Sunday, December 20, 2009

Happy Birthday, Jesus

This is the time of year we set aside to celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. It is with great pleasure that this week’s blog presents the account of the birth of Jesus from Luke 1:26–38; 2:1–20. (You can also click on the link to visit biblegateway.com, where you can select “Listen to this passage” and hear Luke 1 and 2 read aloud.)

The Birth of Jesus Foretold

In the sixth month, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin's name was Mary. The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.”

Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God. You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever; his kingdom will never end.”

“How will this be,” Mary asked the angel, “since I am a virgin?”

The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called[c] the Son of God. Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be barren is in her sixth month. For nothing is impossible with God.”

“I am the Lord's servant,” Mary answered. “May it be to me as you have said.” Then the angel left her.

The Birth of Jesus

In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) And everyone went to his own town to register.

So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

The Shepherds and the Angels

And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ[a] the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”

Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,
Glory to God in the highest,
and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.
When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let's go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”

So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.

Merry Christmas, from the VOCAB, LLC family to yours!



Sunday, December 13, 2009

What is Family?

We love our family. Of course, there are times when we disagree with one another, or become disappointed in our loved ones. But when the family bond is strong, the love never ends. My brothers and sisters in Christ—do we ever stop to think about the significance of being "brothers" and "sisters" in Christ? We are family!

Recently, I had the pleasure of meeting a large number of family members that I had never met before. As a result, my perception of my family tree suddenly grew exponentially! Not only was I overjoyed to find these long lost relatives—I realized that in an instant, my heart was full of love and appreciation for each and every one of them.

At one point, I had to stop and ask myself: Was the love simply built on the premise of sharing the same last name? Was I genetically predisposed to love these people? Or was it simply the joy that comes with being part of a family?

This really got me to thinking…what if that notion of family was applied to other areas in my life? Take for example, my church family. Do I tell them I love them enough? Do they understand that I appreciate each of them for the talents, strengths, and fellowship that they bring to our place of worship?

And then it extended even farther. What about my work family? Or my community family? Aren’t we all connected in a special way, as well? If I thought of my neighbor as truly my sister or my brother, would I be a little friendlier and more thoughtful toward them? What if my neighbor thought likewise of me?

I really started getting excited about this thing, and then I realized—DUH!—that’s what God has been trying to tell us all along! Matthew 25:34–40 tells of the day that Jesus returns and gathers those who belong to Him. As He calls them, He mentions that they were faithful in showing their love to Him. How? By loving others! God sent His only Son, Jesus Christ, so that WE may be part of the inheritance of His kingdom.

I’m so honored to be part of the family of God and I want to show it with a loving spirit toward all of God’s children!



Sunday, December 6, 2009

Making Bricks Without Straw

“You have to do more with less!”
“We’re short-staffed, but we need you to produce twice as much!”
An interesting ramification of our current economic recession is the demand that’s being placed on the average worker. Many of those who were fortunate enough to avoid the axe of massive job cuts, are wondering if they were fortunate at all—now with longer hours, no increase in pay, and less satisfaction in the workplace.

“Due to the economic recession…” is a phrase that seems to be uttered quite regularly these days. In the workplace, it’s often used as justification for stripping away even the basic niceties that workers have become used to. And it’s leveraged as a threat against those who feel that they can do better elsewhere: “Due to the economic recession…no one else is hiring!”

But there is hope. While dealing with my own struggles in the workplace, I was led to Exodus 5. In this passage of scripture, Moses and Aaron go before Pharaoh to petition for the release of the Israelites. Outraged by the request, Pharaoh sets forth an impossible ordinance: the Israelite slave workers were to continue making their allotment of bricks every day, but they were to do so by gathering their own straw for the bricks. (Basically forcing them to do twice as much with fewer resources.) Upon falling short, the workers were beaten mercilessly.

What I found most interesting about this scenario were the words of Pharaoh in verse 9, “Make the work harder for the men so that they keep working and pay no attention to lies.” Those “lies” that Pharaoh referred to were the petitions of Moses and Aaron on behalf of the Lord to, “Let My people go!” Pharaoh believed that with an oppressive burden of work on their shoulders, the Israelites would turn away from the Word of God.

My brothers and sisters in Christ, during these “hard economic times” have we become so burdened in the workplace that we have turned away from the Word of God? Are we becoming frustrated, depressed, and agitated or are we still leaning on His promises that we are the head and not the tail? Do we still believe that we are more than conquerors? Are we trusting in Him with all our heart and leaning not to our own understanding?

In the NIV version of the Bible, toward the end of Exodus 5, there is a header that precedes verse 22. That header reads, “God promises deliverance.” And as chapter 5 transitions into Exodus 6, the Lord promises to remove His people from their oppressive yoke.

Let’s not be like the Israelites who became discouraged and disgruntled in their oppression. Let’s rejoice and give God praise in advance for His deliverance!


Sunday, November 29, 2009

Thanks for the Encouragement!

On behalf of VOCAB, LLC, we just wanted to take this time to thank you for supporting this blog and our efforts. We have heard so many praise reports from those who read the blog and are strengthened, and it continues to be a blessing to us. We give honor to God and thanks for His direction in our weekly postings.

This blog is just one component of VOCAB, LLC. Our company name stands for Vision, Opportunity, Creativity, Accessibility and Belief. Our mission is to bring the God-led vision of Christian authors to life by offering opportunities for them to become published, helping them express their creativity and making their work accessible to others, based on a belief that inspired work from God must be extended to people throughout the world.

As you begin to prepare for the upcoming holiday season, please don’t forget us as you make your lists for gift-giving. We have a range of titles in our store that are sure to be a blessing to your friends and loved ones.

For her: Take a look at Promises of God. It’s an inspiring collection of spiritual poems that touch the heart and encourage the soul with praises to God and words of worship.

For him: Our latest book, Except Ye Become As Little Children is a wonderful collection of reflections written by a father who, through daily interactions with his son, gained great insights about his own relationship with God.

For them: Our children’s book, It’s Sunday and I’m Going to Church is a classic favorite for many families. Narrated by its 6-year-old author, this book takes you inside the doors of the church from a child’s perspective.

You can order any of these titles today at www.vocabllc.com. Or call 888-358-3993 to find out how readers of this blog can save on shipping!

Thank you again for your encouragement and support and we hope you continue to “Get the Word out!” by sharing this blog with your friends, family, coworkers and others.



Sunday, November 22, 2009

Thanks in Advance

The Thanksgiving holiday is quickly approaching. This is the time when we, as Americans, take a collective step back to reflect on all the things we have to be thankful for. Family, friends, and life are commonly found high on the list. And generally, we express thanks for the things that we have. This year, let’s also remember to give thanks for the things that are coming.

God has a plan for each of our lives. It is a plan that was devised before we were even created. And it is wonderful. Just take a look at Jeremiah 29:11, “For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” God already knows what He has prepared for us and what He wants to give us. So why not thank Him in advance?

Yes, too often, we fall into the secular trap of, “Seeing is believing.” We may thank God for our family because our loved ones are right there in front of us. But what about those of us who are praying for God to add a spouse or a child to our lives? Let’s thank God right now! We often thank God for our material things, like the roofs over our heads, the clothes on our backs, and the food on our tables. But what about those things that we are trusting God for, like a new home, new car, or new job? Let’s thank Him now!

As Christians, we understand that we don’t need to wait for the Thanksgiving holiday to thank God for what he has done. Now, let’s remember to give God thanks in advance for the things He is going to do.

I’m thanking God right now for the things that are to come!



Sunday, November 15, 2009

Who Do You Think You Are?

Our self-esteem is often grounded in our perception of ourselves and our belief in how others see us. Good self-esteem develops when we think well of who we are and when we expect others to think well of us, also. So, Christians should have the best self-esteem in the world, right? Well, we should, but the sad truth is often we do not. That’s because we sometimes forget who we are.

Society often challenges our self-esteem. Are we pretty enough? Thin enough? Smart enough? Wealthy enough? We are encouraged to “keep up with the Jonses” and to put on all kinds of airs and appearances so that others can think well of us, and so that we, in turn, can think well of ourselves. But in reality, it’s only our standing with God that matters.

Self-esteem works from the inside out. From a worldly perspective, that means that you have to feel good about yourself to project a positive self-image that other people will respond favorably to. As Christians, we need to have a right spirit so that others may see God through us.

Of course, there are times in our lives when we get a little down—but we are not like those without hope. We can be encouraged through God’s Word. Jesus reminded believers of just who we are in Matthew 5:14-16, “Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” Our Father thinks so highly of us, why should we think any less of ourselves?

Who do you think you are? You are the light of the world!



Sunday, November 8, 2009

Can You See It?

There is a saying that goes, “If you can see it, you can achieve it.” The basic principle is that in order to become successful, you must be able to visualize your success before it happens. This technique has proven helpful to many, and can even be useful in your life.

Many Olympians report that before breaking world records, they envision their performance. According to these world-class athletes, they visualize themselves making every move that needs to be made. As outside observers, we only see the unbreakable concentration that separates the gold medal winners from the runners-up.

Where do you want to be in five years? What do you want to achieve in your life? It may be helpful to begin to visualize it and focus on your success. For example, if you see yourself as a best-selling author, start to think about what your book cover will look like. Now imagine the feel of the book in your hand. Think about your promotional tour. Your interview with Oprah. If you can see it, you can achieve it.

In the Bible, God used this visualization technique with Abraham. After promising Abraham that he would become the father of many nations, God had Abraham go outside and look up at the stars. God used the stars in the night sky to help Abraham visualize the magnitude of his offspring. (Genesis 15:5–6)

Often we are limited by what we think is possible. How much more successful may we be when we allow God, through Whom all things are possible, to have His way in our lives? If we apply the visualization technique, all we have to do is see it—and let God work out the details.

Before reaching my success I’m going to see it—and through God’s help, I know I’ll achieve it!



Sunday, November 1, 2009

Your Prayer Journal

Fans of nonfiction enjoy reading the biographical accounts of ordinary people who have done extraordinary things. These tales of heroism, triumph and perseverance are often pieced together from journals, letters, and other personal writings and reflections. Lately, more Christians are beginning to keep prayer journals as a way to chronicle their walk with Christ.

Each day, many take time out to jot down their prayer requests, praise reports, or random thoughts in a prayer journal. Some Christians use this as a time of meditation. They may jot down a verse that has had an impact on them or key points from a sermon that were particularly relevant that day. The prayer journal may even be used as a way of communicating with God.

One of the blessings of a prayer journal is being able to go back and see how God has moved in your life. Often, when we are going through a trial or situation, we are unable to see the “big picture.” With a prayer journal, we are able to get a broader perspective. We can read about the events leading up to the situation, see how God was with us each day, and ultimately realize the miracles in our own lives that helped us get through. These are revelations that may only become apparent after the fact, when we are able to see it all on paper.

Moses understood the importance of keeping a prayer journal. The first five books of the Bible, or the Pentateuch, are a written account of how God blessed the Israelites. Moses often retold the historic narrative to the people of God to encourage them, motivate them, and humble them. And these are the words the Israelites passed on to their children and their children’s children so that they would always remember. (Deuteronomy 6:1–3)

Keep your prayer journal as a way to remember what God has done for you. Who knows—maybe it will become a best seller some day and help others, too!




Sunday, October 25, 2009

Does God Have a Sense of Humor?

Recently, I saw series of Christian comedy sketches. They were interesting, thought-provoking, and down right funny. And they reminded me of the question that people have asked time and time again, “Does God have a sense of humor?” Here’s a sample of a classic skit by Bill Cosby about Noah…

Narrator: So Noah began to build the ark. Of course his neighbors were not too happy about it. Can you imagine leaving for the office at 7 AM and seeing an ark?
Neighbor: (enters whistling, with brief case) Hey! You over there.
Noah: What do you want?
Neighbor: What is this thing?
Noah: It's an ark.
Neighbor: Uh huh, well you want to get it out of my driveway? I've gotta get to work. Hey listen, what's this thing for anyway?
Noah: I can't tell you, ha ha ha.
Neighbor: Can't you even give me a little hint?
Noah: You want a hint?
Neighbor: Yes, please.
Noah: Well, how long can you tread water? Ha ha ha
(You can read the full text of this skit at www.skatedc.org/pipermail/skatedc/2003-May/005683.html)

Often when people say “Well, you know, God has a sense of humor,” it is usually regarding some irony. Biblically speaking, it was like the time when Sara found out that she was pregnant in her old age (Genesis 18:12). She laughed at the news—and who wouldn’t at the age of 90? But when the three visitors who brought the message from the Lord questioned Sarah about her laughter, she denied it. Did her denial indicate that her laughter was a sin?

Laughter is usually the last thing you would expect to find in a typical Sunday morning church service. Immediately, the traditionalists among us will say, “Salvation is no laughing matter!” or “Sin is serious!” Yet I have heard sermons that have been laced with humor and have been so effective that in the end, souls were saved. The saying goes, “Laughter is the best medicine.” How much more so for a soul sick with sin?

Some of the most effective ministries are those that allow people to laugh. And I’m not talking about the tight-lipped chuckle that people give when the pastor says something clever. I’m talking about good old, knee-slapping, out and out laughter. And the most amazing thing is that the membership of these ministries is often very diverse in terms of age, ethnicity, economic status, and more. Humor has a way of bringing people together.

After Sarah gave birth to her son Isaac (Genesis 21:6), she reaffirmed, “God has brought me laughter, and everyone who hears about this will laugh with me.” Sarah realized that her situation, as funny as it was, would still stand as an awesome testimony to the power of God and encourage others around her.

I’m going to remember that there is a time to laugh—and that laughter can be used to God’s glory!



Sunday, October 18, 2009

How do you spell love?

I once heard a preacher ask, “How do you spell love?” Of course, almost in unison, the entire congregation replied, “L-O-V-E.” The preacher answered his own question with an unexpected response: “T-I-M-E.” He proceeded to explain that people usually spend most of their time on the things they love most.

This is football season. And there are people who eat football, sleep football, and dream football. They think and talk about football during the week and spend hours watching football games on the weekend. They spend much of their time centered around football because they love football.

As Christians, we profess to love Jesus. But how do we demonstrate that love for Him? Do we devote time to prayer? Do we serve God by volunteering our time to help others? Do we even take the time to read the Word? Does our love for Jesus show in the allocation of our time?

In John 21:15-17, Jesus asks Peter if he loves Him. When Peter says yes, Jesus gives Peter instruction on how he can spend his time showing his love. You’ve no doubt heard the expression, “Time is precious.” Spend it wisely and show the Lord how much you love Him.

I’m going to make a conscious effort to show my love through my time.



Sunday, October 11, 2009

Dancing in the Rain

One of the best quotes I’ve heard recently was, “Life isn’t about learning how to survive the storm, but learning how to dance in the rain.” This reminds me of the power of perspective. And how important it is to make the best out of any situation.

Whenever I hear about a “storm,” I am reminded of the time when the disciples were out on the boat with Jesus and a storm began to rage around them (Luke 8:22-25). The storm was so bad, the disciples were in fear of drowning. In a panic, they woke Jesus from His sleep. Jesus rebuked the wind and waters and the storm subsided. The disciples were in awe of the power of Jesus.

Too often we view the storms of life with the wrong perspective. Our first natural reaction is one of fear or desperation. Even though we know Jesus will never leave us or forsake us, when the wind whips and the storm rages, we panic. But it is only when we call on the name of Jesus that we find peace.

When you come out of your storm, what do you have to show for it? Are you drenched in hurt feelings and resentment—or are you soaked in the joy of knowing that it was God’s grace and power that brought you through?

I may have to weather the storm, but I’m going to learn how to dance in the rain with Jesus.



Sunday, September 27, 2009

“Holey” Christians?

There are some questions that every Christian should be able to answer: Who is Jesus Christ? How does a person become saved? What is faith? However, in this day and age of feel-good Christianity, where church success is measured more by the number of people in the pews than by the character of the congregation, many Christians today have “holes” in their religious doctrine.

Recently, my pastor pointed out that in many churches, there are some fundamentals of Christianity that are being overlooked. He said that it is possible for people to sit in service Sunday after Sunday and still walk away not knowing much about their faith. And, he mentioned, this is an epidemic that affects many church leaders as well as members. So he has called for our congregation to get back to the basics.

It starts with the stuff that used to be taught in Sunday School years ago: Knowing the books of the Bible. Understanding the difference between the Old Testament and the New Testament. Being able to quote the 23rd Psalm and the Lord’s Prayer. Then, it moves on to more advanced teaching: Knowing about Abraham and God’s covenant with him. Understanding the significance of Jesus’ lineage. Realizing why He and His followers were persecuted.

Some people may protest, “Hey, I’m not interested in becoming a Bible scholar!” But the truth is, without a good grasp of the basics, many Christians today are lost, easily swayed and compromised. In case you were wondering how I would answer some of the basic questions posed above, I turn to the Word: Who is Jesus Christ? (John 1:1-14) How does a person become saved? (Romans 10:9-10) What is faith? (Hebrews 11:1)

I want to live holy—not “holey”! What are your thoughts? Leave a message!



Sunday, September 20, 2009

Stay Focused!

Sometimes it seems like it is so easy to lose focus. For example, after deciding to start a new exercise program to lose weight, all of a sudden the calendar gets so crowded, there’s hardly any time to get to the gym. Or after getting inspired to sit down and write the next great American novel, suddenly, there are a million other things to do. The key to reaching your goal is staying focused.

There are so many distractions out there. Everything seems to compete for our attention, especially when we’ve made up our mind to do something very specific. Sometimes legitimate concerns crop up: It’s hard to stay focused on going back to school and finishing a degree when you have to worry about childcare and raising a family. And sometimes our distractions are frivolous: It’s hard to focus on starting your own business when your time off from your regular job is filled with going out, shopping, or having a good time with friends.

Focus is precious. And it is so easy to lose. Even during our walk with Christ, we tend to become distracted. Matthew 14:22–33 gives the account of Jesus walking on water. When Jesus called out for Peter to join Him, at first, the disciple seemed to have solid footing. But Peter became distracted by the boisterous wind and began to sink. So often, we are distracted by what’s going on around us, we lose our focus on Christ. Thank God that Jesus is there to reach out His hand and catch us when we start sinking, like He did for Peter that day on the lake!

When I’m losing my focus because of life’s distractions, I’m turning my thoughts to Jesus. He’ll help me reach my goal!




Sunday, September 13, 2009

What do you expect?

In medicine, there is something called the “placebo effect.” Studies have proven that a placebo (or sugar pill) can be just as effective as an actual drug. Regardless of the disease or problem, when patients expect that a drug is going to help them get better, they usually show some improvement. The placebo effect holds true across just about every illness category imaginable. And it goes to show you the power of great expectations.

As believers in Christ, there should be no limit to our expectations. In Matthew 17:20, Jesus himself says, “…I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.”

If a sugar pill can relieve severe pain, how much more can even a small amount of faith in God meet our needs? My brothers and sisters in Christ, let’s put our faith into action and remember that with God, nothing is impossible.

I’m expecting great things!




Sunday, September 6, 2009

Write through the Pain

Someone once told me that one of the tricks of the enemy is making you feel like you’re the only one who has ever gone through a particular situation. This makes sense, because in times of war, prisoners are often tortured in isolation. That’s why it’s so important for us to share our stories with one another—even the ones that we find are difficult to put down on paper.

There may be times when we find ourselves in a situation that causes us to plead, “Why me, Lord?” Even the apostle Paul wrote in 2 Corinthians 12:7 that he was inflicted with a stressful situation, a “thorn in my flesh.” I have been taught that this was more than just a physical inconvenience, that this “thorn” was causing Paul was causing Paul some emotional distress.

The first thing that Paul did was ask the Lord to remove the thorn. And while God is faithful to answer our prayers, in this instance, He told Paul in verse 9, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” So although Paul was allowed to continue to suffer this trial, he was not alone. He had the grace of God to help him get through.

The second part of verse 9 is also very revealing. The Lord says, “My power is made perfect in weakness.” This reminds me that through our trials and tribulations, it is the power of God that not only gets us through, but encourages others. When we emerge from our situation— not only are we spiritually stronger, but we come out with a testimony that glorifies the name of God and has the power to help others get through.

Your testimony is a powerful tool that God can use. That means that like Paul, when you’re faced with a thorn in your life, write about it. Put it on paper. Share it with others. Here we are, centuries later, but millions of Christians all over the world can read 2 Corinthians 12:7-10 and relate to Paul’s testimony. How many people today can relate to yours?

I’m not going to let the enemy keep me from sharing my story!



Sunday, August 30, 2009

Let Us Pray

I recently participated in an amazing 5-day prayer teleconference and heard a surprising statistic. Did you know that the average Christian prays less than 10 minutes a day? That’s right—of the 1,440 minutes we have in each day, the average Christian sets aside less than 10 of those minutes for talking to God in prayer. In light of this statistic, would you consider yourself an average, below average, or above average Christian? Read on!

How do we pray?
In Matthew 6:5–15, Jesus tells us how to pray. He begins by warning us not to be pretentious or superfluous with our prayers. Then, Jesus goes on to give us the familiar prayer opening of, “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name,” which many of us know as the Lord’s Prayer. Many religious experts call this the “Model Prayer,” and consider it an outline for structured prayer. Yet we know that any simple, but humble prayer is also pleasing to God.

When and where should we pray?
1 Thessalonians 5:17 tells us, “pray continually.” Now, that doesn’t mean that we have to be on our knees at all times or at specific intervals throughout the day. Prayer can take place at any time and any where. We can pray during the day or night. We can pray on our knees or while walking, driving, or working.

What should we pray for?
In Ephesians 6:18, after telling us to put on the whole armor of God, Paul says, “And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.” Our prayers should not only be for ourselves and our needs, but we should also remember our brothers and sisters in Christ in our prayers.

Expanding your prayer life
• Set aside a specific time each day for prayer, such as when you wake up in the morning or just before bed at night.
• Pray with your family. When children see their parents praying, they begin to develop good prayer habits of their own.
• Find out from your pastor or church secretary if your church holds prayer sessions during the week. Corporate prayer is a wonderful and powerful experience.
• If you have a special prayer request and would like someone to join you in praying for your need, send an email to Rev. Heather Greene (host of the 5-day prayer teleconference) at prayerrewards@yahoo.com.

Don’t forget…seven days without prayer makes one weak!




Sunday, August 16, 2009

Choices

In the movie The Matrix, the main character, Neo, is given a choice to make. The character Morpheus, played by Laurence Fishburne, holds out both hands. In one hand is a blue pill that allows Neo to continue to exist in ignorance. In the other hand is a red pill that allows Neo to discover knowledge beyond his imagination. Fortunately for science-fiction lovers everywhere, Neo chooses the red pill and the rest is futuristic history. In real life, we’re also faced with choices to make every day. And those choices can set forth a series of events in our lives that can be to our benefit—or to our distress.

Oh, but if only our choices were as simple as the blue or red pill. At least then, we would know what we’re dealing with. But in reality, we’re not always clearly aware of the consequences of our choices. Obviously, we know it’s wrong to steal and that we shouldn’t commit a murder or cheat on our spouse. But what about when we choose to blow off a responsibility because we just don’t feel like doing it? Or when we choose to give someone a “piece of our mind” because they got on our last nerve?

The truth is, we don’t have a Morpheus to tell us the consequences of our choices. However, as Christians, we have God’s Holy Spirit, who is there to help us make the right choices. That’s why it’s so important to follow the direction of the Holy Spirit. Through prayer, fasting and commitment to studying the Word, we can tune our spiritual ears to the voice of the Spirit.

In Joshua 24:15, Joshua stands before the assembly of the Israelites prior to his death. He tells them to make a choice. Either they will follow after their own desires or choose to follow God. The assembly pledges to follow the one true God as Joshua has done. As Christians, we have made the choice to follow God. And as followers, our subsequent choices should reflect the will of our Father.

I choose to seek the counsel of the Holy Spirit in the choices I make.


Sunday, August 9, 2009

When We’re Faced With the Test

As a student, I always prided myself on my good study skills and retention of knowledge. And every test I passed was confirmation of my academic strength. However, as a Christian, I’m not always as secure that my studying of the Word is up to par or that I am as good at retaining wisdom. And when the tests of life come my way, I’m not always sure that I’m spiritually strong enough to pass them.

Recently, I was faced with a pretty obvious spiritual test. Without getting into the gory details, I immediately recognized the principles at work. I had two choices. I could either a) do what I wanted to do or b) do what God would have me do in the situation. Unfortunately, I chose the first option and failed the test. Miserably.

In the days to follow, I felt as though I had a big, red, “F” emblazoned across my heart. But you see, the great thing about God is that He is an excellent Teacher. When we fail, he doesn’t just give us the “F” and send us on our way. He convicts and then corrects. He shows us why we failed and gives us the wisdom we need to help us when we’re faced with the test again. (Oh, and trust me, my brothers and sisters in Christ, there is ALWAYS a make-up test.)

That’s why it is so important to stay in the Word. 2 Timothy 3:16 says, “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.”

When we’re faced with the tests of life, it’s great to know that the answers are in the Book!


Sunday, July 26, 2009

The Role of Race

At a time when we have a Black man in the white house, many have been quick to point out that racism is dead. However, after the recent incident involving the arrest of a famous Black scholar at his own home and the President’s subsequent comments, the issue of race has again become center stage. And many ugly truths about the role that race plays in our lives are coming to light.

I’ve heard it said that, “Sunday morning at 11:00 a.m. is the most segregated hour in America.” Many would agree there are vast differences between “typical” African American worship services and others. And one could argue that “Black churches” and “White churches” are just a result of the neighborhoods they are in. But I still find it very strange that I currently attend church service in a predominantly white community—but the entire congregation is Black.

Even in my mission travels I’ve noticed the role that race plays. I’ve traveled to two vastly different African countries. And I’ll concede that the color of my skin made it easier for me to see the people I met as my very own brothers, sisters and children. Yet I’ve spoken first-hand to others who seemed to view their mission as, “We’re going to save the savages.” I often wonder if mission trips to European countries have the same undertone.

Jesus didn’t segregate. He preached to the Jews as well as the Gentiles. In fact, in Romans 2, Paul condemns prejudice (passing judgment against someone else) and in verse 11 declares, “God does not show favoritism.” Not race, not ethnic background, nor any other human distinction will influence the salvation of a person’s soul. Christ came to save all of mankind.

The parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25–37) becomes even more powerful when you realize that the helpful and loving Samaritan was from an oppressed class of people. He was, in essence, helping out a man who any other time may have spit in his face. Jesus shows us that God’s Love has no room for racism, prejudice, or segregation.

If we are a reflection of Christ, everyone should see themselves in us.



Sunday, July 19, 2009

The 5 P’s

Every week it seems that a new self-help book comes out with yet another “key to success.” Many of these become best sellers, thanks to the millions of readers who are looking to unlock the secret to prosperity. Yet, many of these so-called tips are built around the same basic principle—the 5 P’s.

The 5 P’s tell us that, “Proper Preparation Prevents Poor Performance.” In other words, if you want something to end right, it has to start right. Imagine if a producer woke up one morning and just said, “I want to put on a Broadway show this afternoon.” Some would argue that with the right resources, he would be able to hire the actors and musicians, rent the hall, and get the word out about the performance. But almost everyone would agree that the actual production would be a hot mess. The actors would hardly know their lines or cues, the music would be sloppy, the sets would still have wet paint, and the audience would demand a refund.

Our lives are so much more complicated than a Broadway production. Which is why proper preparation is so essential. When I was a kid, my mother used to tell me to lay out my clothes at night. That little tip followed me to this day, where I have passed along to my kids the importance of preparing for the day ahead. Proper preparation can be as simple as visualizing what’s ahead and getting yourself mentally ready for it, or as involved as training or practicing for a specific event or craft.

From a spiritual perspective, let us not forget that Jesus said in John 14:2, “In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you.” Jesus is looking ahead to our arrival—and those who will come are those of us who have prepared our souls for eternity.

I’m preparing for what’s ahead!



Sunday, July 12, 2009

Invocation

I often talk to people who tell me that they feel like God is telling them to write something, but they have no idea of how to get started. Today’s blog is a simple one. It’s a prayer of invocation that you can say before you start writing—or before you begin any creative project.

You may have heard the term invocation in church. It’s a prayer of request that usually precedes a worship service. In the truest sense, you’re asking God for His blessing over all that will transpire. And you are inviting Him to be actively involved.

The following prayer is something I wrote to help me welcome the presence of God. I hope you find it a blessing, also:

Invocation

Lord,
I really don’t know what You want me to do
So, Father God, I turn it over to You

My Savior, come forth as I decrease
Jesus, use me as You please

Holy Spirit, please be my guide
Ever-present by my side

Feed Your people, Lord, through my work today
Use me, guide me, have Your way

Amen


Sunday, July 5, 2009

Stop, Drop, and Pray

Years ago, there was a public service commercial featuring the famous comedic actor, Dick Van Dyke. Although the catch phrase was memorable, the message was a serious one: There’s a simple thing you can do to save your life if your clothing or hair catch fire—stop, drop, and roll. As Christians, we can use a modified version of the same advice when we find our situation “in flames.”

Sometimes, we get so overwhelmed with things to do we just don’t know where to start. And there are times when we find ourselves in such an arduous predicament—we don’t know what to do at all. When everything around us seems to be blowing up, it’s time to stop, drop, and pray.

If you look up the “stop, drop, and roll” method in the Wikipedia, it outlines the basics for a fire emergency. Here’s how the modified method works for life emergencies:

Stop. Psalm 46:10 begins with, “Be still, and know that I am God.” We need to take a pause in our situation to acknowledge the Lord, above anything else that’s going on.

Drop.
While we can talk to God any time and anywhere (in the shower, in the car, walking around the park), there are times when we truly need to get down on our knees. It’s a small show of humility and sacrifice that shows the Lord that we are putting aside everything for our time with Him.

Pray.
As children of God, the power of prayer cannot be underestimated. Philippians 4:6 tells us, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” That simple instruction is followed by a promise in the next verse, “And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

When we stop, drop, and pray, God promises to douse our flames with peace and surround us with the healing protection of His son, Jesus. This is a public service announcement from your friends at VOCAB, LLC.

When the fires of life come my way, I am prepared to “stop, drop and pray!”



Sunday, June 28, 2009

Life With a Gift

This week the world mourns the loss of a pop music icon. Michael Jackson touched the lives of people in every corner of the globe with his music. There may be a number of Biblical figures that the King of Pop can be compared to. One that comes to my mind is King David. Through these two kings, we can learn a lot about living with a gift.

Both Michael and David’s gifts were challenged by adversity. It wasn’t by happenstance that Michael grew up in a home with the ultimate stage parents Joe and Katherine Jackson. Nor did David just happen to be a shepherd boy, son of Jesse. Michael’s early years were fraught with abuse and David’s time tending sheep was certainly rough and dangerous every now and then (see 1 Samuel 17:34–35)—yet neither allowed these obstacles to destroy their gift. Your trials can ultimately make your gift stronger.

David and Michael were dedicated to developing their gifts. Even with God-given natural talent, a gift needs to be polished. I often envision David spending much time while in the pastures watching his father’s sheep, practicing his harp and sharpening his fighting skills. It has been documented that Michael Jackson spent hours on end in the dance studio to perfect just a single dance move. Resting on your abilities is not an option, your gift is something to be worked at—daily.

Their gifts did not make them invulnerable to sin. While celebrated world wide for his genuine artistry, Michael Jackson also led a bizarre personal life that alienated some and appalled others. And David, although regarded as one of the greatest leaders that ever lived, allowed his lust for another man’s wife to cause him to orchestrate the murder of the man on the battlefield (2 Samuel 11). While both Michael and David are considered great men because of their gifts, both faced great personal turmoil and heartbreaking tragedy because of their sin. Even if you use your gift for the benefit of others, God doesn’t close his eyes or wink at your sin.

We are all born with a gift. Let’s learn from the examples of those set before us so that our gifts may be used for God’s glory.



Sunday, June 14, 2009

Are You a Regifter?

One of my all-time favorite sitcoms, Seinfeld, coined a phrase that is still popular today: “regifting.” To regift means to take a gift you were given and turn around and give it to someone else (either with or without the original wrapping!). It is considered a disgraceful practice, and if caught, the regifter is often put to shame. Although you would never want to find that someone you love has regifted you, why do we find it acceptable to regift God?

Since the beginning of time, man has made gifts of sacrifice to God. We find that in Genesis 4:3–5, Cain and Abel brought the gifts of their labor before God as a sacrifice. While Abel brought the fat portions from the first born of this flock, the Bible says that Cain laid out “some of the fruits of the soil.” Or basically, he regifted his leftover harvest. God looked upon Abel’s offering with favor, not Cain’s.

One might argue that we have no need to make such sacrifices today. After all, Jesus, the Son of God, was the ultimate sacrifice for our sins. The perfect Lamb without spot or blemish, presented before God to redeem all of mankind. While this is true, let us not believe that we can now wash our hands and be done with the whole gift-giving business.

It is actually because of Jesus’ sacrifice that we can enjoy a closer relationship with God and give Him our gifts willingly and freely. For example, I am always inspired by first-time authors who choose to use their gift of writing to glorify God, rather than please the world. God gave us His best, we should strive to give Him ours.

God doesn’t want our leftovers, He demands our best. I’m not a regifter—I’m giving Him my first fruits!



Sunday, June 7, 2009

What’s Gospel About It? (Part II)

For years, I was a Copywriter at a multicultural advertising agency. Our goal was to target ethnic audiences (primarily African American) with marketing messages that were culturally and socially relevant. Often, I would bring a brilliant ad concept to my Creative Director, present it confidently, and wait for the response. Quite often, he would ask, “What’s Black about it?”

For my Creative Director, “I’m Black and I wrote it,” was never a sufficient answer. While those were particularly frustrating and grueling years, the one thing I learned from multicultural advertising was how to speak to a specifically targeted audience. So no less do I expect my Gospel music to speak to me directly as a Christian. I expect it to reflect the Word of God, to somehow convey the “Good News” (which is where we get the term “Gospel”), or be a psalm of praise and worship to the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. Just because an artist is Christian and they’ve recorded a great song, it doesn’t necessarily make their work Gospel, in my opinion.

More and more so-called Gospel songs are being picked up by Urban Contemporary radio stations. But at what price? In an effort to please everyone, many artists are compromising the Holy One. Many of the songs that cross-over from Gospel to Urban Contemporary fail to directly mention Jesus in the lyrics, or leave plenty of room for “interpretation.”

One might argue that these songs have the best chance to reach wider audiences and attract new believers. While many often quote Paul in 1 Corinthians 9:22, “…I have become all things to all men so that by all possible means I might save some.” They miss the important point that follows in the next verse, “I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings.” Not for glory, not for fame, not for a few million dollars more in the next recording contract.

Is your Gospel playlist truly Gospel? Leave a comment!



Sunday, May 31, 2009

What’s Gospel About It? (Part I)

Every now and then, I’ll turn on the radio and hear a truly inspirational song. One whose lyrics touch my very soul and whose melody inspires me to reflect on someone or something in my life. Yet hardly am I ever confused about the genre of the song. Usually, it fits neatly into its bucket of R&B, Pop, Rock, or Gospel. But then there are those times when the lines are blurred.

I recently participated in a lively discussion at the beauty shop about a particular song that was playing. My hairdresser had the radio set to a popular Urban station. You know, the kind that is likely to have Keyshia Cole, Jamie Foxx, and Mary J. Blige in its rotation. The station began to play a song by an artist who is greatly known and respected in the Gospel community. One of the ladies yelled out, “That’s my song! Girl, I love Gospel music!” Well, that set off a pretty hot conversation about whether or not the song itself was a gospel song.

Using the “if it walks like a duck, and it talks like a duck, it must be a duck” logic, some believed that since the song was recorded by a Gospel artist and produced by a Gospel label, it must be a Gospel song. Using the “if you put kittens in the oven, that doesn’t make them biscuits” logic, others believed that if the intent of the song was anything other than to bring the Good News (aka, “the Gospel”) or worship God, it could not truly be considered a Gospel song.

My brothers and sisters in Christ, this is an argument that has raged in the church for years. Remember the controversy that Gospel singer Pastor Al Green stirred up when he reverted to recording secular songs? And it’s not just an issue in the Black church either—today’s Christian Contemporary and Christian Rock artists often find their music is not so easily embraced by predominately white congregations.

Is it the beat or the tempo that dictates the “holiness” of the song? Is it the lyrics only? How do we define what is truly Gospel, and what is simply “inspirational”? Leave a comment and come back next week for Part II!


Sunday, May 24, 2009

Are You a Yes Man (or Woman)?

Recently I watched a comedy called, Yes Man. Although this was not a Christian film in nature, it touched upon a very important spiritual principle. Without revealing any spoilers, the moral of the story was that in order to be blessed, you have to say “YES.”

Many of us couldn’t imagine going through life saying “yes” to any and every thing that comes our way. “Do you have twenty dollars to spare?” “Would you watch my kids for me on Friday night?” “Can I borrow your car?” Are we willing to say, “yes, yes, and yes”?

In fact, we are called to say “yes” at all times. Not to the demands of man, but to the will of God. Unfortunately, many of us are resistant to saying “yes” even to God our Father—even though the will of God is so simply laid before us. In Matthew 22:37–40, Jesus said, “ ‘You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.” But have we said, “yes” to any and all of these commandments? In many instances, the answer is, “no.”

God expects us to say yes at all times. It is only when we submit completely that we can discover His perfect will for our lives.

Are you willing to always give God your best and say “yes”?



Sunday, May 17, 2009

Tell the Truth and Shame the Devil

Many of us are familiar with the phrase from John 8:32, which reads, “…and the truth will set you free.” But so many of us find it hard to live by that simple tenet. I’ve found, however, that there is tremendous power in the truth. We just have to have enough faith to stand by it.

Children often lie, believing an untruth will spare a spanking. As adults, many times we lie to avert trouble or avoid negative consequences. We seem to believe the truth makes us vulnerable. But don’t we know that Satan, the devil, is the master of deception? It was Satan who showed up in the form of a serpent in Genesis 3. He used deceptive language and half-truths to lure Eve into eating the forbidden fruit. The result of which was spiritual death and a severed relationship with God.

In John 8:44, the devil is called the father of lies. So in essence, lying is the polar opposite of our heavenly Father’s will for us. Each time we lie, we give Satan greater power over our situation and over our lives. It is when we lie that we actually become vulnerable.

The very essence of Jesus is the truth. In John 14:6, He says, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” As followers of Christ, it is the truth that should be in us. And we must stand on faith, knowing that with the truth, we wield the power of God over any situation.

Who wants to be trapped in a web of lies? I’m enjoying the freedom that comes with the truth!



Sunday, May 10, 2009

Out of the Comfort Zone

Ahh, the comfort zone. Where everything is as we expect it to be. It’s any physical or spiritual place where we are most content. It’s where many Christians say, “All is well with my soul.” But what happens when it’s time to come out of your comfort zone?

Moses and the Israelites are great examples of what happens when God calls us out of the comfort zone. In Exodus 3, we find that Moses—after fleeing Egypt—was doing quite well for himself in Midian. He had a lovely wife and worked hard to provide for his family. Moses was in his comfort zone. Until the day the Lord appeared to him in a burning bush and gave him a mission. Moses, understanding the great charge he was given, immediately began making excuses. But the Lord provided Moses with everything he needed.

My brothers and sisters in Christ, God can call you out of your comfort zone at any time and for any reason. He may call you out to lead or help others. He may call you out for personal and spiritual growth. And be assured, that when He calls, he will equip you with all that you need.

Later, when Moses rescued the Israelites from Egypt, they found themselves in the desert—led by the presence of God Himself. Yet even still, the Israelites cried out, “We want to go back to Egypt!” (Numbers 14:1–4) Although they had suffered in slavery, they thought of Egypt as their comfort zone. Before we snicker at how ridiculous that sounds, let’s remember that in this day and age, we suffer from the same short-sightedness. We may remain at a job that pays too little and offers no growth because we would have to step outside our comfort zone to find another one. We may live in a condition that we know could improve, but it would take us too far out of our comfort zone to do something about it. If you’re not careful, your comfort zone can become your house of bondage.

When God calls us out of the comfort zone, it’s simply time to go. Depend on Him for guidance and direction, and He will see you through.

I’m trusting in the Lord to see me out of my comfort zone.


Sunday, May 3, 2009

Knowing When to Say When

It’s important to know when to take a break. Whether it’s from a specific activity or from your entire daily routine, a little deviation every now and again might be helpful. In other words, knowing when to say when can take you a long way.

The most common example is found in social drinking. A wise social drinker knows when to cut off the alcohol. This person knows that any further indulgence will lead to intoxication. So, when offered yet another drink, he or she will say, “No thanks, I’ve had enough.” If we only knew when to apply this in other areas of our lives!

We tend to get burnt out, overtired, and generally worn out because we often don’t know when to say when. We become so caught up in our own lives, that we lose perspective. And we find ourselves making rationalizations: But the chores have to be done! But everyone is counting on me! But in these hard economic times, I can’t afford to slow down! And these are all valid arguments. But in the end, do they serve the greater good?

Even Jesus, who is God in human form, understood the importance of knowing when to say when. His ministry included days filled with crowds of people swarming him with their problems, their challenges, and their desire to be healed. The Bible recounts in Luke 5:16, “But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed.” Jesus demonstrated the importance of knowing when to say when.

We should apply that principle in our own lives, without fear of guilt or repercussion. Knowing when to say when gives us the power to return to our activity or routine at another time. While in the meantime, we renew, refresh, and recharge.

Do you know when it’s time to say when? Be sure to ask God for guidance in taking a break from your activity or routine. And when you return, be sure to give your testimony to encourage others.


Sunday, April 26, 2009

What’s Your Story?

Everyone has a story to tell. Whether it’s a single, life-changing event or a collection of experiences that make for interesting reading, you have something to say. And you may be encouraged to know that God can use your story to help change someone else’s life.

Never underestimate the power of your testimony. I’ve heard it said that one of the tricks of the enemy (or a tool that Satan uses to undermine Christians) is to make us feel as though we’re the only ones who have gone through a situation. By making us feel isolated and ashamed, he can keep us from fellowship with other Christians—and at worst, ultimately make us feel like we’re out of fellowship with God. You never know how much sharing your story will have an impact on someone.

And not all testimonies are about overcoming adversity. There are times when we find ourselves in humorous situations where all we can do is smile and say—“Look at God!” Don’t you know that the Lord can work through our laughter just as well as He can through our tears?

In his instructions to the members of the church in Thessalonica, Paul writes in 1 Thessalonians 5:16–18, “Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.” I believe that by sharing our circumstances with one another, we have an opportunity to give honor to God and touch people’s lives.

What’s your story?


Sunday, April 19, 2009

What Is God Teaching You?

A Christian friend of mine would always open our conversations with, “What has God been teaching you lately?” And as I responded, without fail, I would be able to point to the current events in my life and reflect on the spiritual lessons I was receiving from them. When you are faced with a crisis or tough decision, you may also find it helpful to take a good look at what God is teaching you.

Romans 8:28 says, “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” This is a clear indication of God’s active hand at work. He’s arranging and shaping things in a particular way for a particular reason. The world looks at a series of events and incidents and calls them “coincidence.” But I’m a firm believer in Divine intervention (and what some call Divine appointment). In other words, everything happens for a reason.

For example, one of the most powerful lessons God taught me was about tithing. Many, many years ago, my pastor (the late Rev. John E. Sharpe of Shiloh Baptist Church in Newark, NJ) preached on the importance of tithing. I had my reservations at first, so I took my concerns to the Lord. I was led to set aside a portion of my income in cash. And wouldn’t you know it? Suddenly, there were people and charitable opportunities everywhere—specifically laid in front of me—in need of my financial support. The lessons were abundant, but one of the most important things I learned was that tithing is a form of worship and serving the Lord. (Maybe one day, I’ll do a full blog on the power and importance of tithing.)

The Bible tells us that God is with us always. And it’s important to remember that in our daily walk, He is not a silent partner. He is constantly teaching us—through the people, places, and circumstances we come across each day. As a writer, I know that the stringing together of such particular events could only be the work of a Divine Author. As a Christian, I’m so glad He’s doing it for me.

Every now and then, take a moment to ask yourself, “What is God teaching me?” Prayer and fasting usually help to make the answer crystal clear.


Sunday, April 12, 2009

People Suck

If you really stop and think about it, people suck. I’m not talking about specific people or any particular individuals. I’m talking about all people. You know, mankind.

People have been sucking since the beginning of time. Adam and Eve, living in a beautiful garden with every one of their needs satisfied, still decided to disobey God and eat of the forbidden fruit. That sucked for everybody. In Noah’s day, people sucked so much, that God decided to destroy all of them, except Noah’s family. And Noah’s family began sucking as soon as they got off the ark. (Read Genesis 9:18–27: Noah got drunk and one of his sons started disrespecting him.) People then sucked again in the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah (Genesis 18:16 – 19:29). Even God’s chosen people—those He led out of bondage in Egypt—sucked so much that he thought about striking them down (Exodus 32:1–14). Don’t even get me stared with that one.

People sucking isn’t just an Old Testament phenomenon. When Jesus entered the city of Jerusalem, humbly riding on a donkey, people shouted, “Hosanna,” and proclaimed his kingdom (Mark 11:1–10). Not long after that, those same people shouted, “Crucify him! Crucify him!” (Mark 15:1–15) They sucked! Later, after Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection, after the apostles went out among nations, Paul began forming churches all over the place—but he had to write letter after letter to these wayward churches about their behavior (read 1 Corinthians through 2 Thessalonians). People were sucking all over the New Testament. And people still suck today.

And because I know that people suck, I realize that I’m probably the chief sucker. Although as a Christian, I try my best to lead a God-centered life, sometimes my thoughts, actions, and deeds can be the worst. The Bible acknowledges that even a righteous man will sometimes fall. So what does it all mean? Is all hope for mankind lost? Absolutely not. I am extremely humbled by Philippians 2:5–11. Jesus realized that people sucked from Day One. Yet, that didn’t stop Him from coming down here to save us. Even when people were sucking horribly while He hung from the cross dying, he looked on us with compassion and love.

I am so glad that Jesus still loves us in spite of the fact that we suck! What are your thoughts? Leave a comment!


Sunday, April 5, 2009

It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year!

I was speaking to someone recently and mentioned how much I love the Easter holiday season. Christmas is great, with our focus on the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. But for me, Easter really sums up what it’s all about. Jesus came, he loved, and he conquered all with his death and resurrection.

Much like Christmas, Easter has suffered through American commercialism. Chocolate bunnies, hard-boiled dyed eggs, and baskets filled with colorful plastic grass have nothing to do with Jesus Christ. I am told that these are simply remnants of pagan springtime observances. And just like gift-giving and tree-decorating during Christmas, I am also guilty of taking part in some of the worldly Easter rituals, such as raiding the mall for the perfect Easter outfit and overdosing on those soft, chewy, marshmallow chicks. I have to admit, the secular version of Easter is pastel-colored and pretty sweet.

But the religious observance of Easter isn’t quite so intuitive to non-Christians or beginning Christians. Years ago, when I asked my Sunday School class to describe the holiday, the answers ranged from, “It’s when Jesus died for us,” to “When they beat up Jesus and hung Him from the cross.” Death, blood, and suffering don’t sound like much to celebrate. Over the years, I’ve tried to help children understand that what makes Easter so great is that in spite of it all—HE ROSE. Easter isn’t just about Jesus’ death; it’s about Him taking on our sin and overcoming death to bring us everlasting life. (On that note, while I absolutely loved Mel Gibson’s movie, The Passion of the Christ, I felt a bit shortchanged that after such a great build up to the crucifixion, there was so little screen time given to the resurrection. Oh, Hollywood.)

Spiritually, I think what I love most about Easter is the impact it has on us individually. While Christmas is all about “peace on earth and goodwill towards men,” Easter is a more introspective holiday. It’s about recognizing that all that Jesus went through was for you. He loved you so much that He sacrificed all for you. He paid the price for your sin so that you wouldn’t have to. And when He rose, He overcame death with all power in His hands. All you have to do is accept Him as your Lord and Savior and He will freely give you an inheritance in the Kingdom.

Christmas is about the birth of Christ and the hope that baby Jesus brought to the world. Easter is the fulfillment of the promise that Jesus brings to our daily lives. When I think about that, I am reminded of how great this holiday season truly is.



Sunday, March 29, 2009

Say What?

These days, we have more ways to communicate than ever before. We can talk on the cell phone, leave a voice mail message, send an email, chat on the internet, send an instant message, or even give instant updates on Twitter. But with so many ways to say it, do people really have more things of substance to say?

In Colossians 4:6, in speaking about how believers should carry themselves around others, especially strangers, Paul instructs, “Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.” Sometimes we should stop and ask ourselves if our conversation with others—even our friends—is seasoned with salt. Or is it peppered with unholy talk, such as gossip, lies, and discouragement?

With so many communication options in front of us, people of God, let’s remember to use them to His advantage:
• Send an uplifting email to a friend that you’re praying for
• Text message a distant family member just to let them know you love them
• Share your favorite Bible verse, or verse of the day, with your Facebook friends
• Discover a new way to spread the Word of God with today’s technology

And don’t forget—you always have instant access to the greatest Communicator of all, our Lord and savior Jesus Christ. He’s always looking forward to hearing from you!


Sunday, March 22, 2009

Spoiled Rotten

“And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.” This is the promise that Paul reveals in Philippians 4:19. But as my pastor once said during a sermon, “Sometimes people get so caught up in the blessing, they forget Who the blessing came from.”

As Christians, we have an inheritance in God’s glory. Some people have interpreted that to mean financial wealth, and others understand it to be a spiritual prosperity. But whether we are profited with material success or blessed with an emotionally fulfilling life, the fact remains that we must never lose sight of Who our blessings have come from.

There’s nothing worse than spoiled Christians. You know the ones. They look down their noses on others who aren’t “as fortunate” as themselves. They leave no room for other people’s short comings, believing that everyone in the world is called to walk and understand as they do. They are so blessed, yet so blinded by their own riches. This was one of the chief problems that Jesus had with the Pharisees. They were profited with so much as descendants of Abraham, but they had become selfish and petty (see Luke 12). Simply rotten.

God loves to bestow his blessings upon us. But with everything we get, we should be humbled in knowing that the Giver suffered so that we could have it all. One of the best ways to show our appreciation is to use our prosperity to benefit someone else.

I’m going to continuously give God glory—through my words and my actions—to show thanks for my riches in Christ!


Sunday, March 15, 2009

Who's Watching You?

In his classic novel, Nineteen Eighty-Four, George Orwell coined the phrase, “Big Brother is watching you.” The book, written in 1948, speaks of a society under constant surveillance. With today’s street cams, GPS tracking, personal digital imaging devices and more, many believe that Big Brother is surely watching all of us at all times.

Just take a look at Google Earth (see the link below). Although this is a truly amazing application, it may give you the chills to realize what today’s satellites can do. Just about anyone can be seen from virtually anywhere at any time.

It has been said that the true test of a man’s character comes not when all eyes are on him, but when he believes he is unseen. As children of God, we know that we are never actually unseen. Psalm 139 is a beautiful song that acknowledges God’s omnipresence and close watchfulness. It includes the verse, “If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there.”

We are always in God’s sight and we should take great comfort in knowing that He isn’t just watching us, but He is watching over us. Yet, do we demonstrate that we understand this marvelous truth? If our heart’s desire is to always please Him, our daily actions should reflect the behavior we want Him to see.

Why worry about Big Brother watching when we have an Almighty Father who’s always present? I’m going to live as though I know Who is watching.

Check out Google Earth here (requires a download).



Sunday, March 8, 2009

One Day at a Time

I remember the story of the woman who wanted to go back to school for her medical degree. Writing to an advice column, she complained that it would take about 12 years to accomplish her goal. She said, “Well, if I go back to medical school now, I’ll be 43 in 12 years!” The columnist’s response was, “Well, how old will you be in 12 years if you DON’T go back to medical school?” The truth is, you have the rest of your life to make any change you want.

Many of us have identified areas in our life that we would like to improve or change altogether. But when it comes to doing something new, we often get overwhelmed with wondering, “How long will this take?” By introducing a new thing, on a day-by-day basis, we can do more than we ever imagined.

Take, for example, first-time authors. By committing themselves to writing one page a day, they can eventually get to the point where the writing flows naturally and in no time, they’re penning several chapters at a time. An old Christian song comes to mind that says:

One day at a time, sweet Jesus
That's all I'm asking from You.
Just give me the strength
To do everyday what I have to do.


Of course, tomorrow is never promised to us. But that shouldn’t prevent us from trying to better ourselves each day. Take it one day at a time, and Lord willing, you’ll reach your goal.


Sunday, March 1, 2009

Are You Qualified?

My pastor has often said that God doesn’t always call the qualified—He qualifies the called. This is reassuring during those times when feeling overwhelmed and overcome by life’s challenges. So often, we look for other people to validate our worth, when in reality, it is God who validates us completely.

One great example can be found in Exodus 3 – 4:17, when Moses was called to lead the Israelites out of their bondage in Egypt. Moses expressed great reservation about being called to such an important role. He offered God quite a few excuses to get out of it. But in spite of all his protests, God saw it fit to have Moses lead the Israelites to the promised land.

At various points in your life, you may feel unqualified to take on the task before you. And while it may seem that there are many factors working against you, always remember that God is on your side. He knows what you are capable of, and more importantly, He can equip you with what you need to get the job done.

I’m confident in knowing that I’m qualified—and can do all things through Christ who strengthens me!


Sunday, February 22, 2009

Christian Cop-Outs

I teach Sunday school, and every so often, I catch my students out there. I’ll ask a question and look around the room for a response. When I call on a student who is clearly not listening, the student will invariably answer the question with “God?” or “Jesus?” The funny thing is that, in Sunday School, that answer is never really wrong. But the truth is, it’s just a Christian cop-out.

Just as we often put our brains on autopilot (see Take Your Brain off Autopilot), we sometimes put our spiritual minds on autopilot as well. We’re content with the easy answers, but refuse to search God’s Word for deeper understanding. We do the least amount of work that we can, because we know that He will supply our need for the rest. We are okay with being good enough, but refrain from pushing ourselves toward excellence. We succumb to our Christian cop-outs and call it a day.

Once, someone at a church was overheard explaining that they could put together a major event at the lat minute. And with great pride, they said, “I did it before, and it turned out really good!” It was quickly brought to their attention that it had to be good, because it was done for the glory of God—and God is good. It didn’t fail because God doesn’t fail. But that didn’t absolve the individual of the requirement to push to make it the best it could be—with proper planning and procedure.

So often, we Christians settle for “good enough,” when God’s desire is for us to be great. God calls for our personal best. That was the difference between Cain and Abel’s offerings to God. Cain’s offering was good enough. Abel’s offering was his best. And Genesis 4:4 reveals, “…The Lord looked with favor on Abel and his offering.”

I want to resist the urge to fall into a Christian cop-out. Instead, I want to give my best to the Lord.



Sunday, February 8, 2009

Eye of the Needle

A reader of the blog recently asked the following question: “Jesus said, ‘It is easier for a camel to go thru the eye of the needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.’ What is the thrust of that statement? What would be your answer? This is a passage about which many myths circulate!” Here’s my take on that…

This passage is found in Matthew 19:16-30, Mark 10:17-31, and Luke 18:18-30.

As a kid, I often pictured a double-humped camel trying its best to squeeze through the loop of a sewing needle. (Yeah, pretty impossible!) In recent years, I’ve heard that the “eye of the needle” was a passageway through Jerusalem that was very difficult for travelers to navigate while riding camel-back. (Very difficult, but not necessarily impossible.) My overall take is that this passage is not a condemnation of wealth, in general—although I’ve commonly heard it used to scorn those who have gained financial success.

In Jesus’ day—just as today—I believe people faced many moral and spiritual challenges, either to obtain wealth or sustain it. With wealth comes great issues. One of the greatest issues is the temptation to rely on one’s money more than God. When your finances give you access to the best doctors money can buy, for example, would you be as likely to drop to your knees and pray to God for your healing? Then there are the issues of greed, pride, and wastefulness. God has called each of us to be careful stewards of what He has given us, but if we are surrounded with plenty, how many of us have the fortitude to try to safeguard it all? Finally, immorality and sins of the flesh can become much more accessible when you have the funds to gratify them.

I simply believe it takes a more focused, deliberate kind of piety to accumulate and maintain wealth—and then continue to lead a moral, just, and righteous life. Some say that in this society, it’s downright impossible or pretty difficult, at best. However, in all three gospels, Jesus declares in the passage that what is impossible for man is possible with God. While we look at someone like Bernie Madoff and shake our heads at the shame of his fortune, in my opinion, through the grace of God there is still hope for the wealthy!

Thanks to reader Dennis Rigstad for his great question! What are your thoughts? Leave a comment!


Sunday, February 1, 2009

Christian Nightmares

It’s funny how God can use things in the secular world to bring us back to spiritual understanding. Not too long ago I discovered a show that quickly became my favorite reality-TV indulgence called “Kitchen Nightmares.” It wasn’t long before God used that show to demonstrate some of the “Christian Nightmares” in my own life.

In each episode of “Kitchen Nightmares,” world-famous chef Gordon Ramsey visits a local restaurant that’s about to go out of business. Upon arrival, he immediately turns things upside down—revealing the restaurant’s dirty little secrets and exposing the owners’ personal and professional flaws.

Once you can get past the roaches, dirty refrigerators, and disgusting-looking food at these places, you start to see some of the real problems. Usually, it boils down to the owners’ lack of passion for the business, which has pretty much been lost over the years. They’ve gotten complacent and lazy. And the people they serve have just gotten used to it. When Chef Ramsey comes in to shake things up, the owners’ eyes are opened to the crisis they are really in. By the end, they have literally cleaned up their act, remodeled, and become inspired to do things better.

God asked me, “In what areas of your life have you gotten complacent over the years?” And I had to take a good hard look. God had shaken things up within me and I realized it was time to make some changes to better serve Him.

Are you experiencing any Christian Nightmares of your own? Invite God in to shake some things up. He’ll inspire you to make the necessary changes!



Sunday, January 25, 2009

Bible or Not?

There’s a local family radio station that plays a great game with its listeners who call in every morning. The game is called “Bible—or Not?”

The host of the morning show reads a passage to the caller to determine if the passage is from the Bible or some other source. Playing along at home, it occurs to me how often we are unsure if familiar sayings are actually from the Holy Scripture. Test your Bible knowledge and play along with me right now:

Do you know which of the following is Bible or not?

A. “A fool and his money are soon parted.”
B. “The race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, but to he that endures to the end.”
C. “It is more blessed to give than to receive.”

Think about it…

Ready for the answer?

The phrase in answer A. is not from the Bible. It was coined by Thomas Tusser (1524 – 1580), an English poet and farmer. If you did a search and find for “fool” and “money” in the New International Version of the bible, you would come across Proverbs 17:16 which reads, “Of what use is money in the hand of a fool, since he has no desire to get wisdom?” However, the Bible doesn’t quite speak of a parting of the ways between a fool and his dough.

Answer B. turns out to be a popular hybrid of two very different verses. In Ecclesiastes 9:11 (KJV), we find, “I returned, and saw under the sun, that the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, neither yet bread to the wise, nor yet riches to men of understanding, nor yet favour to men of skill; but time and chance happeneth to them all.” This seems to have been spliced together with Matthew 10:22, which reads, “And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved.” So the phrase in answer B. is not actually Biblically correct, either.

It may surprise you, but only answer C. is taken directly from the Bible. Acts 20:35 reads, “I have shewed you all things, how that so labouring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how He said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.” And upon reading Acts 20, you will notice that the context of the phrase has little to do with giving gifts or presents (as we normally use it during the Christmas season), but here Paul is speaking about giving of yourself to minister to and support the needs of others.

My brothers and sisters in Christ, it’s time for us to be strong in the Word! Challenge some of the other popular phrases you hear repeated. Look them up yourselves and determine if they’re Biblical, and if they’re being used in the right context.

You just may be surprised to find out what’s Bible—and what’s not!


Sunday, January 18, 2009

Praying for Our Leaders

We are about to witness one of the most important moments in the history of our country. As we prepare for the inauguration of Barack Hussein Obama, many anticipate the ushering in of a new America. Hopefully, it will be an America that will remember to always pray for its leaders.

Already, I’ve heard many say that they are praying for Obama. They’re praying for his safety. They’re praying for the success of his leadership. They’re praying that those around him will be a help, not a hindrance, to his presidency. Christians, let’s keep those prayers going.

As the country swears in its first African American president, it will do so on the Holy Bible. However, as Christians, we know that the Bible is much more than a mere prop. Within the pages of that divine text are words of wisdom and instruction. And by turning to 1 Timothy 2:1–2, we find, “I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone—for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.”

Paul understood the importance of praying for “those in authority.” As we fall on bended knee to pray for our historic new president, let’s not forget to pray for the other leaders who touch our lives every day, including those in our government (governors, senators, mayors, etc.), those in our workplace (bosses, managers, supervisors, etc.), and those in our communities (organizers, pastors, parents, etc.).

I’m keeping all of our leaders in prayer.


Sunday, January 11, 2009

Discipline Yourselves, Disciples!

Today’s blog is dedicated to all those who get up every morning, leave the comfort of their homes and go out to…teach.

Whether in the come-as-you-are public school arena or the selective, elite private school setting, teachers these days have it rough. Behavioral issues, poor attendance, and general lack of understanding seem to plague the students of today. And if we, as members of society, are to be blamed for the crisis in our schools, there is a single reason for our collective guilt—a lack of discipline.

A classic joke goes, “If you follow an ugly kid home, you’re gonna see somebody ugly open the door for them.” The same could be said for an undisciplined child. Many parents today are the reason for their children’s lack of discipline. And, sorry to say, Christian households can be just as guilty. Instead of teaching patience, self-denial, and servitude, we tend to follow society’s model of instant gratification, indulgence, and putting ourselves first. With such a self-centered, undisciplined outlook, no wonder it’s so difficult for the students of today to receive instruction of any kind.

When Jesus called the first disciples, they immediately left what they were doing to go with Him (Matthew 4:18-22). With complete obedience, they followed the greatest Teacher in the universe. (Many in the teaching profession could only dream of students who would be as compliant!) As followers of Christ, or disciples (the root word of “discipline”), God expects complete obedience from us. Here are a few tips to help you get started at home:

• Set aside a specific time each day for prayer and meditation, and stick to it, no matter what. Teach your children to have a special prayer time (maybe in the morning before school or at night before bed).
• Practice denying yourself of something each day (e.g., that extra piece of cake or an impulse purchase). Help your children understand that “the best things come to those who wait.”
• Identify those things in your home that are out of control (i.e., the laundry, family finances, your eating habits), pray about them as a family, and make a plan to practice more discipline in those areas.

Who knows the impact your discipline will have on your household, and ultimately in the classroom?


Sunday, January 4, 2009

New Beginnings

The new year brings along with it the hope of new beginnings. Many of us make resolutions and promise ourselves that with the new year, we’ll take the opportunity to do something new and different with our lives. We may pledge to get published, or to go back to school, or to start our own business. And as Christians, it is the perfect time of year to renew our commitment to God.

Some Christians I know have made the following resolutions:
• To read the Bible all the way through
• To keep a daily journal
• To join a church ministry
• To fast one day each week
• To spend more time each day in prayer
• To live a more godly life

These resolutions are a great way for any Christian to start the new year. But what happens? By mid year, do we lose the motivation behind the resolution? Do we become discouraged or disillusioned along the way? Do we lose sight of the ultimate goal? Paul says in 2 Corinthians 5:17, “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” This year, as we strive to keep the resolutions we’ve made, let’s remember that we are new creatures. Each and every morning we wake up, God offers us a new beginning and a new opportunity to serve Him better.

As I embark upon the journey that the Lord has set before me in 2009, I’m going to celebrate every new beginning.

Happy New Year!