Let this serve as a challenge

I came across this a few days ago when I was reading Greg Nettle’s blog.  He is a minister friend that serves at a church in Ohio.  God’s doing some great things through Greg and the church.  Anyway, even though several days have passed since I first read these.  I keep coming back to them.  (By the way, the context for Greg’s writing is that he’s on a trip through the Holy Land.)

Here you go:

This is the essence

This morning I spent two hours on the Mount of Beatitudes-the traditional site where Jesus delivered the Sermon on the Mount.

After some general information about the location we were told to simply go spend time with God.  I spent the next several minutes reading through the Sermon on the Mount as recorded in Matthew 5-7.  And then I reread it . . . only this time asking God to speak into my life.

Matthew 7:12 came alive to me: Do to others whatever you would like them to do to you.  This is the essence of ALL that is taught in the law and the prophets.

Okay, at a very young age I memorized the Golden Rule.  Perhaps that’s why I don’t pay too much attention to it.  It’s for little kids.  Didn’t Jesus say, “Unless you become like a little child . . .” Hmmm.

So I wrote in my journal:

If I were an orphan I would want someone to adopt me.

I were ill I would want someone to care for me.

If I were elderly and alone I would want someone to visit me.

If I were oppressed I would want someone to fight for me.

If I were wealthy I would want someone to teach me how to invest for eternity.

If I were addicted I would want someone to love me unconditionally.

If I were to win I would want someone to celebrate with me.

If I were on a journey I would want someone to walk beside me.

If I were weeping I would want someone to hold me.

This is the essence . . .

 

Open Access

In the Book of Ephesians Paul writes, “So now you Gentiles are no longer strangers and foreigners.  You are citizens along with all of God’s holy people.  You are members of God’s family. We are his house, built on the foundation of the apostles and the prophets.  And the cornerstone is Christ Jesus himself. We who believe are carefully joined together, becoming a holy temple for the Lord. Through him you Gentiles are also joined together as part of this dwelling where God lives by his Spirit.” (Ephesians 2:19-22 NLT emphasis added)

Then a few verses later he writes, “Because of Christ and our faith in him, we can now come fearlessly into God’s presence, assured of his glad welcome.”  (Ephesians 3:12 NLT emphasis added)

As I read those verses I thought, “God is not only building us into his home, but he has on top of that given us complete access, open access to spend time in his presence.”  That’s a better deal than we can get at the White House!  If we go there there are certain places we can’t go.  There are certain rooms they have made off limits.  We (probably) aren’t going to be invited to stay for dinner nor is President or Mrs. Obama going to be there to greet us.  If we asked someone, “Why?”  They would likely respond, “They have so much to do.  There’s no way they could be here for you.”  That’s different than what read about God.

It’s a better deal than we get at our boss’ house!  I mean, if we go there he’s not going to want us to put our feet up and really relax.  He may say, “Make yourself at home,” but my guess is he’s going to be more than a bit reluctant and nervous when we just go over to the refrigerator and without asking make ourselves something to eat.  That’s different than what is described in Ephesians.

It’s a better deal than we can get by watching “Cribs” or even the old “Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous.”  In those experiences they don’t mind showing us what they have.  They are excited and proud of their resources, but they only want to share them with us through the safety and security of the big screen.  According to Scripture, God wants to get closer than that.

 

Opportunity to Engage

You may or may not know, but just a few days ago we had a trip of 15 people from FCC return from a trip to Ecuador.  This trip is one we do regularly (via Compassion International) in order to go down and serve one of the projects as well as give those who are on the trip (and who sponsor a child in Ecuador) an opportunity to actually meet the child they support.  It’s a pretty life altering (read that as “humbling”) experience when you actually have a chance to meet the one your giving is supporting.  I had the privilege of meeting the 2 children (Jordan age 8, Miluska age 6) we sponsor last fall and you just, in that moment, realize how much of a huge difference such a small sacrifice on our part makes in their life and in the life of their family.

Sometimes people ask what does a sponsorship really do and I think the best way to explain it is through the words of student I met when I was down there in the past.  He said, “Here in Ecuador we have a public school system.  So, kids have the freedom to go to school.  But on the other hand we are required to have a uniform, school supplies, and to purchase our books.  So, in my case, my parents couldn’t have afforded for both my brother and me to go to school.  They would’ve had to choose . . . but because I was sponsored we both got to go and even better than any of that we both had the chance to meet Jesus.”

As a parent who is on the verge of having 3 kids in school I can’t imagine the scenario where we would have to sit down and say to one or two of them, “I’m sorry, but we can’t let you go.”  I also can’t imagine growing up in an environment where because of that very situation my greatest aspiration is to just survive, make it another day.

Why am I writing about this?  Simply this:  When our group from FCC returned they brought with them a handful (9) child sponsor packets that features some of the children they served at the project.  I need to send them back to Compassion within the next few days, but I thought in advance of sending them back I would make it known and see if anyone would be interested in sponsoring (cost is $38/month) one of these kids.

If you are, contact me at the church office.  I can help.

Also, later this summer (August 23rd) we will be having a child sponsorship day where you will have another opportunity to consider being a part.  Currently FCC sponsors over 200 children in Ecuador.  My prayer is after the 23rd of August that number will be over 300 and we can continue our quest to make a difference for Christ in Ecuador.

 

Communication Conundrum

I want to give a little bit of background (actually 2 pieces).  First, over the last few months I’ve slowed down on the amount of posts I’m able to create.  A few of you (I’ll protect the names of the guilty) have even prodded me to get back to posting.  Some of the lack of writing has to do with the general busyness of the late Spring.  In other words, it’s not that I don’t want to write or blog, but I just haven’t been able to carve out the regular time.  Some of the lack of posting has to do with now being a part of Facebook and realizing you can only give so much time to technology and communication.

The second piece of background is that I had a conversation with someone a week or so ago and he made the following statement, “I’m never going to be a part of any of those social network sites.  They are dumb.  I don’t even like to e-mail.  So, I’m sure not going to sit around and do that.”  Now, I’m not going to make an evaluation of his comment (although it did strike me that probably had he been around in the early 20th century he may have felt the same way about the telephone), but it did lead me to think about this question:

How do you communicate?  How do you stay in touch?

The way I see it there are several avenues you could use.  Some may even use multiple avenues.  I’d love to know what ones are most popular with you.

The avenues:

1. Face to face — You are someone who goes out of your way to meet with people and talk.  You go through the drive through bank rather than the ATM because you value talking to people eye to eye.
2. Letters and Cards — Maybe you are great in utilizing the traditional birthday card.  Perhaps on occasion you’ll drop someone the “Thinking of You” type of card.  Or, maybe, you annually put together the full blown (complete with pictures) Christmas letter.
3. Telephone — Although as a rule this avenue has been monopolized by teenage girls some people do prefer to talk on the phone.  Ironically they are usually also the ones who are driving in front of me! :-)  BTW:  Have you heard about the new “malady” that is afflicting some people who talk a lot on their cell phone?  I’m not making this up and it has nothing to do with the brain being altered by the electronic waves, but they are describing it as “cell elbow.”  Apparently if you talk too much on your phone it can effect a nerve in your elbow and make your hand (temporarily) go numb!  Teenage girls beware!!!
4. E-mail — This method caught on about 10 or 15 years ago, but it’s still going strong.
5. Text Messaging — This is a cross between e-mail and telephone.  It’s done on the phone, but it similar in form to e-mail.  Most people keep the messages short and they use a lot of abbreviations to communicate (JK!  Lol!  TTYL! L8r!).
6. Social Networks — This is the newest form.  Sites like Facebook, LinkedIn, My Space, and Twitter are all linking people together and keeping communication constant.  For those who aren’t familiar I don’t want to take the time to explain it here.  So, either ask one of your k ids, a coworker, a neighbor, a spouse, a grandparent, or simply the person standing in line waiting to get into an event chances are they are in the process of posting some random comment about what they are currently doing or have just completed.

For me, in an ideal day, I’m a nominal user of the Social Network but I utilize e-mail and text messaging a lot.  I don’t like to talk on the phone but I love to meet with people face to face.

So, what do you use?  How do you communicate?

 

Worth The Read

Hey, I came across this on Barry Cameron’s blog last week and I thought it was worth showing to you.  It’s good.  It’s challenging.

Here you go:

Several years ago, a relatively unknown comedian, named Jeff Foxworthy, struck it rich with a routine called: YOU MIGHT BE A REDNECK.

Jeff has had his own radio show, TV program, sold tons of CD’s and DVD’s, done stand up tours all over America and made millions of people laugh with his trademark You Might Be A Redneck one-liners.  Here’s a brief sample:

“If you consider duct tape a long term investment . . . you might be a redneck.”

“If you’ve ever financed a tattoo . . . you might be a redneck.”

“If you consider a six pack of beer and a bug-zapper quality entertainment . . . you might be a redneck.”

“If your house doesn’t have curtains, but your truck does . . . you might be a redneck.”

“If your dog and your wallet are both on a chain . . . you might be a redneck.”

“If you got stopped by a state trooper and He asked you if you had an I.D. and you said, ‘Bout what?’ . . . you might be a redneck.”

“If you carried a fishing pole into Sea World . . . you might be a redneck.”

I was thinking along similar lines this week.  But my thoughts weren’t about rednecks.  I was thinking about people who are moving away from the Lord and His church and may not even recognize it.

In Matthew 24, Jesus said one of the things that would characterize the last days would be “the love of most will grow cold” (Matthew 24:12).  Backsliding is a real deal and Jesus said, as we near the end of this life as we know it, backsliding will become a real epidemic.

So how do you know if you are a backslider?  Paul told the Corinthians to “Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves” (2 Corinthians 13:5).  If no one else is asking us we at least ought to be asking ourselves, “Am I where I need to be as a Christian?  Or have I become a backslider?”

Jeff Foxworthy’s one-liners are funny and intended to entertain.  Mine are not funny at all and are intended to get us to examine our own hearts.  So, without any disrespect to Mr. Foxworthy or to rednecks anywhere, here we go.

HOW DO YOU KNOW IF YOU’RE A BACKSLIDER?

“If you can’t remember the last time you had a quiet time . . . you might be a backslider.”

“If you find yourself being critical (finding fault) instead of worshipful (focusing on God) when you go to church . . . you might be a backslider.”

“If you’ve stopped growing spiritually and blame others for it . . . you might be a backslider.”

“If you’re praying the same prayers you were praying a year ago . . . you might be a backslider.”

“If you’re less involved in your church now than you were a year ago . . . you might be a backslider.”

“If you don’t remember the last time you shared your faith . . . you might be a backslider.”

“If you find yourself reading other books, newspapers, etc., more than your Bible
. . . you might be a backslider.”

“If you aren’t regularly praying for your lost friends and relatives to come to Christ
. . . you might be a backslider.”

“If you discover you get offended more easily now than you used to . . . you might be a backslider.”

“If you don’t recall the last time you gave sacrificially, above and beyond a tithe, to your church . . . you might be a backslider.”

“If you haven’t confessed your sin to God and asked for His forgiveness in the last seven days . . . you might be a backslider.”

“If you find yourself resenting God’s blessings on others . . . you might be a backslider.”

“If you’re offended and think this blog was written specifically for you and has no application to anyone else . . . you might be a backslider.”

SO WHAT’S THE CURE FOR BACKSLIDING?

Jesus said the most important commandment was to “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength” (Mark 12:30).  If there ever was a time when you loved God more than you do now, there’s no ifs, ands or buts about it – you are a backslider.

So how can you get out of the backslider’s rut and back on the right road? The short answer: turn back to God.  In 1 Kings 19, when the backslidden prophet, Elijah had run away to a cave, God told him to “go back the way you came.”  Go back to the basics and start doing what you used to do when you were on fire for God.  In Ezekiel 37:23, God said, “I will save them from all their sinful backsliding, and I will cleanse them.  They will be my people, and I will be their God.”

David, in his great prayer of repentance in Psalm 51, asked God to “restore to me the joy of my salvation.”  David didn’t just want to laugh at some funny one-liners.  He wanted genuine joy that would last.  That kind of joy only comes from God and is only given to those who are walking with God.

David wrote in Psalm 1 that the “blessed man” is not the backslider – that’s the miserable man.  Rather, the “blessed man” is the one who delights in the law of the Lord and on His law he meditates day and night . . . Whatever he does prospers” (Psalm 1:1-3).

One last one-liner . . .

“If you’re thankful for this blog even though you’re convicted by it . . . you might be a redneck.  But you’re not a backslider.”