Apart From Me...



Kudzu vine envelopes everything
in its path.

I was reading John 15, and verses 4 and 5 stood out to me today (KJV):

Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.

It really struck a chord. I realized how often in my life I did not "abide" in Christ. I would hit the road block or suffer some sort of emotional turmoil which would cause temporary blindness. Not physical blindness, mind you, but spiritual blindness. I would depart from the narrow path and do my own thing. This would eventually turn south and I would repent and struggle back to where I needed to be. Sometimes it would go so far south, I would be running back.

I have no excuses for my actions. Really, are there any? It ALL comes down to choices. I, when left to my own desires, will make poor choices. While I do not know what the actual statistic to back this up is, I would put it in the high 90% range. I, when living my life for me, am powerless to do otherwise.

Trying to 12-step my way back to "normal," behavioral modification theory, self-help books...nothing works for me.

BUT THERE IS HOPE!!!
Notice the last seven words of the passage above, "for without Me, you can do nothing."  THAT is the solution to my dilemmna.  That is the missing puzzle piece. 

Without God, I will ALWAYS fail.  There is nothing in my life I can "handle" by myself.  I ALWAYS need help, either a subtle push in the right direction, or a boot to the head screaming "What are you doing!!!"

"I was lost, but now I am found, was blind but now I see."  Such blatant TRUTH in the words to the hymn "Amazing Grace".  I WAS lost, but now I AM found.  Like the lone, lost lamb that the Good Shepherd went out of His way to recover.  Like the blind beggar which had his sight restored.  I WAS blind, but NOW I CAN SEE.

I am ever thankful that I have been recovered, that my eyes have been opened.  I can never repay that, but I will spend the rest of my life (and after-life) praising God for His mercies.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for showing me that I am powerless in my own ways.  Thank You for finding me and giving me Your sight.  Thank you for clearing the pathways to Joy.  Father I am very thankful for ALL You do for me,  Without you, my life is selfishly meaningless. Help me to live my life for You, now and everyday.

Embarrassed?

Artist Masaccio
"Adam and Eve Expelled
 from the Garden"

At some point or other, we have all either actually been embarrassed by our nakedness or have had the "Pants free dream" which has caused a bit of stress in our lives.

I was reviewing notes in one of my well-read and marked up Bibles and came across John 21.  While this chapter is FULL of hope, grace, and promise, there is a section which acts as the precursor and is sad to me.

John 21: 1-7 (KJV)

"After these things Jesus shewed himself again to the disciples at the sea of Tiberias; and on this wise shewed he himself.  There were together Simon Peter, and Thomas called Didymus, and Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, and the sons of Zebedee, and two other of his disciples. Simon Peter saith unto them, I go a fishing. They say unto him, We also go with thee. They went forth, and entered into a ship immediately; and that night they caught nothing. But when the morning was now come, Jesus stood on the shore: but the disciples knew not that it was Jesus.  Then Jesus saith unto them, Children, have ye any meat? They answered him, No.  And he said unto them, Cast the net on the right side of the ship, and ye shall find. They cast therefore, and now they were not able to draw it for the multitude of fishes.  Therefore that disciple whom Jesus loved saith unto Peter, It is the Lord. Now when Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he girt his fisher's coat unto him, (for he was naked,) and did cast himself into the sea."

To set the stage a bit, if you are unfamiliar: within the past several days, Jesus was arrested, Peter had denied the Lord three times, Jesus was crucified and buried, Jesus resurrected, the disciples found the grave empty, and the disciples gathered together to contemplate what to do next.

Notice how soon they return to what they used to do.  Peter and the others went fishing.  They were fishermen before their calling.  When they encounter an obstacle they do not understand or know how to deal with, they returned to their old ways.

Many Christians are like this (I, too, am guilty in the past).  They encounter a road block, so they return to the wide road with fewer struggles along the way.

While they were out fishing, and having no success, Jesus appeared to them unrecognized. (Powerful to me: when we return to our old ways, we can't see Jesus for who He is!!!)  It took a minor miracle (cast your nets on the right side and ye shall find...and now they were not able to draw it for the multitude of fishes) for them to see Him for who He is.  (Side note: my interpretation of Jesus's command to cast the net on the right side is what He is really saying is "Get right! Fix your eyes on what is truly important and you will see the bounties of my glory!")

Peter was reeling still from his denial, his disassociation with the Man he had sworn to follow even unto the grave (Matthew 26:35)  He had been told of the missing body and ran to the tomb to see it himself, and walked away "marveling to himself at what had happened" (Luke 24:12).

Peter of all the disciples, was the impulsive one.  He usually let his mouth and actions overshoot the goal.  Do a character study on him and you will find, time after time, he overreacts or gets ahead of Jesus's plans.  The main point I am hoping to make here occurs in the last verse.  Peter, after realizing it was the Lord, "girt his fisher's coat onto him (for he was naked) and did cast himself into the sea."

In this case, the parallel to Genesis 3:10 is striking, "And he said, I heard thy voice in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked; and I hid myself."

Adam (and Peter) realized they were naked in the presence of the Lord.  This nakedness, both physically and spiritually, caused them to be embarrassed and to cover themselves.  But clothes (or leaves) can only cover the physical nakedness.  When our spirits are naked, they need so much more that only God can provide, for only God can cover up our true nakedness.

Dear Lord, when I hit a roadblock, help me to wait on your directions instead of returning to my old ways.  Keep me clothed in your Word so my spiritual nakedness is covered.  Father, thank you for allowing me to see You more clearly day by day. Keep my eyes open so I can see You for who You are. 

The First Stone

I apologize for displaying a
physical representation of Jesus.
I do not wish to offend anyone nor
further perpetuate the "White Jesus"
stereotype.  I am sure many of us will
be very surprised one day when we
meet Him face to face.

There has recently been a lot of debate and political posturing lately.  Sure, I know it is an election season.  I will NOT talk politics here.  I will write for a few moments about the controversy involving Chick-fil-A president Dan Cathy's statements.

First off: My time living in Georgia and being near Chick-fil-A restaurants was a great thing, LOVE the food there.

Second: I am trying to determine exactly how politicians were surprised that a private company, which is run on very high Christian values, is NOT open on Sundays, who donates millions to Christian organizations and schools would have a president who is opposed to homosexual marriage or the changing of the traditional definition of marriage.

Third: I believe a lot of the hype has to do simply with the fact it is an election year and the President has "evolved in his stance" on the subject, which trickles down to all on that side of the aisle.

Before I go any further, let me tell you my belief.  I believe homosexuality is a sin.  I believe marriage is between a man and a woman.  I do NOT believe it is any more heinous than any other sin.  Sin IS sin.  All shapes, all sizes, all flavors are contrary to God's Word.

We are not under the law any more, we are under grace, but that does mean that the law no longer applies.  It means that you ARE still guilty, but you can be forgiven if you repent (TURN AWAY) from your sin.

Let's take a spin through the Bible so I can show you where I am here:

John 8:1-11 (KJV):

"1. Jesus went unto the mount of Olives.  2 . And early in the morning he came again into the temple, and all the people came unto him; and he sat down, and taught them.  3. And the scribes and Pharisees brought unto him a woman taken in adultery; and when they had set her in the midst, 4. they say unto him, Master, this woman was taken in adultery, in the very act.  5. Now Moses in the law commanded us, that such should be stoned: but what sayest thou? 6. This they said, tempting him, that they might have to accuse him. But Jesus stooped down, and with his finger wrote on the ground, as though he heard them not.  7. So when they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said unto them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her.  8. And again he stooped down, and wrote on the ground.  9. And they which heard it, being convicted by their own conscience, went out one by one, beginning at the eldest, even unto the last: and Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst.  10. When Jesus had lifted up himself, and saw none but the woman, he said unto her, Woman, where are those thine accusers? hath no man condemned thee?  11. She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more."

Being a curious fellow, I have often wondered what Jesus was writing in the sand.  The Bible never specifically tells us, though there is much conjecture.  I have two theories that separately could be true, though I think that combined would have been a powerful statement.  I will elaborate.

Jesus, being omniscient (all-knowing) had this ploy of the Pharisees pegged the moment they approached Him (ok, from the beginning of time...lol).  In verses 4 and 5 they lay down their case that they are presenting.  Generally they are claiming that this woman was caught in the act of adultery (Leviticus 20:10 KJV "And the man that committeth adultery with another man's wife, even he that committeth adultery with his neighbour's wife, the adulterer and the adulteress shall surely be put to death.")
[If I were Jesus, I would have asked "if she was caught in the act, where is the other party? Does not the law state the adulterer and the adulteress shall surely be put to death?" But I digress...]

I like verse 6 where Jesus just stoops down as though to pay them no mind and starts writing in the sand.  Here is where the first of my writing theories comes in: I think that while they were laying down their case He was writing the 10 commandments from the tablets there in the sand.  So in verse 7 He has laid down the groundwork for His comment, "He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her." 

Now I am not endorsing Ray Comfort and The Way of The Master, as I think that method of evangelism is confrontational, not that Jesus didn't confront at times.  I do like the fact that the confrontation is based on the truth in the law and the foundational verses he uses are the 10 commandments and Galatians 3:24 (" Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.")  We have to know we are lost in order to be found (Amazing Grace reference...).

After this writing and laying the challenge down, He goes back to writing.  [This is where the second part of the theory and the combined application comes in.] I envision Jesus as He again starts writing, that the first thing He does, is clear the slate of the words of the law He has previously written.  Then, with great big letters to cover the entire area the law was located, He writes ONE WORD: LOVE.

Jesus was ALL about summing the law up with this one word.  It is the most powerful word.  Love conquers all.  Galatians 5:14 and Jesus Himself several times in the Gospels state "For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself."

THAT is the moment I think the crowd started to fade away.  When they are gone, Jesus confronts the adulteress,  "where are those thine accusers? hath no man condemned thee?"  He knew they had departed.  I love her response in verse 11 and can interpret it 2 ways in my slightly off-kilter manner.  She replies, "No man, Lord."  My first interpretation is that she is telling Jesus, "no one here but You Lord have convicted me by the law you wrote in the sand".  And the other perhaps more applicable way, "no Lord, just this woman, a sinner, who acknowledges her sin to you and wishes to repent and be cleansed."   Those three words, "No man, Lord" convey so much to me.

But the BEST BEST part here is the last statement by Jesus, "Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more."  Jesus loves us!  Jesus FREES US from our sin.  Jesus doesn't condemn nor does He allow the law to hold sway.  WE CAN BE FORGIVEN!!! Notice what He tells her, "Go, and sin no more."  GO, AND SIN NO MORE! That's it.  Turn away from your former behaviors which were contrary to Me and My Father's Law.

That is how we should approach this and ALL issues where the world wants to change what the Bible says about right and wrong, where we see ANY sin in the life of another.  We should love them, we should guide them to turning away.  We should NOT judge them, that is when we forget the plank in our own eye.

Lord, help me understand that ALL sin is sin.  I am as guilty as anyone of sinning against You for there are none righteous, no, not one.  I daily fall short of Your Glory, but am thankful for the ability to land in Your arms of Grace.  I am enthralled that You can love so extravagantly a lowly sinner such as me.  Your Love is amazing, Your Truth is enduring, You forgiveness knows no bounds.  Allow me the personal Grace to extend to others when they are down and provide me the words to show them You.  Amen.

Rejoice and be glad.

Sometimes, I guess, there just aren't enough rocks.

Last night for family fun night (pizza, movie and maybe games), Son #2 wanted to watch the movie "Forrest Gump." I will readily admit, that is among my favorite movies and stands among the select few movies I have paid to see more than once in the theater.

It has been several years since I have seen the movie and either I am much more emotionally sensitive or chemo brain was on high alert last night because many tears were falling throughout the film.

One scene which touched me deeply is the one pictured above: Jenny (Robin Wright) finally returns to Greenbough, Alabama to be with Forrest (Tom Hanks).  They are out walking and come upon the home where Jenny was raised (and abused by her father).  Jenny walks closer to the home and begins throwing rocks at it.  After several frenzied seconds of throwing rocks, she collapses to the ground crying.  Forrest's voice (not directly spoken by Forrest, but from his narration of the remembered scenes) states, "Sometimes, I guess, there just aren't enough rocks."

What I take out of that is that none of us, when faced with the demons of our past, can face them alone and overcome.  There will never be enough rocks.

We need support.  We need friends.  But most of all, we need God.

In John 16:32 (KJV), Jesus is telling His disciples:

"Behold, the hour cometh, yea, is now come, that ye shall be scattered, every man to his own, and shall leave me alone: and yet I am not alone, because the Father is with me."

"Hey, guys.  You will all abandon me when I need you.  But I am not concerned, God will never leave me.  He will comfort me."

We need to remember that we are never alone.  The counsel of friends will sometimes fail, but God will never leave us.  With His help we can get through it.  I am not saying that we should not seek counseling/support for issues from our past which may be causing present issues; for some, it can be very beneficial.

Just know, that whatever path you seek to clear your past, include God.  That is the only way to get it completed correctly.  Only He can provide the strength, support, and hope you need.

Dear Lord, create in me a clean heart and wipe away the past.  Many things have affected me to make me who I am today.  Clear that slate and make me who you want me to be, for only through You can I change for the good and for good.

Rejoice and be glad.

Go

Recycled NOTE in Facebook from May 2, 2011

Non-Christians seem to hang up on the “Thou shalt nots” in the Bible.  As Christians, we need to focus on the Dos.
Throughout the gospel, Jesus consistently uses imperatives to tell us how we should lead our lives and what we should do:

FORGIVE EVERYBODY OF ALL THEIR OFFENSES AGAINST YOU.
                     Forgive, and be forgiven.
YOU MUST BE BORN AGAIN.
ABIDE IN ME, AND LET ME ABIDE IN YOU.
LET PEOPLE SEE YOUR GOOD WORKS.
                     Do not hide your light under a basket.
END DISPUTES QUICKLY.
WHATEVER CAUSES YOU TO SIN, GET RID OF IT.
DO NOT SWEAR OATHS AT ALL.
DO NOT RETURN OFFENSE FOR OFFENSE.
                    Turn the other cheek.
GIVE WHAT PEOPLE ASK OF YOU, AND GIVE MORE THAN IS REQUIRED.
                    Go the extra mile.
LOVE YOUR ENEMIES AND THOSE WHO WORK AGAINST YOU.
GIVE TO THE POOR TO PLEASE GOD, NOT TO GAIN APPROVAL FROM OTHER PEOPLE.
PRAY PRIVATELY AND SIMPLY, NOT TO IMPRESS OTHER PEOPLE.
MAKE YOUR PRAYERS BE LIKE THE LORD'S PRAYER.
WHEN YOU FAST, DO IT SECRETLY, NOT FOR SHOW.
STORE UP YOUR TREASURES IN HEAVEN, NOT ON EARTH.
DO NOT WORRY ABOUT YOUR MATERIAL NEEDS.
DO NOT WORRY ABOUT THE FUTURE.
MAKE GOD YOUR HIGHEST PRIORITY, AND HE WILL TAKE CARE OFALL YOUR NEEDS.
DO NOT JUDGE OTHER PEOPLE.
                    Judge not, lest ye be judged.
DO NOT GIVE HOLY THINGS TO DOGS OR CAST YOUR PEARLS BEFORE SWINE.
ASK GOD FOR WHATEVER YOU WANT TO HAVE.
                    Seek, and ye shall find.
FEED THE HUNGRY, CLOTHE THE NAKED, SHELTER THE HOMELESS, COMFORT THOSE IN DISTRESS.
FOLLOW THE NARROW PATH TO LIFE.
                    Enter by the narrow gate.
BEWARE OF FALSE PROPHETS.
EXERCISE POWER OVER UNCLEAN SPIRITS.
LOVE LITTLE CHILDREN, DO NOT DESPISE THEM.
DO NOT TAKE THE TITLES 'MASTER' OR 'FATHER' FOR YOURSELF.
DO NOT OPPOSE OTHER BELIEVERS IN CHRIST WHO ARE NOT IN YOUR GROUP.
HAVE TOTAL FAITH IN GOD FOR EVERYTHING.
BE LIKE THE GOOD SAMARITAN.
                     Go, and do likewise.
LOVE OTHER PEOPLE AS I HAVE LOVED YOU
EAT BREAD AND DRINK WINE IN REMEMBRANCE OF ME.
WASH ONE ANOTHER'S FEET.
BE MERCIFUL.
GO AND TEACH ALL NATIONS, BAPTIZING THEM.
KEEP MY COMMANDMENTS.
BE PREPARED FOR YOUR MASTER TO RETURN.

Grammatically speaking, imperatives are commands.  Active Faith is summed up by the words of Jesus in John 14:15, “If you love Me, keep my commandments.”

They seem like simple words.  “Just do what I told you to do.”  But how do we do what He has told us?

 Again, based on a command of Jesus in Matthew 26:41 “Watch and pray that ye fall not into temptation: the spirit is indeed willing, but the flesh is weak.”

Watch (γρηγορέω-grégoreó-be vigilant). To be vigilant is to maintain alertness.  We should pay attention to
what is going on around us, be aware of our surroundings.  Mostly, we should self-inspect our motives and intentions to be sure they are pure. 2 Peter 3:1-2 puts it this way:

"This is now, beloved, the second letter that I have written to you; and in both of them I stir up your sincere mind by reminding you that you should remember the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and the commandments of us, the apostles of the Lord and Savior."

Sincere, in this instance (εἰλικρινής- eilikrinés-lit. judged by sunlight), refers to holding an item up to a brighter source of light to judge for defects.  We should be alert to judge our actions by the bright light of the Son.

If we judge ourselves, we will find that we must actively pursue holiness.  We must strive for that goal.

Worship

Calvin and Hobbes by Bill Watterson (cartoon left if you were not aware) ran from November 18, 1985 until December 31, 1995. At its height, it was carried in approximately 2,400 newspapers. It was a brilliant piece of writing which was sometimes criticized for being "too adult" in its content. I enjoyed it immensely. This is one of my favorite panels.

So, do you "verb" or "noun" when it comes to worship?

Let's break it down a bit:
Noun:          The feeling or expression of reverence and adoration for a deity.

Verb:           To show reverence and adoration for (a deity); honor with religious rites.

If you "noun", you base your worship experience on feelings or emotions. True worship should evoke an emotional response since it is an expression of love; however, we cannot base our entire worship experience on emotion.

If you "verb", your worship is based on action.  Perhaps the most prevalent action word used in conjunction within the context of "loving God" is obey (stated or implied):


1 John 5:3 (NIV)

"In fact, this is love for God: to keep his commands. And his commands are not burdensome."

John 15:10 (NIV)

"If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father’s commands and remain in his love."

John 14:15 (NIV)

"If you love me, keep my commands."

So, we worship through obedience.  In Romans 12:1 (NIV), we are told:

"Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship."

We must give God our all, all the time, not just when we are in an emotional state conducive to what we consider worship.  That is love.

So be like Calvin and "verb" it up!