You are MY Hiding place!
Lord, teach me to number our days
inspire me to walk in your ways
help me to do what you say…
You are MY everything!
In my pride, tear down my walls
help me to hear when you call
and prod me when I stall…
You are MY Fortress of strength!
Lord, cleanse my lips when I speak
grant me passion for the weak
may You be the source that I seek…
You are MY Salvation and Rock!
When I was a young boy I received a bicycle for Christmas, it was blue. I rode that bike all over the place. I loved that bike. There is something freeing about those moments as a young kid riding a bike around town and facing new adventures with that new found freedom. That freedom took me to the scene of my accident…that sounds more dramatic than it really was. I fell off of my bike and in the process I gashed my knee open. The “accident” wasn’t very traumatic or memorable with the exception that there was a lot of blood localized around a cut on my knee. Upon further review I probably should have had stitches but it was bandaged and wrapped and slowly it healed. In the healing process it itched, occasionally it burned, but over time it formed into a white lined scar right across my right kneecap. It is still there to this day, though smaller just as that young boy was so long ago.
We all have scars.
Some scars are there to remind us of how foolish or negligent we’ve been in our lives while others were inflicted on us by an outside source. Regardless of how they were formed they have become part of our identities now.
Some scars though, have not marked us on our bodies but rather our hearts and our minds through hurtful experiences inflicted by others around us. These scars too are long lasting, some we carry with us to this very day and they mark us and are a part of our current identity.
What kinds of scars do you have? I would be willing to guess most of us carry with us both types of scars. We have known the pain of physical afflictions and accidents which have left their marks on us, and we have also known the psychological and harming pain of scars of words slung our way and even the pain of losing a family member to death. These scars cut us deep and leave their impression on us…sometimes for life.
Can you recognize the beauty in your scars?
We have lived. We have not come through this life (thus far) unscathed. We have experiences to share with others. Wisdom to convey. We have knowledge that we wouldn’t have possessed before earning (or falling victim to) these scars.
Could I ever relate to a parent in mourning at the loss of their child? No absolutely not. I can empathize. I can weep with them, but I cannot completely understand the heart-wrenching pain involved in that scar. Although I cannot relate, other parents who have lost children along the way can share their wisdom and understanding during such a time of heart-wrecked agony. These scars carry with them beauty. Not because life is lost but because hope can be conveyed.
I don’t wish to imply any of these scars are lovely when inflicted on us. They burn. They hurt…sometimes severely. Sometimes they maim and disfigure us either physically or emotionally…but there is beauty on the other side of our healing. There is knowledge and understanding…there is opportunity to relate with others and to help in their healing.
From our scars to His…
Jesus held out His hands towards Thomas. We call him “doubting Thomas”…I think we all can relate to him. Jesus had died. He had suffered horribly. His agony had been witnessed, and there was no way to come back from that. How could the other disciples say Jesus was now alive again? How could they make Thomas’ soon to be scar in his heart hurt any more? It was like salt on a fresh wound. And so He doubted their accounts of a risen teacher. He vehemently drew the line and was unwilling to cross it until (as if it would ever happen) He physically touched Jesus’ wounded body. So the scars came to Thomas. The wounded hands and feet of Jesus suddenly appeared to the disciples in a hide out along with the rest of their Savior. He stood before them and Thomas had to place his hands into those nail scared hands and a spear pierced side…then He believed.
Scars are beautiful…
I don’t mean to say that in a masochistic sort of way or idle fascination in pain and maiming, I mean that in relational love and experience. Thomas placed his inexperienced hands in the nail scarred hands of the Savior and was forever changed. Jesus knew what it was like to suffer. Jesus knew what it was like to carry these scars with Him…and His beauty marked the hearts and left a sacred scar on His disciples.
What was meant to be evil and damaging in totality had become beautiful and life-giving. What was meant to destroy and cruelly maim had become healing and salvation to all the world. These scars are beautiful!
Do you have scars like these that you can share with the world around you? These are the scars of experience and understanding. These are the sacred scars of healing and restoration. These scars say “I understand and I can relate to what you are going through!” God doesn’t bring these scars upon us, but He can bring something marvelous out of our trials and experiences. The damaging things that this life and even Satan himself can throw at us God can turn into victories.
The scars of a recovering alcoholic who has beaten the odds and stayed sober can lead other alcoholics to find Hope. The scars of an abused woman who has turned her life around and escaped that wounding lifestyle of physical abuse can bring hope to another woman who is still stuck and imprisoned in that life of hell.
Do you have scars?
Can you bring hope?
Do you have a story to share with one who needs to hear it?
There is victory in the scars.
There is hope in the nail scarred hands of a Savior who understands.
These scars are beautiful!
Sometimes I think the church is more concerned about competition than it is about people.
It strikes me that many churches spend a lot of money on “church-growth” seminars and guest speakers and even other resources just to increase their Sunday attendances. I doubt many pastors are like this, but at times there is this perception that the more people a church can attract the more in tithes and offerings they will receive.
I feel it vital, for we who are church members and fellow sojourners of Christ, to stop the comparisons and the rivalries. What is the purpose of such folly? Are we fulfilling the great commission when we look across the street and the other church and covet what they have? Are we really reaching the lost and hurting in our world when we mock or slam other churches and denominations? Granted there is a time and place for theological conversations, but our unloving actions have a way of destroying any good we might do.
Fellow believers in Christ, how vital do you consider the salvation of others to be? This isn’t a question about how big or small your (our) church is, this is a question about your (our) mission and your (our) priorities. Sometimes we cloudy the already murky waters of what we do and make excuses for our busy-ness when the #1 priority is to, through the Holy Spirit’s power, help save lost souls. If what we are doing does in no way impact the potential salvation of the lost then, perhaps, we must once again re-align our priorities.
I offer you two solutions to assist in the realignment of mission:
1. Stop Coveting what you do not have!
1 Corinthians 12:12 – “Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ.“
We need to get back to work! Just because another church is having success doing one thing really well, doesn’t mean that we have to stop what we are doing and adopt their mission. Perhaps they are fulfilling their “part of the body” and we need to put our heads down and stop coveting what they are doing! Our mission and effective tools, given by the Holy Spirit, might be something completely different than theirs. We don’t need to have an identity crisis over this, we have to move on and prayerfully and humbly do as He (the Holy Spirit) prompts us to. We may never look like that mega-church down the street, but was that supposed to be our “model” for Holy Living in the first place? NO! Jesus should never be replaced with out covetous longings to be someone else. He has created us very differently and uniquely! So with that in mind we need to stop the comparisons and sometimes the jealousy…get on with it!
2. Start using what you do have!
1 Corinthians 12:4-6 – “There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work.“
The Holy Spirit distributes the gifts and dare I say even the passion to fulfill our mission of Salvation to the lost. So we must be willing to use what He has given us to use. We must stop with our identity crisis and get on with the full utilization of the spiritual gifts the Holy Spirit wishes us to employ! He provides what we need, so we have to work within our giftings and abilities! Every one of us is vital to the body of Christ. It matter little if we serve in a small church or big church. The message has to be the same though the gifts might often differ.
Is Salvation important to you?
If the answer is “yes” then we need to put aside our jealousy and our frustrations. We may even have to go before the Father and ask for forgiveness because of our covetous ways. The church was never intended to be some sort of statistical competitive success drive, but rather a mission of love, compassion and grace who willingly went to the orphans, widows, the poor and hurting and those who were seeking. We are still that today? Can we put aside our ridiculous worldly desire for statistical successes and instead focus on the vital nature of the great commission and disciple making?
Perhaps it’s time for a readjustment of our motives and our missions. Perhaps it’s time to get back on our knees and allow the Holy Spirit to reignite our wandering hearts. Perhaps it is time to stop relying on our “church-self help books & seminars” (sometimes they work) and start relying more on the leading of the Holy Spirit in our churches and in our hearts. There is not some “quick” method to salvation…it begins in relationship, love and fellowship. So, without further adieu, let’s get on with it!
What if
Was all just a…
…Fairy tale.
And all of this so called
“Hope”
Was just a fancy illusion?
What if this
story of
Hope
&
was
all just some
Pipe dream
for the weak of
?
Would life still be worth
Would this
existence still matter?
How does
Into all
of
this?
Are we
Strong enough….
Can we blindly
make that
?
If
Then why not start now?
Right Here
In the
Here
AND
What difference will it make?
Is it worth your time?
Will you gain anything?
Why not make that leap?
Hope has a way
of
Faith can lead us
even when we are
blind. Why not?
What have we got to lose?
Either Jesus is God
and
or
we believe in a
fairy tale.
4me…
I would rather believe and be
Than miss out on
the greatest
The world has ever known.
So here is a MY
I willingly
to
And…
is this…
Jesus believes in YOU
and He
madly loves YOU.
Believe…are you ready to?
Perhaps you’ve seen the bible study or read some books which ask the question are you a “Fan” or are you a “Follower” of Jesus? A fan would be one who sits on the sidelines, cheers (also complains when things aren’t going the way they expect them to go) but never really gets onto the field to do any of the real labor within the realms of faith.
I don’t mean to rail against the Church…well maybe I do a little. This isn’t about not loving people, actually it’s quite the opposite. What can we do to change the perception of the Church? What can we do to change the perception of the “Fan Club”?
1. It begins with You & Me:
We can’t change the polarizing views of some people who use the name “Christian” but do not act like Christians. BUT we can change the way that we conduct ourselves and how we live in community with those around us. It has to begin with you and me! Without this internal determination to change, the “Fan club” wins.
2. Move with Love:
When we allow it to begin with us and allow the Holy Spirit to move us we can’t but help to love and serve. It’s about loving and serving the Almighty as well as loving and serving other people around us. Faith has to have feet in order for it to change lives including our own. We aren’t merely fans of Jesus, we MUST be His followers. Love compels us forward even into places that we would never consider going because it is no longer about “Me” but it’s about “Him”.
We can tear down these walls that separate the Church from the “real world”…but it means that we can’t just take shelter in our buildings and presume people will find us. Jesus didn’t hang out in temples for the entirety of His ministry here on Earth, He went to people, and if we are to be like Him, if we are to follow Him then we ought to go to people too!
Jesus doesn’t need anymore fans…He needs followers who are willing to do the hard work, not because hard work will get us into heaven, but rather because we have put feet with our faith. Are you ready to move?
-Just a thought.
“The most important one,” answered Jesus, “is this: ‘Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.” Mark 12:29-31
The Jewish leaders struggled over 613 individual moral statutes or commands by which they were to live and conduct themselves. Sometimes they debated among themselves as to which of these moral statutes were vital and which of them were less vital. They didn’t want to make the mistake of placing some statues above more important one and vice-versa. Yet this struggle brought itself right before Jesus. One of the teachers ventured to ask Him this question, “Of all the commandments, which is the most important?” (Mark 12:28).
Jesus laid it all out for those who would hear Him; “The most important one,” Jesus answered, “is this: Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is One. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength,’ The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself. There is no commandment greater than these.” (Mark 12:29-31)
Now, dear fellow Christ-follower, it is either time for us to put up or shut up. I don’t mean to be crass here or offend you, but I cannot stress how vital it is for us to love the Lord with every fiber of our being. Jesus placed this as the #1 priority in the lives of those asking and still today it ought to be #1 in our lives as well.
Let me illustrate:
Our homes are powered by electricity (well most of them are anyway). If we were to bring in a brand new television to watch we first must take it out of the box and connect it to a power source. Without the power source all of our favorite shows and possibilities are impossible. We need to plug that television into the power in order for anything to happen, without it nothing works and nothing ever will.
Without first loving God with our EVERYTHING nothing else will work. Without first loving God with ALL of our heart, soul, mind and strength we are powerless. It is either all or nothing. God doesn’t want a partial kind of love. He isn’t some on again off again God, either get on board with Him and love Him completely or don’t at all.
Secondly, don’t try and fake out God…He’s not buying the act. Others might see how good we look dressed up for Church and how we act in front of other Christians but if this isn’t consisted behind the scenes God knows. This is a tough pill to swallow. I’m not here to say that I have this all figured out either, because I too struggle at times with a divided heart. Not intentionally mind you, but at times I catch myself and find that I have to once again realign my relationship and priorities with God.
How is your heart today? Do you find that at times you have a divided heart when it comes to your relationship with the Lord? Perhaps it’s time for a heart realignment so that you can once again get plugged back into the true sources of power and life.
Scriptures readings:
Isaiah 29:13, Psalm 86:11, Mark 12:28-34
“Whenever you are confronted with an opponent. Conquer him with love.”
― Mahatma Gandhi
Pastor Fred Phelps Sr. is dying. Over the course of many years now the Westboro Baptist church has been at the forefront of many controversial public protests. You might remember them for their many anti-gay signs and their now infamous quotes like “Thank God for dead soldiers” and “Thank God for 9/11”! (Link: http://nypost.com/2014/03/16/westboro-baptist-pastor-in-hospice-care/)
I’m not here to slam Pastor Fred. He’s already taken a lot of heat and his “church” has even been labeled a hate group. I will say however that I seriously doubt Jesus would have ever stepped foot in the doors of a church like this…okay maybe He would have to confront them perhaps…I digress. But I’m not here to judge them on their merits or lack there of. I’m not even here to condemn this pastor.
I wonder what it would be like to go to the hospice facility that Pastor Fred is now located at and hold signs not of hate and condemnation, but signs of love and concern? I’m not saying we should do this but it certainly would be interesting to see the response. Another thought that came to mind when hearing about his impending death – every person should face death with human decency and dignity including Pastor Phelps.
At the end of the day if we stoop to the level of outrage and hate like these protests conducted by the Westboro baptist church, we in essence are no better. I’m not implying that we’re better than they are, don’t get me wrong, I’m just suggesting that instead of celebrating his soon to be passing, let’s pray for Pastor Fred and others like him in our world.
This world is already too full of hate, too full of extremist fundamentals (and to be fair on the other side of things extreme leftist liberals as well)…this world is already too full of condemnation as well. We don’t need to fall into these ranks as well. Jesus once said; “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.“
2 reasons to love our enemies and pray for them:
1) It frees us of hate
This section is hard for me. I personally want to retaliate when someone wrongs me, I want to inflict the same kind of pain on any person who dares do me wrong…but I shouldn’t because it only empties bitterness into my heart. They say you become what you think about most often, and if I allow this thought of hurting my enemies and vengeance inside me then I am no better a person than they are. When we open our hearts, as Jesus suggested, to love we catch a glimpse of the divine original purpose for all of humanity. If I love that person, if I love Pastor Fred despite his actions, I free myself of a kind of hate that destroys hearts and lives.
Does this mean that justice isn’t pursued or sought out? Of course not, but remember that God is the judge and ultimately every person will have to stand before Him, so be careful that we have sorted out our own hearts and motives for wanting such justice on others.
When we are freed from hatred, we can learn to love more…and this leads to being like Christ in our pursuit and His workings of Holiness.
2) It opens up opportunities for our enemy to find salvation
What takes place when we extend grace to those who have spurned us and done us wrong? One it really messes with their heads (not our purpose of course) but two, it hopefully causes them to want to change! Obviously not every one of our enemies will change because we loved them, I don’t want to sell you a pipe dream here, but God can and still does perform miracles does He not? Enemies still need salvation too, and perhaps someone to show them what real authentic love looks like.
I want to pray for Pastor Fred Phelps Sr, and for His church. I know that hate is our natural response to others who show hate, but if we’re to be like Christ, no matter how hard it may be for us, we ought to show love as our response. Shining dark into dark will only make things darker, but if we shine the light of Christ into that absence of light, lives can be redeemed and drastically changed!
Pastor Fred, I pray for the remaining hours of life that you have here on earth. You have a Father in heaven who loves you and wants you to love Him back in return. May His grace, peace and especially love find its place in your heart. To the members of the Westboro Baptist church I say, love opens doors that hate never will. Repent, seek grace and forgiveness and know that other Christ-followers are praying for you with the love of Christ. We also pray that you will once again see what God is truly saying to you and that you seek to bring peace and grace into the doors of your church.
-Sincerely in Christ.
“The Bible tells us to love our neighbors, and also to love our enemies; probably because generally they are the same people.”
― G.K. Chesterton
| synonyms: | persistent, continuing, constant, continual, continuous, nonstop, never-ending, unabating, interminable, incessant, unceasing, endless, |
God’s love for us is relentless.
Perhaps, even “relentless” isn’t a good enough description of how God loves us. Yet, perhaps it adequately speaks to the nature of God who never quits on His creation. Do you remember the story of the prodigal son? In that parable of Jesus what does the Father do? Despite the son asking for his inheritance and wishing his father to be dead, the father lets him go. One of the hardest things to do as a parent is to let a child go and have them make their own choices even if those choices are harmful. Tough love has the capacity to hurt your heart while you relentlessly pursuit reconciliation and renewal of that lost loved one.
The father waited for his son to come to his senses. The story is more than just about this lost or prodigal son. This story is about the relentless kind of love that is embodied in the father. He waits, and even while his son is still a long way off, the father goes and runs to him. (Luke 15:20) It was unbecoming of an adult in the culture of Jesus to run anywhere, and this father runs to his undeserving and wayward son.
Isn’t that what God the Father has done for us through His Son Jesus Christ? He relentless love took Jesus to the cross for us. His relentless love brought about a way for us, the undeserving and wayward sinner, to experience right relationship with Him once again.
For the love of God – Our Response
What is our response to this relentless love? Can we recognize how undeserving we are and how amazing it is to have a God who pursues us like this? Secondly, if we accept this relentless love through Jesus Christ alone, the next step in the reciprocation of that love is our desire to become like Christ. By this I mean we ought to recognize that Jesus embodied for us in His living and dying what Holiness in human form looks like. Thus we are to place our feeble feet in the very footprints of Christ for the salvation of humanity! Our response to His love will take us to places we would never have wanted to go. (John 21:18) Perhaps it won’t take us to suffering and death like the Apostle Peter, but His love will propel us to do outrageous things for the cause of Christ!
Christ’s relentless love will prompt us to take up our crosses too and follow him! (Matthew 16:24) If we truly accept His salvation and grace in our lives, we will not be able to just keep it hidden inside of us, we will want to share that ceaseless love to those who are still lost in the darkness of lovelessness.
For the love of God…be bold in your relentless pursuit of others!
For the love of God…be genuine in your passion to serve Him humbly!
For the love of God…wrap your arms around the unlovable and show them love like they have never seen before!
For the love of God…be Holy as He (Jesus Christ) is Holy!
“The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases
His mercies never come to an end,
They are new every morning
New every morning
Great is Your faithfulness, O Lord
Great is Your faithfulness”
-May all the Glory be to God and that of His Relentless love of You and Me!
We are so
in a very, very, big
yet…we
are
Not
We are never
Alone.
In our
little nature
God
In our small view of things
He is…
So why do we
struggle with our
Do we falter
why do we
our
existence?
Here is
a Reassurance:
God.
….
-just a thought.
“Resurrection”
It’s a new television show…but it’s something more than that. Something deep within us longs for just a few more minutes with our loved ones who have passed away. We wish within our hearts that they could see what we’ve become or that they could see how much our children have grown. Life conceivably has a beginning and an end, but in this new television show on ABC, “Resurrection” is happening all over the small town of Arcadia. It is a mystery as to why this is happening, but those who are “coming back” seem to possess intimate knowledge and even DNA coo-berating their identities.
How we wish such a miracle could take place here on earth. Most of us would dream of a scenario where we could once again hold a loved one that we’ve lost and to spend more quality time with them. The ABC producers of “Resurrection” certainly hope that we become transfixed to this concept and keep coming back for more.
Can television shows truly sell us hope? Are YOU in need of hope today?
Jesus knew a lot about life. He lived and He died, but He was also resurrected on the third day. During His ministry He even resurrected one of His friends, Lazarus, who had been dead for four days. Jesus said, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” (John 14:6) Jesus holds the keys to Eternal life for all of us and this should give us authentic hope in our lives today!
TRUTH – We all possess eternal souls. We have been created by God himself who formed us in His image, and a part of Him is within us, which is eternal. These earthly bodies will one day wear out because they are temporal. We will one day face death…BUT the expiration of this human existence is not the end of our eternal existence. Life will go on. The real question is what destination will we choose? You see if we want to experience eternity with God and with those who followed Him and have gone on before us, we have to choose Him in the here and now! John 3:16 says “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.”
If we choose to follow and love the Creator of Heaven and Earth, we will experience a resurrection beyond what television or even movies can give us. Real resurrection will happen and we should find hope in the fact that death of the physical body is NOT the end.
Check it out – “For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first.” (1 Thessalonians 4:16) It won’t be some horror show, or television script, this will be for real. I don’t know about you, but I want to experience this resurrection and new life with Christ in Heaven as well!
I love supernatural shows, and “Resurrection” looks quite interesting to me. Perhaps it might get some of its viewers to consider how precious life is and also to consider how very real Eternity will be for all of us.
(My review is strictly my opinion and not the opinion of any television network or affiliation)
Pastor's Ponderings 