Thanks-Giving

Tomorrow is Thanksgiving, a day set aside to commerate a moment in history when the Pilgrims celebrated that first meal in Plymouth colony.  It's a day that we celebrate with food, football and family (usually in that order).

Thanksgiving, is actually two words isn't it; thanks, and giving.  The pilgrims gave thanks that in their new land they were free from religious persecution.  What do you have to be thankful for this day?  Think about that for just a moment won't you?  I know that times are tough economically, maybe you've just lost a loved one, and you're thinking there's not a whole lot to be thankful for this year.  Wrong, you still have a God that loves you and will care for you even when you think that He's not listening or has abandoned you. Remember always Matthew 6:25-34, do not worry.

But what about the second part of that word; giving.  Jesus said "I did not come to be served but to serve."  Tomorrow is an excellent day to give in service to others.  Invite a friend for dinner that has no where else to go, serve food at a shelter, turn off the TV and talk with those around you, its not like there won't be another FB game.

 Let us GIVE THANKS tomorrow for the blessings of each and everyday God has given us.  Let us GIVE THANKS for His Son our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ who came to us, suffered with us and died for us so that our sins, yours and mine would be forgiven and the prophecy of eternal life would be fulfilled.  Let us GIVE THANKS to the men and women who have fought to give us what the Pilgrims sought so long ago - the freedom to worship God.

Penn State

The events of this past week at Penn State serve to remind us, once again, that we are worshipping things other than God. In this case it was a "legendary coach," or an esteemed university or America's favorite pastime, football, or maybe all three; but in any case all have been smudged, tarnished and dirtied because of selfish pride, lies and greed.

Last week the house of cards came tumbling down as the "alledged acts" of one man, compounded by other men could no longer be swept under the sod of Happy Valley's vaunted footbal field.

People will ask, why did God let this happen? Do you really think God's hand was upon those who were alledgedly involved in this whole sordid affair? This is a world filled with evil people who prey upon the old and the weak; in this case the victims were young boys.  What was it that Jesus said about those who prey upon children: "and whoever welcomes a little child like this in my name welcomes me. But if anyone causes one of these who believe in me to sin it would be better for him to have a large millstone hung around his neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea."

Let us pray as Paul says without ceasing for the children who's lives have been changed, and who's love and trust have been damaged possibly forever. Let us pray for their parents and family, grant them patience and understanding and help them replace their anger with love and compassion. Let us pray for the prosecuters and defenders of the alleged perpetrator and last but not least let us pray for the alleged perpetrator himself.

Remember this passage from Romans 12:9, "Do not take revenge my friends but leave room for God's wrath for it is written, "It is mine to avenge; I will repay" says the Lord.

Which God is yours?

In my last blog I asked you to identify your God; was He the God of the OT or the God of the New?  Again the reason for this task came from a newspaper article written by Mr. William McKenzie in the Dallas Morning News, Tuesday, November 1, 2011.  In the article Mr. McKenzie sums up a report filed in the Baylor Religion Survey.  It showed that "believers" in a judgmental God (OT) have more, not fewer anxieties than "believers" in an engaged, loving God (NT).

According to the research those raised in an environment that preached "hellfire and brimstone" have 45% more concerns related to social anxiety, and 33% more concerns related to compulsions.

If on the other hand you were taught about God's love for His children and His concern for the "down and out", well you have 31% fewer mental issues.

So are these two one in the same God of course they are, but like any loving parent they must exercise their love according to needs of their children.  If the child has been disobedient then there are consequences for their actions.  If the child on the other hand needs loving attention and guidance, well God is there for us as well.

All we need to say about God is found in John 3:16, "For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life."  OT + NT = Salvation (enough said).

Question and answer time

Much of what I read in the electronic media is of two sorts: someone trying to sell you something or someone trying to tell you something. This blog would fall into the second category most of the time, but those of you who have followed me know that every once in a while I like to "change it up."  Today is one of those blogs.  The thought behind this blog comes from an article in the Dallas Morning News, a "fishwrap" to which I subscribe.

I would like to ask you a question then I would like you to think and reflect upon your answer.  Do you see God as an Old Testament God full of anger, wrath and vengeance or do you see the God of the New Testament, one filled with love and a desire for a warm relationship with you?  I said I would only ask you one question but while typing this I came up with another;  Are they both the same God?

Now sit and think about what I've just asked (to be cont.)

Up close and personal

The other day I heard a person asked who they thought Jesus was? They replied, "He's my personal Lord and Savior." Have you ever described your relationship with Jesus like that; I know I have.

There's something wrong with that answere isn't there? If you're like me it might take sometime to figure it out; so let me help.  When I hear the word "personal" being used I think of things like ownership, it's mine, or it belongs to me.  Do you see the problem now?

To the best of my knowledge the word "personal" doesn't appear in any of the Bibles I use.  John 3:16 says that God so loved the world; no one can really say they own a "piece" of God can they? God so loves the world, which includes you and me, and I hope and pray that our love is reciprocal. 

So next time you're asked to describe your relationship with the Jesus how would it sound if we just said, "He's my Lord and Savior and I hope He's your's as well?"

Time well spent

Three days a week I go and work out.  The other day our instructor had us do exercises for our abdominals, 5 minutes worth.  Needless to say it was a "killer" workout and the next day I'm sure I looked like a caveman walking around with my knuckles dragging not quite able to stand erect.  The lesson learned,  other then physical was this we did alot of work in only 5 minutes.

Think about for just a moment;  5 minutes is the time of most commercials on TV, 5 minutes is the time you wait for the microwave to cook your dinner, 5 minutes is the minimum most of us spend on one phone call.  What I'm trying to say is that most of us have 5 "free minutes," or 5 "spare minutes" just lying around during the day.

Now you don't have to "get down" and give me twenty but how about opening your Bible and reading a chapter or two; or maybe you could read from your daily meditation book on a more regular basis; or maybe you could sit quietly and pray.  Don't let the excuse "I just don't have time" keep you from being in the presence of God.  5 minutes; God's worth it!

Relationships - pt. 2

In my latest blog I asked you to identify 5 relationships in which you're currently involved. If God was not #1 on that list ask yourself why not?  As a pastor when I've asked that question the two answers most frequently given are:

1. Why would God want to have a relationship with me after all the things I've done in my life?
2. I'd like to have a relationship with God I just don't know how.

All of us have been made in the image of God.  1 John 3:1 tells us "See how very much our Heavenly Father loves us, for He allows us to be called His children and we really are!  Know that He brings us to Himself through His Son Jesus Christ. Through Christ all our sins, past, present and future are forgiven.

Because of God's love He wants to have a relationship with you.  How can we make that happen; you can't by yourself, but together with the power of the Holy Spirit we can attend worship, study the word and pray often.  Thru God's grace and our faith He will reveal Himself to you.