Friends,
Jesus has fed the 5000 (John 6:1ff), so He compels His disciples to get into a boat and set out on the Sea of Galilee, because He knows that they are in great danger on the land from the crowds that want to make Him king. In sending the disciples out in the boat, do we believe that Jesus was aware a storm would be coming? Absolutely…but, why would He bring His friends out of danger only to send them into what would appear to be another dangerous situation? Well…it is not as dangerous as it might seem. The storm is actually the safer place to be, even though they cannot understand this at this time. The real reason for the storm is that the Lord wants them to gain perspective by learning to trust in Him.
Storms happen for a number of reasons – for Jonah, it came about because he had disobeyed the Lord. Other times, storms come up because we have obeyed the Lord -- we receive persecution as the result of doing the right thing. Finally, sometimes storms just happen for no apparent reason. There are actually a number of wondrous things that happen in this event. Jesus walks on the water (as does Peter in the Matthew account). Jesus also calms the storm instantly…and the overlooked wonder is that the boat immediately comes to land where they are going. One of the key phrases that Jesus uses to settle His disciples once He approaches the boat is “it is I (which literally means I Am), do not be afraid.” What can the I Am do? God, the Son, has control over the wind and the waves…in fact, all elements are under His control. He can allow the storm to come, bring the storm if He so desires, and calm it all just the same – instantly! Yet, how often do we react in fear like the disciples and not see things as they really are. The following story might help us to realize the difficulties that fear can create for us in situations that we do not understand.
In Barcelona, Spain, a truck was rolling along carrying an empty coffin. A tired traveler, who was hitch-hiking along the same road, caught a ride in the back of the pick-up. Suspiciously eyeing the coffin, he sat near the rear of the bed. After going down the road a few miles, it started to rain. Not wanting to get soaked, he examined the coffin, found it empty, and crawled inside to try to stay dry until the rain quit. In the meantime, he fell asleep to the hum of the truck as it moved along. Further down the road, the driver pulled over and picked up a couple more hitchhikers. They had not traveled too much further, but when the first traveler…unaware of having acquired some traveling companions…awakened from his nap, pushed open the lid of the coffin, stuck his head out and exclaimed, “Oh, it has stopped raining!” The two late-comers were so terrified that they jumped from the moving truck, injuring themselves.
Isn’t this all too human? We often react in fear to situations we don’t understand…and we end up getting hurt in some way. Sometimes, it may be as simple as getting out of our comfort zones, while at other times, the situations we face are much more serious. Too many times, the story of the traveler illustrates how it is that we deal with fear or stress – we run, jump, or hide. In short, we react, instead of act. We need not to behold the storms that come our way…whether they are minor trials or major hurdles…and react faithlessly, as if the Lord is not big enough to help us to overcome and to grow! Sometimes, we do have storms in life -- some that we may bring about…others that just happen. Remember, the peace of God is not necessarily the absence of trials, but the assurance of His presence in the midst of them. We don’t always know how things are going to be…but we should cease fretting, worrying, stressing…and just simply “be still and know that He is God.” We need to exercise faith and trust in Him who is able to help us. The more that we work at yielding ourselves, yielding our wills to the Lord, the more that we will be able to experience the joy and the peace of the Lord that He offers to us…and the more readily His answers will come. But, we need not fear – in faith, seek to allow the God who controls the storm to have control of your life. Give him your storms, and see the work that He can do to calm them down, and experience the blessings He has to offer.
"The peace of God is that eternal calm which lies far too deep in the praying, trusting soul to be reached by any external disturbances." - A.T. Pierson
Blessings,
Don
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Saturday, March 27, 2010
Mid-Major Madness
Friends,
Well...Kentucky and West Virginia are under way. This is the first game I have watched in this year's version of the NCAA Tournament, but I have been following it closely. I have each of these teams winning two of my six brackets, (I know, I know, I should have only one, but it's fun to spread the wealth :-). Actually Kentucky and West Virginia are the only two teams I have left to keep the dream alive of having a decent bracket, since Kansas is done (whom I had in two of my brackets), as well as Syracuse and Ohio State (who also have gone bye bye). I really like West Virginia...a scrappy team, even without their starting point guard. Yet, Kentucky should win the whole thing...as there is no team as talented as them. But, we just can't overlook Butler.
Unlike the NBA, the unpredictability of the NCAA Tournament is exciting. Kansas took the University of Northern Iowa lightly, it seems, and the #9 seed in their region upset the #1 seed to get the round of 16. Butler, a mid-major school from Indiana won just a awhile ago to get to the Final Four...pretty amazing, really, as they have knocked off #1 seed in their region, Syracuse and the #2 seed Kansas State. Also, as mentioned the University of Northern Iowa, as well as St. Mary's from California and Ivy Leage school, Cornell all made it to the sweet sixteen. These mid-major schools certainly are pesky...as they seem to be gaining on their "major" brethren more so every year. One might wonder why. As a friend of mine pointed out, much of it may have to do with the fact that the talented young men that play college basketball only have to stay in school for one year, before opting for the NBA (which is a silly rule, in my opinion -- they should make it two years). Nonetheless, this is all something of an equalizer in many respects. This, and many of the smaller schools like Butler, Xavier, Gonzaga, and Cornell have really built up their programs over the past decade, so they have become solid places for good, young players to go and succeed. So, these smaller schools create more parity for the tournament...which I like, personally. I find myself rooting for the Gonzagas and the Butlers. Now, for the first time since George Mason made it to the Final Four a few years ago, another mid-major school has arrived. We'll see if they can keep up their magical run.
Blessings,
Don
Well...Kentucky and West Virginia are under way. This is the first game I have watched in this year's version of the NCAA Tournament, but I have been following it closely. I have each of these teams winning two of my six brackets, (I know, I know, I should have only one, but it's fun to spread the wealth :-). Actually Kentucky and West Virginia are the only two teams I have left to keep the dream alive of having a decent bracket, since Kansas is done (whom I had in two of my brackets), as well as Syracuse and Ohio State (who also have gone bye bye). I really like West Virginia...a scrappy team, even without their starting point guard. Yet, Kentucky should win the whole thing...as there is no team as talented as them. But, we just can't overlook Butler.
Unlike the NBA, the unpredictability of the NCAA Tournament is exciting. Kansas took the University of Northern Iowa lightly, it seems, and the #9 seed in their region upset the #1 seed to get the round of 16. Butler, a mid-major school from Indiana won just a awhile ago to get to the Final Four...pretty amazing, really, as they have knocked off #1 seed in their region, Syracuse and the #2 seed Kansas State. Also, as mentioned the University of Northern Iowa, as well as St. Mary's from California and Ivy Leage school, Cornell all made it to the sweet sixteen. These mid-major schools certainly are pesky...as they seem to be gaining on their "major" brethren more so every year. One might wonder why. As a friend of mine pointed out, much of it may have to do with the fact that the talented young men that play college basketball only have to stay in school for one year, before opting for the NBA (which is a silly rule, in my opinion -- they should make it two years). Nonetheless, this is all something of an equalizer in many respects. This, and many of the smaller schools like Butler, Xavier, Gonzaga, and Cornell have really built up their programs over the past decade, so they have become solid places for good, young players to go and succeed. So, these smaller schools create more parity for the tournament...which I like, personally. I find myself rooting for the Gonzagas and the Butlers. Now, for the first time since George Mason made it to the Final Four a few years ago, another mid-major school has arrived. We'll see if they can keep up their magical run.
Blessings,
Don
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
Enthrone His Holiness
Friends,
Last fall, Emily and I had the opportunity to go to the Apple Cider Press Youth Rally in Cashmere, WA. We had been involved with this rally for many years in Washington before moving to Texas. One of the drawing points for this youth rally, is the actual cider press itself. The young people and adults have team competitions to see who can press the most apple cider. It is an interesting process to watch, particlarly as the crushed apples are squeezed and the cider is poured into a holding tank. As the raw cider is poured into the tanks, it goes through a strainer to remove all of the impurities. From there it is bottled up and dozens of the bottles of cider go home with people.
To me, and to most, the most important aspect of the process is the cleansing of the cider (especially if one can see how dirty it is)…in order to make certain it is pure. This is not unlike what needs to take place in our own lives. There needs to be a straining process to take out all of the impurities, so that we can be holy before the Lord. As we come to know the Lord, and begin the process of learning and growing, we should continue to grow in our understanding of God’s holiness…aside from love, the most important and reproducible of His qualities in our lives. After all, it is sin that separates us from God and it is that which is in need of being strained out of our lives. We need to continually live in a way that we seek to be rid of the bad attitudes and activities of the world that want to inhabit us, and allow God’s Spirit to fill us with what matters. We have the challenge, continually before us, “to be holy as God is holy” (Leviticus 19:2).
The ultimate reason that God sent His Son was in order that sinful, unholy man could have the opportunity to be in His presence. God was in Christ, reconciling us to Him (2 Corinthians 5:19).
Jesus, the Messiah, took the sins of humanity upon Himself so that we would have the opportunity to be in God’s presence. The Lord is mighty in His judgment and deliverance…He is just! His justice walks hand in hand with His holiness. Many believers focus on the love of God to the detriment of His holiness. They ask questions like, “How can a loving God send people to hell?” But, a loving God doesn’t send anyone, anywhere. The opportunity to choose life through His Son is granted to us by a loving God…and a holy and just God demands that we make a choice. A holy and loving God allowed His Son to come into this world to give us the opportunity to experience eternal life. It is sufficient for everyone, but efficient only for those who accept it. We humans “paddle our own boats,” so to speak…we can choose life or destruction, heaven or hell. He is mighty and just to deal with the pure and the impure…and he will reward each one of us according to our choices. It is for this reason that God’s people need to respond properly and worship His majesty with reverence and awe!
Another story relating to the message thought -- a couple fell in love with a vase in a shop window, which they bought, brought home and put on the mantel in their main room. For them, what followed was remarkable…the vase became a judgment on its surroundings. They had to clean up the room in order to make it worthy of the pristine vase. Dirty curtains, and an old chair would not do…and the room would also need to be painted. Gradually, the entire room was transformed! The couple’s mindset concerning the vase, should be the same mindset we have in relationship to the way we live our lives. We can’t dress up one aspect of our lives and leave the rest containing the dirt of sin and the world. We need to take care to recognize that we need to live blamelessly for the Lord. We should seek to be pure in our attitudes and our conduct. We have no business polluting our spirits and souls with things that the world deems is acceptable. We should have a significantly higher moral and spiritual calling than this. Once again, the question arises…how can or will we make a difference in the world for Jesus Christ if we do not look any different that the world? It’s not going to happen. When we surrender our lives, our spirits to the Lord…and allow Him to strain us of the impurities that cause to stumble and fall, then we become like Onesimus, and can be useful to Him and for Him. If we are filled with the Spirit of God, then there will not be room for the flesh or the sin of this world to take us captive.
Blessings,
Don
Last fall, Emily and I had the opportunity to go to the Apple Cider Press Youth Rally in Cashmere, WA. We had been involved with this rally for many years in Washington before moving to Texas. One of the drawing points for this youth rally, is the actual cider press itself. The young people and adults have team competitions to see who can press the most apple cider. It is an interesting process to watch, particlarly as the crushed apples are squeezed and the cider is poured into a holding tank. As the raw cider is poured into the tanks, it goes through a strainer to remove all of the impurities. From there it is bottled up and dozens of the bottles of cider go home with people.
To me, and to most, the most important aspect of the process is the cleansing of the cider (especially if one can see how dirty it is)…in order to make certain it is pure. This is not unlike what needs to take place in our own lives. There needs to be a straining process to take out all of the impurities, so that we can be holy before the Lord. As we come to know the Lord, and begin the process of learning and growing, we should continue to grow in our understanding of God’s holiness…aside from love, the most important and reproducible of His qualities in our lives. After all, it is sin that separates us from God and it is that which is in need of being strained out of our lives. We need to continually live in a way that we seek to be rid of the bad attitudes and activities of the world that want to inhabit us, and allow God’s Spirit to fill us with what matters. We have the challenge, continually before us, “to be holy as God is holy” (Leviticus 19:2).
The ultimate reason that God sent His Son was in order that sinful, unholy man could have the opportunity to be in His presence. God was in Christ, reconciling us to Him (2 Corinthians 5:19).
Jesus, the Messiah, took the sins of humanity upon Himself so that we would have the opportunity to be in God’s presence. The Lord is mighty in His judgment and deliverance…He is just! His justice walks hand in hand with His holiness. Many believers focus on the love of God to the detriment of His holiness. They ask questions like, “How can a loving God send people to hell?” But, a loving God doesn’t send anyone, anywhere. The opportunity to choose life through His Son is granted to us by a loving God…and a holy and just God demands that we make a choice. A holy and loving God allowed His Son to come into this world to give us the opportunity to experience eternal life. It is sufficient for everyone, but efficient only for those who accept it. We humans “paddle our own boats,” so to speak…we can choose life or destruction, heaven or hell. He is mighty and just to deal with the pure and the impure…and he will reward each one of us according to our choices. It is for this reason that God’s people need to respond properly and worship His majesty with reverence and awe!
Another story relating to the message thought -- a couple fell in love with a vase in a shop window, which they bought, brought home and put on the mantel in their main room. For them, what followed was remarkable…the vase became a judgment on its surroundings. They had to clean up the room in order to make it worthy of the pristine vase. Dirty curtains, and an old chair would not do…and the room would also need to be painted. Gradually, the entire room was transformed! The couple’s mindset concerning the vase, should be the same mindset we have in relationship to the way we live our lives. We can’t dress up one aspect of our lives and leave the rest containing the dirt of sin and the world. We need to take care to recognize that we need to live blamelessly for the Lord. We should seek to be pure in our attitudes and our conduct. We have no business polluting our spirits and souls with things that the world deems is acceptable. We should have a significantly higher moral and spiritual calling than this. Once again, the question arises…how can or will we make a difference in the world for Jesus Christ if we do not look any different that the world? It’s not going to happen. When we surrender our lives, our spirits to the Lord…and allow Him to strain us of the impurities that cause to stumble and fall, then we become like Onesimus, and can be useful to Him and for Him. If we are filled with the Spirit of God, then there will not be room for the flesh or the sin of this world to take us captive.
Blessings,
Don
Monday, March 22, 2010
Infrared Revealed
Friends,
This fascinating shot contains a large nebula and two galaxies that were fairly shrouded by the Milky Way galaxy until revealed by a new infrared camera now in orbit. The nebula is shaped like a heart...and with some imagination, the heart can be discerned in the middle to right of the photo. The first galaxy appears as a white spiral in the upper left hand corner...and the second is the vibrant blue dot on the left side of the screen (falsely colored by the camera...but beautiful, nonetheless).
Blessings,
Don
This fascinating shot contains a large nebula and two galaxies that were fairly shrouded by the Milky Way galaxy until revealed by a new infrared camera now in orbit. The nebula is shaped like a heart...and with some imagination, the heart can be discerned in the middle to right of the photo. The first galaxy appears as a white spiral in the upper left hand corner...and the second is the vibrant blue dot on the left side of the screen (falsely colored by the camera...but beautiful, nonetheless).
Blessings,
Don
Friday, March 19, 2010
Of Bayonets and Ministry
Friends,
Here is a timely message from my good friend, Stephen...shared with his permission...
It was one of my prized possessions for years. Crazy at it seems, in the 6th grade I found a genuine WWII bayonet at a garage sale and bought it. (Makes one wonder what the folks running the garage sale were thinking to let an 11 year old buy a nice, big knife. And what my parents were thinking to let me keep it, assuming they knew I had it. I conveniently can't remember if I hid it from them for a while.) Bayonets go back centuries, almost as long as there have been muskets.
According to an Associated Press story released March 16, 2010, this year the U.S. Army is beginning to drop bayonet drills. Although soldiers are still issued a combat knife that can attach to their automatic rifles, the truth is, the days of the bayonet charge are long gone. Today, soldiers simply don't find themselves in a situation needing them to use their rifles as spears. And yet recruits were still being trained in this irrelevant technique; until, that is, Gen. Hertling, in charge of basic training, decided to drop the drill in favor of combat training recruits would actually use. You might think that teaching soldiers how to fight in situations they will actually encounter, as opposed to methods from several wars ago, is a no-brainer. However, nostalgia and the comfort of the familiar often make people and institutions reticent to adapt to new situations.
Imagine the Old Testament character, Daniel and his friends. The Law of Moses (e.g. Deut. 16) commanded all Israelite males of age to meet at the Tabernacle/Temple three set times a year. However, in Daniel's day, the Temple had been destroyed. He and his friends had been deported to Babylon, no longer free to travel to their conquered homeland. What was a conscientious Jew to do under those circumstances? They adapted to the situation as best they could. There is some evidence that the concept of the synagogue, a weekly gathering of Jews to pray, read Scripture, give alms, sing, has roots in this era, replacing the razed Temple as the center of Jewish life. Psalm 137 is a lament sung by Jewish captives in Babylon over the destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple. But life needed to go on, faith needed to be maintained and nurtured...they just had to find a different way to do it under their new circumstances.
All of this makes me mindful of the American church. Without question we are in the midst of Spiritual Warfare (2 Cor. 10:3-4; Eph. 6:10-20). But I sometimes wonder if we aren't more like the Army than we are Daniel and friends. As a lover of history and things old, I am as nostalgic as the next person, but sometimes it seems to me we are hanging on to strategies and methods that no longer reflect actual "combat" situations. Oddly, we no longer use mimeograph machines to print our bulletins, or rotary phones to make calls, but we hang on to other methodologies and approaches to ministry from a previous era that no longer speak to the realities of today's church.
We cannot move forward while looking backward, we simply end up stumbling. God-given doctrines we keep. His message does not change. But as the Apostles demonstrated in the book of Acts, methods for communicating that message and for ministry must change to address the local environment. That's what the meeting in Acts 15 was all about--how Jewish did Gentiles need to be to become Christians. The type of ministry and methods employed in the Jerusalem church (see Acts 21:17-26) would have been a church killer in a Gentile context, as Galatians demonstrates. Conversely, the type of ministry and methods done in a Gentile context like Philippi would have done quite poorly in Jerusalem. Compare Paul's evangelistic approach in a synagogue (Acts 13) with that toward a pagan audience in Acts 17. Note what's similar, note what's different.
I love museums. They are among my favorite places to go, much to the annoyance of my children. However, the Lord's Church should not be a museum, preserving the methods and means of the past. God's word is "living and active" (Heb. 4:12), not static and stale; his church needs to be living and active as well. One of the greatest shocks to my system was a tour of the Michigan State Museum. As you worked your way up from the first floor, you went through different eras in the history of the State--the stone age to the automobile age. There were mock ups of various living spaces: Indian dwelling; parlor from the late 1800's; a kitchen from the 1940's; living room from the 50's. It was all fun until we came to the den from the 1970's with items 'purchased' with S&H Green Stamps. Stuff that was new when I was a kid…that I played with…was in a museum! Boy did that make me feel old. But just because my toys and table lamp were in a museum didn't mean I had to live and think like I was back in the 70's. That era is gone. I'm called to live and minister in the here and now. So is the church.
The arrival of the New Covenant was quite a challenge to the people who heard Jesus preach, a significant adjustment for the Jewish people. Jesus once observed that a scribe familiar with the Old Law who became a disciple of the new was like a person who had both old and new treasures at his disposal (Matt. 13:52). We need to learn from the past, look to the future, but live and minister in the present. May God grant us the wisdom to know how to be able to do just this.
********************************************************************************
Thanks, Stephen.
Blessings,
Don
Here is a timely message from my good friend, Stephen...shared with his permission...
It was one of my prized possessions for years. Crazy at it seems, in the 6th grade I found a genuine WWII bayonet at a garage sale and bought it. (Makes one wonder what the folks running the garage sale were thinking to let an 11 year old buy a nice, big knife. And what my parents were thinking to let me keep it, assuming they knew I had it. I conveniently can't remember if I hid it from them for a while.) Bayonets go back centuries, almost as long as there have been muskets.
According to an Associated Press story released March 16, 2010, this year the U.S. Army is beginning to drop bayonet drills. Although soldiers are still issued a combat knife that can attach to their automatic rifles, the truth is, the days of the bayonet charge are long gone. Today, soldiers simply don't find themselves in a situation needing them to use their rifles as spears. And yet recruits were still being trained in this irrelevant technique; until, that is, Gen. Hertling, in charge of basic training, decided to drop the drill in favor of combat training recruits would actually use. You might think that teaching soldiers how to fight in situations they will actually encounter, as opposed to methods from several wars ago, is a no-brainer. However, nostalgia and the comfort of the familiar often make people and institutions reticent to adapt to new situations.
Imagine the Old Testament character, Daniel and his friends. The Law of Moses (e.g. Deut. 16) commanded all Israelite males of age to meet at the Tabernacle/Temple three set times a year. However, in Daniel's day, the Temple had been destroyed. He and his friends had been deported to Babylon, no longer free to travel to their conquered homeland. What was a conscientious Jew to do under those circumstances? They adapted to the situation as best they could. There is some evidence that the concept of the synagogue, a weekly gathering of Jews to pray, read Scripture, give alms, sing, has roots in this era, replacing the razed Temple as the center of Jewish life. Psalm 137 is a lament sung by Jewish captives in Babylon over the destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple. But life needed to go on, faith needed to be maintained and nurtured...they just had to find a different way to do it under their new circumstances.
All of this makes me mindful of the American church. Without question we are in the midst of Spiritual Warfare (2 Cor. 10:3-4; Eph. 6:10-20). But I sometimes wonder if we aren't more like the Army than we are Daniel and friends. As a lover of history and things old, I am as nostalgic as the next person, but sometimes it seems to me we are hanging on to strategies and methods that no longer reflect actual "combat" situations. Oddly, we no longer use mimeograph machines to print our bulletins, or rotary phones to make calls, but we hang on to other methodologies and approaches to ministry from a previous era that no longer speak to the realities of today's church.
We cannot move forward while looking backward, we simply end up stumbling. God-given doctrines we keep. His message does not change. But as the Apostles demonstrated in the book of Acts, methods for communicating that message and for ministry must change to address the local environment. That's what the meeting in Acts 15 was all about--how Jewish did Gentiles need to be to become Christians. The type of ministry and methods employed in the Jerusalem church (see Acts 21:17-26) would have been a church killer in a Gentile context, as Galatians demonstrates. Conversely, the type of ministry and methods done in a Gentile context like Philippi would have done quite poorly in Jerusalem. Compare Paul's evangelistic approach in a synagogue (Acts 13) with that toward a pagan audience in Acts 17. Note what's similar, note what's different.
I love museums. They are among my favorite places to go, much to the annoyance of my children. However, the Lord's Church should not be a museum, preserving the methods and means of the past. God's word is "living and active" (Heb. 4:12), not static and stale; his church needs to be living and active as well. One of the greatest shocks to my system was a tour of the Michigan State Museum. As you worked your way up from the first floor, you went through different eras in the history of the State--the stone age to the automobile age. There were mock ups of various living spaces: Indian dwelling; parlor from the late 1800's; a kitchen from the 1940's; living room from the 50's. It was all fun until we came to the den from the 1970's with items 'purchased' with S&H Green Stamps. Stuff that was new when I was a kid…that I played with…was in a museum! Boy did that make me feel old. But just because my toys and table lamp were in a museum didn't mean I had to live and think like I was back in the 70's. That era is gone. I'm called to live and minister in the here and now. So is the church.
The arrival of the New Covenant was quite a challenge to the people who heard Jesus preach, a significant adjustment for the Jewish people. Jesus once observed that a scribe familiar with the Old Law who became a disciple of the new was like a person who had both old and new treasures at his disposal (Matt. 13:52). We need to learn from the past, look to the future, but live and minister in the present. May God grant us the wisdom to know how to be able to do just this.
********************************************************************************
Thanks, Stephen.
Blessings,
Don
Thursday, March 18, 2010
Responding to Teens Effectively
Friends,
As a follow up to "Proper Responses," I offer some great insights from Mark Gregston, teen counselor. He shares -- when a teen breaks the rules, he or she need a responsible adult to respond, not react. To respond is to offer calmness, honesty, love, grace and support while seeking to correct the misbehavior. However, to react is to become emotional, angry, hurt, quick to judge, and often harsh. Knee-jerk reactions are almost always counterproductive. It is not any different if you’re dealing with pre-teens. Reacting to your teen will probably never give you the change you intended or wanted. Responding properly can be difficult and takes lots of practice. Counting to ten is good, but then what?
Parents of teens must learn to stop their mouths, think about needs to be done, and only then should they speak or act. So, “Stop, Think, Act” is the plan. You cannot ignore or overlook inappropriate behavior. You must respond based on what you know is true – your faith, your own beliefs, and what you know is best for your child. You might be dealing with just an ice cube, or you might have just touched on the tip of the iceberg of what’s going on in your teen’s life -- don’t burn bridges with harsh reactions. Stand your ground concerning the boundaries, and follow through on consequences, but strive to get through it all with your relationship intact. It is the same with kiddos…you have to win the battle of the wills -- it is critical. Then your teen or child will learn to respect the healthy boundaries you’ve put into place in his or her life, and in the future will continue to come to you whenever he or she is struggling.
Blessings,
Don
As a follow up to "Proper Responses," I offer some great insights from Mark Gregston, teen counselor. He shares -- when a teen breaks the rules, he or she need a responsible adult to respond, not react. To respond is to offer calmness, honesty, love, grace and support while seeking to correct the misbehavior. However, to react is to become emotional, angry, hurt, quick to judge, and often harsh. Knee-jerk reactions are almost always counterproductive. It is not any different if you’re dealing with pre-teens. Reacting to your teen will probably never give you the change you intended or wanted. Responding properly can be difficult and takes lots of practice. Counting to ten is good, but then what?
Parents of teens must learn to stop their mouths, think about needs to be done, and only then should they speak or act. So, “Stop, Think, Act” is the plan. You cannot ignore or overlook inappropriate behavior. You must respond based on what you know is true – your faith, your own beliefs, and what you know is best for your child. You might be dealing with just an ice cube, or you might have just touched on the tip of the iceberg of what’s going on in your teen’s life -- don’t burn bridges with harsh reactions. Stand your ground concerning the boundaries, and follow through on consequences, but strive to get through it all with your relationship intact. It is the same with kiddos…you have to win the battle of the wills -- it is critical. Then your teen or child will learn to respect the healthy boundaries you’ve put into place in his or her life, and in the future will continue to come to you whenever he or she is struggling.
Blessings,
Don
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
Proper Responses
Friends,
In the Word, we see that Jesus is not the only child born to Mary. She and Joseph have other children. Matthew’s gospel (13:55) tells us of James, Joses (Joseph), Simon and Judas (Jude) in addition to unnamed sisters. As we come to John 7:1ff, it is incredible how His brothers could have lived with Him all those years and not realized the uniqueness of His person. Perhaps, this is simply a testimony concerning how quiet Jesus was up until the time of His ministry commission at age 30 (Matthew 3), but it is not possible to know. Certainly the brothers are aware of Jesus’ miracles to this point after His commission…especially since everyone else seems to be aware of them. Having been in close contact with Him, the brothers have had the best opportunity to watch Him and test Him…and yet, they still are unbelievers! Irony abounds in this situation. Here, we have these men going up to a religious feast (Feast of Tabernacles) with their brother, who is the Messiah...even though they are rejecting Him as their Messiah at this time.
Jesus' brothers display the world’s point of view – if you want to get a really good following, Jesus, use your opportunities to do something spectacular. This is similar to what many of the Jews thought with regard to Jesus. Jerusalem would be crowded with people and this would provide Jesus with the ideal opportunity to present Himself, and win disciples. The brothers likely knew that Jesus had lost some disciples…so this would be an opportunity for him to regain some of them. Unfortunately, we detect a tone of sarcasm in the speech of the brothers that also betrays their intentions (v.5). They are not really concerned about Jesus’ life and ministry…and, indeed, they see this as an opportunity to ridicule Him. Jesus has already turned down the crowds’ offer to make Him king (6:15), and He also sees through this sad charade. Jesus could certainly perform some miracles at this time, but like so many things in His life, as well as in the lives of others -- it is all a matter of timing. This is not the right time for Jesus to reveal Himself to the world. He is living and ministering on a divine time table that is marked out by His Father. He exercises caution at this time, because He knows that the Jewish leaders are seeking to kill Him.
Through His character and His ministry, Jesus reveals the shallowness and the emptiness of the religious system of the Jewish leaders, and He is, indeed, calling them and all of the Jewish people back to the reality of life in and with God. As history reveals, the “religious system” often persecutes the very prophets of God who are sent to save it… including in our present day and time, which ought not to be. The Father has a plan for His Son, and nothing can spoil this plan…it is set in action. Jesus does not tempt the Father by rushing to the feast, nor does He lag behind when the proper time comes for Him to attend the feast. Spiritual discernment learns God’s timing. As we understand it, the debate rages on as to who this Jesus is – the religious leaders have an opinion, as well as the crowd…some of them believe He is a good man, others believe that He is a bad guy.
It is not an easy thing – to do what is right and be ridiculed for it. Many of us have probably been in this position. Several years ago, the Boy Scouts of America chose to take a stand on the basis of their principles against an Eagle Scout who claimed to be an atheist. One of the basic tenets of the Boy Scouts is the belief in a Supreme Being. Because some people do not believe in a Supreme Being, they believe that they are being discriminated against…yet, the Boy Scouts of America is a private organization and not a public entity. The Boy Scouts set their own by-laws and have every right to do so, and I admire them for this. Even though they may be persecuted by certain groups who do not agree with them, they continue to stand steadfast behind their by-laws and beliefs. To the present day...certain people, those of us who are believers, find ourselves in a similar situation, in some respects, but where the shoe is on the other foot, so to speak. A group of people have chosen to make a case regarding what they believe, and are facing persecution for it. With respect to the emotions involved in the situation, just as the atheists needed to (but did not necessarily) show proper respect and restraint in their particular situation and campaign, so we who are believers in Christ have an opportunity to respond in a different, yet forthright, manner. After all, if we react in the same way as the atheists…rather than respond appropriately...are we then viewed any better than them in the eyes of onlookers? Indeed, we are viewed worse.
At times, we find ourselves in the same position as the Lord, or as the Boy Scouts. How do we handle ridicule or rudeness when it comes our way? We can react in kind…and return ridicule for ridicule (which I have done, by the way...and contrary to popular belief...one doesn't necessarily feel better for doing so). This is the way that many folks deal with adversity. Jesus models for us how to respond. Be forthright, be steady – be yourself. Do the right thing. Continue doing what you do and don’t be deterred. It requires courage to stand up, forthrightly, as did the Boy Scouts…this sends the greatest and most positive message. It says, “I will be consistent in my belief and in my walk, come what may.” This is the definition of integrity. God will be pleased and will bless us if we do His will…no matter what seeks to throw us off course. Not only this, but He will give us the strength to stand. So, take a right and proper stand for your belief system…not in a reactive way, but proactively. Seek to make a positive difference for the Lord in your convictions…and positive things will happen.
Blessings,
Don
In the Word, we see that Jesus is not the only child born to Mary. She and Joseph have other children. Matthew’s gospel (13:55) tells us of James, Joses (Joseph), Simon and Judas (Jude) in addition to unnamed sisters. As we come to John 7:1ff, it is incredible how His brothers could have lived with Him all those years and not realized the uniqueness of His person. Perhaps, this is simply a testimony concerning how quiet Jesus was up until the time of His ministry commission at age 30 (Matthew 3), but it is not possible to know. Certainly the brothers are aware of Jesus’ miracles to this point after His commission…especially since everyone else seems to be aware of them. Having been in close contact with Him, the brothers have had the best opportunity to watch Him and test Him…and yet, they still are unbelievers! Irony abounds in this situation. Here, we have these men going up to a religious feast (Feast of Tabernacles) with their brother, who is the Messiah...even though they are rejecting Him as their Messiah at this time.
Jesus' brothers display the world’s point of view – if you want to get a really good following, Jesus, use your opportunities to do something spectacular. This is similar to what many of the Jews thought with regard to Jesus. Jerusalem would be crowded with people and this would provide Jesus with the ideal opportunity to present Himself, and win disciples. The brothers likely knew that Jesus had lost some disciples…so this would be an opportunity for him to regain some of them. Unfortunately, we detect a tone of sarcasm in the speech of the brothers that also betrays their intentions (v.5). They are not really concerned about Jesus’ life and ministry…and, indeed, they see this as an opportunity to ridicule Him. Jesus has already turned down the crowds’ offer to make Him king (6:15), and He also sees through this sad charade. Jesus could certainly perform some miracles at this time, but like so many things in His life, as well as in the lives of others -- it is all a matter of timing. This is not the right time for Jesus to reveal Himself to the world. He is living and ministering on a divine time table that is marked out by His Father. He exercises caution at this time, because He knows that the Jewish leaders are seeking to kill Him.
Through His character and His ministry, Jesus reveals the shallowness and the emptiness of the religious system of the Jewish leaders, and He is, indeed, calling them and all of the Jewish people back to the reality of life in and with God. As history reveals, the “religious system” often persecutes the very prophets of God who are sent to save it… including in our present day and time, which ought not to be. The Father has a plan for His Son, and nothing can spoil this plan…it is set in action. Jesus does not tempt the Father by rushing to the feast, nor does He lag behind when the proper time comes for Him to attend the feast. Spiritual discernment learns God’s timing. As we understand it, the debate rages on as to who this Jesus is – the religious leaders have an opinion, as well as the crowd…some of them believe He is a good man, others believe that He is a bad guy.
It is not an easy thing – to do what is right and be ridiculed for it. Many of us have probably been in this position. Several years ago, the Boy Scouts of America chose to take a stand on the basis of their principles against an Eagle Scout who claimed to be an atheist. One of the basic tenets of the Boy Scouts is the belief in a Supreme Being. Because some people do not believe in a Supreme Being, they believe that they are being discriminated against…yet, the Boy Scouts of America is a private organization and not a public entity. The Boy Scouts set their own by-laws and have every right to do so, and I admire them for this. Even though they may be persecuted by certain groups who do not agree with them, they continue to stand steadfast behind their by-laws and beliefs. To the present day...certain people, those of us who are believers, find ourselves in a similar situation, in some respects, but where the shoe is on the other foot, so to speak. A group of people have chosen to make a case regarding what they believe, and are facing persecution for it. With respect to the emotions involved in the situation, just as the atheists needed to (but did not necessarily) show proper respect and restraint in their particular situation and campaign, so we who are believers in Christ have an opportunity to respond in a different, yet forthright, manner. After all, if we react in the same way as the atheists…rather than respond appropriately...are we then viewed any better than them in the eyes of onlookers? Indeed, we are viewed worse.
At times, we find ourselves in the same position as the Lord, or as the Boy Scouts. How do we handle ridicule or rudeness when it comes our way? We can react in kind…and return ridicule for ridicule (which I have done, by the way...and contrary to popular belief...one doesn't necessarily feel better for doing so). This is the way that many folks deal with adversity. Jesus models for us how to respond. Be forthright, be steady – be yourself. Do the right thing. Continue doing what you do and don’t be deterred. It requires courage to stand up, forthrightly, as did the Boy Scouts…this sends the greatest and most positive message. It says, “I will be consistent in my belief and in my walk, come what may.” This is the definition of integrity. God will be pleased and will bless us if we do His will…no matter what seeks to throw us off course. Not only this, but He will give us the strength to stand. So, take a right and proper stand for your belief system…not in a reactive way, but proactively. Seek to make a positive difference for the Lord in your convictions…and positive things will happen.
Blessings,
Don
Saturday, March 13, 2010
Mavericks On a Roll
Friends,
If you have read my sports posts...I do not do NBA messages very often. And when I have, it seems like it has been a lament about my former team, the Sonics moving to OKC. I have not truly been a big basketball fan since Jack Sikma, Gus Williams and the Johnsons were on the floor leading Lenny Wilkens' SuperSonics to NBA Finals appearances in the late 70s. Yet, it is pretty hard to ignore the 13 game (going for 14 tonight) winning streak of the Dallas Mavericks. Every since they made the trade to obtain guard Caron Butler, big man Brendan Haywood, and back up DeShawn Stevenson, they have been unstoppable. If they keep this up, I might just have to become a "fan," which would be saying something. :-) The last team that I found myself "sort of" rooting for was the Spurs teams of David Robinson (terrific fellow and basketball player) in the 90s. My only big hang up in following the Mavs...and I know it's probably blasphemy to Mavs fans...is that I am not a fan of Dirk Nowitzki. Nonetheless, I am impressed. I hope that they can ride this momentum into the playoffs. Nothing would make me happier in the sports Spring of 2010, but to have the Mavericks knock the much disliked Lakers out of the playoffs. So, for now, I am on the bandwagon...to a degree -- go Mavs!
Blessings,
Don
Addendum...ok, tonight has to be proof from above that I should not be a basketball fan, as the Mavs were spanked by the lowly Knicks to end their winning streak. :-P
If you have read my sports posts...I do not do NBA messages very often. And when I have, it seems like it has been a lament about my former team, the Sonics moving to OKC. I have not truly been a big basketball fan since Jack Sikma, Gus Williams and the Johnsons were on the floor leading Lenny Wilkens' SuperSonics to NBA Finals appearances in the late 70s. Yet, it is pretty hard to ignore the 13 game (going for 14 tonight) winning streak of the Dallas Mavericks. Every since they made the trade to obtain guard Caron Butler, big man Brendan Haywood, and back up DeShawn Stevenson, they have been unstoppable. If they keep this up, I might just have to become a "fan," which would be saying something. :-) The last team that I found myself "sort of" rooting for was the Spurs teams of David Robinson (terrific fellow and basketball player) in the 90s. My only big hang up in following the Mavs...and I know it's probably blasphemy to Mavs fans...is that I am not a fan of Dirk Nowitzki. Nonetheless, I am impressed. I hope that they can ride this momentum into the playoffs. Nothing would make me happier in the sports Spring of 2010, but to have the Mavericks knock the much disliked Lakers out of the playoffs. So, for now, I am on the bandwagon...to a degree -- go Mavs!
Blessings,
Don
Addendum...ok, tonight has to be proof from above that I should not be a basketball fan, as the Mavs were spanked by the lowly Knicks to end their winning streak. :-P
Thursday, March 11, 2010
Covenant for Peace
Friends,
James Strahan shares, “Men are not to be judged by the presence or absence of faults, but by the direction of their lives.” Abraham has made some mistakes in his life, but has learned from them. After being at odds with his neighbor, Abimilech, king of Philistia, Abraham enters into an agreement…he makes an oath with Abimilech that they should be able to live in an honest and trustworthy relationship with respect to one another (Genesis 21:22ff).
The fact that some of Abimilech’s servants have seized Abraham’s well comes to light, which wold violate their oath. Abraham brings the facts concerning the situation to his neighbor, but Abimilech knows nothing about it. Only the Lord understands whether or not Abimilech is telling the truth, but Abraham makes certain that it is a dead issue. This time the two leaders go beyond giving a mere oath to actually making a covenant which involves the slaying of an animal. This is where the expression “to cut a covenant” has its origin. Abraham and Abimilech do so, and by walking between the sacrificial animal, they are saying, in effect, that they should become as the slain animal if one of them should break their covenant. This signifies just how serious a matter covenant is, and how serious that this matter is for them. Another result of this situation is that a new name for God is introduced here – El Olam, “The Everlasting God”. Abraham has already known God as El Elyon, “God Most High” and El Shaddai, “God Almighty.” What an encouragement to know “the Everlasting God” as the result of this situation. The things of this earth -- wells, trees, treaties – pass away, but not God. He remains forever!
In a recent interview, actor Mark Harmon was asked, “what is the most mysterious thing about life?’ He said, “Peace” -- an interesting answer. Just as war comes from the heart, so does peace. We must not give our hearts and lives over to being in conflict with people…and certainly not our neighbors or our friends. A preacher friend of mine said one time – “if you want to know what kind of a person I am, go ask my neighbor…he will tell you the truth.” As much as it depends upon us, we all have a responsibility to make peace and to live in peace with one another. If Abraham, the great man of faith, could beat the odds with another despite sin and mistakes, far be it from us to think that we cannot also do the same. We all end up in this position from time to time in life…yet, the true measure of a man or a woman, spiritually, is whether we can forgive and make peace. How are we able to do this? Just as Abraham and Ahimilech covenanted before God, so God has covenanted with us through His Son, Jesus Christ. God gave up His Son so that He would come and give His life for us that we could have the opportunity for eternal life. This is why we frequently call the New Testament, the new covenant. God’s covenant with us guarantees us peace with Him...if we accept it.
Blessings,
Don
James Strahan shares, “Men are not to be judged by the presence or absence of faults, but by the direction of their lives.” Abraham has made some mistakes in his life, but has learned from them. After being at odds with his neighbor, Abimilech, king of Philistia, Abraham enters into an agreement…he makes an oath with Abimilech that they should be able to live in an honest and trustworthy relationship with respect to one another (Genesis 21:22ff).
The fact that some of Abimilech’s servants have seized Abraham’s well comes to light, which wold violate their oath. Abraham brings the facts concerning the situation to his neighbor, but Abimilech knows nothing about it. Only the Lord understands whether or not Abimilech is telling the truth, but Abraham makes certain that it is a dead issue. This time the two leaders go beyond giving a mere oath to actually making a covenant which involves the slaying of an animal. This is where the expression “to cut a covenant” has its origin. Abraham and Abimilech do so, and by walking between the sacrificial animal, they are saying, in effect, that they should become as the slain animal if one of them should break their covenant. This signifies just how serious a matter covenant is, and how serious that this matter is for them. Another result of this situation is that a new name for God is introduced here – El Olam, “The Everlasting God”. Abraham has already known God as El Elyon, “God Most High” and El Shaddai, “God Almighty.” What an encouragement to know “the Everlasting God” as the result of this situation. The things of this earth -- wells, trees, treaties – pass away, but not God. He remains forever!
In a recent interview, actor Mark Harmon was asked, “what is the most mysterious thing about life?’ He said, “Peace” -- an interesting answer. Just as war comes from the heart, so does peace. We must not give our hearts and lives over to being in conflict with people…and certainly not our neighbors or our friends. A preacher friend of mine said one time – “if you want to know what kind of a person I am, go ask my neighbor…he will tell you the truth.” As much as it depends upon us, we all have a responsibility to make peace and to live in peace with one another. If Abraham, the great man of faith, could beat the odds with another despite sin and mistakes, far be it from us to think that we cannot also do the same. We all end up in this position from time to time in life…yet, the true measure of a man or a woman, spiritually, is whether we can forgive and make peace. How are we able to do this? Just as Abraham and Ahimilech covenanted before God, so God has covenanted with us through His Son, Jesus Christ. God gave up His Son so that He would come and give His life for us that we could have the opportunity for eternal life. This is why we frequently call the New Testament, the new covenant. God’s covenant with us guarantees us peace with Him...if we accept it.
Blessings,
Don
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)