I'll do it my way?

If you've ever played the SIMS you'll know that the game is a series of scenarios, events and goals. To play the game you have to add Sims (characters) to your town and move them through the scenarios making sure their basic needs are taken care of (eating, hygiene, washroom breaks, etc.).

The SIMS don't know this (it's a computer game, so technically they don't know anything) but the human in control of the game aims to achieve the goals or objectives of the game (buy homes, start businesses) to move up levels.

That's when a problem strikes. Very often the SIMS characters develop attitudes. They start to shake their heads and stamp their feet while stubbornly waving their hands back and forth 'saying' NO! There's a baffling footprint thought bubble above their head while they do this.

Can you relate this to real life? While we are not little robots characters on an electronic field there are some similarities.

As Christians we should be willing to allow God to have a say in our lives and yet it seems to be in our nature not to want to let that happen. Think about that for a moment. It's true right? How often do we stubbornly shake our heads, stamp our feet, wave our hands and develop the 'I'll do what I want to do' attitude with God?

Maybe the direction/suggestions that you rebel against is from a Christian parent, Christian friend or mentor at church. Do we justify our stubbornness because we don't think it's against God directly?

The Children of Israel did the same thing in Judges 17:6.

In those days there was no king in Israel; everyone did what was right in his own eyes.

They didn't seek leadership. They stubbornly wanted to do their own thing. Through the generations they had many kings but they still did their own thing.

Here's the thing though.

Just like the person playing SIMS, God has an overall big picture view. He knows the objectives that will bring the most satisfaction. He knows what goals need to be accomplished for the next level jump.

Like those SIMS characters, you and I imagine that we know best, we are in control and no one is going to tell us what to do. But unlike the SIMS you and I have free will - we can decide if we will allow Him access to our lives.

Proverbs 16:25 tells us that, "There is a way that seems right unto a man" and that following that path has serious repercussions. We throw up our own thought bubble and let God know that we have other plans - we're going to walk and do what we want to.

So here's the challenge.

Let's allow God to have a say in our lives in 2012. We'll be blessed if we do.

A new year offers a great time to create change

At this time of year there are lots and lots of different people talking about new years resolutions. There are hundreds of thousands, and likely millions, of personalized resolutions being made. Some people are swearing to go on diets, exercise more often, pay closer attention to relationships, work less, become better at some hobby or whatever else they feel needs to change. Some call it turning over a new leaf to show that they're serious.

Of course, we don't need a calendar switch-over to put change into effect, but if it helps, try it.

God promises to honour them that honour Him, and I'd suggest that if we want to make a change in our lives and the main reason is to be more God-honouring, I'm confident that He'll live up to His end of the promise.

And so I ponder: what is it that I need to change or do better that will ultimately be honouring to God?

Is it my relationship with Him that needs a serious overhaul? Maybe it's my love for other Christians. Perhaps I need to spend more time reading His word? Or do I need to put my mind, talents and effort towards being of greater service to Him?

Connected to all that is a whole pile of stuff that I could work on. Relationships. Devotion to family time. Show more love. Be less judgemental. Obedience.

I just challenged my self to a bunch of really important stuff.

Maybe my friends will rise to their own personal challenges? I'm positive that 2012 can be a more God honouring year than 2011 was.

Our God is a God of order

Ask the astronomer if God is a haphazard God. He will tell you that every star moves with precision in its celestial path. Ask the scientist if God is a haphazard God. He will tell you that his formulas and equations are fixed, and that to ignore the laws of science would be a fool's folly. If the laws in the material realm are so fixed and exact, is it reasonable that God could afford to be haphazard in the spiritual realm where eternal destinies of souls are at stake? Just as God has equations and rules in the material realm, God has equations and rules in the spiritual.

Billy Graham

Power Source

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

Philippians 4:13

Strength comes from within. It's just a matter of your understanding of 'within'.

Christians (followers of Christ) are the only people who can truly say that they have the ability to look within the get strength. True believers are indwelled by the Holy Spirit. He is the only source of true inner strength.

Humanism, the school system, 'alternative religions' and the secular world sell a strength built by looking to oneself. That is bound to lead to disappointment if one honestly concedes that we are nothing.

Is Christ your power source?

The War for our minds

If our eyes are the windows by which things get into our thought life, it stands to reason that we really ought to be careful what we allow through those windows.

The secular world pushes their 'reality' on Christians all the time. Sad thing is - often, we actually invite them to do so.

Shows on TV, movies, music videos and stuff on the Internet are like grenades forcefully thrown through our windows in a constant assault.

Once inside, those images, morals and ethics rattle around, exploding into devastating pieces of mind-warping shrapnel that lodge in our minds.

Because of the constant barrage of enemy fire their 'reality' can overcome ours and the results are devastating. Thoughts get beaten to a pulp, defences become weakened to a point where vision becomes blurred and thought patterns become scared.

Consider this verse:

I will set nothing wicked before my eyes...

It shall not cling to me.

Psalm 101:3

Take a moment to think about the 'reality' of some of popular shows out there. What are the viewers of those shows being told is right and normal?

We don't realize that there's a war going on for our minds. If we did, perhaps we'd throw up shutters on the windows and spend make serious efforts to strengthen our defences.

We wouldn't be inviting the grenades in.

The end product

A daughter walked into the kitchen and began telling her mom how everything in her life was going wrong; she was failing algebra, her boyfriend broke up with her and her best friend was moving away.

Her mom listened to her daughter's story while preparing to do some baking. She asked her daughter if she would like a snack and the daughter instantly perked up and said, "Absolutely Mom, I love your cake.'

"Here, have some cooking oil," her Mother offers.

"Yuck," cringed the girl.

"How about some raw eggs?"

"Gross, Mom!'

"Would you like some flour then? Or maybe baking soda?"

"Mom, those are all really gross!"

Her mom replied, "You're right. All those things seem bad all by themselves. But when they are put together in the right way, they'll make a wonderfully delicious cake!"

God works the same way. Many times we wonder why He would let us go through such bad and difficult times.

But God knows that when He puts these things all in His order, they always work for good! We have to trust Him and, eventually, they will all make something wonderful!

And we know that all things work together

for good to those who love God...

Romans 8:28

(based on an email, author not known)

God's tattoo

Does God approve of tattoos? The answer may surprise you.

Many people show devotion to someone in their lives by having their name tattooed on their body. There are guys out there with girls' names tattooed on themselves and girls who've done it as well.

Perhaps its meant to satisfy the other person that they are committed to them, perhaps it's done to impress other suitors or friends that they are loyal. Often its done be done without thinking of the ramifications later on in life. Skin-deep tattoos are superficial at best. Loyalty is way more than skin deep.

That's not what we're talking about though. God's tattoo is not on the skin.

He demands more of His tattoo. He wants all Christians to have His tattoo. But it's not a skin-deep tattoo that He directs in Proverbs chapter 7.

Keep my commands and you will live;

guard my teachings as the apple of your eye.

Bind them on your fingers;

write them on the tablet of your heart

God knows that outward claims of affection are fickle and last only as long as the skin is there to hold the tattooed words together.

He wants a deeper relationship with us, and it starts with our heart. Only God can see what is written on the heart, and really that's the only thing that matters.

Many people have changed their minds about relationships in life and have had tattoos covered or removed, but God's tattoo is eternal.

...written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God,

not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts!

2 Corinthians 3:3

Stand for Something or Fall for Anything

Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves,

and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning

and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming.

Ephesians 4:14

Christians all around us are making life-changing, testimony shattering concessions to the world. And it all starts with letting themselves be influenced by it. Has God changed? Is His will so 1700s He needs our help updating it?

Collectively, we need to give our heads a shake!

Turn off the TV with its constant barrage of garbage, turn off the radio belting out the world's seducing tunes, put down that magazine that's selling the world's 'joys' and lifestyles.

We need to scream at the top of our lungs, "Enough is enough!" and run away for whatever attraction of the world that is influencing us right now.

In essence, we need to exercise some Control-Alt-Delete! We need to surrender control of our lives to God, let Him alter our paths, and delete worldly influence from our lives before we can know the full peace and joy He can give.

If we don't take a firm stand we will fall for anything. Often taking others down in the process.

Prepare for the feast

Stirred by the man's sandals as he dejectedly made his way back towards the house dust rose from the path.

The servants watched as the pain in the master's face slowly turned to a look of resolve. They marvelled as his back straightened and his shuffle became the gate of a person on a mission.

He entered the lavish compound, almost at a run now, and summoning his lead servant asked, "Have the cows begun to calve yet?"

"Yes sir", responded the servant. "Just this morning a calf was born and is being tended to in the stall. It's going to be a healthy one, sir. Already it shows signs of strength."

"That's perfect then", smiled the master. And then he began to instruct his servant. "This is very important so pay close attention. Starting now, you will see to it that that calf is well tended to and fed. That calf is to receive double portions of milk and when it is old enough, it will be fed with my very best oats and grain."

The servant stood and listened carefully as he watched the animated face of his master ripple with a range of emotions.

After a few moments the curious servant said to his master, "Sir, it sounds as though you are asking that this calf be fattened for a feast? Who, may I ask, are you expecting?"

"Today I said goodbye to my child who has gone off to discover the world and all its trappings for themselves. Someday they will return and we must be ready to welcome them home. See to the preparations."

(based on Luke 15)

This blog brought to you by the letter O

There are times in life when we all have to cease "leaning on our own understanding", times when we must admit that our human attempts at understanding situations are futile at best. God says, "come to me so we can reason together". He wants to be involved. He desires an open relationship with us. He wants to share with us and be part of our decisions. That's what a healthy relationship with Him is all about.

But there are times during our lives when we don't accept that reasoning, often refusing to speak to Him because His will is bound to conflict with our plans, our way. We get so caught up in the here and now, our vision becomes so myopic, our thoughts and plans so self-centred that we ignore the fact that our God sees the big picture. We are mortal, forgetting that He is omniscient - all-knowing!

There's another word we often forget about God. He is also omnipotent - meaning He is all-powerful. That can either be a very scary realization for a person outside of a relationship with Him or an awesome promise to a person that they can fully rely on Him to not only know what's best but to possess the power to do what's best for us if we allow Him to!

But the 'O' that should truly excite believers walking in a relationship with Him is that God is omnipresent. He is everywhere, at ALL times. Whenever and wherever we need Him, He is there!

Not only does He know everything, including what is best for us; not only does he possess the power to see us through, but He is always there for us! Talk about a great relationship!

We just have to remember that very often our biggest problem starts with 'O' as well.

Being obstinate will surely rob us of fully understanding and appreciating the three 'Os' of our awesome God.

Very relevant wise old words

Proverbs 1:10 My son, if sinful men entice you, do not give in to them. (NIV)

Written thousands of years ago these words are extremely relevant in today's Christian community.

They are sadly being ignored by a growing number of people within that community, discarded because in principle, it means seriously challenging the status quo. Going against the world's 'norms' is tough slogging and youth seem to be seduced (enticed) into going with the easiest way which very often means conformity to a godless society.

"Do not give in" (consent thou not, KJV) means saying no to that relationship that isn't in God's pattern, it means not being influenced by friends to participate in activities that don't mesh with scriptural principles, it means often standing alone for what one knows to be Truth.

The KJV says not to "consent" which would imply that it's not only giving in but more the thought of being in agreement with whatever it is that a person is being pressured with.

Admittedly, standing on principle and not consenting, conforming and being sucked in is a huge challenge, but one that's well worth it.

Each one of us needs to ask ourselves, are we a person driven by principle?

He came, He saw, He conquered

Petra
Words and music by Bob Hartman
Based on Genesis 3:15, Matthew 28:6, John 20:19, Revelation 6:2

He came alone into the battle
He knew nobody else could face His foe
He left His throne, He left His glory
He knew nobody else could ever go
He called the bluff, He took the challenge
He came into this world to seek and save
No one could know, no one could fathom
The way to win was only through the grave
They laid Him in His tomb
They thought they'd sealed His doom
But He rose
He rose!
(Chorus)
He came, He saw, He conquered death and hell
He came, He saw, He is alive and well
He was, He is, and only He forgives
He died, He rose, He lives
He came, He saw, He conquered!
The doors were locked, they heard Him knocking
They were afraid they would be taken, too
Familiar voice said, Come and follow
Come and see the things the Lord can do
They went to where He lay
The stone was rolled away
He rose
He rose!
He came into this world
He saw humanity
He heard the SOS
He met the enemy
The enemy was conquered
The enemy was conquered!

Stop. Breathe. Think. Take Action.

I looked at my blog today and realized that three years have flashed by since my last blog post.

Just like that.

Sure I've been super-busy -- family, church, trying to keep a business afloat, committees, boards, volunteerism and different ministries, but how much of it actually counts, when one day flowing into the next has become a supersonic blur.

Have I really been apportioning my time where it matters? Can that committee function without me? Will that group disintegrate in my absence?

Or do I need to grab life by the reins and place my efforts in things of eternal substance?

I think I need to have a look at the blur (hitting the slow motion toggle) and try to dissect it. It may take a bit - but I'm pretty sure it will be worth the time and effort.

Glowing Report

Moses is in the middle of the dry, arid desert. He's in totally foreign and hostile territory -- enemies everywhere he looks. And to top it all off, the people he's leading are a bunch of whinners.

He gets up one morning and takes a hike -- a long hike up a mountain. He goes out there, away from everyone, to have a meeting with God.

The encounter goes pretty well and he's now on his way back down the mountain now with a few rules we call the Ten Commandments.

But, here's the part that's really great...

When Moses came down from Mount Sinai
with the two tablets of the Testimony in his hands,
he was not aware that his face was radiant (glowed)
because he had spoken with the LORD.
Exodus 34:29 (NIV)

Notice that Moses didn't come down the mountain waving his arms feverishly and yelling, "Hey guys! Guys! You're not gonna believe this, but I've been to see God!"

He didn't need to, because it was very evident!

We're in a desert place as well. This world isn't our home. We need to get away frequently -- take a hike. Get into the presence of God -- talk to Him.

When we do, do we glow as well? Can people tell by our complexion that we've been spending time in His presence?

When God Ran

You've no doubt heard the story before. The kid rebels against dad and splits. He gets as far away as he can -- all the rules and regulations -- who needs 'em.

Then one day he realizes something. He's broke and filthy and he feels like a total fool for messing up. He decides he needs to go home but he's going to have to do some serious begging with his dad to take him back.

So he gets up and starts out. He's heading back to a huge tongue-lashing, but he deserves it and will accept any punishment his dad dishes out.

But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him
and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son,
threw his arms around him and kissed him. Luke 15:20

Hold on a sec! What was the dad thinking? Did he forget the pain his son has caused him? The kid was a rebel. A failure.

To think that we were in the same situation. We were far from God. But he was waiting for us to turn to Him, and as soon as we did, He ran to forgive us. We were spiritually broke, and He's given us riches. Our sins made us filthy, and He's cleansed us. We'd messed up, and we got us back on track.

That's awesome!

Heaven Parties

He accepts the small bundle that is passed to him, pulls back the coverings and tentatively peers inside.

His heart leeps for joy, his eyes well up with tears, and then they ignite with a passionate dancing fire of amazed excitement that will last a lifetime.

He has just become a daddy!

"In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of
the angels of God over one sinner who repents." Luke 15:10

When a person is born again (becomes a member of God's family) there is a intense reaction in heaven! Heaven parties!

Catch a Glimpse

Psalm 63: 2 I have seen you in the sanctuary
and beheld your power and your glory.

In the desert of Judah, David caught a glimpse of the Lord's Glory and it changed his life. He realized the the Love of God was better than living. He understood God's protection, His grace, His mercy, His provision.

There is no way we could ever survive seeing God in all his glory - at least now, but He is willing to give us glimpses of who He is if we search for Him.

Jeremiah 29:13 You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.

Are you ready to get a glimpse of who God is? Are you ready to experience a fraction of His goodness? The Bible records several witnesses of God's glory and how it changed their life.

Seek Him, and see.

Love is a verb

Jesus replied, "...love your neighbor as yourself."
Matthew 19:19

You're walking down the sidewalk and notice a guy jaywalking across the street with his earbuds firmly embedded in his ears. His head is boppin' and he's obviously lost in his tunes. You smile.

Then you see the bus that's headed straight for him and that smile vaporizes. The adrenaline juices kick into gear and you book it. You slam into the guy and knock him clear onto the sidewalk and out of danger.

You've just shown love to a perfect stranger, because it was the right thing to do. Jesus calls that guy your neighbour.

Nice story, but the point?

Your friends (also referred to by Jesus as your neighbours) at school/work are travelling down life's road with the noise of their lives playing loudly in their ears. They have no idea of the danger they're in if they continue the way they're going.

But you do.

If we truly love our friends, we will be challenged to speak to them.

Gone. Totally.

So there's no mistaking how God thinks about our sins once He's forgiven us, He had the Psalmist write:

"As far as the east is from the west, so far has
He removed our transgressions from us." Psalm 103: 12

Stand on a beach looking out across the sea or ocean and it just seems like the water just disappears into the horizon at some point. It appears to just be...gone.

It's just like that with God's forgiveness. He doesn't just sweep it under the carpet -- rather, He chooses to blow it totally out of the water. Because He's God, He knows all about our sin, but says that He chooses to "remember it no more."

Is He a God of fresh starts? This verse sounds like a guarantee, doesn't it?

Roll to the Rock

Psalm 18: 2 The LORD is my rock, my fortress and
my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge.

In our lives day-to-day we sometimes feel like the entire world is against us.

Things aren't going the way you'd like; a teacher called you out in front of the entire class, a friendship has soured, people at school are whispering cruel stuff behind your back, your parents dumped on you because of a bad test result, there has been a death in your family, and to top it all off, your iPod has stopped working. Nothing we try seems to bring us out of the depressed state you're in. To sum it up, life sucks.

God is there. He's our rock -- nothing is more solid. He's also our deliverer -- no one is more trustworthy. His security (rest) is His promise -- no place is safer.

Roll to the Rock.

Wise up...

Proverbs 13:20 He who walks with the wise grows wise...

Seems like pretty good logic right?

In other words, "choose wise (good) friends, because they're bound to rub off on you." We all want to stick with our peer groups because we're comfortable with people our own age, but try this as a challenge.

Look for someone in your church who's a bit older (physically, but spiritually as well) and approach them at coffee break time or whenever you get a chance and just say hi. Ask them how they're doing and a friendship will develop over time.

You'll quickly see how you'll become the beneficiary of their wisdom and you yourself will grow.

Give up and REST!

We are told about 2 different types of "rest" in God's Word. First one is in the second chapter in the Bible.

Gen 2:2 By the seventh day God had finished the work he had been doing; so on the seventh day he rested from all his work. 3 And God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it he rested from all the work of creating that he had done.

God rested because His work was complete. There was nothing left to do. Everything was done. There was nothing else to do but stop, or rest. He wasn't tired, just finished.

Matt 11: 28 "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.

We rest because we're tired, we're exhausted. We're weary from years of searching for the truth. God tells us to give up our own way of doing things and rely on the work He finished. The work is done so we need to stop trying to unlock a door that is not even locked. We need to stop clearing a path that is already clear.

It's time to give up and simply rest.

God's Riches At Christ's Expense

Ephesians 2:8 For it is by grace you have been saved,
through faith—and this not from yourselves,
it is the gift of God.

Phew! That takes the pressure off and makes it so that anyone, despite what kind of person they have been and what kind of wrong things (sins) they have done, can be born again. God has extended his love to us, and forgiveness from all our sin, and has done so at Christ's expense (because He died for us). God's Riches At Christ's Expense (GRACE). No wonder He could yell, "It is finished"!

No Condemnation

Romans 8:12 Therefore, there is now no
condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus,
because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of
life set me free from the law of sin and death.

That's awesome! God looks down at us and doesn't see us as people that are condemned because of our sin, but rather sees us as totally cleansed (washed clean) because of His Son's death on our behalf! That ought to get you through any day!