Tuesday, April 17, 2012
Know about or know personally
Psalms 103:7 said God made His ways known to Moses but his deeds to Israel. What a contrast. Israel was content to base their belief about God on their external senses. They wanted to see God do for them or unto their enemies. When God did not seem to be paying attention, all restrictions on behavior and morality went out the window. Many people live the lives of area code Christians. They believe when they get out of their area code, it’s like God does not care or is not paying attention. Take a Caribbean cruise to see how this works.
Moses however knew more than just the actions of God. He knew the heart and motives of God. Ex 33:11 says “Thus the Lord used to speak to Moses face to face, as a man speaks to his friend.” WOW! If we really got to know and spend time with God, He would speak to us plainly, intimately, helpfully as friend to friend. A friend does not always demand an explanation, but always supports. Sometimes a friend just sits with you and does not say a word. You are comforted just by their presence. A friend sticks closer than a brother. A friend walks with you through the valley of the shadow of death. A friend might even die for you.
What a friend we have in Jesus,
All our sins and griefs to bear!
What a privilege to carry
Everything to God in prayer!
Oh, what peace we often forfeit,
Oh, what needless pain we bear,
All because we do not carry
Everything to God in prayer!
That little voice you hear in your heart? That’s your Friend saying, “Let’s spend some time together…maybe even talk!”
Saturday, April 14, 2012
What if God used Social Media?
Much of communication today comes via social media. Let’s try to imagine if God used social media.
What’s God’s Facebook page look like? Would you Friend Request Him to see if He accepted you? Would you have alerts sent to you by phone, text or email when He had something to say? What do you think would be His interest and hobbies? (Savior & Sovereign of the Universe?) Would you have many friends in common?
What about God’s Twitter? He has an account. It is a collection of short, witty and wise saying that are 140 characters or less. They contain insight on speech, relationships, work, companions, diligence, discernment, protecting marriage, adultery and other areas of personal lives. It’s called the book of Proverbs. There are 31 chapters so read a chapter each day of the month. Set aside 10 minutes to read His twitters daily. Then, put them into practice. Hey, go ahead and retweet them to your followers. (You will appear wise beyond your years.)
How about God on YouTube? There are four channels I like best: Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. They paint a picture of Jesus Christ from four unique viewpoints. Matthew appeals to the Jewish foundation of the faith. Mark shows a man of action. Many chapters begin with the words, “and then” showing Jesus in continual motion. Luke is the physician’s account. We see that especially at the Cross. John is the enraptured, tongue tied soul caught up in the glory and passion for the Beloved of God.
If you like history, read and use your imagination to see the action in Acts. Finally, forget action movies. They pale in comparison to the Revelation of Jesus Christ. Incredible imagery of purity…power…passion. I admit, I skipped ahead to the end of the story. We win. Jesus is Victor and our victory.
What’s God’s Facebook page look like? Would you Friend Request Him to see if He accepted you? Would you have alerts sent to you by phone, text or email when He had something to say? What do you think would be His interest and hobbies? (Savior & Sovereign of the Universe?) Would you have many friends in common?
What about God’s Twitter? He has an account. It is a collection of short, witty and wise saying that are 140 characters or less. They contain insight on speech, relationships, work, companions, diligence, discernment, protecting marriage, adultery and other areas of personal lives. It’s called the book of Proverbs. There are 31 chapters so read a chapter each day of the month. Set aside 10 minutes to read His twitters daily. Then, put them into practice. Hey, go ahead and retweet them to your followers. (You will appear wise beyond your years.)
How about God on YouTube? There are four channels I like best: Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. They paint a picture of Jesus Christ from four unique viewpoints. Matthew appeals to the Jewish foundation of the faith. Mark shows a man of action. Many chapters begin with the words, “and then” showing Jesus in continual motion. Luke is the physician’s account. We see that especially at the Cross. John is the enraptured, tongue tied soul caught up in the glory and passion for the Beloved of God.
If you like history, read and use your imagination to see the action in Acts. Finally, forget action movies. They pale in comparison to the Revelation of Jesus Christ. Incredible imagery of purity…power…passion. I admit, I skipped ahead to the end of the story. We win. Jesus is Victor and our victory.
Thursday, March 29, 2012
I’ll be praying for you!
“I’ll be praying for you”.
Someone at church shares a need or concern about health, finances, family or any of a thousand subjects that trouble them. We want to do and say the right thing so we say “I’ll pray for you”…then we forget.
The exception to this is my mentor and role model in ministry, Dr. Hoyte Nelson, Pastor Emeritus FBC, Slidell.
He embodies compassion and concern. He walks with God. He talks with God. I think he and God are best friends.
Twenty two years ago, after my first week on staff at FBC, I saw Dr. Nelson in the sanctuary just before the morning service. He came to me and clasped my hand and asked how I was doing. I told him I was excited at the opportunity to here, but missed my family who would not be moving to Slidell for another 3 weeks. I asked him to pray for them. That was Diana, who was 7 ½ pregnant with our 3rd child Hope, our son Billy age 4 and first daughter, Grace 19 months. Dr. Nelson said he would pray and I thought that was the end of that. Wrong.
Dr. Nelson closed his eyes and began to pray aloud…right there…right then. Didn’t he know people were watching, the service was about to begin, that I felt awkward?
He didn’t seem to mind. Why? He was talking to the Father on my behalf. I don’t remember the words of what he prayed but the moment will be forever pressed into my heart. There have been numerous times since then I have sought him out. I always enjoy the simplicity, sweetness and purity of his heart before the throne of God.
Try this next time someone asks you to pray for them. You’ll both be blessed.
Someone at church shares a need or concern about health, finances, family or any of a thousand subjects that trouble them. We want to do and say the right thing so we say “I’ll pray for you”…then we forget.
The exception to this is my mentor and role model in ministry, Dr. Hoyte Nelson, Pastor Emeritus FBC, Slidell.
He embodies compassion and concern. He walks with God. He talks with God. I think he and God are best friends.
Twenty two years ago, after my first week on staff at FBC, I saw Dr. Nelson in the sanctuary just before the morning service. He came to me and clasped my hand and asked how I was doing. I told him I was excited at the opportunity to here, but missed my family who would not be moving to Slidell for another 3 weeks. I asked him to pray for them. That was Diana, who was 7 ½ pregnant with our 3rd child Hope, our son Billy age 4 and first daughter, Grace 19 months. Dr. Nelson said he would pray and I thought that was the end of that. Wrong.
Dr. Nelson closed his eyes and began to pray aloud…right there…right then. Didn’t he know people were watching, the service was about to begin, that I felt awkward?
He didn’t seem to mind. Why? He was talking to the Father on my behalf. I don’t remember the words of what he prayed but the moment will be forever pressed into my heart. There have been numerous times since then I have sought him out. I always enjoy the simplicity, sweetness and purity of his heart before the throne of God.
Try this next time someone asks you to pray for them. You’ll both be blessed.
Sunday, March 25, 2012
Set Sean Free…Indeed
In Louisiana few things that stirs passions like the New Orleans Saints. Who does not remember where they were the moment we beat the Vikings with an overtime field goal? Starting the second half of the Super Bowl with an onside kick? Tracy Porter’s interception and TD? None of the 100 million female viewers will forget when Drew Brees, with tears in his eyes, was holding his little boy saying “I love you!”
Lately, it has been rough times for the Saints as Bountygate has come out. Football fans love the collisions in the sport and huge hits. But, I don’t think any of us really want to see a player’s career ended on the field, especially for a bounty that pays less than 1/10 of a percent of a player’s annual salary.
Yet when the punishments were handed down, we were up in arms.
I have seen posts on Facebook and pictures on Twitter saying Free Sean Payton. I agree. He should be free and I know how.
John 8:32 Jesus said, “Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free."
It reminds me of why Martha Stewart went to jail. She was not convicted of insider trading but lying to federal investigators and obstruction of justice.
Same for Coach Payton. When you lie to the ultimate boss, Goodell, and then expect others to lie for you, many times you will get caught and punished.
I want to see Coach Payton set free as well…just from a different prison. Like all of us, he needs to be set free from the prison of sinful pride. Let’s pray his year off to spend time with his family will help him gain perspective, passion and rest. Let’s pray he comes back knowing He Who is the truth and sets us free.
Bless you boys!
Lately, it has been rough times for the Saints as Bountygate has come out. Football fans love the collisions in the sport and huge hits. But, I don’t think any of us really want to see a player’s career ended on the field, especially for a bounty that pays less than 1/10 of a percent of a player’s annual salary.
Yet when the punishments were handed down, we were up in arms.
I have seen posts on Facebook and pictures on Twitter saying Free Sean Payton. I agree. He should be free and I know how.
John 8:32 Jesus said, “Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free."
It reminds me of why Martha Stewart went to jail. She was not convicted of insider trading but lying to federal investigators and obstruction of justice.
Same for Coach Payton. When you lie to the ultimate boss, Goodell, and then expect others to lie for you, many times you will get caught and punished.
I want to see Coach Payton set free as well…just from a different prison. Like all of us, he needs to be set free from the prison of sinful pride. Let’s pray his year off to spend time with his family will help him gain perspective, passion and rest. Let’s pray he comes back knowing He Who is the truth and sets us free.
Bless you boys!
Saturday, March 17, 2012
Watch what you say!
When we go to church on Sundays, we often get caught up in unintentional but habitual lies. What? Lying in church, who would have imagined?
What is the most common lie on Sunday morning? That’s too easy. It’s response you hear when you see someone and ask “How are you?”
Quick, what’s their automatic...thoughtless…insincere response? “I’m fine!” There it is! Right there in God’s house, or at least on His parking lot.
We begin our Lord’s Day expressions by lying to one another.
God has a lot to say about being honest and speaking to one another with integrity. Mean what you say…say what you mean.
Ephesians 4:25 “ Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to his neighbor, for we are all members of one body.”
Colossians 3:9 “Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices.”
Why do we tell this Sunday morning lie?
Because we have believed a lie.
The enemy lies and tells us things like “no other family has disobedient kids…financial pressure…marital stress.” Let me use a Greek word for that…BALONEY.
The real missed opportunity is that when people become real and vulnerable, God can really work.
Risk the trauma of transparency and tell someone the truth next time they ask how you are doing?
They’ll either not hear you, be speechless or may give you a hug.
What is the most common lie on Sunday morning? That’s too easy. It’s response you hear when you see someone and ask “How are you?”
Quick, what’s their automatic...thoughtless…insincere response? “I’m fine!” There it is! Right there in God’s house, or at least on His parking lot.
We begin our Lord’s Day expressions by lying to one another.
God has a lot to say about being honest and speaking to one another with integrity. Mean what you say…say what you mean.
Ephesians 4:25 “ Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to his neighbor, for we are all members of one body.”
Colossians 3:9 “Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices.”
Why do we tell this Sunday morning lie?
Because we have believed a lie.
The enemy lies and tells us things like “no other family has disobedient kids…financial pressure…marital stress.” Let me use a Greek word for that…BALONEY.
John 8:44 “You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies.”
Any family that pretends they have it together is lying to you and themselves.The real missed opportunity is that when people become real and vulnerable, God can really work.
Risk the trauma of transparency and tell someone the truth next time they ask how you are doing?
They’ll either not hear you, be speechless or may give you a hug.
Monday, February 20, 2012
Have you met TED yet?
Have you met Ted yet?
How many people have you met that really improved your
life?
Have you met anyone on the net yet
that can do that?
Would you invest 15 minutes of your life to learn something
new? Challenge the way you think?
Let me introduce you to Ted.
This stands for Technology, Entertainment and Design. This group has held 2 conferences annually
to bring together some of the world’s most innovative thinkers and doers. They are asked to give the presentation of
their lives and do so in less than 18 minutes.
TED is committed to the spreading of ideas, thus they have a
free website with 900 of their best presentations.
Let me challenge you to go to their website during lunch someday
and pick a topic or presentation that looks interesting and stretch your
thinking.
You will find the talks will sometimes irritate…fascinate…and
educate.
Our minds are like other muscles in the body. They must be
stretched, exercised and used or else they grow weak.
Check out www.TED.com and begin bodybuilding for your brain!
Sunday, February 5, 2012
Simple Salvation
What was the genius of Steve Jobs? He did not invent the mouse, the MP3 player or the personal computer. His genius really was simplicity. Real genius can take something complex and make it simple to understand and accept.
I am still in the life insurance business and have qualified for the Million Dollar Roundtable. It is for the top 5% of agents in the world. The top level is Top of the Table. These agents sell a ton of insurance to a lot of people. How do they do it? Not with 20 page financial plans or scenarios. Most of them bring a yellow pad, pen and a simple concept to meet a prospect. They listen to the prospect, discern their stories and needs and then draw out simple one page solutions.
No mention of premium or dollars per month, just simple, easy to choose solutions.
One of the downfalls in how we live our faith is we tend to overcomplicate things. We tell people they have to behave a certain way, read a chosen translation of the Bible, attend OUR church to really get to heaven and the list goes on, and on, and on…
God must weep.
Read the story in Luke 15 of the Prodigal son. This is a simple story to communicate the gospel.
Son chooses his own way (sin), leaves the father (separation), comes to his senses in the pig pen and decides to return home, (repentance) and humbles himself to the father (restoration).
More telling is the father’s heart. He grieves over each one of us who turn from Him. He welcomes us back without “I told you so”. He gives us a robe to cover our filth, (His righteousness), a ring to show authority (the Holy Spirit inside us) and party to celebrate our homecoming (rejoicing over us with love).
Home sick yet?
Come home to God. It’s simple.
I am still in the life insurance business and have qualified for the Million Dollar Roundtable. It is for the top 5% of agents in the world. The top level is Top of the Table. These agents sell a ton of insurance to a lot of people. How do they do it? Not with 20 page financial plans or scenarios. Most of them bring a yellow pad, pen and a simple concept to meet a prospect. They listen to the prospect, discern their stories and needs and then draw out simple one page solutions.
No mention of premium or dollars per month, just simple, easy to choose solutions.
One of the downfalls in how we live our faith is we tend to overcomplicate things. We tell people they have to behave a certain way, read a chosen translation of the Bible, attend OUR church to really get to heaven and the list goes on, and on, and on…
God must weep.
Read the story in Luke 15 of the Prodigal son. This is a simple story to communicate the gospel.
Son chooses his own way (sin), leaves the father (separation), comes to his senses in the pig pen and decides to return home, (repentance) and humbles himself to the father (restoration).
More telling is the father’s heart. He grieves over each one of us who turn from Him. He welcomes us back without “I told you so”. He gives us a robe to cover our filth, (His righteousness), a ring to show authority (the Holy Spirit inside us) and party to celebrate our homecoming (rejoicing over us with love).
Home sick yet?
Come home to God. It’s simple.
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