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Starting Over

Mon, 28 Jun 2010 20:09:11 -0400

That idea—of continual trips back to the beginning—is either a cause for hope or a clear indication of futility. It seems to me that we are all working on aspects of our personalities. We are all trying to learn from previous choices that turned out much less than we had hoped. I’m grateful for the opportunities presented by second chances and third chances and so on. Not that I want to continue to repeat the same mistake over and over. But I do like the idea that I can eventually get it right. And maybe that’s what maturity is all about—getting it right with less and less trips around the mountain.
Age doesn’t make a difference either. The earth keeps on turning and each of our lives continues on a path marked with the signposts of choice. Maybe that’s why it’s empowering to know that after the night comes a new day...

Look at the log in your own eye...

Sun, 17 Jan 2010 16:12:16 -0500

The opportunity to explain our thought pattern and decision-making process. Jesus said, “judge not that ye be not judged.” He wasn’t talking about using discernment to determine whether or not something is true or false, or a person is teling you the truth or lieing. He meant that we don’t have the authority to make final judgements about a person’s ultimate destiny. I am not the one who should decide if someone is beyond help.

Trying to get it right

Tue, 7 Apr 2009 23:51:23 -0400

Every day I set out to get it “right.” But, of course, I have to define right. Some people think getting it right is just to stay out of trouble. That’s not specific enough. So, I find myself looking for the standard of what’s right and what’s wrong. After years of doing it my way and getting it “right” in my own eyes only to find out that I had it all “wrong”, I’ve discovered that there is a right way and a wrong way. Being stubborn I tried every other way because I thought there had to be an easier way.

Then, at the end of my self and tired of failure, I turned to what has come to seem very logical to me now. The Bible. I mean, if God made this world and I believe He did, then who would know better how to navigate the treacherous waters of life. Now, I’m not big on religion and tradition and all that stuff, but I started reading the bible to see if there really was any wisdom in it. Almost to my surprise I found it to be rich and full of truth for living. The Psalms shine light on matters of the soul. The Proverbs light the way for understanding the proper relationship to the Maker. (one of faithfulness and not adulterous un-godly relationships.) The Epistles say so much about how to live the Christian life. Family, relationships, work, etc. It’s all there.

So, if you think you “want to get it right” be careful of people’s opinions of what is right. Forget the media and entertainment for guiding you into the “right.” And go back to the book written by the One who made this thing called life. He knows what He’s talking about.

That’s what I’m thinkin!

Church

Mon, 6 Apr 2009 23:22:20 -0400

Is church everything it’s supposed to be? I don’t think so. Some churches are so loose there is no order. Some are so tight there’s no freedom. Some do crazy things and say it’s the Holy Spirit. Some stifle the Spirit and claim they avoid chaos. It’s frustrating.

I’m fortunate to belong to a church that has a pretty good balance, but we’re not perfect either. In fact, no church really is.

To me the ideal church is completely under the headship and authority of Jesus Christ. Being human though, people have trouble getting that right. If everyone, from the top down, was mature in Christ so much of what breaks churches apart would be avoided. If we truly spoke the “truth in love” offense would be so much less present. But we don’t. We speak out of the flesh. We don’t value others as much as we should. And there is such a temptation to let process get in the way of true spiritual maturity.

Too often people are all about comparing themselves to some ideal that is not biblical. Too often people are looking for personal affirmation instead of God’s “well done.” We pose and act our parts without true assessment before the Lord to see if we are actually doing what He has marked out as the path we should be on.

The church has such potential to be a sanctuary of healing, discipleship, learning the word, modeling (as Paul encouraged), and growth in the “grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Small churches often become rigid and tradition-bound. Big churches often become machines. Even the definition of big or small is debatable.

It’s not about jumping around till you find one you like, either. It’s about seeking God for the congregation He knows best suits His purposes for you and then committing to be an ongoing part of the growth and development of the people in the congregation.

At least, that’s what I’m thinkin’...