I wrote this immediately after 9-11 as we all tried to wrap our heads around the whole impact of what had just happened.

I share it with you because I believe that the tragic events of Dec 14 2012 at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Connecticut are just as staggering.
20 children between the ages of 5 and 10 were gunned down in a callous, unthinkable murder – and for what – we may never know.

BUT every parent of these 20 innocent little lives suffered their own life altering, gut wrenching 9-11.

So I simply share this with you as we all grieve for these families and the beautiful little lives take from them.

 

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 Where Do We Turn From Here?                                                   Psalms 37:1-7

   Our lives have been rocked. Everything that seemed so solid has been shaken.
The twin towers of the World Trade Center. The Pentagon.
   Symbols of American strength and stability, taken out by terrorist attack. And the lives -- both those lost and those changed forever by the four homicidal jet crashes of September 11.
   Through a network of connections that unite us as families and friends and acquaintances across this country, every one of us has been affected in some real way by the devastation of that day.

   As Martin Luther King once said so well, "We are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied in a single garment of destiny.

   Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly." And so we mourn -- mourn the fatalities and the casualties, as well as our own loss of innocence.
We have been attacked, and will never feel completely safe again.

AND  In times like these we ask questions – and it is ok to ask questions.

In fact we would not be the first to ask the hard questions of God. And He would not be God, if we could not ask Him the hard questions. And because we have a God in whom we can call ABBA, Father, because HE cares for His own -

   It's okay to ask "Why?"     Job did, even David did.

   These were men of God who were not afraid to talk with God and ask those hard questions.

Questions like…    Those from Job who cried: “I shout for help and there is not answer.”

Or, “Oh that I knew where I might find Him.” And, “I cry out to You for help, but You do not answer…”

Or from David who begged: “How long will you hide your face from me?”  And he questioned aloud… “My God, my God why have You forsaken me?”

   David even asked the question, “Why are the nations in an uproar and the peoples devising a vain thing?”

And when we find ourselves in such a place we ask many of the same questions. We may feel that God has forsaken this nation. When we experience something of this magnitude, be it a personal crisis or a national tragedy, our hearts cry out with questions. We cry out for help and listen for an answer. We like David will ask, “Where are You God?”

 We often feel that maybe God isn’t listening. Maybe we feel the need to get angry, to point a finger at God and blame. To accuse Him

But God listens. He lets His children ask the question that stone and wood cannot answer.

I wish I had all the answers for you today, I wish I could stand here today and tell you all the WHYS.     I don’t know, I too have asked the questions. I don’t have all the answers

I have a surprise for you though -  Job never got the answers, no where in the Book of Job did God answer the WHYS.  But Job knew, he knew where to turn – listen to the words of Job in chapter 42 –    
JOB 42:2-6

            “I know that You can do all things,   And that no purpose of Yours can be thwarted.   ‘Who is this that hides counsel without knowledge?’ “Therefore I have declared that which I did not understand, Things too wonderful for me, which I did not know.”   ‘Hear, now, and I will speak; I will ask You, and You instruct me.’  “I have heard of You by the hearing of the ear; But now my eye sees You;  Therefore I retract, And I repent in dust and ashes.”

New American Standard Bible: 1995 update. 1995 (Job 42:2–6). LaHabra, CA: The Lockman Foundation.

Job knew where to turn!

And in fact David did not even get answers and we may never know this side of heaven, the why or the how.  FAMILIES DO NOT let that discourage you…

   Because just as David and Job knew with all their heart…

That even though they did not have all the answers – they knew that God was all He promised. That God was the source of their strength. That God was their comforter.

    And God IS the source of our strength, God IS the source of our comfort. That God IS still alive, that God IS still on His throne and God IS still faithful to His children.

One of the questions we ask is often – “Now what?” Where do we turn now, what do we do now?” Where do we turn from here? Well, there is only one way to turn.

   At a time like this we turn to our knees. As someone has told me, “I go to my knees because I remember that there is a God and I am not Him.

   At a time like this, we turn to the ground ... to the solid ground that is our creating, redeeming, and sustaining Lord.

   At a time like this, we turn to the firmest of foundations, the mighty fortress that is our God. It's the only place of any strength and stability.

   At a time like this we turn to our church family. The unity that bears one another’s burdens.

At a time like this we turn to the comfort and saving grace found alone in Jesus Christ.

   At a time like this we turn to the very place Job and David knew to turn.

This morning take comfort in a word from God, that He does tell us where to turn.

  From Psalms 37:1-7 –

“Do not fret because of evildoers, Be not envious toward wrongdoers. For they will wither quickly like the grass, And fade like the green herb. Trust in the Lord, and do good; Dwell in the land and cultivate faithfulness. Delight yourself in the Lord; And He will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord, Trust also in Him, and He will do it. And He will bring forth your righteousness as the light, And your judgment as the noonday. Rest in the Lord and wait patiently for Him; Do not fret because of him who prospers in his way, Because of the man who carries out wicked schemes.”

     As the Psalmist gives instruction:

Trust In the Lord - trust in Him and do the good and honorable thing. To cultivate faithfulness in Him, that He knows what the future holds.  It is in this trust that we as children of God exhibit a faith that others will see and know that God is still God and even though we don’t have all the answers we have God. For so man of us we take that for granted… I mean this… it is printed on our money but we don’t believe it nor do it. 

Now is the time that we need to turn and trust in Him.

Delight yourself in the Lord – doesn’t that seem like a strange word for a time like this? But it really isn’t. What a joy it is to know that in a time of national chaos that God is still beside you. Don’t believe it?

Think of the miraculous stories of survivors. You want to know where God is amidst this whole thing… Take delight in this… He was in the strong hands of a police chief who rode the building down almost 85 stories and lived, He was in the sweat and tears of thousands of volunteers. He is in the blood bank as people selflessly give of themselves. He is in the Capital when men and women pray… Take Delight in the fact that He still cares.

Now is the time that we turn and take joy in Him

 Commit your way to the Lord – here in verses 5 and 6 – God says if we will turn to Him, commit ourselves and our nation to Him… He will do all that we need, He will bring forth goodness and righteousness and it will be a beacon to all.  Even in 2 Chronicles 7:14 He promises that if we will humble ourselves and pray… He will hear us, forgive us and He will HEAL this nation.

Now is the time that we turn our life and our ways to Him.

 

Rest in the Lord –  there is no better comfort when you are hurting, when you feel alone and sad than to come and rest your head on Him.  He listens. He cares. He will cry with you and He will comfort you.

When you rest your mind and body, your heart and soul will find comfort. Rest in Him and wait, because He cares for His own. There are thousands who need physical rest today, but there are millions who need spiritual rest.

Now is the time that we turn and rest in Him.

 Where Do We Turn From Here? That answer is simple… we turn fully to Him

 

For several thousands of people – Wednesday never came. Some I am sure had turned to Him already, but sadly some had not. Millions today are given the opportunity to turn to Him, they may not have tomorrow but they have today. You may not have ever turned to Him… but you can today.

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For  20 children, for 6 adults who were gunned down for no reason… Saturday never came. For their families Christmas will come but it will never be the same. I pray that all of this tragedy causes us all to stop and turn to the God who can and will comfort…

A lady once came to evangelist Billy Sunday and tried to rationalize her angry outbursts. “There’s nothing wrong with losing my temper,” She said. “I blow up, and then it’s all over.”  “So does a shotgun,” Sunday replied, “and look at the damage it leaves behind!”

Getting angry can sometimes be like leaping into a race car, gunning the motor, going zero to 100 in 4.4 seconds and then finding out that the brakes don’t work.  We all know what anger is. We have felt it, dealt with it and suffered because of it… And when it gets out of control it turns destructive, it can lead to problems—problems at work, in your personal relationships, and in the overall quality of your life.

I would have to say that 90% of what we get angry about doesn’t really matter.

Think of the last time you got “angry.”  
Was it about something worthwhile?
Was it something that really mattered in life?
Was it simply because you didn’t get your way, something didn’t go the way you expected, or you didn’t like the person you had to deal with?
What we get angry about is – silly stuff.  Sadly too few of us get angry for the right reasons… yes, even Christians.

Some Christians even think that getting angry is a sin – but folks – getting angry isn’t a sin, what you get angry at and what you do with it… well that is a different story.

In Mark 3 verse 5 is says that Jesus got “angry” at the hardness of the Pharisees’ heart.

Jesus’ anger was what we call – “Righteous indignation.”  Indignation is anger aroused by something unjust, unworthy, mean or hard hearted.   Jesus’ anger was a combination of resentment and a broken heart.

You know… If you cannot hate what is wrong, it’s becomes questionable if you really love right.

Some people suppress anger, holding anger inside in unhealthy ways.  Some people wrongly express anger, by griping, sarcasm, rage, intimidation and blame.    

Some people become passive with anger. In a battle for superiority, passively angry people have a need to control without being transparent or open.     Some people are assertive with anger. Failure to share feelings in a constructive way may produce assertive anger.  

Everyone needs to deal with anger. Folks, you can't eliminate anger – but what you do with it can make a world of difference in your life. Jesus was one who could be angry and not sin. And He is our example.

Here are a few suggestions on how you can get - ANGRY THE RIGHT WAY! 

James 1:19-20

This you know, my beloved brethren. But everyone must be quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to anger; for the anger of man does not achieve the righteousness of God.

TALK IT OVER –James 1:19a (quick to hear, slow to speak)

     If you will simply talk to the right person (not 50 others) - approach them with kindness and an attempt and attitude to make right – then you might find that a cup of coffee and a 30 minute conversation could diffuse an irritating situation.

 THINK CLEARLY - James 1:19b-20 – Anger can blind your thought process.      

      Ill directed anger is not going to fix anything - it won't make you feel better (may actually make you feel worse). If you think clearly you see problems and situations for what they are, not what you perceive through angry eyes. James 1:20 – “for the anger of man does not achieve the righteousness of God.”

Reacting instead of responding will not achieve the Godly results.

TAKE TIME – to consider what is good and right - Philippians 4:8

     When you get unjustifiably angry you don’t see much else… you don’t seem better solutions, you don’t see the damage you might be creating… Take time to consider all the aspects this way you will make sure you are getting upset about the right stuff, not the silly stuff.  Consider the right things to do in response.

 TAKE POSITIVE ACTION - consider solutions rather than just the problem.

Anyone can find problems, anyone can get angry about anything… but Christian men and women should be those who can get angry and their anger (righteous indignation) leads to positive actions and answers – to actually DO SOMETHING.

     Jesus’ anger was a mix of anguish and compassion – BUT - His anger resulted in POSITIVE ACTION – it moved Him to do something, something positive… Shooting a doctor who performs abortions is not the proper response to the anger the procedure might produce in you… Murdering in the name of God does not lead to a very good witness.

Jesus had the power to wipe out the Pharisees, instead He used that power to heal.

You have been told “Don’t Get Mad – Get Even”  But take Jesus’ example
Don’t Get Mad– Get Right.

 Looking to His Tomorrow – living in the trenches for Him Today…

Doug

John 10:10 “…I came that they might have life, and might have it abundantly.”

 

Wrestling your gators!

Wrestling your gators!

Did you ever watched the show "Crocodile Hunter?"

It is about this very odd fellow from Australia who wrestles extremely dangerous animals; he gets up close and personal with alligators, crocs and super poisonous snakes. I do not advocate anyone picking up man eating animals or anything that can bite you and kill you within two steps!

But there is something about what the "Croc Hunter" does.

 Many times, he takes these animals captive so they cannot harm anyone?

It got me to thinking - that is what we are supposed to do as Christians -

Paul says it in 2 Corinthians 10:5
"We are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ?"

As Christians you are to look into your own life and wrestle with those things that poison who you are, to take captive those man-eating creatures that can turn on you and eat away at your life.

What are the alligators, crocs, and snakes that we wrestle with, ones that we are called to take captive?

Well they are things like - Envy - Jealousy - Anger - Pride - Arrogance - Revenge - Impatience - Rudeness ? Can you think of any others?

There is a reason that we are supposed to "capture those thoughts" - Jesus said it in Matthew 21-22 and 27-29 - that is, the thought that we harbor in our secret lives will turn into the dangerous animal that will poison us, attack us spiritually and then manifest itself in our actions and try to attack those around us.

 Proverbs 4:23 tells us that we are to - "Watch over your heart with all diligence, For from it flows the springs of life."

Max Lucado wrote a wonderful note about this -

Today's thoughts are tomorrow's actions -
Today's jealousy is tomorrow's temper tantrum -
Today's bigotry is tomorrow's hate crime -
Today's anger is tomorrow's abuse -
Today's lust in tomorrow's adultery -
Today's greed is tomorrow's embezzlement -
Today's guilt is tomorrow's fear

When I was growing up we didn't have a Crocodile Hunter - we had Marlin Perkins and his buddy Jim on Mutual of Omaha's Wild Kingdom. Marlin never got on the ground and dealt with the animals, Jim however was ALWAYS wrestling deadly creatures (while Marlin watched and commented).

Unfortunately too many of us are like Marlin - we know that the animal has to be captured but we sit in the back of the truck or in the helicopter and watch as someone else (Jim) wrestles with it.

For some reason we are too afraid to wrestle our own beasts and take them captive because we know that there is a danger involved. Oh, we do good at describing someone else doing it, and we are even better at giving someone else advice on how to do it.

But the bible tells us how we can capture those things and the "what" to replace them with -

 Paul says it in Philippians 4:8

"And now, brothers, as I close this letter let me say this one more thing: Fix your thoughts on what is true and good and right. Think about things that are pure and lovely, and dwell on the fine, good things in others. Think about all you can praise God for and be glad about." (Living Bible)

 And Paul gave us the reason for it - that as Christians we live under the law of Christ and that is the law of Love. In 1 Corinthians 13 - we see more of what should be living in our hearts - love not arrogance, love not impatience, love not greed, love not selfishness, love not rudeness, love not jealousy?

We have a choice - we can wrestle and take those things captive that are eating away at our life or we can let them lurk around inside, sneak up on us, poison every thing we do or possibly even kill our lives?

 What beast do you need to wrestle with, capture and take captive?

Taste and SEE

I really liked this story that I found on the internet - it really does speak to a personal experience with God.

 Have You Tasted My Jesus?

At the University of Chicago Divinity School each year they have what is called "Baptist Day." It is a day when all the Baptists in the area are invited to the school because they want the Baptist dollars to keep coming in. On this day, each one is to bring a sack lunch to be eaten outdoors in a grassy picnic area. Every "Baptist Day" the school would invite one of the greatest minds to lecture in the theological education center.

One year they invited Dr. Paul Tillich. Dr. Tillich spoke for two and one-half hours proving that the resurrection of Jesus was false. He quoted scholar after scholar and book after book. He concluded that since there was no such thing as the historical resurrection the religious tradition of the church was groundless, emotional mumbo-jumbo, because it was based on a relationship with a risen Jesus, who, in fact, never rose from the dead in any literal sense. He then asked if there were any questions.

After about 30 seconds, an old, dark skinned preacher with a head of short-cropped, woolly white hair stood up in the back of the auditorium.

     "Docta Tillich, I got one question," he said as all eyes turned toward him. He reached into his sack lunch and pulled out an apple and began eating it. "Docta Tillich ..." CRUNCH, MUNCH ... "My question is a simple question, "CRUNCH, CUNCH ..."Now I ain't never read them books you read ... "CRUNCH, MUNCH ... "and I can't recite the Scriptures in the original Greek ... " CRUNCH, MUNCH ... "I don't know nothin' about Niebuhr and Heidegger ..."CRUNCH, MUNCH . He finished the apple. "All I wanna know is: This apple

I just ate, was it bitter or sweet?"

 Dr. Tillich paused for a moment and answered in exemplary scholarly fashion: "I cannot possibly answer that question, for I haven't tasted your apple."

The white-haired preacher dropped the core of his apple into his crumpled paper bag, looked up at Dr. Tillich and said calmly, "Neither have you tasted my Jesus."
The 1,000 plus in attendance could not contain themselves. The auditorium erupted with applause and cheers. Dr. Tillich thanked his audience and promptly left the platform.

(Source unknown)

Psalms 34:8 says - "O taste and see that the Lord is good; How blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him!"

I simply want to ask you all a couple of questions.

For those who have not tasted, who have never experienced Jesus coming into your life - today look at your life - and if you say - "I can't remember a time when I ever experienced Jesus coming into my life."

Then today - you need to "taste and see that the Lord is good." His love and forgiveness are sweet not bitter and HE wants you to experience His grace and mercy.

For all you Believers out there. some of you might say -

"I can't remember the last time I felt, or experienced the Holy Spirit's presence or God working in my life."  When was the last time you were "wowed" by God, when was the last time you experienced God working in your life. you see - if you haven't experienced God in your life for awhile then you need to check your heart. Yes, I know life can deal you some pretty bad situations -

But when you can truly experience Jesus changing you, when you can taste and KNOW that His love is sweet, you will find that life takes on new flavor, new meaning and purpose. When you can experience God's Spirit working in your life you will understand what it means to have "living waters" refreshing and renewing everyday!

It is only a prayer away - what are you waiting for?

Dreams and Hopes

Nehemiah 1:11 

     I want to tell you today about a great example of living in the Old Testament... think back to the dreams and hopes and aspirations that you had… what kept you from them, what kept you from reaching them? Sure life is difficult, sure life has its twists and turns but life can be lived with an upward calling…

Let’s look again at the beginnings of what was driving Nehemiah – 1:1-11(read)

The words of Nehemiah the son of Hacaliah.

Now it happened in the month Chislev, in the twentieth year, while I was in Susa the capitol, ² that Hanani, one of my brothers, and some men from Judah came; and I asked them concerning the Jews who had escaped and had survived the captivity, and about Jerusalem. ³ They said to me, “The remnant there in the province who survived the captivity are in great distress and reproach, and the wall of Jerusalem is broken down and its gates are burned with fire.”

 ⁴ When I heard these words, I sat down and wept and mourned for days; and I was fasting and praying before the God of heaven. ⁵ I said, “I beseech You, O Lord God of heaven, the great and awesome God, who preserves the covenant and lovingkindness for those who love Him and keep His commandments, ⁶ let Your ear now be attentive and Your eyes open to hear the prayer of Your servant which I am praying before You now, day and night, on behalf of the sons of Israel Your servants, confessing the sins of the sons of Israel which we have sinned against You; I and my father’s house have sinned. ⁷ We have acted very corruptly against You and have not kept the commandments, nor the statutes, nor the ordinances which You commanded Your servant Moses. ⁸ Remember the word which You commanded Your servant Moses, saying, ‘ If you are unfaithful I will scatter you among the peoples; ⁹ but if you return to Me and keep My commandments and do them, though those of you who have been scattered were in the most remote part of the heavens, I will gather them from there and will bring them to the place where I have chosen to cause My name to dwell.’ ¹⁰ They are Your servants and Your people whom You redeemed by Your great power and by Your strong hand. ¹¹ O Lord, I beseech You, may Your ear be attentive to the prayer of Your servant and the prayer of Your servants who delight to revere Your name, and make Your servant successful today and grant him compassion before this man.”   Now I was the cupbearer to the king.

I love the life of Nehemiah; what he did, what drove him, how he went about his calling… in his life you can see several aspects of a person living upwards…

Had heart (1:4) – when he heard the suffering and demise of the people his heart was broken; he felt for them and that feeling lead him to do something.

Held on to prayer (1:4-11, 2:4, 4:9, 11:17) – he knew it was the one thing that would get him through anything. All through out his story you can see an attitude of prayer and it was something that he relied on.

Had a servant’s attitude (2:5) – many people today have this attitude that the world owes them a living, I don’t want to surprise you but the world is not here to serve you… and some of the best leaders the world has ever seen have been those with a servant’s attitude… that others’ needs were greater than their own.

Had determination (4:22-23) – no matter the opposition, no matter the threats he was not going to stop with what he knew was more than good – it was God’s greater.

     Nehemiah was a determined leader and a determined follower – He led the people and followed God, and nothing was going to deter him from that.

Had a hard work ethic (5:16) – “And I also applied myself to the work on this wall…”

     Nehemiah wasn’t afraid of hard work; the evidence was that not only did he call the people to work he stayed shoulder to shoulder with them. Work wasn’t his life – God was his life, serving God and the people and work was just a part of that.

 Held onto his dream (5:19, 6:15) – His dream of being used by God to rebuild for the good, the thing that moved his heart he did not let fade. Because he held onto that dream God accomplished through him a remarkable feat – the walls were finished in an unheard of time – a short 52 days. God can do more in two months through a person focused on their calling than most people can do in a life time…

Held on to God’s Word (8:1, 18) – when the “work” was accomplished the first thing they did was stand together and hear from God’s word…

     Yes – I pray that you keep your dreams and hopes – those passions to do great things, I pray that you who may have let yours slip away will search your heart, seek God’s purpose and desire for your life and that you can begin –

Living and Leading the Upward Life –

      A few years ago, I was visiting with my extended family about the time a cousin of mine was graduating from high school and I made the comment that “now you can go out and change the world” to which my aunt replied – “that is an impossible dream and sort of an unfair challenge.”   Honestly – it wasn’t an unfair challenge– the people in the bible who stepped out for God changed their world… and so too can Christian men and women today change their own world.  HOW?
 

CARE More (Nehemiah 1:4) – Getting ahead in life you cannot step on others, in fact helping others will be one of the most satisfying things you can do in your life and you can’t truly help others without truly caring for them.

PRAY Big (Nehemiah 1:11)– Norman Vincent Peale said – “When people pray big – big things happen.” Nehemiah prayed constantly, Nehemiah prayed for big things, he asked for big things and big things happened, he prayed about everything that he was about to, while he was doing it and offered a prayer of thanks after he did it.

DREAM Large (Nehemiah 2:17) – know where you want to go, know where you want to be 5, 10, 15, 20 years from now. In Nehemiah 2:17 he said – “Then I said to them, "You see the bad situation we are in, that Jerusalem is desolate and its gates burned by fire. Come, let us rebuild the wall of Jerusalem that we may no longer be a reproach."

     This was a HUGE undertaking but he saw something bigger, greater and was willing to see it come to being…  If you’re going to lead in life make sure you know where you’re going. If you’re going to follow, make sure that you are following someone who knows where they are going!”
 

WORK Hard (1 Timothy 6:18) “Instruct them to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share” – Don’t be afraid of work, don’t be afraid to work with good motives. Listen to some instruction from Proverbs that hard work has good returns -

     Proverbs 16:3  - “Commit your works to the Lord, And your plans will be established.”
     Proverbs 16:26 -  “A worker's appetite works for him, For his hunger urges him on.”
     Proverbs 22:29  “Do you see a man skilled in his work? He will stand before kings…”

LIVE Higher (Philippians 3:14) – Paul understood this and lived it when he said – “I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.”

     Nehemiah lived to a higher standard and a higher dream than did the people of his day, Paul lived to a higher standard and a higher drive with a desire to live for Christ and be an example to Christ’s followers. You do that by staying true to God’s Word…

     Don’t take your eye off the goal, don’t take your eyes off Christ – He is where you will find the strength to overcome, to achieve and make life worth living… where you start living and leading for the higher goal.

Blessings in unusual packages -
There is an original article that was published by Christianity Today © magazine that contained an essay that Tony Snow (former White House Press Secretary) wrote in response to the question – “How has this bout with cancer affected you?”

I am not going to pass the whole article along to you – you can find it at –
http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2007/july/25.30.html
But suffice it to say that his words are meaningful and impacting. I do want to share an excerpt from his essay – and pray that you will take it to heart...

 BLESSINGS ARRIVE IN UNEXPECTED PACKAGES - IN MY CASE, CANCER.

“Those of us with potentially fatal diseases—and there are millions in America today—find ourselves in the odd position of coping with our mortality while trying to fathom God's will. Although it would be the height of presumption to declare with confidence What It All Means, Scripture provides powerful hints and consolations.
The first is that we shouldn't spend too much time trying to answer the why questions: Why me? Why must people suffer? Why can't someone else get sick? We can't answer such things, and the questions themselves often are designed more to express our anguish than to solicit an answer.
I don't know why I have cancer, and I don't much care. It is what it is—a plain and indisputable fact. Yet even while staring into a mirror darkly, great and stunning truths begin to take shape. Our maladies define a central feature of our existence: We are fallen. We are imperfect. Our bodies give out.
But despite this—because of it—God offers the possibility of salvation and grace. We don't know how the narrative of our lives will end, but we get to choose how to use the interval between now and the moment we meet our Creator face-to-face.

Second, we need to get past the anxiety. The mere thought of dying can send adrenaline flooding through your system. A dizzy, unfocused panic seizes you. Your heart thumps; your head swims. You think of nothingness and swoon. You fear partings; you worry about the impact on family and friends. You fidget and get nowhere.

To regain footing, remember that we were born not into death, but into life—and that the journey continues after we have finished our days on this earth. We accept this on faith, but that faith is nourished by a conviction that stirs even within many nonbelieving hearts—an intuition that the gift of life, once given, cannot be taken away. Those who have been stricken enjoy the special privilege of being able to fight with their might, main, and faith to live—fully, richly, exuberantly—no matter how their days may be numbered.

Third, we can open our eyes and hearts. God relishes surprise. We want lives of simple, predictable ease—smooth, even trails as far as the eye can see—but God likes to go off-road. He provokes us with twists and turns. He places us in predicaments that seem to defy our endurance and comprehension—and yet don't. By his love and grace, we persevere. The challenges that make our hearts leap and stomachs churn invariably strengthen our faith and grant measures of wisdom and joy we would not experience otherwise.”

"This article first appeared in the July 2007 issue of Christianity Today. Used by permission of Christianity Today International, Carol Stream, IL 60188." (parts in bold were added by me for emphasis)

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I highly recommend you go to the earlier mentioned website and read the rest of Snow’s essay. Until then I simply ask you to think, to ponder, to meditate on your life and on the gift that is, bestowed by God.

Snow’s words said – “...we get to choose how to use the interval between now and the moment we meet our Creator face-to-face.”

God is not a “puppet master.”  You choose the path that you will walk today, you choose how you will use this gift of life you have been given.
What are you doing with it? Will it take cancer or some other disease or incident that brings you close to the brink to make you consider your path?

Did you make a child laugh today?

Have you kissed your spouse for no apparent reason today?
Did you encourage your children with a word of confidence and praise?
Did you stop for a minute as you left the house today to listen to the birds?
Did you pause as you left the office thanking God that you had a job in this economy?
Did you see your current circumstance as a blessing rather than a curse?
Today - Did you tell a family member or maybe a friend of the loving grace of God and salvation in Jesus Christ?

“Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance.  And let endurance have its perfect result, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all men generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him. But let him ask in faith without any doubting, for the one who doubts is like the surf of the sea driven and tossed by the wind.”  James 1:2-6

"If Jesus Came"

 Would you have to change your clothes. Before you let Him in?

Or hide away some worldly magazines, And put the Bibles where they'd been?
Would you hide your worldly music, And put some hymn books out?
Could you let Jesus walk right in, Or would you rush about?
And I wonder: If the Savior, Spent a day or two with you,
Would you go right on doing, The things you always do?
Would you go right on saying, The things you always say?
Would life for you continue, As it does from day to day?
Would you take Jesus with you, Every where you go?
Or would you maybe change your plans, For just a day or so?
Would you be glad to have Him, Meet your closest friends?
Or would you hope they'd stay away, Until His visit ends?
Would you be glad to have Him, Stay forever on and on?
Or would you sigh with relief, When He at last was gone?
It might be interesting to know, The things that you would do,
If Jesus came in person, to spend some time with you.
Source unknown
 

This is a really cute poem - I do have a small issue with it though because - in Galatians 2:20 every Christian should be able to say -

     "I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I that live, but Christ living in me: and that life which I now live in the flesh I live in faith, the faith which is in the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself up for me."

Consider for just a moment today - that it isn't "if" Jesus came today. you see -

For the Believer HE has.     For the Believer HE is alive in you.

Don't wonder what you would do if Jesus where standing beside you or if He would show up, for those of you who are Believers - He is already looking from the inside out!

Let the fact that your life should be lived IN CHRIST be the thing that helps you live your life to HIS standard - not the worlds - not someone else's.

If the Christ lives in you -

.   You won't have to worry about freedoms and non-essentials because you will live to, by, in and through Jesus.
.    You won't worry about a law because the law falls short of a Christ directed life
.    You won't fear men because you will be living right.
.    You won't be a hypocrite - saying one thing and living another.
.    You also won't be worried about conflict - although it will happen, you will know that you stand for what is good and right and the very truth of the Gospel.

 When you surrender to Christ - fully surrender - there will be a complete change - for it is no longer you that lives but Christ in you. and there is no man made law that can stand against that. and you won't be living your life by what the world calls a hypocrite and you wont worry about "IF JESUS CAME..."

Wrestling Crocs!

Did you ever watched the show "Crocodile Hunter?" It is about this very odd fellow from Australia who wrestles dangerous animals; he gets up close and personal with alligators, crocs and extremely poisonous snakes. I do not advocate anyone picking up man eating animals or anything that can bite you and kill you within two steps - but there is something about what the "Croc Hunter" does.

Many times, he takes these animals captive so they cannot harm anyone?

It got me to thinking - that is what we are supposed to do as Christians -

Paul says it in 2 Corinthians 10:5

"We are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ?"

As Christians you are to look into your own life and wrestle with those things that poison who you are, to take captive those man-eating creatures that can turn on you and eat away at your life.

What are the alligators, crocs, and snakes that we wrestle with, ones that we are called to take captive?

Well they are things like - Envy - Jealousy - Anger - Pride - Arrogance - Revenge - Impatience - Rudeness ? Can you think of any others?

There is a reason that we are supposed to "capture those thoughts" - Jesus said it in Matthew 21-22 and 27-29 - that is, the thought that we harbor in our secret lives will turn into the dangerous animal that will poison us, attack us spiritually and then manifest itself in our actions and try to attack those around us?
Proverbs 4:23 tells us that we are to - "Watch over your heart with all diligence, For from it flows the springs of life."

Max Lucado wrote a wonderful note about this -

Today's thoughts are tomorrow's actions -
Today's jealousy is tomorrow's temper tantrum -
Today's bigotry is tomorrow's hate crime -
Today's anger is tomorrow's abuse -
Today's lust in tomorrow's adultery -
Today's greed is tomorrow's embezzlement -
Today's guilt is tomorrow's fear

When I was growing up we didn't have a Crocodile Hunter - we had Marlin Perkins and his buddy Jim on Mutual of Omaha's Wild Kingdom.

Unfortunately too many of us are like Marlin - we know that the animal has to be captured but we sit in the back of the truck or in the helicopter and watch as someone else (Jim) wrestles with it? 

For some reason we are too afraid to wrestle our own beasts and take them captive because we know that there is a danger involved? Oh, we do good at describing someone else doing it, and we are even better at giving someone else advice on how to do it.

But the bible tells us how we can capture those things and the "what" to replace them with -
Paul says it in Philippians 4:8
 "And now, brothers, as I close this letter let me say this one more thing: Fix your thoughts on what is true and good and right. Think about things that are pure and lovely, and dwell on the fine, good things in others. Think about all you can praise God for and be glad about." (Living Bible)

And Paul gave us the reason for it - that as Christians we live under the law of Christ and that is the law of Love. In 1 Corinthians 13 - we see more of what should be living in our hearts - love not arrogance, love not impatience, love not greed, love not selfishness, love not rudeness, love not jealousy? 

We have a choice - we can wrestle and take those things captive that are eating away at our life or we can let them lurk around inside, sneak up on us, poison every thing we do or possibly even kill our lives?

What beast do you need to wrestle with, capture and take captive?

A lady once came to evangelist Billy Sunday and tried to rationalize her angry outbursts. “There’s nothing wrong with losing my temper,” She said. “I blow up, and then it’s all over.”  “So does a shotgun,” Sunday replied, “and look at the damage it leaves behind!”

Getting angry can sometimes be like leaping into a race car, gunning the motor, going zero to 100 in 4.4 seconds and then finding out that the brakes don’t work.  We all know what anger is. We have felt it, dealt with it and suffered because of it… And when it gets out of control it turns destructive, it can lead to problems—problems at work, in your personal relationships, and in the overall quality of your life.

 I would have to say that 90% of what we get angry about doesn’t really matter.

Think of the last time you got “angry.”  

Was it about something worthwhile?
Was it something that really mattered in life?
Was it simply because you didn’t get your way, something didn’t go the way you expected, or you didn’t like the person you had to deal with?
What we get angry about is – silly stuff.  Sadly too few of us get angry for the right reasons… yes, even Christians.

 Some Christians even think that getting angry is a sin – but folks – getting angry isn’t a sin, what you get angry at and what you do with it… well that is a different story.

In Mark 3 verse 5 is says that Jesus got “angry” at the hardness of the Pharisees’ heart.

Jesus’ anger was what we call – “Righteous indignation.”  Indignation is anger aroused by something unjust, unworthy, mean or hard hearted.   Jesus’ anger was a combination of resentment and a broken heart.

You know… If you cannot hate what is wrong, it’s becomes questionable if you really love right.

     Some people suppress anger, holding anger inside in unhealthy ways.  Some people wrongly express anger, by griping, sarcasm, rage, intimidation and blame.     
     Some people become passive with anger. In a battle for superiority, passively angry people have a need to control without being transparent or open.     Some people are assertive with anger. Failure to share feelings in a constructive way may produce assertive anger.   
Everyone needs to deal with anger. Folks, you can't eliminate anger – but what you do with it can make a world of difference in your life. Jesus was one who could be angry and not sin. And He is our example.

 Here are a few suggestions on how you can get - ANGRY THE RIGHT WAY! 

 TALK IT OVER –James 1:19a (quick to hear, slow to speak)

     If you will simply talk to the right person (not 50 others) - approach them with kindness and an attempt and attitude to make right – then you might find that a cup of coffee and a 30 minute conversation could diffuse an irritating situation.

THINK CLEARLY - James 1:19b-20 – Anger can blind your thought process.      

      Ill directed anger is not going to fix anything - it won't make you feel better (may actually make you feel worse). If you think clearly you see problems and situations for what they are, not what you perceive through angry eyes. James 1:20 – “for the anger of man does not achieve the righteousness of God.”
Reacting instead of responding will not achieve the Godly results.
 

TAKE TIME – to consider what is good and right - Philippians 4:8

     When you get unjustifiably angry you don’t see much else… you don’t seem better solutions, you don’t see the damage you might be creating… Take time to consider all the aspects this way you will make sure you are getting upset about the right stuff, not the silly stuff.  Consider the right things to do in response.

TAKE POSITIVE ACTION - consider solutions rather than just the problem.

Anyone can find problems, anyone can get angry about anything… but Christian men and women should be those who can get angry and their anger (righteous indignation) leads to positive actions and answers – to actually DO SOMETHING.

     Jesus’ anger was a mix of anguish and compassion – BUT - His anger resulted in POSITIVE ACTION – it moved Him to do something, something positive… Shooting a doctor who performs abortions is not the proper response to the anger the procedure might produce in you… Murdering in the name of God does not lead to a very good witness.

Jesus had the power to wipe out the Pharisees, instead He used that power heal many lives.

You have been told “Don’t Get Mad – Get Even”  But take Jesus’ example

Don’t Get Mad– Get Right.

Transition -
Everything in life eventually transitions. You cannot avoid it. The funny thing is that we are told that transition is the number one cause of stress in life.

The primary transitions are - marriage, divorce,  a new baby, a new job and a long distance move. So what happens if more than one of these transitions happen at once? What if more than two?
In that instance shouldnt we become a basket case? Frantic, unable to function?
If you let it, then sure these things can cause a terrible amount of stress and high levels of anxiety.
But it need not be that way -

My wife and I made two of the above transitions - a long distanc move and a new job - with that it included new friends, new ways of doing things , new streets to learn, finding a new place to get a hair cut and the list goes on and on........... it's enough to drive you insane.
But again, it need not be that way.

Life is life - life has transitions and changes in every aspect. You cannot stop it, you cannot dodge it and it happens to everyone of us...
So what are you to do when you face all these transitions and changes?
You cant just hide in the dark thinking it will just go away, you cant think someone else will take care of it all for you...

Jesus laid out a great plan for life's transitions - In Matthew chapter 6 Jesus put it this way...

²⁵ “For this reason I say to you, do not be worried about your life, as to what you will eat or what you will drink; nor for your body, as to what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? ²⁶ Look at the birds of the air, that they do not sow, nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not worth much more than they? ²⁷ And who of you by being worried can add a single hour to his life?
²⁸ And why are you worried about clothing? Observe how the lilies of the field grow; they do not toil nor do they spin, ²⁹ yet I say to you that not even Solomon in all his glory clothed himself like one of these. ³⁰ But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the furnace, will He not much more clothe you? You of little faith! ³¹ Do not worry then, saying, ‘What will we eat?’ or ‘What will we drink?’ or ‘What will we wear for clothing?’
 ³² For the Gentiles eagerly seek all these things; for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. ³³ But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.
³⁴ “So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

There you have it... God cares for His own, and if God is for you who can be against you?
Worry and anxiety cannot add a single hour to your life - but it can take time away from life.
When you allow the changes and transitions to consume your mind you will ultimatly lose today and sacrifice the future for things that a)you cannot change and b)you cant stop it from happening... you dont have to just go with the flow - the key in this is in verse 33 -

"Seek first His kingdom and His righteousness and all these things will be added to you."
What things? ALL THINGS!  All the things you need, all the things that you NEED in life - NOT ALL THE THINGS YOU WANT - you do know that there is a difference dont you?

If you focus on what matters you find that either all the things/worries/transitions/changes are not as nearly big and scary as you thought they were - when you focus on God and all He entails you will find that the size of the stuff pales to the size of God and all He can do...

Sometimes the trench of life takes a detour you werent expecting. BUT it is all just part of the journey, so dont let the sharp sudden turn derail your life. Trust in God - focus on Christ and hold on tight...

In The Trenches with
Doug