So, every handy-man knows there are tools that work well, and tools that sort-of work. The Snap On brand is well regarded as the only tool you’ll ever need. But, what if Someone told you there were other tools that get the job done in ways you had never considered? Continue reading Snap On Pharisees
In my observation, fewer things can strengthen a relationship than having a common enemy to stand together against. Very often, it is an authority structure, such as parents, or an institution opposing a couple or group that becomes this common enemy. For simplicity, I will write in terms of couples, but the concept can apply in multiple ways. Continue reading The Way Eye Seize It
Feeling a little blah? A little, “Where am I going and what’s the point in all this?” Want to explore some possibilities? Continue reading Running Low On Joy These Days?
So, you have a dream. You have a vision; something you feel called to do. You have something burning in you that you want to accomplish, but somehow, whenever you try to start, something always comes up to knock you off course. Maybe you’re too busy, always on the go. Maybe you lack the know-how to launch your idea(s) off the ground. Perhaps you’re too tired, can’t afford the resources or help you need… Continue reading Waste As Much Time As You Like
It’s happened to all of us.
Abuses, injustices, offenses, treachery. Wounds we didn’t deserve. People – sometimes those closest to us – who don’t care to make it right.
What do you do, when your offenders have hurt, misused, and betrayed you? Acted in ways that no decent human should act. Trespassed boundaries, destroyed trust, taken away your rights, and thrown your happiness over the cliff? Continue reading The Best Vengeance
Ecclesiastes 5: 1-3 gives us some very wise advice, not only for our walk with God, but also for any relationship.
It says, “Watch your step when you go to the house of God, and be more ready to hear than to give the sacrifice of fools, for they don’t consider that they do evil”.
Note, the phrase “To do evil” translates “to themselves, and to others.”
So, there’s a catchy phrase here, “The sacrifice of fools”.
What does it mean? Continue reading The Sacrifice Of Fools
Most of us recognise that we need to alter our lifestyle in one way or another. However, the simple word, “Change” can be one of the most difficult words in our personal life to implement!
What does this word, ‘Change’ mean to you?
We change a flat tire on our car, change our clothes, our laundry, our location, our job, our health, our relationships, etc. Sometimes it is a positive experience; often a negative one.
Change happens in our external environment, yes, but more often, it affects us most profoundly in our internal climate. Personal happiness is often at stake.
How do we create good transformation – an internal habitat that is safe, stable and secure – in a world that guarantees nothing will remain the same permanently? Continue reading Transformed
To egg or not to egg.
Colours, paint, ham, chocolate, Passover, Easter, Good Friday, or Good Thursday, Three days in the grave or two, etc? Who is right. Compare and complain. Another chance for offences to abound.
At this time of year, we celebrate the death and subsequent life of Jesus Christ. Different groups commemorate the same thing in very differing ways. They cannot agree, and so, end up in divided camps. How can we disengage from the conflict, and celebrate the concept?
Today, I marvel again at the utter humility it took for Someone knowing Himself to be equal to God, who elected to become human, to voluntarily lay down His life. The model of love, and servant-hood He displayed boggles the understanding.
It occurs to me that He asked us to set a similar example.
How, I ponder, can we set such an example of humility and love towards our fellow humans. We have no earthly power over death and life, do we?
Central to the theme is an overarching word: Choice. . From beginning to the end, that theme of Choice is prevalent in the Bible.
Jesus chose to do what He did, elected to engage in a deathly conflict between good and evil. We know He won, and He did it for us. When we choose to believe and accept His gift, we move from death to life in Him. No human can offer that level of love , yet we can reflect it in our choices every day.
The book of Proverbs tells us the “death and life are in the power of the tongue”. (18:21)
James says we can alter the course of history by the power of our words. (Ch. 3)
In this one area, how can we choose to model the example of Christ’s life?
By realising He chose to ignore our wrongs, and redeem us back from certain, permanent death. We, likewise can speak truthful words that encourage, lift, build and not destroy. We can choose to redeem. By refraining from complaining, hurtful, gossiping, belittling words that tear down. We can literally change the course of someone’s day, even their life, by the words we choose to speak.
The world is full of offences, anger, negativity, distortions and lies. We don’t have to look far to see it, but we don’t have to duplicate it in our own community. We can disengage from pointless debate, and find ways to emulate the Love that is so much higher.
In such a simple way – yet very difficult at times – we can model our character to be more like Jesus’, by choosing words of life. We decide whether to stop the flow of anger, offense, revenge, complaint, negativity that pours effortlessly from our mouths. We become more mature and Christ-like, by exercising our power of Choice, to select instead words of light, and hope and gratitude .
He loved us when we didn’t deserve it. He became a servant and sacrificed all, in order to bring us into all the potential He has for us. It is not a cheap gift He offered. True, selfless Love is the world’s most costly, and most enduring gift. We cannot give what He gave, but we can honour His wishes, and choose to be a living reflection of His gift, by the words and actions we display.
Happy Resurrection!
To Sing Or Not To Sing
Okay, so I’ll admit to being perplexed.
In Christian circles there is much controversy about the way and the time that the birth of Christ is acknowledged. Some people joyfully celebrate December 25th as the day. Others are more doubtful as to the real time. Still others are downright oppositional, citing Dec. 25th as nothing more than an attempt to hybrid-ize a heathen and Christian celebration- a political maneuver by the ancient emperor Constantine to gain brownie-points and strengthen his own kingdom.
I’ll make a few observations as I watch these (sometimes) polite, but pointed opinions hurling back and forth:
#1 – Battle lines are drawn: Those FOR Dec 25th Celebration / Those AGAINST Dec 25th Celebration
What is the prize?
That’s right, you read correctly. What do both sides hope to gain by this debate?
If truth is the issue, the debate is not accomplishing its purpose. Both sides have their convictions.
#2- While the debate is roiling around, our culture merrily sips Peppermint Lattes, gets pickled at parties, goes frantic baking sugary detriments, paints on gobs of bling, and beseeches Santa Claus (not God) for what they want.
Does anyone in the Christian community notice the Godly advantage we used to have at this time of year is narrowing?
Where is our focus?
#3- Is the Day as important as the One we celebrate?
Can we stop forcing our opinions on anyone who’s not listening anyways, and start realizing what further division we are promoting against a Christianity, which, in case no one has noticed, is already taking considerable hits.
It has been well said that Christians are the only group that kills their wounded. I have observed we also CAUSE our wounded, due to a most un-Godly omission.
We forget that it’s all about love, forgiveness, redemption and reconciliation.
What did Jesus come to accomplish?
To triumph over the forces of evil by the most evincing display anyone could offer – the laying down of His life for the saving of a lost and broken world.
Again I ask, where is our focus?
If God IS love, then what are we?
Love is not an event, or a prize to offer those who best please us. Love is a lifestyle.
Love is a conscious decision to pattern ourselves after the One who gave us everything we have, we are, or we could ever be.
Love is a Person, and He came to give His all for humanity, and asks us to do the same.
December 25th, or some other day?
I believe God asks us for a Higher focus. It’s called Love.
Okay, so let’s have a ten second Bible study:
In the beginning, God created the heaven and the earth.
My first, second and third point, , “In the beginning, God created…”
In closing, “In the beginning, God created…”
Ta-daaaa! Your Sunday sermon, complete.
I’ve heard multiple messages reminding me that, “In the beginning, God.” In other words, He was always there. Okay, I get that. But what did He do in the beginning? Well, He created. And what a creation it was too!
Later, when He set His sights on creating mankind, He said, “Let’s make man in our own image, after our likeness.”
An image, according to the Hebrew translation in this verse, is a resemblance, and a representative figure. A likeness, is also a resemblance. Did you know you were created to be a resemblance and a representative figure – of God? Wow. That bumps you right up into the category of a masterpiece, right? A Master-piece.
You were created by the Master Designer to resemble Him, and represent Him.
Would that make you worth something? Priceless, in fact?
So, if God created, and you were made in His image to resemble Him, and represent Him, what are you creating, in your world?
You might argue and say, “Oh, I’m not one of those artistic types. Not creative at all…”
However, we all create something, every day, in the sphere of our own giftings and desires. Perhaps you are a superb organizer. What kind of visions to you see, plans do you make, and projects do you create. How do you resemble God along the way? Do you plow down anyone who opposes you, or do you accomplish that project with grace and love, fitting as a representative of God?
What about in your personal interactions? Do you create something whereby your mate, your family, your co-workers or friends say, ” I see our relationship, and it is good!”
What about the statements and conversations you create with those around you? Created thoughts become words, which become actions, which become destinies. The Bible says we create and change history with our words. (James 3:6) God has given you the awesome power of creating thoughts, words, actions, and destinies.
Romans 12:2 reminds us to transform our actions by renewing our mind. Our thoughts control our mind. In the results of our thoughts, and subsequent words to each other, our minds will change, our words will create life, and we will see, by what we create into reality, whether we have been a fitting representative of God.
In other words, what happened when you spoke, and when you took action? Good results, or negative consequences?
Ouch, that seems like a lot of responsibility, but…
A Masterpiece is not made to look -or act – like trash.
A Masterpiece is made as a superb exhibit, all in itself. It doesn’t have to showcase, showboat or show off. It is an outstanding, irreplaceable, magnificent, beautiful gift to the world, made to be seen and appreciated, and valued by all. It has a job, and a responsibility to represent – and point to – it’s Creator.
And so you are made to be all this, and not doubt your dignity and worth. You, as a created masterpiece of God, are made in His resemblance, and made as His representative.
Whether you know your giftings yet, doubt your background, dislike yourself or your circumstances, or, despair for your future, you still occupy a place God has set individually for you alone, and all the healing you need is available to deal with your setbacks, and progress into your destiny, because you were first created to occupy the place of a Masterpiece.
And that gives you a unique value, and an individual place that no one else can fill.
