This is one topic I've not written on... not sure why unless it is something (an attitude, mindset, frame of reference) that is difficult - disappointing, often typical, and painful. Perhaps one could argue about the operational definition of the word... to me it's quite simple. Backsliding is placing the Lord and the things of the Lord on your 'back burner'. It's when who you are begins changing to more of a person of the world rather than the Lord's Ambassador in the world. And yes, there is a significant difference between who you are and what you do when you are of and not in.
Quite honestly, no one wakes up one morning and says, "I think I'll start backsliding today." This act tends to be one that is started just like growing - line upon line. Sometimes the beginning is something you disagree with and become highly incensed about. Other times it is a slow seepage of putting aside what you know and think is good, right and accepting what is easier and more expedient.
I believe that backsliding is so much more
than not regularly attending church. However, who you fellowship with does speak to this issue. How you spend your time, especially leisure time, speaks to this - what you watch on television; does it uplift or tear down? I believe the answers to all those questions, and others, has to do with who you are - what you do and say (and don't do and say). If you have the image in your mind of the Lord next to you, then what would be His reaction to your behavior and words? For me, that's what my key is to backsliding. It is a character issue.
If you have or are in a state of backsliding... you can change. If you are aware or are made aware... you can change. You need to look at two things - one, what caused your backsliding - is there a reason or is it merely idleness or just not placing the things of God first. Two, what you are willing to do to become recommitted. Is the Lord important to you? It can't be only words. What behaviors replace the backsliding ones because if you are eliminating something, you have to replace those behaviors with the new or renewed. Replacing is a key because without it you are weakened and susceptible. Mathew 12:43-45 (Luke 11:24-26) paints a sobering picture of what can happen when we remove but don't replace.
I believe that one of the problems about backsliding is the seductive nature of the 'subject/object' of your backsliding. Whatever was the source doesn't just nicely go away when you realize your sin and leave (because I think backsliding is a sin). Ah no. It tries another venue of entry or it just lays quietly in the background waiting to find a way in to lure you back. The absolute only way of not succumbing to its enticement in the future, that I am aware, is to rip it out, repent, and replace it with what is Godly and righteous.
There are great benefits to returning to the path you were on before you got on the slippery slide of backsliding. Not the least of these is the re-establishing of your relationship with the Lord. Plus, remembering the lessons you learned when you slipped so that you don't repeat them. Then remember the story of the Prodigal Son and how he was received when he repented and returned. Backsliding is not a happy place because you, in the depths of your being, know what's happened. Never forget though, there's always a way out of this condition...
Saturday, August 29, 2015
Wednesday, August 26, 2015
Rights and Responsibilities
According to Webster, one of the descriptions/definitions of 'right' is:
"being in accordance with what is just, good, or proper; acting or
judging in accordance with truth or fact."
It also reminds you of the scripture of what it is God seeks from us, "...to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God." Zephaniah 2:3 adds righteousness and humility. Perhaps not the definition we typically think of when this word is bandied about? 'My' is typically the adjective and subject when right is stated.
When you look at that definition you see the phrase, 'being in accordance'. What does this mean? Who does this? Yep, you. You act in accordance with what is just, good, or proper; with truth or fact. This doesn't sound like it is directed toward self-serving: what you think you want. Seems that the bottom line is - My rights can never be exercised at the expense of another's rights. Typically this is not the focus. People tend to defend their 'rights' even without ever defining the word. And they rarely look at what the impact on others is when I exert 'my rights'.
Webster defines 'responsibility':
"a duty or task that you are required or expected to do; something
that you should do because it is morally right, legally required, etc.;
the state of being the person who caused something to happen."
(underlining mine)
Accountable, reliable, trustworthiness are some of the other descriptive words. I don't believe it can only be me who see the relationship and mutual descriptions of these two words - rights and responsibilities. Whether we like it or not, accept it or not there are certain qualities - morally right, legally required - that should be the reason to exercise our rights and responsibilities. Equally important is the qualifier - our rights cannot be greater than the person next to us.
So often we get this the wrong way round, especially the subject of the phrase. Too often we look For our rights rather than At our responsibilities. Or we focus only on the word - our. This phrase should probably read, "Responsibilities and rights", then maybe we would begin changing our focus and perception. Rights seem to be the foundation for the action - responsibilities. I would argue that if we spent our time concerned with fulfilling our responsibilities, that we would find our rights.
"being in accordance with what is just, good, or proper; acting or
judging in accordance with truth or fact."
It also reminds you of the scripture of what it is God seeks from us, "...to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God." Zephaniah 2:3 adds righteousness and humility. Perhaps not the definition we typically think of when this word is bandied about? 'My' is typically the adjective and subject when right is stated.
When you look at that definition you see the phrase, 'being in accordance'. What does this mean? Who does this? Yep, you. You act in accordance with what is just, good, or proper; with truth or fact. This doesn't sound like it is directed toward self-serving: what you think you want. Seems that the bottom line is - My rights can never be exercised at the expense of another's rights. Typically this is not the focus. People tend to defend their 'rights' even without ever defining the word. And they rarely look at what the impact on others is when I exert 'my rights'.
Webster defines 'responsibility':
"a duty or task that you are required or expected to do; something
that you should do because it is morally right, legally required, etc.;
the state of being the person who caused something to happen."
(underlining mine)
Accountable, reliable, trustworthiness are some of the other descriptive words. I don't believe it can only be me who see the relationship and mutual descriptions of these two words - rights and responsibilities. Whether we like it or not, accept it or not there are certain qualities - morally right, legally required - that should be the reason to exercise our rights and responsibilities. Equally important is the qualifier - our rights cannot be greater than the person next to us.
So often we get this the wrong way round, especially the subject of the phrase. Too often we look For our rights rather than At our responsibilities. Or we focus only on the word - our. This phrase should probably read, "Responsibilities and rights", then maybe we would begin changing our focus and perception. Rights seem to be the foundation for the action - responsibilities. I would argue that if we spent our time concerned with fulfilling our responsibilities, that we would find our rights.
Sunday, August 23, 2015
From A to B
I believe that the point in going from A to B is to realize that though you are on your way to Z - all you need to focus on is the (current) journey from A to B. If you don't focus on the immediate then the journey to Z isn't as smooth, straight, and satisfying as it can be. This is a time to remember you're heading to Z but that the first step is to arrive safely at B.
On the way can also be a time of new learnings, or of reassessment of the who, what, why of the journey. Plus, do you see things around you as you travel? Do either of these opportunities make you look at how this impacts your you? How do you use your on the way? Or is your focus not on the path A to B takes you but on what you might do once you arrive at B?
What motivates you? Is the first step the mindset you are attempting to follow? It is difficult to do one thing at a time - it's not the logic, it's the implementation - especially in a world that seems to operate on multitasking. We all seem to be in a humongous hurry to go to... sometimes, we aren't even sure of our idealized destination. We just know that we need to be on the move, to get 'there' and as fast as possible. Why? Why all the rush to (fill in the blank)? Once there, will you Be There? Or will your arrival simply start a new journey? And eventually? What if you decided, on the way, that the Z isn't your Z? What can or do you do?
While all these questions may seem like so many mind games, that's not the reason or purpose. Actually the word I am emphasizing is - intentional. We need to live intentional and not fragmented or scattered lives. We need to know our 'why's' and motivations behind them. We need to act, not rushed or harried, but intentional. Others may attempt to rush you but you don't need to live by that standard, unless you are ready. Every day we all are on some journey from our 'A' to the 'B' and this is not the problem. It's how we go about moving from A to B and who we are in this process. We need to live fulfilling, intentional, and fruitful lives. It depends on how we go about our journey that determines the quality.
On the way can also be a time of new learnings, or of reassessment of the who, what, why of the journey. Plus, do you see things around you as you travel? Do either of these opportunities make you look at how this impacts your you? How do you use your on the way? Or is your focus not on the path A to B takes you but on what you might do once you arrive at B?
What motivates you? Is the first step the mindset you are attempting to follow? It is difficult to do one thing at a time - it's not the logic, it's the implementation - especially in a world that seems to operate on multitasking. We all seem to be in a humongous hurry to go to... sometimes, we aren't even sure of our idealized destination. We just know that we need to be on the move, to get 'there' and as fast as possible. Why? Why all the rush to (fill in the blank)? Once there, will you Be There? Or will your arrival simply start a new journey? And eventually? What if you decided, on the way, that the Z isn't your Z? What can or do you do?
While all these questions may seem like so many mind games, that's not the reason or purpose. Actually the word I am emphasizing is - intentional. We need to live intentional and not fragmented or scattered lives. We need to know our 'why's' and motivations behind them. We need to act, not rushed or harried, but intentional. Others may attempt to rush you but you don't need to live by that standard, unless you are ready. Every day we all are on some journey from our 'A' to the 'B' and this is not the problem. It's how we go about moving from A to B and who we are in this process. We need to live fulfilling, intentional, and fruitful lives. It depends on how we go about our journey that determines the quality.
Thursday, August 20, 2015
Convicted?!
No matter how you consider 'convicted', it comes from within... not from without (except for a court of law). You always know. I remember I used to get highly annoyed at, in my opinion, the implication that I wasn't a Christian. And came close to being incensed that anyone could accuse (?), question (?), ask (?) me about the Lord. Actually, I think I was uncomfortable and it manifested itself in anger, because I was - uncomfortable and angry. You can probably read negative reactions of guilt or conviction most often expressed in anger.
Goodness, I can't remember a time I wasn't a (denomination) I was even confirmed! But though I did emphatically state this, I also knew something was missing. The hole in me was widening and not closing. It really makes no difference what one's 'condition' according to the world is, when you have a spiritual hole, you aren't whole. I had been searching for years - it wasn't that I wasn't looking. And then a very simple 'thing' happened... I discovered that it wasn't 'religion' or denominations - it was relationship! A very specific relationship. How did I miss this?
The God of the Universe was asking ME (as He does all of us: Acts 4:12, Philippians 2:9-11, 2 Corinthians 6:2 among others ) - what was I doing about Jesus! To be honest... I really didn't know what to do about Jesus. It wasn't that I did or had denied Who He was, What He did - I just didn't know what to do about Him or what that meant for/to me. If I would admit it, I was embarrassed about me when I considered all He did and what I did. It wasn't that I was particularly a 'bad' person - really not the point. Didn't matter to Him but it took me awhile to realize this. I had always been an action to prove words type and, though it wasn't a question of 'if', 'how' and 'what' did I do about Him was definitely the question.
Were my feelings, conviction? Oh yes. Was there a simple recourse? Depends on how you define 'simple' but if it includes going your own way and doing your own thing, then absolutely difficult, verging on impossible. My discovery was that Jesus doesn't want a part of us. He really doesn't seem particularly interested in what we accomplish according to the world. Jesus was and is interested in relationship so that He can assist us to live a full, fruitful, and abundant life. One's ultimate destination is also involved.
Jesus is always willing to exchange our sinful status for one of adoption into the Family of God. What a trade off! I couldn't understand why He was willing to do this, but that really isn't the point either - He does, He does. My definition of conviction has changed from the sentence handed down by the court because of my misdemeanor (calling a spade a spade, my sin) to certitude, confidence, assurance that Jesus has provided a way into fellowship with the Triune God and adoption by Him into a new life. Convicted? Absolutely!
Goodness, I can't remember a time I wasn't a (denomination) I was even confirmed! But though I did emphatically state this, I also knew something was missing. The hole in me was widening and not closing. It really makes no difference what one's 'condition' according to the world is, when you have a spiritual hole, you aren't whole. I had been searching for years - it wasn't that I wasn't looking. And then a very simple 'thing' happened... I discovered that it wasn't 'religion' or denominations - it was relationship! A very specific relationship. How did I miss this?
The God of the Universe was asking ME (as He does all of us: Acts 4:12, Philippians 2:9-11, 2 Corinthians 6:2 among others ) - what was I doing about Jesus! To be honest... I really didn't know what to do about Jesus. It wasn't that I did or had denied Who He was, What He did - I just didn't know what to do about Him or what that meant for/to me. If I would admit it, I was embarrassed about me when I considered all He did and what I did. It wasn't that I was particularly a 'bad' person - really not the point. Didn't matter to Him but it took me awhile to realize this. I had always been an action to prove words type and, though it wasn't a question of 'if', 'how' and 'what' did I do about Him was definitely the question.
Were my feelings, conviction? Oh yes. Was there a simple recourse? Depends on how you define 'simple' but if it includes going your own way and doing your own thing, then absolutely difficult, verging on impossible. My discovery was that Jesus doesn't want a part of us. He really doesn't seem particularly interested in what we accomplish according to the world. Jesus was and is interested in relationship so that He can assist us to live a full, fruitful, and abundant life. One's ultimate destination is also involved.
Jesus is always willing to exchange our sinful status for one of adoption into the Family of God. What a trade off! I couldn't understand why He was willing to do this, but that really isn't the point either - He does, He does. My definition of conviction has changed from the sentence handed down by the court because of my misdemeanor (calling a spade a spade, my sin) to certitude, confidence, assurance that Jesus has provided a way into fellowship with the Triune God and adoption by Him into a new life. Convicted? Absolutely!
Monday, August 17, 2015
Impossible(s)
I recently read a comment that the writer believed that the Lord would do something 'impossible' in their life. Do you? Do you believe, for yourself, that the Lord will do something in/to/about your impossible(s)? As usual there are some questions you need to answer for yourself, such as: Do you feel that you 'deserve' His attention? Are your impossible(s) resolvable? Does attending to your need put someone in harm's way? Why would you not be a candidate for His care? Don't forget the scripture that tells us:
"For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth,
to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is loyal to
Him." (2Chronicles 16:9)
The only 'condition' I read is 'heart is loyal' - is this you? Are you loyal to God? Granted, the question may be... how do you define 'loyal'?
We all face situations and people that we define as 'impossible' that may not be impossible for others... but that isn't the point - other than determining the impossible designation is truly accurate, at least for you, that's the point. And you can't pray that 'God will change them' - it doesn't work this way. God doesn't impose any more in someone else's life than He does yours. He invites, He helps us to understand, etc. but He does NOT force. No one can complain that they didn't 'know' but they also can't say they had no choice.
'Impossible(s)' may be a momentary irritant or it may be far more serious, demanding your time, attention, resources. And yes, you may be able to resolve 'them' on your own. Or... you can turn to the Lord and ask for His wisdom and His answer(s). My experience is that it is far quicker when I ask Him to be with me in/through the situation and seek His answers. He always answers though it is never just plopped in my lap. I do need to look to Him and let Him lead.
Years ago, Oral Roberts was ridiculed for his, "Something Good is going to happen to/for you today" comment. Sometimes our 'good' is in the eye of the beholder, as is our 'impossible' answers. Do we seek? Do we see? Impossible(s) are like our mountains... they can end up in the sea. (Matthew 21:21 and Mark 11:23)
"For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth,
to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is loyal to
Him." (2Chronicles 16:9)
The only 'condition' I read is 'heart is loyal' - is this you? Are you loyal to God? Granted, the question may be... how do you define 'loyal'?
We all face situations and people that we define as 'impossible' that may not be impossible for others... but that isn't the point - other than determining the impossible designation is truly accurate, at least for you, that's the point. And you can't pray that 'God will change them' - it doesn't work this way. God doesn't impose any more in someone else's life than He does yours. He invites, He helps us to understand, etc. but He does NOT force. No one can complain that they didn't 'know' but they also can't say they had no choice.
'Impossible(s)' may be a momentary irritant or it may be far more serious, demanding your time, attention, resources. And yes, you may be able to resolve 'them' on your own. Or... you can turn to the Lord and ask for His wisdom and His answer(s). My experience is that it is far quicker when I ask Him to be with me in/through the situation and seek His answers. He always answers though it is never just plopped in my lap. I do need to look to Him and let Him lead.
Years ago, Oral Roberts was ridiculed for his, "Something Good is going to happen to/for you today" comment. Sometimes our 'good' is in the eye of the beholder, as is our 'impossible' answers. Do we seek? Do we see? Impossible(s) are like our mountains... they can end up in the sea. (Matthew 21:21 and Mark 11:23)
Friday, August 14, 2015
Disappoint
Of all the possible reactions to me - what I've said or done - the one that causes me the most distress is disappointment, regardless of who expresses it. Disappointment is difficult to deal with - no argument. I would maintain that when you are disappointed in yourself, this can be disastrous since it always seems to paralyze and incapacitate us. I'm not sure if it's the surprise at being/doing (fill in the blank) which causes our disappointment, but I do believe that we allow it to control and effectively handcuff ourselves.
"Don’t be disappointed with yourself. Just thank God for what
He’s already done, and press forward knowing that each step
you take closer to God is a good step." (Jesse Duplantis)
If that sounds easy, it isn't. Typically we are our own worse 'enemy' - our expectations of ourselves are often in the impossible category. However, when we are willfulness with words or actions that has resulted in a negative or in an 'unfortunate' situation, then we know 'who's to blame'. We are! And this is such an uncomfortable position to be in - now what?! Some one or place to turn? How do we get out of the place we find ourselves?
'Moving on' is rarely effective until you've dealt with what was/is. As difficult as it may seem, the only logical place to start is with an apology and then self-forgiveness because repentance is always an attempt to never repeat. So, whether others forgive you or give you 'another chance', you need to forgive you. And forgiveness does not mean dragging your error into your next. Did you ever consider that even if you have wasted all the time, energy, resources you've been given that you can turn this around? That disappointment will evaporate as you change your perspective and purpose?
I think there are times we all disappoint ourselves, sometimes not in the view of others. How we handle disappointment speaks to who we are and how we go about being us. Continuing to beat ourselves up rarely accomplishes anything and truly is a lousy witness. It says that when we disappoint there is no redemption. No one or place to turn that can be or is stronger than our behavior or words. Is this your message? If so then reconsider Whose you are. The Lord is always able, available, and willing to help us stand when we turn to Him. This is a far better witness and answer than wallowing.
"Don’t be disappointed with yourself. Just thank God for what
He’s already done, and press forward knowing that each step
you take closer to God is a good step." (Jesse Duplantis)
If that sounds easy, it isn't. Typically we are our own worse 'enemy' - our expectations of ourselves are often in the impossible category. However, when we are willfulness with words or actions that has resulted in a negative or in an 'unfortunate' situation, then we know 'who's to blame'. We are! And this is such an uncomfortable position to be in - now what?! Some one or place to turn? How do we get out of the place we find ourselves?
'Moving on' is rarely effective until you've dealt with what was/is. As difficult as it may seem, the only logical place to start is with an apology and then self-forgiveness because repentance is always an attempt to never repeat. So, whether others forgive you or give you 'another chance', you need to forgive you. And forgiveness does not mean dragging your error into your next. Did you ever consider that even if you have wasted all the time, energy, resources you've been given that you can turn this around? That disappointment will evaporate as you change your perspective and purpose?
I think there are times we all disappoint ourselves, sometimes not in the view of others. How we handle disappointment speaks to who we are and how we go about being us. Continuing to beat ourselves up rarely accomplishes anything and truly is a lousy witness. It says that when we disappoint there is no redemption. No one or place to turn that can be or is stronger than our behavior or words. Is this your message? If so then reconsider Whose you are. The Lord is always able, available, and willing to help us stand when we turn to Him. This is a far better witness and answer than wallowing.
Tuesday, August 11, 2015
Assurance
I realize that many of us don't realize, but it's way past time to continue to believe the lie and instead to choose to act, boldly and confidently on the truth. The truth? Forgiven. It would be my contention that THE greatest hindrance to our being all we can be is our assurance of forgiveness. We are irritated and embarrassed about what we did/said (or didn't) and are still acting as if we are still... unforgiven. We ARE forgiven - 1John 1:9, 4:4)
"As far as the east is from the west, So far has He removed our
transgressions from us." (Psalm 103:12)
Psalm 103 is a great teaching on the mercy of God and how He responds to His children that turn to Him. He forgives ALL our iniquities (3), He heals ALL our diseases (3), He redeems our lives from destruction (4), He is slow to anger and abounding in mercy (8), His mercy is from everlasting to everlasting (17) - and these are only some of the highlights from just this Psalm. The point is that every time we bring up our past sins - IF we have already turned to Him, repented and sought His forgiveness - He forgives! The sin and its stain no long is part of our lives. So why do we continue to be haunted by it???
Remember that the lie of unforgiveness does not come from the Lord, but from our enemy who only seeks to keep us in bondage (John 10:10). The last thing that the devil would want is for us to walk in who we are becoming in the Lord and to use the weapons prepared for us to fight our battles. Our weapons are not carnal (2Corinthians 10:4-5) but mighty. And we don't fight against flesh and blood but against wickedness (Ephesians 6:12). How can we possibly be effective when we don't believe that we have been empowered? Yes, we sin but Yes, we can repent and become who we're destined to be.
What we all need to remember is that it is we who are empowered, we who stand, we who fight. Not alone but we are intimately involved. Repeating: WE are empowered. We are given everything we need to be His army to accomplish the Great Commission. But it is up to us. He stands with us, behind us, in front leading us, and to the side - working with us. He chose to use us to touch our world to be in partnership with Him, the God of the Universe. He told us:
"Is anything too hard for the Lord? (Genesis 18:14, Jeremiah 32:27)
"... being fully convinced that what He had promised He was also
able to perform." (Romans 4:21)
You? Convinced? You are empowered - not a question.
"As far as the east is from the west, So far has He removed our
transgressions from us." (Psalm 103:12)
Psalm 103 is a great teaching on the mercy of God and how He responds to His children that turn to Him. He forgives ALL our iniquities (3), He heals ALL our diseases (3), He redeems our lives from destruction (4), He is slow to anger and abounding in mercy (8), His mercy is from everlasting to everlasting (17) - and these are only some of the highlights from just this Psalm. The point is that every time we bring up our past sins - IF we have already turned to Him, repented and sought His forgiveness - He forgives! The sin and its stain no long is part of our lives. So why do we continue to be haunted by it???
Remember that the lie of unforgiveness does not come from the Lord, but from our enemy who only seeks to keep us in bondage (John 10:10). The last thing that the devil would want is for us to walk in who we are becoming in the Lord and to use the weapons prepared for us to fight our battles. Our weapons are not carnal (2Corinthians 10:4-5) but mighty. And we don't fight against flesh and blood but against wickedness (Ephesians 6:12). How can we possibly be effective when we don't believe that we have been empowered? Yes, we sin but Yes, we can repent and become who we're destined to be.
What we all need to remember is that it is we who are empowered, we who stand, we who fight. Not alone but we are intimately involved. Repeating: WE are empowered. We are given everything we need to be His army to accomplish the Great Commission. But it is up to us. He stands with us, behind us, in front leading us, and to the side - working with us. He chose to use us to touch our world to be in partnership with Him, the God of the Universe. He told us:
"Is anything too hard for the Lord? (Genesis 18:14, Jeremiah 32:27)
"... being fully convinced that what He had promised He was also
able to perform." (Romans 4:21)
You? Convinced? You are empowered - not a question.
Saturday, August 8, 2015
I choose to...
Recently I read a post on Facebook which said:
"You have a CHOICE each and every single day.
I CHOOSE to feel BLESSED.
I CHOOSE to feel GRATEFUL.
I CHOOSE to be EXCITED.
I CHOOSE to be THANKFUL.
I CHOOSE to be HAPPY."
Obviously there are other choices that can be added or replace the ones listed, but those indicated are excellent. What would you add/change? Would they be 'feel' or 'be' additions/changes? There is little question that the listed ones are positives but they also aren't rose colored. One must realize and understand the opposite condition plus have an understanding of what's 'reality' in order to choose. None of these qualities/conditions are unimportant and the positive contributions they make to your life and attitudes can't be underestimated.
The operable word is 'choose'. It is not a denial nor ignoring whatever your situation is but it is declaring that even in the midst of my circumstances I still choose (fill in the blank). This is a character building time. When, in your 'situation', you choose to be and feel and then act blessed, grateful, excited, thankful, and/or happy you make a tremendous statement about who you are and what you value. It also provides a witness to others that they too can choose to live their life positively even in their 'midst'.
What many of us fail to realize is that each day we make significant and visible choices. Sometimes they are subtle and sometime they are major changes in our lives. Sometimes it's situations that we never thought would happen to us but now we must deal with and it isn't simple. But whether by design - overtly or covertly - we all choose what and who we are. Many times it will be the realization that you can't carry whatever is your load but when you turn to the Lord and remember Matthew 11:28-30, you know He is with you and will give you rest. Thus... we can choose blessed, grateful, excited, thankful, happy rather than their opposites.
"You have a CHOICE each and every single day.
I CHOOSE to feel BLESSED.
I CHOOSE to feel GRATEFUL.
I CHOOSE to be EXCITED.
I CHOOSE to be THANKFUL.
I CHOOSE to be HAPPY."
Obviously there are other choices that can be added or replace the ones listed, but those indicated are excellent. What would you add/change? Would they be 'feel' or 'be' additions/changes? There is little question that the listed ones are positives but they also aren't rose colored. One must realize and understand the opposite condition plus have an understanding of what's 'reality' in order to choose. None of these qualities/conditions are unimportant and the positive contributions they make to your life and attitudes can't be underestimated.
The operable word is 'choose'. It is not a denial nor ignoring whatever your situation is but it is declaring that even in the midst of my circumstances I still choose (fill in the blank). This is a character building time. When, in your 'situation', you choose to be and feel and then act blessed, grateful, excited, thankful, and/or happy you make a tremendous statement about who you are and what you value. It also provides a witness to others that they too can choose to live their life positively even in their 'midst'.
What many of us fail to realize is that each day we make significant and visible choices. Sometimes they are subtle and sometime they are major changes in our lives. Sometimes it's situations that we never thought would happen to us but now we must deal with and it isn't simple. But whether by design - overtly or covertly - we all choose what and who we are. Many times it will be the realization that you can't carry whatever is your load but when you turn to the Lord and remember Matthew 11:28-30, you know He is with you and will give you rest. Thus... we can choose blessed, grateful, excited, thankful, happy rather than their opposites.
Wednesday, August 5, 2015
In the trenches...
First - don't assume that 'in the trenches' is a negative or painful place to live. Sometimes it is, but we can still laugh and love and grow in our time here. This is where most of us live the majority of our lives... in the trenches. We live in our day-to-day which allows us to define what that means and how we respond to the challenges and opportunities, threats and obstacles existing... many times, in the moment and sometimes feeling like they all are present simultaneously.
Don't make the assumption that this is always warfare, because it isn't. Life isn't only made up of a series of obstacles, difficulties, and loss. There are surprises, opportunities, success when we stop to realize this. John Gardner wrote:
"We are continually faced with a series of great opportunities
brilliantly disguised as unsolvable problems."
Brilliant! I like that! This mindset is a paradigm shift in how to think about and look at our problems, dilemmas and consider them as opportunities. So often we feel overwhelmed by the issues we face in the trenches that we miss an out of the box new discovery. Plus, do we take the time to learn the lessons provided in those positive, successful and new discovery times? The positive lessons from these experiences don't always seem to transfer into potential resolutions for the 'other' times.
Since we live in the trenches, what do you do about your residence? Do you tailor it to meet your wants and desires... or, do you do so little to it because you really don't like this locale? If you expect to be permanently 'rescued' from your present abode, you might want to rethink this. In the second place, if your expectation is rescue, you still don't know when that may be - yes? Though I don't always follow my own advice, it would seem we should take advantage of everything available to us in our good and bad times and places.
In the trenches is a reality. And yes, the vast majority of the time may be in battle, but do you know who and what your enemy is? Never assume. There are times the 'enemy' is our own unwillingness to look at our reality. If in a battle, we don't need to fight by ourselves - we always have a companion to turn to... the Lord. We are or may be in a battle... but never alone. An important reminder is that we can always look at life as... an opportunity.
Don't make the assumption that this is always warfare, because it isn't. Life isn't only made up of a series of obstacles, difficulties, and loss. There are surprises, opportunities, success when we stop to realize this. John Gardner wrote:
"We are continually faced with a series of great opportunities
brilliantly disguised as unsolvable problems."
Brilliant! I like that! This mindset is a paradigm shift in how to think about and look at our problems, dilemmas and consider them as opportunities. So often we feel overwhelmed by the issues we face in the trenches that we miss an out of the box new discovery. Plus, do we take the time to learn the lessons provided in those positive, successful and new discovery times? The positive lessons from these experiences don't always seem to transfer into potential resolutions for the 'other' times.
Since we live in the trenches, what do you do about your residence? Do you tailor it to meet your wants and desires... or, do you do so little to it because you really don't like this locale? If you expect to be permanently 'rescued' from your present abode, you might want to rethink this. In the second place, if your expectation is rescue, you still don't know when that may be - yes? Though I don't always follow my own advice, it would seem we should take advantage of everything available to us in our good and bad times and places.
In the trenches is a reality. And yes, the vast majority of the time may be in battle, but do you know who and what your enemy is? Never assume. There are times the 'enemy' is our own unwillingness to look at our reality. If in a battle, we don't need to fight by ourselves - we always have a companion to turn to... the Lord. We are or may be in a battle... but never alone. An important reminder is that we can always look at life as... an opportunity.
Sunday, August 2, 2015
Ministry qualifications
Ministry qualifications... You do realize, don't you, that the disciples didn't go to Seminary? They didn't learn how to write a sermon or deliver a message and yet they were able to touch the world with Who they were touched by, which nearly 2000 years later continues to effectively influence and change lives. Why do you believe that only those who do go to college to 'learn to be a minister' are the only ones who are called to ministry, who are 'qualified' to minister?
The last question was stated only slightly sarcastic. And if you bluster that it's an unfair comparison because the disciples had Jesus with them. True. But after He departed having given them a 3 year crash course by observing Him and His behavior, He didn't leave them alone - He requested the Father to send the Holy Spirit who remained with them and now is with Christians today (John 14:12-17).
Those 11 men went on to touch countless lives. And then the ripple effect happened - and the Word was proclaimed to the world from one believer to the next. The reality of this impact really can't be argued nor measured but, except for the benefit of the Torah and their experiences of being with Jesus, these men and women provided a message that has no equal. Were they 'qualified'? Not the point. They did what was asked - they shared the One who brought life and meaning to them and asked them to share.
This is going to sound harsh and slightly accusatory but if you are a Christian, YOU are called for ministry... right where you are, in your world. When you read The Great Commission (Matthew 28:18-20) it is for you as well, not just the professional ministry. When you stand before the Lord and He asks what you did to fulfill this call on your life... how will you answer? Saying that you 'supported' the minister at your church or gave to missions will NOT be acceptable (my opinion). We ALL have the responsibility, have this call on our lives to share with those in our lives who and what has happened when we decided to act on our Christianity.
Qualified? That's our responsibility - to study (2Timothy 2:15). How and what do we do? Use the manual given us - Bible (2Timothy 3:16). Next question...
The last question was stated only slightly sarcastic. And if you bluster that it's an unfair comparison because the disciples had Jesus with them. True. But after He departed having given them a 3 year crash course by observing Him and His behavior, He didn't leave them alone - He requested the Father to send the Holy Spirit who remained with them and now is with Christians today (John 14:12-17).
Those 11 men went on to touch countless lives. And then the ripple effect happened - and the Word was proclaimed to the world from one believer to the next. The reality of this impact really can't be argued nor measured but, except for the benefit of the Torah and their experiences of being with Jesus, these men and women provided a message that has no equal. Were they 'qualified'? Not the point. They did what was asked - they shared the One who brought life and meaning to them and asked them to share.
This is going to sound harsh and slightly accusatory but if you are a Christian, YOU are called for ministry... right where you are, in your world. When you read The Great Commission (Matthew 28:18-20) it is for you as well, not just the professional ministry. When you stand before the Lord and He asks what you did to fulfill this call on your life... how will you answer? Saying that you 'supported' the minister at your church or gave to missions will NOT be acceptable (my opinion). We ALL have the responsibility, have this call on our lives to share with those in our lives who and what has happened when we decided to act on our Christianity.
Qualified? That's our responsibility - to study (2Timothy 2:15). How and what do we do? Use the manual given us - Bible (2Timothy 3:16). Next question...
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