Up, Up and Away!

Some years ago David Reisman wrote a book, "The Lonely Crowd." As a part of his research, he interviewed some children about comic strips. He asked one twelve-year-old girl, "What comic strip do you like the most?" After a bit she confessed that her favorite was "Superman." He then asked, "Why do you like Superman?" After thinking for a moment she replied, "I suppose I like him because he can do so many things that other people can't do… he has X-ray vision and his hearing can pick up things miles away, and I suppose because he can fly." The interviewer then asked the girl, "Well, would you like to be able to fly like Superman?" The girl thought a moment and replied, "I think I would - if everybody else could too. Otherwise it might be a little conspicuous, don't you think?"

She liked Superman because he was different; but she wasn't sure she wanted to be different, even though it would be a thrill to fly. Being different does have a way of making one conspicuous, doesn't it!

I do believe this is a difficulty many Christians seem to wrestle with. Christians know that they are not to be conformed to this world, but rather to be transformed by the renewing of their minds, yet it is difficult for many to do. It's so conspicuous! Thus the temptation is always there to fall in with the crowd and thereby augment the power of evil through our tacit approval, if not through outright applause. Christians hate to be a "kill joy" or take an unpopular stand. So, to be safe and inconspicuous, Christians go along with sheer silliness, vulgarity, or immorality.

Should Christians dare to be different, and take their Christianity seriously, there is no doubt. It will cause the Christian to stand out in the crowd. Come to think of it, do you suppose this is what Jesus had in mind when he called upon us to be light in the darkness? Or the salt of the earth?

The question which haunts me is, "Am I as conspicuous as Jesus wants me to be?", even if I can’t fly without an airplane.

In His Grip,

-Jon

The Gospel Disturbs our World

I have a friend that asked a rhetorical question that made me start thinking. So I’m going to throw some thoughts out there and see where they land over the next few articles. The question/statement was this:

What is the rationale of people who do not attend Bible based Churches?

God has never opened a door that Satan has not sought to close. Strange way to start a look at this question I know, but think about it, Paul saw the opposition in Thessalonica as a result of the work of Satan. He expresses this in his first epistle to the Thessalonians.

But we, brethren, having been taken away from you for a short while--in person, not in spirit--were all the more eager with great desire to see your face. For we wanted to come to you--I, Paul, more than once--and yet Satan hindered us. (1 Thessalonians 2:17-18)

Wherever the gospel is preached the natural order of things is turned upside down. Since Satan is the prince of the power of the air (Ephesians 2:1-2), God’s power turns Satan’s world on its head. Luke writes, "These men who have caused trouble all over the world have now come here, and Jason has welcomed them into his house. They are all defying Caesar's decrees, saying that there is another king, one called Jesus." The King James Version indicates the trouble caused by preaching the gospel turned the world upside down.

The gospel disturbs our world and sometimes it disturbs Christians. Initially, the gospel is disturbing. The gospel reveals God’s desire to enter our lives for the purpose of reordering our lives.

"Do not think that I came to bring peace on the earth; I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. "For I came to SET A MAN AGAINST HIS FATHER, AND A DAUGHTER AGAINST HER MOTHER, AND A DAUGHTER-IN-LAW AGAINST HER MOTHER-IN-LAW; and A MAN'S ENEMIES WILL BE THE MEMBERS OF HIS HOUSEHOLD. "He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me; and he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me. "And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me. "He who has found his life will lose it, and he who has lost his life for My sake will find it. (Matthew 10:34-39)

The gospel is a two-edged sword, which cuts both ways. Jesus came to bring peace to the world, but it also divided his family.

Therefore His brothers said to Him, "Leave here and go into Judea, so that Your disciples also may see Your works which You are doing. "For no one does anything in secret when he himself seeks to be known publicly. If You do these things, show Yourself to the world." For not even His brothers were believing in Him. So Jesus said to them, "My time is not yet here, but your time is always opportune. "The world cannot hate you, but it hates Me because I testify of it, that its deeds are evil. "Go up to the feast yourselves; I do not go up to this feast because My time has not yet fully come." (John 7:3-8)

We know that Jesus had at least five brothers and sisters, but only his mother was standing at the foot of the cross. There at the cross Jesus committed the care of his mother to John, which indicates that his work had divided his own family.

However, the gospel also brings peace.

"But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said to you. "Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful. (John 14:26-27)

"These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world." (John 16:33)

We may feel like quitting when we discover peace isn't the absence of conflict. Jesus doesn't promise us a trouble free life. Quite the opposite is true. He promises us that we will have trouble, but he promises us peace in spite of trouble. Jesus promises us that the gospel will disturb our world. I believe that part of the reason don’t like or want a true Bible based church is simply this; they don’t want their world disturbed.

In His Grip,
-Jon

Total Access To My Heart

The human heart is comprised of four chambers: the right and left atria and the right and left ventricles. Blood flows from the lungs into the left atrium. From there it flows into the left ventricle from which it leaves and flows through the body, delivering life-giving oxygen to the tissues of the body. The blood makes its return trip into the right atrium and flows into the right ventricle from which it returns to the lungs to receive more oxygen. In order for the heart to function correctly, all four compartments must be intact.

If I were to take a scriptural view of the heart as the seat of my thoughts and emotions, there should be no compartments. A compartment in this case would be a part of my heart that I shut off from the Lord and don't allow His Word to have access to work. It generally is something that we are not willing to do away with for the Lord's sake.

Solomon had such a compartment -- his wife.

Then Solomon brought Pharaoh's daughter up from the city of David to the house which he had built for her, for he said, "My wife shall not dwell in the house of David king of Israel, because the places are holy where the ark of the LORD has entered." 2 Chronicles 8:11

Notice that he would not allow Pharaoh's daughter to live in what he considered a Holy place because she was a pagan who did not worship the God of Israel. Solomon felt that he could keep his two lives separate, worshipping the Lord on one side and keeping a pagan wife on the other.

It didn't work out so good for Solomon as we learn from 1 Kings 11:1-10. That Lord became angry with Solomon because he turned his heart away from God.

Trying to lead a double life didn't work back then and it doesn't work today. We must allow the Lord access to all of our heart. It's the only way to live up to our fullest potential.

I need to make sure there are no locked chambers in my heart. In that way I have God’s power and grace flowing more freely.

In His Grip,
-Jon

Learning Lessons from Leia

Our dog is 6 months old now. Outside of having farm dogs, this is my first house dog experience. Leia was born on Thanksgiving Day and she has truly been that, a dog to be thankful for. I know dogs get pretty much a bad rap in the Bible, but I’ve been learning quite a bit about life habits that a Christian ought to develop.

The thing is, Leia doesn’t have to really learn these habits. She is an overall natural. Sure, we need to teach her to sit, stay, shake paws, lie down and the dreaded go outside to do your business thing. By the way, why do they call it house training when in reality we are trying to teach to go outside for that?

Yes, I’m getting off my topic. Leia instinctively does some things that I think I need to learn to do more of in my Christian walk:

When a loved one comes home, she always runs to greet them. I want to do that! Be earnestly excited about seeing my friends and loved ones, run to them and lick their face! Okay, maybe not lick their face, a good hand shake or hug would do just as well. I remember seeing something like that in the Bible, “Greet one another with a Holy Kiss.”

Leia never passes up the opportunity to go for a joyride. How many times have I felt the overwhelming burden to do work and not enjoy life? To take the breaks I need to refresh myself with my friends and family. Maybe even stick my head out the window and let my tongue flap in the breeze.

Leia is a people dog. She loves people! When we go to the dog park, she not only wants to meet and play with all the other dogs, but she has to go meet all the people in the park as well. She lets people touch her. I need to let people touch me more. I need allow myself to be more open and vulnerable. In that way, I may be able to build their trust and share my walk and faith with them.

Leia takes naps, a lot of them. I know I need to get my rest, but I don’t. I know there are times I’m physically running down but won’t listen. I too, need to take naps.

Here is a good one that I’ve learned, avoid biting when a simple growl will do. Perhaps I should do what Leia does, go off into my den and quietly growl to release the tension. That way I don’t bite the ones I love.

A few quick things I’ve learned from Leia:

· On warm days, stop to lie on your back on the grass.

· Always try to get a good belly rub.

· On hot days, drink lots of water and lie under a shady tree.

· When you're happy, dance around and wag your entire body.

· Delight in the simple joy of a long walk.

· Be loyal.

· Never pretend to be something you're not.

One day I was physically sick and emotionally hurting. Leia for some unknown reason, realized I was having a bad day. She was just quiet, sat close by and nuzzled me gently. All while looking at me with sad puppy dog eyes. “Bear one another’s burdens and in that way you fulfill the love of Christ.

To live a dog’s life just might be a good way of putting some Christian principles back into our life.

In His Grip,

-Jon