Clumbsy by Chris Rice

"Clumsy" as written by Chris Rice and sung by Jason Castro.

This song came on my ipod this morning and the words resonated with me in a special way today. I enjoy the way that Chris Rice sings this song, but I did not like the video that I was able to find of the song with he pictures and the additional audience audio added to it. The song lyrics are posted below.

You think I'd have it down by now
Been practicin' for thirty years
I should have walked a thousand miles
So what am I still doin' here
Reachin' out for that same old piece of forbidden fruit
I slip and fall and I knock my halo loose
Somebody tell me what's a boy supposed to do?

I get so clumsy
I get so foolish
I get so stupid
And then I feel so useless
But You're sayin' You love me
And You're still gonna hold me
And that You wanna be near me
‘Cause You're makin' me holy
You're still makin' me holy, yeah

I'm gonna get it right this time
I'll be strong and I'll make You proud
I've prayed that prayer a thousand times
But the rooster crows and my tears roll down (again)
Then You remind me You made me from the dust
And I can never, no never, be good enough
And that You're not gonna let that come between us

I get so clumsy
I get so foolish
I get so stupid
And then I feel so useless
But You're sayin' You love me
And You're still gonna hold me
And that You wanna be near me
‘Cause You're makin' me holy
You're still makin' me holy, yeah

From where I stand
Your holiness is up so high I can never reach it
My only hope is to fall on Jesus

I get so clumsy
I get so foolish
I get so stupid
And then I feel so useless
But You're sayin' You love me
And You're still gonna hold me
And that You wanna be near me
‘Cause You're makin' me holy
You're still makin' me holy, yeah

The Shepherd's Final Response

In the four weeks od advent leading up to Christmas day our church family took part in a teaching series; “And There Were Shepherds”

·         We have looked at the message of the birth of Jesus Christ according to Luke 2.

·         We looked at the response to this message by the shepherds.

·         And we looked at the response that this message requires of each us

Luke 2:8-20 says:

"And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.” When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.” So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told."

We asked questions within the church family:

·         “What will the glory of The Lord bring to you this Christmas?”

·         “How will we (as a church) continue to go and to see this Christmas?”

·         “How will we come to Christ this Christmas?”

·         “How will we act (with love) toward others this Christmas?”

We see the final three responses that the shepherds took;

·         The shepherds returned

o   They returned to their normal environment

§  We too must return to our normal environments

·         Where hearts begin to harden to the thoughts of generosity

·         Where hearts grow cold to the message of Christ

·         Where it’s not as easy to drop Jesus name into everyday conversation

o   They returned to their normal tasks

§  We too must return to our normal tasks

·         Where the drive to achieve and outdo can drive our time and our energy

·         Where the stress and anxiety can overwhelm

·         The shepherds glorified

o   To glorify is to give honor – to impart glory on something – to declare it excellent – to clothe it with splendor.

o   They glorified what they were once unaware of.

·         The shepherds praised

o   To praise is to make promise or vow to something – to  admire – to worship – to devote yourself to.

o   They praised what they were once terrified of.

See, this is what we do – or all called to do;

·         Glorify and praise a God that we were once unaware of

·         Glorify and praise a God that we were once terrified of

·         Glorify and praise a God that is deserving of all our praise and glory

Worship, as defined by Colossians 3:17, is doing “whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.”

As we celebrate Christ’s birth this Christmas season, let us glorify Him

·         When we return to our normal environments and our normal tasks, let us praise Him

o   Let us do everything we do “in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him”.

Comforts of Christmas

I write this from my bed this evening, Christmas Eve. at 10:00. We are setting a record this year, this is the earliest we have ever gotten to bed since having kids.

I gave my wife a luxury pillow today and she climbed into bed to enjoy the plush comfort of it's embrace.

The furnace just kicked on, completely quiet except for the sound of the rushing warm air from the vents next to our bed. That reminds me of a couple more luxuries; the quiet safety of our home and the warmth that we enjoy within it.

All these thoughts of our comforts and luxuries bring to mind luxuries that were missing the first Christmas night in Bethlehem.

I think of Mary and Joseph sleeping in a barn on the cold, damp straw, both of them probably hungry and tired from their long journey, Mary still writhing from the pains of childbirth, and both with thousands of questions and uncertainties on their minds.

I think of the shepherds leaving their fields in the middle of the night, leading their flocks throughout the town of Bethlehem, and embarking on a search to find The One they have heard to be the Savior of the world.

And I think of Jesus, The One giving up the most. Giving up the comforts of heaven to be born here in earth. Giving up the luxuries of glory to begin a life of humanity, all so that He could be killed.

So, while we enjoy our comforts and luxuries this Christmas Eve. Let us give thanks for those that did without on the first Christmas and let us give thanks to The One that gave up His glory, His honor, and His life for us.

Praise be to Jesus Christ this Christmas

Pastoring as a Coach

I watched an IU basketball game tonight and the commentators began to talk about the passion of Coach Tom Crean stating how much of a difference it had made on the players.

They said that he set very high expectations for the players, that he held them accountable, and that they faced discipline if they did not meet, or exceed, these expectations. But, they said the thing that made Coach Crean successful was his approach and his understanding that these individuals he is coaching are young men that still have growing and maturing to do and that, in some ways, they are emotionally weak with a chance of caving if the pressure becomes too much.

As these commentators spoke of Coach Crean it occurred to me that this is the kind of Pastor that I want to be; passionate about the message of Christ, setting high expectations of those within our church family, and holding my brothers and sisters in Christ accountable to God's commands and calls. While, at the same time, approaching them with the understanding that they are still growing and maturing (we all are) and can, at times, be emotionally weak and may be on the brink of caving in to the pressures of this life.

It Was A Week before Christmas...

It was the week before Christmas
And all through the church
People sung about Jesus
While others just searched
 
It was the week before Christmas
And I sat in my pew
Focusing on Christ’s birth
It was the least I could do

It was the week before Christmas

Still a lot on my mind
Things to be wrapped up
And others to find

It was the week before Christmas

And I sat in my pew
Christ called me to action
Said; “go, I’m calling you”

It was the week before Christmas
And God pulled on my heart
Said, this is my message
Now go, do your part

It was the week before Christmas

And I sat in my pew
God’s message was clear
Now what will I do

We Have Jesus

If you have ever read the account of Job you know the horrible suffering, pain, and despair that he faced. But you also know of his words during this time of anguish and how he refused to curse God. At one point, when it seemed like he could handle it no more, he speaks of God and says;

“He is not a mere mortal like me that I might answer Him, that we might confront each other in court. If only there were someone to mediate between us, someone to bring us together, someone to remove God’s rod from me, so that His terror would frighten me no more. Then I would speak up without fear of Him, but as it now stands with me, I cannot." (Job 9:32-35)

"If only there someone to mediate between us" - "Christ is the mediator of a new covenant, that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance —now that he has died as a ransom to set them free from the sins committed under the first covenant." (Hebrews 9:15)

"someone to bring us together" - "But whoever is united with the Lord is one with him in spirit." (1 Corinthians 6:17)

"someone to remove God's rod from me" - Jesus "was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed." (Isaiah 53:5)

"so that His terror would frighten me no more" - "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid." (John 14:27)

"but as it stands now with me, I cannot" - in Christ Jesus we have now what Job never did - we have Jesus; our mediator, our unified, our sacrifice, and our peace.

Preparing for Victory

My wife and I have spent much of the week cleaning, cooking, and preparing for an open house that we are hosting tomorrow evening. We have done all of these special preparations because we want our home and to look its best and we want to provide the best atmosphere for our guests. But, in spite of all the preparations that are required for tomorrow evening, I paused for a few hours tonight to enjoy a college basketball game. My Indiana Hoosiers were hosting the Kentucky Wildcats, who are currently ranked number one in the nation.

It was quite a game and I am still reeling from the excitement after my Hoosiers pulled off a win tonight. Although the Hoosiers played at home and had a huge crowd advantage in the game, it was still a very difficult game in which a win would not have been possible if they had not come out with a plan and a desire to win.

After the game I went back to work, sweeping and mopping the floor in the kitchen and began to think, to think about preparing. The Hoosiers had to prepare for the game this evening and I have to prepare for our guests tomorrow night. In the same way, much of my job is about preparing - preparing individuals for heaven. Likewise, much of our life is about preparing - preparing for eternity.

Mercy is a means of preparing; Ephesians 2:3-5 says: "All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our flesh and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wrath. But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved.

Grace is a means of preparing; Romans 3:23-24 says: "for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus." Through the grace of Christ Jesus we are being prepared for an eternity with Him where there will be no more sin and no more suffering.

Repentance is a means of preparing; when we ask forgiveness for our sins and we turn from our wicked ways God promises to forgive us (2 Chronicles 7:14), yet if we turn back to sin God promises that He will still remain forgiving and will accept us if we repent again (Matthew 18:20-22)

Worship is a means of preparing; as we worship as individuals we prepare for the day when every knee will bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord (Philippians 2:10-11), as we worship together we prepare for an eternity when we will gather with all tribes and peoples to worship The God that is worthy of our worship (Revelation).

In all these things, in all these ways, God is working to prepare us for an eternity in heaven that He desires to spread with us as His children. As we think of God's mercy and His grace, as we consider our repentance to and our worship of God, let us also focus on the preparation that God has for us and how we can best prepare for the eternity that He is preparing for us.

In John 14:2-3, Jesus says: "My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am."

A Bill For 20 Cents

Nothing says "we love and miss you, please come back to church" like a bill for 20 cents.

Allow me to explain. A couple months back I ordered some simple postcards with the church name, information, and message on them. These, I thought, could be sent to connect with members and guests and to convey a quick and inexpensive note of love and appreciation.

After mailing a handful a couple days ago, several were returned. The issue, I found out days ago was that a postcard stamp would not cover the full cost of mailing them, instead it would cost an additional 20 cents per postcard.

What troubled me was that one was not returned. Where had it gone? Apparently it was delivered to a family that stopped attending our church months ago with the additional postage due upon receipt.

Again, nothing says "we love and miss you, please come back to church" like a bill for 20 cents.

Acting for God or Satan

I was reading the book of Job this morning and a couple things occurred to me.

In the first chapter Satan stands in front of God and requests; "But now stretch out your hand and strike everything [Job] has, and he will surely curse you to your face."

And read what God does: "The Lord said to Satan, 'Very well, then, everything he has is in your power, but on the man himself do not lay a finger.'"

See, Satan begged God to strike Job, but God - although He gave permission for Satan to - refused to strike Job Himself.

"Then Satan went out from the presence of the Lord (and did His best to hurt Job and his family)." God is love, Satan is evil. God would not harm Job, Satan did whatever He could to hurt and harm Job.

But, Satan could not do it alone. Later we can read of groups that acted by the desire of Satan to bring harm to Job; the Sabeans and the Chaldeans.

As I read this account it brought to mind a question that I pass on to you; "Are you acting for God - as Job was - or for Satan?". Are you acting in accordance with love or evil, in line with goodness or harm?

Life Description

Whoever wrote the book of Job in the Bible paid a great deal of honor to this man when they described him, just read the first few verse of this book;

"In the land of Uz there lived a man whose name was Job. This man was blameless and upright; he feared God and shunned evil."

That is a very honorable way to be described, but also, a much deserved. Read what God said about Job just a few verses later;

"Have you considered my servant Job? There is no one on earth like him; he is blameless and upright, a man who fears God and shuns evil."

I would say, that is the way I want others to describe me, the way I want God to describe my life.

What about you, what is your desire?

A Pleasing Aroma

I like to burn incense in my office at the church. You might think it is odd but it really helps me to focus and creates an atmosphere that helps me read, study, contemplate, and write. Several people have commented on the smell, some even saying that it is a bad smell coming from my office. Yet, to me it is pleasant, and that's the point.

Throughout the Old Testament you can find the words "pleasing aroma" regarding gifts, offerings, and sacrifices made to God. One example is the sacrifices and burnt offerings made by Noah following the flood and Noah's departure from the ark.

Genesis 8 says; "The Lord smelled the pleasing aroma and said in his heart: 'Never again will I curse the ground because of humans, even though every inclination of the human heart is evil from childhood. And never again will I destroy all living creatures, as I have done.'"

See, the "pleasing aroma" of Noah's Gift moved God, it touched His heart. What is exciting is that we have the ability to do the same.

As David prays in Psalm 141; "May my prayer be set before you like incense; may the lifting up of my hands be like the evening sacrifice."

Is this your desire too? Do you want your prayers to go before God and for Him to accept them as a "pleasing aroma"?

In Revelation 8 John writes; "Another angel, who had a golden censer, came and stood at the altar. He was given much incense to offer, with the prayers of all God’s people, on the golden altar in front of the throne. The smoke of the incense, together with the prayers of God’s people, went up before God from the angel’s hand."

With your prayers, you have the ability to move God, and to touch His heart.

Thanking God For Death

I was reading from Genesis chapter 3 this morning, at the end of this chapter God kicks Adam and Eve out of the Garden of Eden after they disobey and eat from the tree if good and evil, their banishment from the Garden was part of their discipline.

Verses 22 to 24 follow this punishment;

And the Lord God said, “The man has now become like one of us, knowing good and evil. He must not be allowed to reach out his hand and take also from the tree of life and eat, and live forever.” So the Lord God banished him from the Garden of Eden to work the ground from which he had been taken. After he drove the man out, he placed on the east side of the Garden of Eden cherubim and a flaming sword flashing back and forth to guard the way to the tree of life.

First, it amazes me the God was talking to another being in verse 22. We may assume that God is speaking with Christ or with the Holy Spirit. I can't quite wrap my head around that!

But, what really amazes me is that God still loves and care for mankind - and for us - in this moment where He was the most betrayed and forsaken.

We could certainly understand God's frustration with Adam and Eve, they had ignored and broken the one and only rule that He had given them, they had ruined paradise! Frustration, even anger could be understood at this moment.

But God, in His merciful, compassionate, loving way, disciplines His children, and then patiently takes steps to care for and to protect us from ourselves and from any future harm.

How, you may ask. God protected us by taking away eternal life on this earth and in this current, tainted, sinful world. Thanks to this action we are able to live our lives now in a state of preparation for an eternal future glory with God, our Father. And, we are able to trust - with a hope and an assurance - in perfection waiting for those of us who believe and obey Jesus Christ.

So, the next time you consider death, thank God for it, and consider what is waiting for you on the other side.

Martyr's Song by Todd Agnew

I was cleaning the car the other day and this song began to play. I was reminded by the powerful lyrics of God's true love for His creation and was inspired by the message of the song to press on until that day when I see Him face to face, when I feal His embrace, and when I hear Him welcome me home.

I've been waiting to dance with you
In fields full of colors you've never seen
I've been waiting to show you beauty
You never dreamed that's always been in you
I've been waiting to see you tremble as you're embraced
By a world saturated with my love
I've been waiting for the day when at last I get to say
My child you are finally home

Sing O son of Zion
Shout O child of mine
Rejoice with all your heart and soul and mind
For you are finally home

I've been waiting to watch you realize
What all your longing was for
I've been waiting to show you the thread of grace
That ran through all your pain
I've been waiting to let you drink the water of which
Your greatest joy on earth was just a taste
I've been waiting for the day when at last I get to say
My child you are finally home

Sing O son of Zion
Shout O child of mine
Rejoice with all your heart and soul and mind
Sing O daughter of Zion
Cry out O child of mine
Dance with all the strength that you can find
For you are finally home

Every tear you cried dried in the palm of my hand
Every lonely hour was by my side
every loved one lost, every river crossed
Every moment, every hour was pointing to this day
I've been longing for this day

The Shepherds Acted Inwardly

This Christmas season the sermon series on Sunday mornings are focused on Luke 2 and specifically on the response; the response that the shepherds had to the message they heard and the response that we must also take to the message of Jesus Christ.

Luke 2:8-11 says: And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.

The shepherds were...ordinary men...living ordinary lives...doing ordinary tasks.

In the middle of the night it was...quiet...dark...and still

And an angel of The Lord appears to them. And the glory of the Lord came to them.

And their initial reaction was...TERROR!

The angel announces to them...comfort...goodness...and joy. But also...a sign...and an invitation.

Luke 2:12 says: This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”

Jesus birth was a sign...of God's promises fulfilled...of Jesus' humility...and of Jesus' humanity.

And because of these signs, the angel extends an invitation to the shepherds; "you will find a baby". But, the shepherds would only "find a baby" if they responded to the message...in faith and I'm action.

But, these shepherds were terrified. What could take them from their state of terror to a state of faith and action?

Luke 2:13-14 says: Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”

This one angel is joined by a great company of angels proclaiming praise to God...glory to God...and peace to men.

But this is not peace on earth as many understand it today, it is a peace that comes through...this invitation of Christ...forgiveness of our sins...freedom from this world...the control of God...the security in eternity...and a response to God.

And, this peace only comes when we first make peace with God. When we give Him all the glory, with our lives and our actions.

And that's what the shepherds did, they responded.

Luke 2:15 says: When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”

The shepherds responded inwardly. They said to one another...let's go...let's see.

Let's go and see what the...glory of The Lord I'd all about...glory of the Lord has brought to us...Lord's comfort and joy is...Lord's peace is.

You see, the shepherds had to respond to the message of Jesus Christ. And so do we!

How will we act inwardly this Christmas season?

Will will continue to go and see?

Will we continue to act?

Will we continue to respond to the glory of God?

Take Time

This past fall we focused on prayer within our church. As I said to our church family; God desires for us to be people of prayer. God desires that we desire to talk to Him - to communicate our wants and needs to Him. God desires that we desire to listen to Him - to have Him communicate to us.

There is much to be said about prayer, much that is stated in the Old and New Testaments, and much that God continues to reveal to us today. I believe that prayer must be at the heart of our local churches and that prayer must be the pulse of Christ's worldwide Church.

Allow me to pause this thought for a moment, I'll come right back to it.

Our current teaching series looks to the shepherds who first heard the message of Christ's birth. (Luke 2). The amazing thing is that God picked these shepherds, who had been despised by much of the religious community, to be the first to hear the amazing news. Many reasons can be given for why God chose this group. As Max Lucado writes; "God goes to those who have time to hear Him - so on this cloudless night He went to the simple shepherds".

Let me say this; take time to hear God this Christmas season, allow the glory of God to come to you as you worship, pray, and celebrate Him.

Extraordinary Stories

Last Sunday I began an Teaching series from Luke 2; "And There Were Shepherds". This series will focus on the message of Christ's birth that the shepherds heard, what their response was to this message, and what our response must be now that we have heard this message if Jesus' birth.

See, these shepherds were ordinary men, living ordinary lives, and doing ordinary jobs on the night "The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us" (John 1). But, their lives were changed and their story made extraordinary when they heard of Jesus birth.

The same can be said of us. When we hear the message of Christ and respond in faith and action, our lives are transformed, changed forevermore, and the story of our lives go from ordinary to extraordinary.

Do Not Fear

It has been several months since our three-year old son had his mouth washed out with soap. It was the one and only time he tasted soap and it seemed to be the only solution for his new habit of biting anytime he was agitated or aggravated. And, although this discipline occurred several months ago, he seems to be living in fear that we will wash his mouth out at any time. Tonight, in fact, he broke out crying in fear that I would wash his mouth out with soap.

Fear was something I spoke about this past Sunday. The shepherds first response to the glory of God was fear or terror (Luke 2). Yet they had no reason to fear the glory of God, and neither do we! We are called to fear God out of reverence but not out if sheer terror of Him.

But, it seems to me that some people - even those who have believed and trusted in God for decades - seem to live in a state of fear. This does not make sense to me and I don't believe that God desires or appreciates this state of terror from His creation and His children.

In our world today we have plenty of people, places, and situations that we are told to fear. Yet the message of God is clear this Christmas; "do not be afraid, for I bring you good news of great joy".

The Shepherds Were Terrified

Luke 2: 8-11 says;
And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord."

The shepherds were
- Together, as a community
- Living, in their normal environment
- Working, doing their normal task

This is what we are called to this Christmas season, to live and work together. God does not call us to abandon others, to abandon our lives, or to abandon our tasks - He calls us to live life together for Him.

An angel of the Lord came to the shepherds with a message of comfort, good news, and great joy. Then, the glory of the Lord shone around them. And their reaction was terror!

The glory of the Lord came to the shepherds (and to us). "Today...a Savior has been born to you, He is Christ, The Lord."

WHAT WILL THE GLORY OF THE LORD BRING TO YOU THIS CHRISTMAS SEASON?
o To some it brings fear (vs. 9)
o To some it brings comfort (vs. 10)
o To some it brings good news (vs. 10)
o To some it brings great joy (vs. 10)
o To some it brings a Savior (vs. 11)

Preaching The Bible

I have heard a lot of sermons over the years, some very good, some not. Yet I can almost always find some aspect to complement the preacher on or some element appreciate for myself. A few months ago I found myself listening to a sermon and taking mental notes on many of the main points. And then it hit me; this is not Biblically based, in fact no Scripture was used at any point in this "sermon".

For the next few days I thought about this "sermon" and about this "preacher" and questioned how a person could claim to preach The Word of God without sharing any of it with their hearers. And, I wondered, how could I avoid falling into this same type of mindset.

That's when it hit me; it's not a manner of falling into this mindset, not jumping into it as a choice that is made, the issue is that many preachers are sliding into it on a very slippery slope. This is due to preachers and church leaders wanting to grow their churches, speak to the felt needs of their congregation and their community and they soon find themselves preaching pop culture and self-help from many sources not built on The Holy Scriptures.

When I came to this conclusion I was convicted to go back to the drawing board on all upcoming sermons in order to base them on Scripture. I was convicted to go back to the calendar and redesign all our upcoming series and teaching plans.

If you are called to be a preacher or teacher of God's Word than you need to teach it and nothing less. We need to be people that teach God's Word because people need to hear it. If we fail to speak The Truth of Jesus Christ, who will. If people are not hearing The Scriptures from us, we are failing them, we are failing ourselves, and we are failing God.

Forgetting what's not important

I knew that it had been quite some time since I wrote a blog post. But, I did not realize that it had been an entire month! When I realized this, two things came to mind; the importance of setting habits and making the time for things that matter (this doesn't apply to blog posts as much as other things in life), and also how easy it is to forget and overlook things from time to time.

In an attempt to get back to blogging on a regular basis again, allow me to share a passage from Deuteronomy 31:8; "The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged."

Let this be your encouragement today. God always goes before you, leading you, and clearing your path. God will never leave you, forsake you, or forget about you. So, do not be afraid, do not be anxious, do not be discouraged.

A Letter To You

To any and all who would lend me your ear and your heart, I beg you to consider the following story and plea from my heart.

A few months back a member of our church family passed away. As her pastor I had the great honor of speaking at her funeral service and sharing encouragement with her family members and friends. Although her death was sudden and unexpected, and although it brought much sorrow to her loved ones, it was truly a celebration of her life and her reception in heaven with Jesus.

This past week, one of her sons was laid in the same position, in the same room, with much of the same people looking in the same direction, in the same manner, with much of the same tears flowing down their cheeks. Although I had met this gentlemen only one time, I was asked to speak at his funeral service.

There was something much different about this gentleman's funeral service than there was of his mother's just months earlier. This gentleman never professed a faith in Jesus Christ, his family members and his friends did not know where he stood with his maker, no one was able to offer a testimony on his behalf, and no one stood secure on where his soul would spend eternity.

As the funeral service continued, as it concluded, and as the casket was placed over it's final resting place, the uncertainty grew, as did the sorrow, the heartbreak, and the grief. This day we were able to honor his life, we were able to remember the memories made with this man, we were able to reflect on the impact that he has made in the lives of others, yet we were not able to celebrate , and we were not able to rest assured.

Now, I believe that God offers comfort, encouragement, and support in our time of need, I believe that God will strengthen this family in the same way. But, as a sister stood at her brother's casket for more than ten minutes repeating; "I will see you again, you are in heaven now".

"I will see you again, you are in heaven now!"
"I will see you again, you are in heaven now!"
"I will see you again, you are in heaven now!"
"I will see you again, you are in heaven now!"

For ten minutes she continued, over and over she cried, over and over she wailed, over and over she shouted; "I will see you again, you are in heaven now!" This poor woman tried her best to convince herself, tried her best to convince those around her, tried her best to convince God, that her brother was going to make it into heaven. How troubling it must be to see the cold body of a loved one and know that it might be too late.

As I stood beside the casket that day, I could only hope that the second half of that statement was true, hope that he had made a commitment before his life was taken from him, hope that he called on the name of the Lord Jesus Christ before his last breath passed from his body. I could only hope, because it was too late for prayers.

And, as I stood beside the casket that day, I could not help but see the faces and think of the names of the individuals close to me that have not yet made a commitment to Jesus. Prayers were offered for you that day - prayers that you will come to know Jesus Christ, prayers that you will come to accept Jesus Christ, prayers that you will come to experience Jesus Christ - because without Him you are lost.

Salvation gained a whole new meaning that day!

So, as I conclude this letter to you, I must ask: "have you accepted Jesus". I don't care how inconvenient it is for you to make it to church, I don't care how boring you find a preacher's sermon, I don't care how many excuses you have for staying away from church people. Simply this, I care about you and I want to make sure that I can celebrate with you some day. Maybe I won't be around to celebrate your life at your funeral service, but I will be around to celebrate your life for all of eternity.

I love you and I want the best for you.

Changing Everything

Our children have always had an early bed time, sometimes they are ready for bed by 6:30 in the evening. And, for the most part, they have slept until 7:00 a.m. or later. Over the past couple of weeks our oldest son has begun to wake up earlier and earlier; 5:15, 4:45, 4:15. And, when he wakes up in the morning, he is up for the rest of the day.

Now, every morning we hear him in his room between 4:00 and 5:00 a.m. talking, singing, laughing, playing. I should add that he has two volumes; loud and louder, and he shares a bedroom with his ten month old baby brother.

This leaves us with a couple of options; force him to stay in his room and listen to him scream out (waking everyone in the house up) or get up with him and begin the day. As you can see, both options result in either myself or my wife (or both of us) up at a very early hour.

Neither Kim (my wife) or I are morning people but, given the above options, we are being forced into this lifestyle (at least for the time being). So, we can either deny it or accept it, we can either go to bed at an early hour or be tired and grumpy every day. So, we accept it, we go to bed early, we get up earlier, and we change everything! Why? Because when you decide to be a parent, children change everything.

Children Change Everything!

In effect, our son is saying to him mother and I; "Since you have decided to have me as your son, you must forget about your own desires, you must give up your personal wants, you must deny yourself some sleep, and adapt to my schedule every day from now on."

As a pastor and a believer in Christ it occurs to me that Jesus said something very similar; "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me." (Luke 9:23) As followers of Jesus Christ we must give up our own desires, we must give up our personal wants, we must deny ourselves some sleep, some time, some pleasure, and follow Him and His schedule from now on.

Why? Because when you decide to be a follower of Christ, Jesus changes everything.

Jesus Changes Everything!

Psalm 2

Let's take a look at Psalm chapter 2,

·        In this Psalm, there are four stanzas of three verses each

·        Each stanza has a different focus

·        The focus of the first stanza is mankind

Why do the nations conspire and the peoples plot in vain? The kings of the earth take their stand and the rulers gather together against the Lord and against his Anointed One. “Let us break their chains,” they say, “and throw off their fetters.” (Psalm 2:1-3)

We need to know some things about Psalm 2 first.

·        Like many Psalms, it was written by David

o   Acts 4:25: You spoke by the Holy Spirit through the mouth of your servant, our father David: Why do the nations rage and the peoples plot in vain?

Before we focus on Psalm 2, let’s talk about Acts 4, we’ll work back

·        Acts 2: The Holy Spirit comes on the day of Pentecost

·        Acts 2: Peter addresses the crowd and 3,000 were baptized

·        Acts 2: House churches are formed and begin to spread

·        Acts 3: Peter and John heal a crippled beggar at the temple

·        Acts 3: Peter proclaims the Gospel message of Christ

·        Acts 4: The Priests and Sadducees were disturbed

·        Acts 4: Peter and John were thrown into jail

·        Acts 4: The number of believers grew to 5,000

·        Acts 4: Rulers and teachers of the law

·        Acts 4: Peter proclaims Christ’s message to the leaders

·        Acts 4: The rulers and teachers of the law were astonished

·        Acts 4: They released them with a warning

On their release, Peter and John went back to their own people and reported all that the chief priests and elders had said to them. When they heard this, they raised their voices together in prayer to God. “Sovereign Lord,” they said, “you made the heaven and the earth and the sea, and everything in them. You spoke by the Holy Spirit through the mouth of your servant, our father David: “‘Why do the nations rage and the peoples plot in vain? The kings of the earth take their stand and the rulers gather together against the Lord and against his Anointed One. (Acts 4:23-26)

You see, Psalm 2 begins with a question about the people of earth;

·        What good is it if they plot against God – they must be fools.

·        Why do they try to outwit God – this is absurd. 

·        Nations might take a stand against God and against His ways

·        Rulers and leaders might gather and make plans against Him

·        They may say, let’s break this slavery that God has us in

·        They may say, why should we submit to this Jesus fellow

·        They may think that without God they will be free

And what is God’s response? 

·        Verse 4 takes the focus from mankind to God.

The One enthroned in heaven laughs; the Lord scoffs at them. Then he rebukes them in his anger and terrifies them in his wrath, saying, "I have installed my King on Zion, my holy hill.” (Psalm 2:4-6)

God’s Response is, first, an unexpected response

He laughs

·        God merely laughs at them, He is amused by all of their puny plans.

·        Psalm 37:13 says; “the Lord laughs at the wicked,
for he knows their day is coming”

·        And Proverbs 1 goes on; “But since you rejected me when I called
and no one gave heed when I stretched out my hand, since you ignored all my advice and would not accept my rebuke, I in turn will laugh at your disaster; I will mock when calamity overtakes you— when calamity overtakes you like a storm, when disaster sweeps over you like a whirlwind, when distress and trouble overwhelm you.”

He rebukes in rage

·        In fierce fury, He rebukes the wicked and the evil doers

·        He speaks to them out of His anger toward them

·        The word anger here is the Hebrew word meaning “anger”, “wrath”, or, ”face”

·        This is the anger of man, an anger that we comprehend.

·        Basically, this is saying that God speaks to these evil doers face-to-face with words of anger that they can understand.

He terrifies in wrath

·        The word terrify is to “make anxious” or “disturb”

·        What’s more, the word wrath is so much different than the word anger used before, this wrath is the wrath of God

o   It is a heated anger, a burning anger

o   It is the word always used for God’s wrath

·        God fills these people with fear,

o   literally putting the fear of God in them

And why?

·        For the Lord declares, this is the King of my choice, and I have enthroned Him in Jerusalem, My Holy city.

You see, God is moving forward with His plan and His purpose and that is the establishment of the throne on which Jesus Christ will sit.

·        This upsets the plans of man, it upsets the plans of world leaders, and it even upsets the plans of religious leaders.

·        But it is God’s plan and for Christ’s throne to be established and so it will be done!

·        We may have to wait a long time before we see Christ enthroned over this world, but it is already a fact in God’s purpose.

·        There is no other King but Jesus!

So then, beginning with verse 7, we focus on Jesus, as He speaks

I will proclaim the decree of the Lord: He said to me, “You are my Son; today I have become your Father. Ask of me, and I will make the nations your inheritance, the ends of the earth your possession. You will rule them with an iron scepter; you will dash them to pieces like pottery.” (Psalm 2:7-9)

To understand this passage, we must understand that this is regarding the second coming of Jesus Christ.

·        This is not the Gospel of grace and mercy that we are to preach today because this is not what Christ came to deliver when He walked on the earth.

·        This passage refers to the judgment that will come to all who disregard His message of grace, mercy, and love.

·        This passage refers to the judgment that will come to all who plot and conspire against God’s ways.

Listen to this paraphrase of verses 7 through 9; His chosen One replies, “I will reveal the everlasting purpose of God [listen up, here it is], for the Lord has said to Me, ‘You are my Son, this is Your Coronation Day. Today I am giving You Your glory.’ Only ask, and I will give You all the nations of the world. Rule them with an iron rod; smash them like clay pots.”

·        You see, that’s the judgment of Christ’s second coming

And then, in the final stanza of chapter 2, the focus changes again

·        First it was on mankind on earth

·        Then it was on God the Father in heaven

·        Next it was on Jesus Christ on His throne

·        And now it is on the Holy Spirit speaking to man

Therefore, you kings, be wise; be warned, you rulers of the earth. Serve the LORD with fear and rejoice with trembling. Kiss the Son, lest he be angry and you be destroyed in your way, for his wrath can flare up in a moment. Blessed are all who take refuge in him. (Psalm 2:10-12)

This is the ultimate warning from God, directed at the kings and rulers of this world, through them, aimed at the people under their rule.

·        God is saying; Kings and rulers of the earth, listen while there is still time.

·        God is saying: Serve the Lord with reverent fear; rejoice with trembling. Fall down before The Son and kiss him before His anger is roused and you perish.

·        God says: I am warning you, His wrath with soon begin.

The most famous kiss in the Bible was in the Garden of Gethsemane

·        When Judas walked up to Jesus, armed guards following closely behind Him

o   This had been prophesied for hundreds of years

o   This had been planned since the fall of mankind

o   This had been spoken of by Jesus hours before

§  Clearly Jesus knew what was happening.

·        And what was Jesus’ response to this kiss from Judas?

o   “Friend, what have you come for?”

·        You see, Jesus was giving Judas one more chance to turn this kiss of betrayal into a kiss of friendship.

o   And, this is exactly what God’s Spirit is doing here,

§  Giving mankind one more chance!

But, Psalm 2 ends on a high note;

·        “Blessed are all those who take refuge in Him.”

·        Oh, the joys of those who put their trust in Him.