Another happy parent

 

This is yet another testimonial form a parent who has a child at Open Arms here in Slidell, Louisiana.

 

It is my joy to be the Executive Director in charge of 3 things: Ministry, Marketing, & Management.

 

We re honored to be a part of every home we touch and are already seeing little children encourage their parents to be more active spiritually.

 

Parent testimony

It Feels Soul Good!

 

3 John:2 Beloved, I pray that all may go well with you and that you may be in good health, as it goes well with your soul.

 

We spend billions each year to try to gain or maintain our physical health.  We spend billons on mental health as well.  We seek peace of mind and  health.

 

John says if we maintain our soul these things will follow.

 

How can we get things to go well for our soul?  Go to the soul maker, Jesus.

 

He made us and designed us to fellowship with Him.  Spend time with Him in the Bible and prayer and see how your soul  begins to gain health.

 

The healthier the soul is the more you will think, act and feel the way Jesus does about others.  You will see people with eyes of mercy and grace.  You will want to be part of God’s redemptive plan.

 

You will know the riches of Christ in a relationship that makes other pale in comparison.

 

So, start your way to a healthy soul today.

Ministry Musings?

 

In a local church, there are many types of ministry to serve and help specific groups.

 

For example….Senior Adult Ministry helps Seniors

 

Youth ministry helps youth

 

Children’s ministry help children.

 

So that begs the question.  What does TV ministry help?

 

Just a thought.

How we doing?

 

2 John verse 4 I rejoiced greatly to find some of your children walking in the truth, just as we were commanded by the Father.

 

John was deeply moved to hear that some of those he grew into maturity were walking in truth.  That is , their life was staying on the straight and narrow and making  a difference.

 

Any parent can relate.  We long to hear good things of how our children are doing when they are away from home.  It does not matter if they are just playing down the street with a friend, at school or living in another state hundreds of miles away.

 

It particularly delights our hearts to hear our loved ones have remained or returned to the faith of their fathers.

 

We call it love that lasts!

Don't Fail This One Question Exam!

1 John 5: 11 And this is the testimony, that God gave us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. 12 Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life.

What is the most important question you ever have to answer?

Did you go to church every week?

Were you a good person?

Were you religious?

Did you try to follow the 10 commandments?

None of the above.

It is- “What did you do with My Son, Jesus?”

God gave and defined eternal life…life in the Son, Jesus.  It is all about relationship with God through Jesus.  

For all of time, in trying to follow God man has attempted to:

Complicate

Control

Condemn.

God says, “Love Me by loving and living in My Son.”

KISS- Keep it simple, saints

"No...really. You go first!"

I John 4: 19 “We love because he first loved us.”

One definition of love I hear is “Giving of oneself to meet the needs of another without expectation of return.”

It is not "I love you if…"

"I love you when…"

"I love you because you make me feel…"

It is God kind of love.  "I love you (period)."

God’s is the great initiator.  He sought us, we never seek Him.  Jesus said he came to seek and save that which was lost…us.

The closest thing on earth is the love of a parent for their child.  Giving…loving…sacrificing because of the needs of the person who is the object of love and not just for what the parent can experience in return.

So it is with Jesus.

He loved and waited to see if it was recognized…responded to…returned.

He loves you.  What you gonna do about it?

Your Gap is Showing

I John 3: 18 “Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth.”

Know what an example of frustration is?  When you know what to do and don’t do it.  It is also a source of tremendous stress in our lives.

Want to enjoy life more? Close the gap between what you say and what you really do.

This is also the definition of hypocrisy.  Saying we love Jesus and fellow man, but our actions don’t demonstrate it.

Many non-believers say they don’t like all the hypocrisy in church, and that’s’ why they stay away.  Let me share a Greek word for that….BALONEY!  If they had any interest in God or desired to be with His people they could learn to overlook inconsistencies, faults and failings.  They would look for a church where these kind of people are embraced.  People are looking for a safe place to be honest…vulnerable…imperfect.

So, do like a local Ford dealer says down here in New Orleans…”bridge the gap” between what you say and what you do.

You’ll be glad you did.

If you really know then you will go

1 John 2: 4 Whoever says “I know him” but does not keep his commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him, 5 but whoever keeps his word, in him truly the love of God is perfected. By this we may know that we are in him: 6 whoever says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked.

We can claim we know God but reality is our life.

Do you just talk about Him or walk with Him?

One will want to keep His word and spend time (walk) with Him the more deeply they love Him.

Ever notice an elderly couple that begin to look alike?  God seems to let them begin to resemble an reflect one another.  They start sentences and share a laugh.  They have knowing glances.  They can finish one another’s’ thoughts. 

Why?

Because they love each other and walk together.

God is calling each of us to walk with Him.  First as individuals; then as families and communities of faith.

It’s a great trip…get started.

Lighten up!

I John 1: 5 “This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.”

Ever listen to kids brag on their Dad?  It is fun…endearing…intense.

“Oh yeah…well my Dad can…”

Their Dads become mythic and heroic with an air of invincibility. It would do their Dads good to hear it from their kids occasionally.

Jesus had a message about his Father…"He Is light…in Him is no darkness”

It’s not bragging if it’s the truth.

John was reminding his readers of a simple message. God is light.

Know people living in darkness?  Just point them to He who is light. Stumbling around in darkness… go to the light.

When you see the sun in the sky...remember the light.

What's it to ya?

John 21: 22 Jesus said to him, “If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you? You follow me!”

This is the nice way Jesus is saying, "Mind your own business.”

God has a design for each of us individually.  He has marvelous, miraculous things He wants to do through each of us.  He uniquely designed and gifted each of us for our place in the body of Christ.

We are to pray for and encourage one another, but what God has planned for others is His business.

I think Jesus was trying to keep Peter focused on his path and purpose. If Peter spent time comparing to others, he may have forgetten what he was sent to do.

He may have been like a jealous child thinking why does Jesus make life easier for them than me?  Why don’t I get a more prominent place in the ministry? 

That’s not our concern.

Pray for others to hear God for themselves but follow Jesus individually.

Lessons from Groundhog Day

Had a relaxing afternoon watching "Groundhog Day" again.  Here are some lessons:

1                     We find more satisfaction when we live to give to the need of others rather than for ourselves

2                     There are a thousand simple things we can do to help others

3                     Everyone can become a “good finder” with a little practice

4                     Classical and jazz piano are under appreciated in this day and time

5                     Like flies to honey, people are attracted to those who are positive in their outlook on life

6                     Being critical takes no creativity

7                     Life is made of a million tiny celebrations…if you can’t find one…start one.  I'm celebrating Tuesday of this week.

8                     People appreciate thoughtfulness

9                     People in the service industry can be treated with dignity due all of us

10                 You are a geek or nerd to someone in your life...don't be proud

What if heaven were not promised?

John 20: 31 “but these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.”

What is the motive for telling others about Jesus?  What do we tell them is the main benefit for becoming a believer?  Do we sometimes get caught up on “fire insurance”?  We focus so on much effort on avoiding hell that we miss the real value.

The real value is to have life in His name.

In other words,  how many people would commit their lives to Jesus if heaven was not promised but only the relationship they could enjoy with Him in this life?  I fear the number would be a lot less.

Jesus promises eternal life.  That is life of quality not quantity.  It is life that has value, richness and meaning.

He still offers that life, His life to those who will believe and receive.

Life's not fair...Thank God!

John 19: 16 “So he delivered him over to them to be crucified.”

I have one thing to say about this cowardly, crowd pleasing act on the part of Pontius Pilate…THANK GOD!!!

You see, our potential for forgiveness was in the balance.  If Jesus Christ had NOT been crucified there would have been no shedding of the blood for  cleansing us from sin.

Did Pilate know he was doing God’s will?  No.

Is God’s purpose thwarted by man?  No.

Was if fair that the only One Who had lived a sinless life was in a mock trial and offered up to death to please the crowd?  No.

Am I glad He was?  Yes.

You should be too!

Truth...why bother?

John 18:38 Pilate said to him, “What is truth?”

“Tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth. So help me God”

Why is this so hard for some of us? 

Because we do not take the truth personally.  We think not telling the truth is violating principles…not worth the effort… not very popular today.

Truth is a Person.

Jesus said,” I am the way, the truth and the life”  John 14:6

To know Him is to know truth.  

John 17: 3 “And this is eternal life, that they know you the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent. “

Thus ends one of the debates of man since creation. 

What is eternal life?

Jesus declares it is not going to church…following a religion…trying hard to be good or righteous.  It is to know GOD and Jesus Christ whom he sent.

How do you get to know God?  How do you get to know anyone?

•  Spend time with them.
•  Do things with them.
•  LISTEN  to them. 
•  Committing to the relationship.
•  Talk with other who know them.
•  Read their love letters.

Pick one from the above list and start today.

For Heaven's Sake

John 16: 27 “for the Father himself loves you, because you have loved me and have believed that I came from God.”

You will gain the attention and affection of a parent based on how you treat their child.

Treat a child with love and tenderness and a parent will build a relationship with you.  Make a child unhappy or feel unsafe and you will bring wrath upon yourself.

The primary question God will ask people at the end of their life will be this, “How did you treat my Son?’

With undying devotion and affection or casual indifference and neglect?

SO, love, honor and do not ignore Jesus…for heaven’s sake.

Quit Trying so Hard

John 15: 5 “I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.”

We say we believe Scripture to be true, but we really do not believe the last part of this verse.

In American, the land of self-sufficiency and individuality, we believe we can do almost everything without Jesus.  Yet, Jesus assures us that we can do nothing that last or matters apart from Him.

North of Covington, Louisiana is a vineyard that hosts wine tastings and Jazz concerts.  One time, when my wife and I were driving around, we discovered the location  and drove onto the property.  It was beautiful...peaceful...relaxing.

Know what I noticed?  I barely heard any sound. I did not hear the branches saying, “Make a grape…make a grape”.

You see, a branch has one simple responsibility…to abide on the vine.  To draw nourishment…life…purpose from the vine. The vine will supply all the branch needs to be productive…as long as it stay hooked in.

Jesus will grow our lives into what He wants us to be when we abide.

Get aside with Him today.  Just believe and receive.

Simple Love

John 14: 24 Whoever does not love me does not keep my words. And the word that you hear is not mine but the Father's who sent me.

Does it get much simpler?

Jesus does not measure love for Him in church membership or attendance but in keeping His words.

How can you do that if you do not know His word?  If your only exposure to the Word is a couple of SUNDAYS A MONTH HAVING A PREACHER OR PRIEST DECLARE IT TO YOU, YOU ARE MALNOURISHED. That would be like someone else eating your food for you and spitting it out in a plate for you to eat.  Not very inviting or nourishing.

You need to get into the Word on your own.  The purpose of reading and studying the Word is to get to know Jesus better, live like Him and meet Him each day.  To read Scripture and not meet Jesus is like going to a restaurant to eat the menu and not the meal.

Read John chapter 14 today and ask 2 questions.  Lord, what do you want me to do based on what I read?  Then ask Him to do for you based on what you read.

Time for a Check Up

John 13: 35 “By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”

In the last 12 years my family and I have attended about 10 churches form various denominations.  Some Baptist, Pentecostal, AG, Lutheran, Non-denominations charismatic, non-denominational Bible teaching, Methodist and even a Baptist church who changed their name to look more non-denominational.

Each has traditions and expression of their faith they consider unique and probably even biblical.

Know what Jesus said is the sign of His disciples?  Love for one another?

A disciple is more than just an occasional attender, a one time baptized or confirmed convert.  A disciple is one who patterns their life after their teacher.  They commit their life to study the way and words of those they follow.

Jesus says the end product, the lifestyle of His disciples will be love.

Based on this, how are you doing as a disciple?

Amie F on Spirtual Growth at OA

I Know He Watches Me

John 12 42 Nevertheless, many even of the authorities believed in him, but for fear of the Pharisees they did not confess it, so that they would not be put out of the synagogue; 43 for they loved the glory that comes from man more than the glory that comes from God.

Why do we get caught up in wanting to have others speak well of us.?  Why do we fear others opinions and our reputation in their eyes?

Simply put…the fear of man. I think a more detailed answer would be vision and time perspective.

We only see about an hour into the future.  If we would live in light of eternity many of our selfish problems would diminish if not disappear.

Another way to say this is that we live for the wrong audience.  Our only audience should be that we know God has His loving watch over us and He delights in us.  He offers grace, mercy, forgiveness and future with Him.

Seek more that we live for the glory of God than glory from man.

Faith or Fear

John 11:47 So the chief priests and the Pharisees gathered the Council and said, “What are we to do? For this man performs many signs. 48 If we let him go on like this, everyone will believe in him, and the Romans will come and take away both our place and our nation.”

This was the response of the religious leaders to witnesses telling them about Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead.

You would think they  would respond in faith but they chose fear.

Fear of what?

Losing their place…position…power.

The same thing happens today.

Some religious leaders fear individuals who don’t’ “follow the faith”.  That is, they don’t line up with the particular teachings of the church they are in and experience more freedom than they think is safe for most people to have.  They seek to control the behavior of others by using their interpretation of the Bible to limit them.

I won’t tell what the Apostle Paul said these guys can do to themselves.

So, let the power of Jesus to raise people to new life prompt your faith and not your fear.

Who's in Charge Here?

John 10:17 For this reason the Father loves me, because I lay down my life that I may take it up again. 18 No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again. This charge I have received from my Father.”

Every day we wake up with a question looming over us.

“Who’s in charge here?”

Jesus is.

In this passage He states without doubt His life can only be given when He chose and not when someone sought to take it from Him.  Others may look like they have the upper hand, but nothing was done without His permission…His purpose…His plan.

Even more incredible is the fact that He announced He would be back.

He laid down His life and He took it back up again.

Man’s ultimate fear, death, is no longer to be feared.  Jesus has been there and back and lives. 

During this season when much of the Christen world commemorates the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ, let’s remember there was never a moment when he was not in charge.

He still is.

Can You Hear Me Now?

John 9:31 We know that God does not listen to sinners, but if anyone is a worshiper of God and does his will, God listens to him.

This was the response of a man born blind whom Jesus healed.

Want to be heard by God?  Two words: worshiper and will.

Worship Him and give Him ultimate value in your life.  Prize God and a relationship with Him above all things.  

Want to know what most people worship? Ask to see their calendar or checkbook.   Where we spend our time and money reveals what or who is most important to us.

As you develop a life committed to worship Him, you will want to do His will.  You will choose to serve others, to bless others, to tell others about what God has done for you. You will come to treasure God so much and be consumed with how amazing He is, you will develop a deep passion for others to know Him.

When you develop a consistent walk with God, an ever deepening relationship with Him and do His will, you will know He hears you. 

And you will hear Him as well.

Secondhand Lions Worth a second Glance and 3rd, 4th.....

One of most delightful movies of all time.

It is rich in relationships and great dialogue.  Michael Caine and Robert Duvall provide a perfect counter balance for one another.  Their back forth comments are superb and give insight into their characters.

I have watched this movie several times and grin almost the whole time I watch it. 

There are several scenes that evoke a chuckle just thinking about them: lion hunting, gardening, past adventures, café confrontation with young thugs, etc. 

The movie has many tender moments between the great nephew and the great uncles.

We liked it so much it is one of the few movies we bought on DVD in years.

Enjoy it as a family movie and treasure it often

Freedom is not Free

So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed in him, "If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free."

John 8:31-32

We long for the freedom mentioned in this verse, but forget freedom always has a price.

Jesus says we are to abide in His word, that is to read, know and apply His teachings and this will set us free.  You can't really know something until you act on it or obey.

You don’t learn the word by someone else always digesting it for you. We  all need to read the Bible on our own.  Perhaps just do what I am doing, read a chapter a day out of the Gospel of John.

As you read, ask “Lord, what do you want me to do with what I read?”

Then tell Him what you want based on what you read.

Today, for me, it is learning to abide and asking Him to show me the truth about areas of my life.

Living for Others

John 7:38 “Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, 'Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.'"

What picture comes to mind when you think about a river that flows?

It carries away junk and sediment.

It refreshes.

It provides plants and vegetation what they need to grow.

Jesus says that if we believe in Him, rivers of water will flow out of us.

Our lives will be refreshing to others around us.  The river is not for ourselves but is to minister His life to others.

Use this Monday to believe in Him and let Him touch others through you.

No need for self promotion

John 6:15 Perceiving then that they were about to come and take him by force to make him king, Jesus withdrew again to the mountain by himself.

So, I guess this means if Jesus were alive today he would not be on Trump’s Apprentice, American Idol or any other self promoting show. I am not sure He would use MySpace, Facebook or Twitter either.

Huh? Why not?

Because knows the hearts of men that we are there for the show and as long as He can do for us, we will follow Him.

Consider this.  When we do take time to pray, how much of it is our “wish list” of needs and wants?

How much is that His kingdom in the hearts of men be advanced at whatever it costs us?

Imagine any one today turning down the crowds trying to make them king.

Jesus never did nor never will need public acclamation to be what He has always been…King!

Didn't I already say that?

If you read my blog, or get Twitter or FB posts from me...be prepared for multiple postings.

I am trying to learn how to coordinate blogs automatically posting on Twitter and FB. I recently set up an account on Twitterfeed and have also set up FB and Tiwtter to talk to one another.

I may be posting like Mel Tillis   before it is all said and Dddddddone.

Be patient and don't block me just yet!

Get a life!

“You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that bear witness about me, you refuse to come to me that you may have life.” Jesus in John 5:39-40

There is still a popular derisive phrase people say to one another-“Get a life”!

Jesus may have been the first to utter this.

Though he was addressing religious leaders of his day, it applies ot us as well.

The religious guys look for life in how they studied and interpreted scripture.  Jesus knows that in this day it is how we study and interpret philosophy some forms of philosophy today are:

Make all you can…can all you get … poison the rest

Pleasure is the greatest reassure

I am entitled to (fill in the blank (job, happiness, ease of life, to be respected…)

Jesus boldly but calmly states in John 14:6 . “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”

Forget religion, Jesus bids us come for relationship.

DO take it personally!

John 4:42 “They said to the woman, "It is no longer because of what you said that we believe, for we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this is indeed the Savior of the world."

This is what people of Samaria said to the Woman at the well regarding Jesus.

This is an important truth. Your testimony about what Jesus has done and who He is to you may encourage others to put their faith in Him, but it is not enough.

“for we have heard for ourselves”. That is the key. Each of us must hear God for themselves. His call to a relationship with Him is personal…targeted...specific.

Parents cannot become believers for their children, nor wives for their husbands. It is personal responsibility, accountability and repentance in faith one on one with Jesus.

Have loved ones apart from God? Pray God will speak to their hearts and they will respond to His call for a relationship.

What's love go to do with it?-Tina Turner

God's answer...everything!


John 3:16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life”

So loved…He gave. I am glad God took the initiative. His love compelled Him to seek and save that which was lost. I was not interested in seeking Him…did not want to be bothered. Thankfully, He did not give up on me.

God gave…God sent…Jesus went.

In times of darkness and discouragement, remember “God gave”.

Why? He loved and still loves.

Enjoy, mediate on and thank God for his love today.

Remember…God is love.

Enjoy this song.
How deep the Father's Love for us

The NIKE passage

John 2:5 “His mother said to the servants, "Do whatever he tells you." Those who love the LORD should make this their guiding theme each day. It is the simplest, most satisfying approach to life, but does have obstacles. One is do we have the mindset for instant obedience as did those in this passage?

SERVANTS

Not a common concept in these times. We want to negotiate and hear alternatives to simple, unvarnished obedience. After all, we have 500 channels to choose from on TV, 5-6 cell phone carriers and a vast menu at eating establishments…why would God limit us to obeying His first call on our lives?

Because, using a TV show title from early days, Father knows best.

The bigger obstacle presented in this passage is hearing God. ”Whatever He tells you.” That is phrase is rich with power. It also presents the challenge to know God’s voice. Suggestions? Spend time in His Word. Obey the obvious. Learn to slow down…get your mind and heart still…listen.

Here’s where we get practical. Want to hear God more clearly? Do what you already know. In each of us is something we know we are not doing that God is calling us to obey. We limit our progress until we obey. You know it is true. He is calling and you are dragging your feet.

Let me summarize this passage as the Nike passage…JUST DO IT!