness - I am a Spiritual Being made in your image.

·         You Kingdom Come - There is an agenda outside of my own that is more important

·         Give us today - Trust God for what I need today

·         Forgive us our debts - Trust God for our Past

·         Lead us not into Temptation - Trust God for Your Future.

Jesus is teaching us to entrust ourselves to God - live without worry and anxiety.

Matthew 6:25 (NIV) "Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes?

If you do not trust God - then you will worry.   If you worry - you have no fully entrusted yourself with God.

Then Jesus goes into Trust God with People. - Entrust Others to God

If you don't trust God with people .... you will judge them .... try to control them.

Control them by negative - Judging

Matthew 7:6 (NIV) "Do not give dogs what is sacred; do not throw your pearls to pigs. If you do, they may trample them under their feet, and then turn and tear you to pieces.

Pearls - that which is precious.   Pigs have no idea what is of Value.  Pig is unable to appreciate that which is good.

Trying to Control by offering what is Precious - "Forcing" it on them.  Can't force Christ on someone.

Ephesians 4:15 (NIV) Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ.

Entrust Life to God - and rest in Him. Speak the Truth in Love - and entrust them to God.  If not, you will be a controlling anxious person and will be miserable.

Galatians 6:1-5 (MSG)  Live creatively, friends. If someone falls into sin, forgivingly restore him, saving your critical comments for yourself. You might be needing forgiveness before the day's out.  Stoop down and reach out to those who are oppressed. Share their burdens, and so complete Christ's law.  If you think you are too good for that, you are badly deceived.  Make a careful exploration of who you are and the work you have been given, and then sink yourself into that. Don't be impressed with yourself. Don't compare yourself with others.  Each of you must take responsibility for doing the creative best you can with your own life. 

Head - Heart - Hand - - An Amazing Way God Can Speak to You Through His Word

Many times we read a passage of scripture and wonder what it has to do with us.   With the Bible being God’s primary way of speaking to our lives, it behooves (great King James Bible Word) to have an understanding of what we are reading.   Now there are places in the Bible where it may be more difficult than others (hello Leviticus) to sort this out, but you would be amazed at how much can be learned by asking three simple questions.

This method was taught to me by a Austrian Missionary in Ethiopia. He found it to be most effective in communicating truths from God's Word to those he was helping grow in their journey with Jesus. Simple - Effective - Powerful and you will never forget it!  Not only is it effective for us adults - it is a great way for us to teach children how to understand God's Word much more effectively.

Three Simple Questions after reading a passage of Scripture:

QUESTION ONE:   What is this verse/passage saying to my brain?  Is this passage/verse trying to tell me something?  Warn me to do or not to do something?  What is it saying to my brain!     KNOWLEDGE

QUESTION TWO:  How does this make me feel?  Once that I know what the scripture/passage says, what is my emotional response?   Gratefulness?  Loved?  Repulsed?  Fearful?  Worshipful?  Secure?   How does this make my heart feel?  EMOTIONS

QUESTION THREE:   What does this verse/passage tell me to do?   Now that I know what it says, what am I to do?   How am I to respond?   What purpose did God put that scripture/passage in the Bible?  What was He trying to motivate/convince me to do?   WILL - ACTION

Now - Let's take a couple of passages of Scripture and work through them asking these questions:

Strength! Courage! You are going to lead this people to inherit the land that I promised to give their ancestors.  Give it everything you have, heart and soul. Make sure you carry out The Revelation that Moses commanded you, every bit of it. Don't get off track, either left or right, so as to make sure you get to where you're going.  And don't for a minute let this Book of The Revelation be out of mind. Ponder and meditate on it day and night, making sure you practice everything written in it. Then you'll get where you're going; then you'll succeed.Joshua 1:6-8 (MSG)  

Question One:  What is this passage telling me?    (Knowledge)

These verses are preparing Joshua to lead the people after Moses is gone.   He will need strength and courage for the task ahead is great.    However, if he carries out what God revealed to Moses about how the people should worship and obey (Deuteronomy and Leviticus) then he will successful in God’s Eyes.

Question Two:  How does this make me feel?   (Emotions)

This should encourage us in that what God has called us to do is possible when we trust in Him.   If we look to Him for how to live/worship we will be successful.  This does not mean that it will be easy.   If it was easy, God wouldn’t tell us not to be discouraged – to be strong and courageous. 

Question Three:  What does this passage tell me to do?  (Will/Actions)

We need to find out what God’s individual path for us is – focus/meditate/discipline ourselves in our walk.   Look to God for direction/strength/courage because it will be difficult – but you will be successful in what God has called you to do when you do this.

Okay - Let's try a second passage of Scripture:

That's why we can be so sure that every detail in our lives of love for God is worked into something good.  God knew what he was doing from the very beginning. He decided from the outset to shape the lives of those who love him along the same lines as the life of his Son. The Son stands first in the line of humanity he restored. We see the original and intended shape of our lives there in him.  After God made that decision of what his children should be like, he followed it up by calling people by name. After he called them by name, he set them on a solid basis with himself. And then, after getting them established, he stayed with them to the end, gloriously completing what he had begun.  So, what do you think? With God on our side like this, how can we lose?  If God didn't hesitate to put everything on the line for us, embracing our condition and exposing himself to the worst by sending his own Son, is there anything else he wouldn't gladly and freely do for us?  And who would dare tangle with God by messing with one of God's chosen?  Who would dare even to point a finger? The One who died for us—who was raised to life for us!—is in the presence of God at this very moment sticking up for us.  Do you think anyone is going to be able to drive a wedge between us and Christ's love for us? There is no way! Not trouble, not hard times, not hatred, not hunger, not homelessness, not bullying threats, not backstabbing, not even the worst sins listed in Scripture:  They kill us in cold blood because they hate you. We're sitting ducks; they pick us off one by one.  None of this fazes us because Jesus loves us.  I'm absolutely convinced that nothing—nothing living or dead, angelic or demonic, today or tomorrow,  high or low, thinkable or unthinkable—absolutely nothing can get between us and God's love because of the way that Jesus our Master has embraced us. Romans 8:28-39 (MSG)  

Question One:  What is this passage telling me?    (Knowledge)

God is always at work in our lives – always has been to make us like Jesus.  Jesus is our example of how to live here on earth, how to treat people, what to love and how to respond to God.  God is at work to make this happen – we are secure in Him.  Nothing will be able to separate us from God – NOTHING.  Nothing I, you or anyone else could do to make God give up on you.

Question Two:  How does this make me feel?   (Emotions)

This is humbling.  When we realize how much God loves us, we should feel secure in the fact that whatever we face, whatever comes our way He is working through them to make us like Jesus.   Additionally, no matter how great the screw up we are or we make, He will never give up on us.   We are secure.  We are loved.

Question Three:  What does this passage tell me to do?  (Will/Actions)

When we realize these things, it should effect the way we see ourselves.  When we worry – we are doubting these principles.  When we self-condemn and feel worthless – we in essence are calling these verses – and God – a liar.  This doesn’t give us a license to live like we want to – but gives us an understanding of how great God’s Love and Grace is in our lives.

Try it on a passage of Scripture!  See what you learn!   Teach this method to your children, to others.   It is simple and effective!

Is Gay Ok?

I want to be able to say that being gay is ok … but I can’t.

Before you click away – prejudge and label me – and dismiss me as just another compassionless old bible thumper, just read on.  Listen – please.

I have chosen to believe that an absolute moral truth exists and that truth is found in God and His Word.  So when I strive to determine what is right/wrong, good/best, how God designed life to be lived, I look to God and His Word to determine these things.    It is my worldview.  You may have a different view – but this is how I have chosen to live.

I want to be able to say that being gay is ok … but I can’t.

As I look in the bible there isn’t a lot said about being gay.  Out of the almost 32,000 verses in the bible, there are only a few that deal with homosexuality.   Really only about 5 or 6 passages – but in each of those passages it is clear it isn’t what God said is best.  It isn’t what God designed us to be.  In addition, nowhere in the bible is same sex attraction portrayed in a positive light.  Nowhere is same sex marriage or partnership illustrated as something inside of God’s design for humankind.

It would be easier to just go with the popular flow and say being gay is ok because some of the most gracious people I know are gay.  Honestly?  Some of my gay friends demonstrate more love, care and compassion than do some people who go to church religiously and claim to follow Jesus!  However, how nice, caring and compassionate a person is does not determine whether a specific action is right or wrong. 

Caring, compassionate wonderful people are capable of lying, cheating on their spouse, harsh words at times, prejudice – the list could go on.   Even as a follower of Jesus – I am capable of all those things – and have done more than my share of living in ways that are clearly condemned by the bible.  But I can’t change the bible and say that my actions – my choices – are ok, right or acceptable.

William Penn once said, “Right is right, even if everyone is against it, and wrong is wrong, even if everyone is for it.”  Let me expand that quote:  Wrong is wrong even if I do it.   Wrong is wrong even if someone I love dearly is doing it.

I want to be able to say that being gay is ok … but I can’t.

At this point in our culture – especially in the church culture – battle lines have been drawn.  Homosexuality – gay marriage are at the center of a tremendous amount of furor.   Everybody is shouting – very few are talking – even fewer are listening.   Gluttony is condemned in the bible – we don’t hear much about that one – especially not from obese preachers.   Judge-mentalism is clearly not what God had in mind – it seems we only hear about that when we are the ones being judged.  Gossip is clearly condemned by God – but is practiced by many an old battle ax at church.  Adultery – looking at people lustfully – is wrong by God’s standards – but you can’t watch a commercial with Hannah and her horse without struggling!  (Hannah – not her horse!)

Homosexuality, gluttony, judge-mentalism, gossip, adultery and the list goes on are not what is best for life.  These actions bring pain and sorrow into lives no matter who does them.  They are not how God designed us to live.  Neither is hatefully bashing people with our words and actions.  God calls me to speak truth, but speak it from a heart of love.  If I can’t talk to, listen to and love a person, then I have greater issues in my life that God needs to transform.

God’s design for sexuality has been one man – one woman for life.  Even in the bible, when that design has been strayed from, disaster follows.

I want to be able to say that being gay is ok … but I can’t.

So what do I do?   I love.  I care.   I struggle.  I defend.   I protect.  I embrace.  I cry.  I pray.  I do my best to treat everyone with the kind of love and compassion Jesus demonstrated.  I seek to follow Jesus.  I am just as flawed, tarnished, broken and dysfunctional as anyone/everyone else – yet God loves and accepts me – and God loves you as well – with all our issues.   He is at work in my life – transforming me into something that resembles Him – slowly, painfully, and thoroughly.   He wants to do the same for you.   Talk to Him.  He loves you … really.  Talk to Him.   He is listening.

Poverty, Bigotry, Gay Marriage, Abortion - Is This What God Had In Mind?

Some of this post may seem redundant, but it is very important to have a clear understanding of what I have chosen to call a “biblical worldview.”   I want to take this blog post and explain more clearly – perhaps a little more in depth so when we look at some of the issues of the day – even if you disagree with my position – you will understand my reasoning.   Fair enough?

In the last blog post I referred to a biblical worldview as a belief that an absolute moral truth exists and that “truth” is understood by an honest study of the Bible.   While I am quick to admit it is not always easy to understand the Bible because of the complexity and variety of the 66 books it contains, an honest study of the Bible is possible.  Honestly, I have found that many people who talk “about” the Bible often have never “read” much less really “studied” the Bible.

Let me expound on the biblical worldview I hold.

I believe/think/reason there was a way God designed our universe/world to operate.   I believe that God created all we see and know about our world and space.   Now “how” He did it – there is a great debate, but “that” He did it for me – holding a biblical worldview – is not up for debate.   He created it with order.  There are universal laws/principles that govern this cosmos that we are still trying to fathom.   A simple example is our earth’s gravity.   Whether you believe in it or not – it just is.  On earth it is constant.   You might not believe in gravity – but jump off your house and you will experience it!  (Don’t try it …. Without a Superman Cape!  Smile)

It is my understanding there are constants all around us that have allowed us to fly to space, combine chemical and do all sort of amazing things.  These are constants that allow our world to function as it was designed.

With a biblical worldview, I believe that God intentionally created man and then woman.   It was not a cosmic accident, but rather the crowning creation of God.    God surrounded man with these constants – these principles – these rules to keep His creation running at peak efficiency.   All of God’s Creation follows His Plan – His Design – His Patterns.   But God gave something to man and woman He didn’t give to any other of His creations here on earth.     He gave man – us – that ability to choose – to make moral, reasoned choices whether to follow His designs, patterns, plans or to function in a different manner.

Originally He gave this choice to Adam and Eve.  While we don’t know how long it took, eventually they both chose to rebel against God’s design and instructions and eat of the forbidden tree.  When they deliberately chose to do this, the creation that was perfect, whole and efficient began to unravel.  Never again would God’s Creation be as He created it.  It was now contaminated with one of His Creation looking to Him and saying “No.”

The theological term for this is “Sin” – I almost hate to use that term because it carries with it such cultural weight, but let’s look at it differently for a moment.  The Greek word for sin is “hamartia” which means to “miss the mark.”  Let me loosely paraphrase:  When we choose to operate outside the patterns/design/principles of God then we sacrifice the full benefit of functioning in the manner He created us to live.

Illustration:   Most new cars come with an “Instruction Manual” that explain all the nuances of the automobile and its electronics.  (Or you can ask a 15 year old about the electronics – they can figure out anything …. Grin)  Inside that manual there is preventative maintenance that you can and should do.  Tire Pressure, Fluids, Periodic Oil Changes etc.   Now you can choose to follow the instructions and perform the maintenance or you can ignore them.  But chances are, if you ignore them, the car will not operate as the “Creator” designed it to function.

I believe we are the same.   There are principles/patterns/laws that God has in place.   If we operate in harmony with those principles/patterns/laws then life will go much better.   But if we choose to ignored them, then life isn’t going to go as the “Creator” designed it to function.

Please understand – this is a very simplistic explanation of my biblical worldview, but I wanted you to understand my “frame of reference” when dealing with complex issues we face today.

So the question I ask is – “As best as I can honestly understand in studying the Bible – what is/was God’s principle/design/pattern/law concerning ___________________ .”   That is how I attempt to navigate through life.   Again – it isn’t always easy to determine, but in most cases you usually can find indications as to what should be done or what is right or wrong.

Ok …. Now – if you have made it this far, then you either agree or think I am an idiot.  (maybe both if you know me well …. ((grin)).     But if you disagree – what is your worldview?   How do you wrestle with these issues?

Next Blog Entry we will look at the area of Morals, Gluttony and Gossip.   Are the all the same?   (smile)

Peace!

PS:  If you want to email me any thoughts/questions/comments/responses - click here!   I really would like to hear from you!

 Mark

Poverty, Bigotry, Gay Marriage, Abortion - How Do We Decide What is Right?

Over the next few posts I am going to share some of my thoughts about America’s Culture, the Church and the massive conflicts taking place.    No podium, pulpit or sermon  - Just some thoughts to help me process what is going.  I hope you are challenged intellectually, emotionally and spiritually by what you read.  This will be several Posts long rather than one long post.

  

Right now there is a great discussion going on in America.   Well – not so much of a discussion WITH each other, but rather a lot being said ABOUT each other.

When we disagree rather than sitting down and listening, we label, insult and dismiss one another.  Whenever a label is applied, they are “boxed up” and dismissed.   “That is how they all are!” … Right?  And this is true of almost everyone today.   Everyone is screaming, yelling, talking and very few are listening.  After all that is what we see on CNN, FOX and MSNBC every night isn’t it?

My thought is to take a step back and ask a few questions.   I know there are differing opinions about Gay Marriage, Abortion, Life and Death.   So let’s think together and see if we can understand better where we are and why?  Fair enough?  

An important question is this:  How do you determine what is right and wrong?   What do you use as your moral authority?  What is your moral compass that guides your decisions in life?

Some might respond and say, “There is no absolute truth!”   Ok … well I disagree, but if you believe that, what do YOU base your moral decisions on?  What determines what is right and wrong to you?

Perhaps here are some options.  Some determine right and wrong by their feelings.   Those of my vintage remember Debbie Boone’s “You Light up My Life?” – The lyric, “It can’t be wrong when it feels so right!”  Many people have made horrible choices based on “emotions and/or feelings.”   Emotions are fickle and feelings change.  Not so good I think.

Others might say, “Let you conscience be your guide!”   But consciences can be dulled, broken, twisted and when you have a group of people trying to make rules/laws – how can it be so “nebulous” as to do what your conscience tells you.

Another option is right and wrong is determined by what is legal.  That makes some sense, but right now our nation is having debates and laws are being changed right and left depending on who win elections or even who is shouting the loudest!   Additionally, I am not sure that all things “legal” are good.   For instance “Adultery” is legal and most people seem to think that adultery isn’t a good thing.  However, there is another problem.   If laws are the ultimate arbiter of what is right and wrong, on what “moral authority” are the laws based?    Popular opinion?  Whims of the culture?  Actually I think that America is struggling with that now.

Most people who don’t think about such things as these just do what everyone else does.  “Everyone else is doing it – it must be ok.”   And every parent responds, “If all the kids jumped off a bridge – would you?” … Probably.    (Smile)  Now there is something to be said about this, because our conduct, thoughts and reasoning are connected to who we “run with.”  You run with idiots you will probably begin to think like them.    Especially with teens and young adults, many of the choices made are influenced by one’s peers.

These are all options and to some degree have some merit, however here is mine – Here is how I strive to determine what is right and wrong.  I have chosen a biblical worldview.   Hang in there, let me explain.

A biblical worldview means that I do believe an absolute moral truth exists and that “truth” is understood by an honest study of the Bible.  This means that I look to God and His Word as the final answer in searching for instruction in life.

Now that isn’t always easy.  The Bible really is a complicated book – actually 66 different books.  Some are poetry, some are narrative, some are ceremonial, some are letters and some are surreal imagery.   Trying to make sense of it all is incredibly difficult, but I have chosen to use this collection of writings to determine what is right and wrong.  Not only that, I look to these writings to determine what is best, how LIFE is to be experienced and understood.  I wish I could tell you I always DID what I knew to be right … but I would be lying.  Knowing and doing are two different things.   (Smile)

So – my question is – what is yours?  What is your method?  How is it that you determine right and wrong?  

Bold statement here:   You are a fool if you really don’t know.  Life is too precious not to definitively know how you process right and wrong.  I truly hope you give it some thought. 

NEXT ARTICLE:   How Did and Does Our Nation Determine Right and Wrong?

God! Can You Hear Me?

How many times have you been in a place in life where you wonder if God even notices you?   If He is even paying attention?  If He even cares?  Maybe you even dared to pray, but wondered if He was even listening.

You think you are the only one?   Maybe you even feel guilty because you follow Jesus but have emotions of hopelessness, abandonment or just plain stressed out by life at times.  Or maybe you have done something so stupid, so foolish that everybody who seemed to “love you” turned their back and left you to rot.  And you begin to wonder if they did – maybe God did too.

You aren’t the only one.  Would you believe that there was a guy that was described as a guy after God’s Heart who felt the same way?   This was a guy whom God had richly blessed, protected and delivered time after time – but look at what he wrote:

Help, GOD—the bottom has fallen out of my life! Master, hear my cry for help!  Listen hard! Open your ears! Listen to my cries for mercy.  Psalm 130:1-2 (MSG)

GOD—the bottom has fallen out of my life! Master, hear my cry for help!  ²  Listen hard! Open your ears! Listen to my cries for mercy. ³  If you, GOD, kept records on wrongdoings, who would stand a chance? ⁴  As it turns out, forgiveness is your habit, and that's why you're worshiped. ⁵  I pray to GOD—my life a prayer— and wait for what he'll say and do. ⁶  My life's on the line before God, my Lord, waiting and watching till morning, waiting and watching till morning. ⁷  O Israel, wait and watch for GOD— with GOD's arrival comes love, with GOD's arrival comes generous redemption. ⁸  No doubt about it—he'll redeem Israel, buy back Israel from captivity to sin. Psalm 130:1-8

Thoughts and Questions

Verses 1-2 – THIS IS WHERE I AM

In the Hebrew Mind the ocean represents fear, the unknown, the untamed.

Mark’s Paraphrase:  “Things are out of control.  I feel like I am drowning!  Where are You?  Can You hear me?  Are You listening?”

Notice he cries for “Mercy” – Mercy is for when you are guilty.  Perhaps it was his own actions that got him in to this mess.

Verses 3-4 – THIS IS WHO YOU ARE

God forgives in – casts it from east to west – remembers it no more.

When you find God, you find total forgiveness.

Holiness – consistence in life.

Mark’s Paraphrase:  “God – truth is none of us is worthy of You.  You forgive over and over and over.  That is why we worship/are in awe of You.”

Verses 5-6 – THIS WON’T LAST FOREVER – THIS IS WHAT I’LL DO

God is always faithful.  I will wait for Him.

I wait expecting Him to act – not just hope – but expect.

Mark’s Paraphrase:  “I pray – and wait for you to lead and provide.   If not, I’m screwed – I have nothing else.   I wait expectantly for You to act.”

Verses 7-8 – I’M NOT ALONE

Mark’s Paraphrase:  “Hey everyone.  When God gets here He brings love and redemption.  Have confidence, He will deliver us.”

Conclusion

 You may be going through a terrible time in your life right now.   Perhaps you did something foolish that took you someplace you never intended to go.  Perhaps you are just being blasted by the storms of life.   One thing you can do is Pray.   Prayer is simple - just talk to God.  Be honest with Him - about your feelings, your fears, your hopes, your frustrations.  Don't pretend - just tell Him.  He is listening - He does care - He will act.   

It may not change your circumstances, the suffering may not end immediately, but you will realize you aren't alone.  And you will realize there is hope.  God has always been faithful.  He was in the Bible.   He is/was to people all around you - ask them.   When you find Him you find forgiveness.  You find restoration.  You find acceptance.  You find hope.

The same is true of people.   When you find one who follows Jesus you find forgiveness, restoration, acceptance and hope.

What you are going through won't last forever.   Dawn always comes and things look worse at night.   Look for God to act.   Look to Him.  Listen for Him.  He is at work in your life and all around you.  Stop focusing on your situation and focus on Him.

Realize you aren't the only one who has is going through difficult times.  Everyone has a story.  In the immortal words of REM - Everybody Hurts.   It may do you well to find them and help them, talk to them, encourage them.   It will do you both well.

You will make it through this.  It won't be easy, it may not be quick, but you will make it through this.  Talk to Him.  Look for Him.  Listen for Him.

This won't last forever.  You are not alone.

You will make it through this.