I’ve been thinking a lot about what Erika shared Sunday morning. She talked about persevering and being content and being grateful. There’s another word that also comes to mind -- resilience.
I received a brochure a while back from a company specializing in "resilient furniture": simple, sturdy, water resistant tables and chairs — not fancy in any way, but built to last. They're not cheap either; a plain white folding chair is about $60. They're not as pretty as the office chairs we could buy at Office Depot or Staples for about the same price, but those chairs don't have a long life-span.
There's something to be said for basic, unadorned resiliency — the ability to get through, get over, and thrive after trauma, trials and tribulations. In this sense, sturdy beats stylish every time.
USA Weekend did a cover story a while back on the subject of resiliency, asking the question, "Why do some people bounce and others break?" The article noted how some people who experience trauma withdraw into a shell, while others facing the same crisis not only bounce back, but bounce back stronger than ever before. It talked about how resiliency is being studied in universities and taught in corporate seminars. Resiliency, the article said, could become the most important skill of the 21st century.
Why do some people break down while others bounce back? Unlike furniture, I don't think it has to do with our design. A chair can only be as strong as it was made to be; it can't decide to be more resilient or less resilient. We, on the other hand, have access to support beyond ourselves. Our "design" — our emotional make-up resulting from parental and societal influences — can be overcome. A person who is naturally weak and easily discouraged doesn't have to stay that way.
There's a verse in Philippians that I shared a couple of weeks ago. Let’s look at it again. Paul is talking about being able to face hard times as well as good times, and he states confidently, "I can do everything through Him who gives me strength." (Philippians 4:13)
Resilience comes down to a decision: whose strength will I draw from — my own, or God's? One of the wonderful truths of the gospel message is that if you will look to God for strength, He will give it to you.
I lift up my eyes to the hills — where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth. (Psalm 121:1-2)
What are your thoughts? Talk to me!
Thursday, November 19, 2009
Sunday, November 8, 2009
Discovering the Secret of Contentment
"Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things. The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you." Philippians 4:8-9
Paul, in his letter to the church at Philippi, writes to them about the need to THINK about positive things--noble, just, true, pure, lovely, and of good report. He then goes on to talk to them about his own contentment in the midst of not-so-great circumstances, humanly speaking.
Paul learned to be content, he tells us, which kind of implies that he hasn't always known how. Read 4:13, where he says, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." Christ is his strength, and Christ is his source of contentment.
Paul tells them what to think about, and tells him he has learned to be content, and then tells them that he can do all things through Christ.
That gets me to wondering: What would life be like if I only thought about Jesus Christ? Now that might seem like a tall order, but think about this. What if in every situation where I am tempted to be discontent, I see Jesus in the midst of the situation? What if I think of things to be thankful for in the midst of it? (see 4:6-7)
When I am unsatisfied with my living conditions, what if I focused on thankfulness for having a roof over my head?
When I am unhappy in my job, what if I thanked the Lord that I have a job?
When I want something I can't afford (a new computer, an i-pod, a new car, a room addition, an electronic toy, etc.), what if I were to look around at the abundance that I DO have, and be thankful?
When I don't have enough, according to my own standards, what if I were to be thankful that God supplies what I need (not necessarily what I want)?
What if in my temptation to be discontent, I instead made a choice to be content because Jesus Christ has saved me from my sins and given me eternal life? What if I were to focus on gratitude for that awesome gift? Isn't that really all I need after all?
Being discontent is a choice. Being content is also a choice. Which do you choose?
Paul, in his letter to the church at Philippi, writes to them about the need to THINK about positive things--noble, just, true, pure, lovely, and of good report. He then goes on to talk to them about his own contentment in the midst of not-so-great circumstances, humanly speaking.
Paul learned to be content, he tells us, which kind of implies that he hasn't always known how. Read 4:13, where he says, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." Christ is his strength, and Christ is his source of contentment.
Paul tells them what to think about, and tells him he has learned to be content, and then tells them that he can do all things through Christ.
That gets me to wondering: What would life be like if I only thought about Jesus Christ? Now that might seem like a tall order, but think about this. What if in every situation where I am tempted to be discontent, I see Jesus in the midst of the situation? What if I think of things to be thankful for in the midst of it? (see 4:6-7)
When I am unsatisfied with my living conditions, what if I focused on thankfulness for having a roof over my head?
When I am unhappy in my job, what if I thanked the Lord that I have a job?
When I want something I can't afford (a new computer, an i-pod, a new car, a room addition, an electronic toy, etc.), what if I were to look around at the abundance that I DO have, and be thankful?
When I don't have enough, according to my own standards, what if I were to be thankful that God supplies what I need (not necessarily what I want)?
What if in my temptation to be discontent, I instead made a choice to be content because Jesus Christ has saved me from my sins and given me eternal life? What if I were to focus on gratitude for that awesome gift? Isn't that really all I need after all?
Being discontent is a choice. Being content is also a choice. Which do you choose?
Sunday, November 1, 2009
In This World You Will Have Trouble
John 16:33 "In this world you will have trouble, but take heart! I have overcome the world."
Jesus' final talk with His disciples was meant to be an encouragement to them, but it seems like it was also a bit of a reality check. He knew that they were focused on His kingdom coming on earth, and fervently hoped that Jesus would rid them of the yoke of the Roman rule. (See Matthew 18) Even one of the moms got into the act and asked Jesus to make her sons rulers in His kingdom. (See Matthew 20)
These people apparently thought that Jesus had come to set things right in terms of freeing them from the iron rod of the Romans.
Jesus, in John 16, is telling them some things that will help them not give in to discouragement when the hard things come. He is telling them ahead of time, "I want you to know that hard times are ahead, but know that I am with you." I have a sense that some of them didn't "get it," and others didn't really believe it. That is evidenced by the the way they huddled together in Jerusalem after Jesus' death.
When I think of them huddled together, I imagine that there was some processing and praying going on. I have to wonder if one of the disciples didn't remind the others of some of the things that Jesus had said where He had predicted his own death. (Maybe James spoke up and said, "Oh, so that's what He meant!") We'll never know, will we? But I wonder how they felt about Jesus' teachings or their own beliefs about the Kingdom of God--AFTER Jesus died.
I wonder if it was in those three days following His death that they began to understand what He had said about them having trouble. Reality was setting in for sure. Jesus actually meant it when He said they would suffer and die because of Him!
However, Jesus had told them that they would have trouble, but He went on to remind them that when that happened He would be with them.
Here's the thing, folks: We will have trouble in this world. Do we want to have the Lord in our hearts and our lives when we go through it, or do we want to go it alone? I think we would all agree that during dark days of sickness, death, financial ruin, family trouble, war, strife and turmoil, it is a wonderful blessing to have the Lord go through it with us.
God has promised to be present with His people since the beginning. The Old Testament is full of His promises to be an abiding presence in our lives. Here are a couple of examples to get you started.
Joshua 1:5 "I will not leave you nor forsake you."
Isaiah 42:5 "I, the LORD, have called You in righteousness, and I will hold Your hand."
So how about you? What do you feel about going through tough times with the Lord in your life? Anyone feel like sharing? Post a comment!
Jesus' final talk with His disciples was meant to be an encouragement to them, but it seems like it was also a bit of a reality check. He knew that they were focused on His kingdom coming on earth, and fervently hoped that Jesus would rid them of the yoke of the Roman rule. (See Matthew 18) Even one of the moms got into the act and asked Jesus to make her sons rulers in His kingdom. (See Matthew 20)
These people apparently thought that Jesus had come to set things right in terms of freeing them from the iron rod of the Romans.
Jesus, in John 16, is telling them some things that will help them not give in to discouragement when the hard things come. He is telling them ahead of time, "I want you to know that hard times are ahead, but know that I am with you." I have a sense that some of them didn't "get it," and others didn't really believe it. That is evidenced by the the way they huddled together in Jerusalem after Jesus' death.
When I think of them huddled together, I imagine that there was some processing and praying going on. I have to wonder if one of the disciples didn't remind the others of some of the things that Jesus had said where He had predicted his own death. (Maybe James spoke up and said, "Oh, so that's what He meant!") We'll never know, will we? But I wonder how they felt about Jesus' teachings or their own beliefs about the Kingdom of God--AFTER Jesus died.
I wonder if it was in those three days following His death that they began to understand what He had said about them having trouble. Reality was setting in for sure. Jesus actually meant it when He said they would suffer and die because of Him!
However, Jesus had told them that they would have trouble, but He went on to remind them that when that happened He would be with them.
Here's the thing, folks: We will have trouble in this world. Do we want to have the Lord in our hearts and our lives when we go through it, or do we want to go it alone? I think we would all agree that during dark days of sickness, death, financial ruin, family trouble, war, strife and turmoil, it is a wonderful blessing to have the Lord go through it with us.
God has promised to be present with His people since the beginning. The Old Testament is full of His promises to be an abiding presence in our lives. Here are a couple of examples to get you started.
Joshua 1:5 "I will not leave you nor forsake you."
Isaiah 42:5 "I, the LORD, have called You in righteousness, and I will hold Your hand."
So how about you? What do you feel about going through tough times with the Lord in your life? Anyone feel like sharing? Post a comment!
Sunday, October 25, 2009
The God Questions (Part IV) "If God is So Good, Why is there So Much Bad in the World?"
(Beverly is my ghost-writer today. Thanks, honey!)
There once was a little boy named Adam who had no home. Adam’s parents had died, and he had no relatives to take him in, so he was put into a foster home. After a year or two, Adam was adopted by a couple who had deeply longed for a child. They were so thrilled to finally have a son, and it was with great joy that they welcomed him into their family.
On that first day, they brought him home and showed him the room they had prepared for him. His eyes got as big as saucers when he saw the wonderful room that was there for him. He had his very own big bed, with a bedspread that had his favorite cartoon figures on it. Curtains to match. There was a TV set with all sorts of DVDs. He looked over by the closet and there was a box of sports equipment balls, bats, helmets, roller blades, and an assortment of other things as well.
His parents had bought every kind of toy imaginable, and there were shelves and shelves of books, puzzles, and games. In the closet he discovered brand new clothes, just his size! He couldn’t remember ever having brand new clothes before! Adam’s parents had thought of everything, that was apparent! This was a bedroom that some kids only dream about!
Adam’s dad told him, "Son, this is all for you. All you have to do is take care of these things, and you’ll be able to enjoy them for a long time."
Adam began to settle into his new home, and in the next few weeks he enjoyed reading the books and playing with the toys he had. He played with them carefully, and always made sure to put them back in their proper place, so as not to lose any of them.
Sadly, eventually, Adam got careless with his belongings. He got into the practice of not putting things away, which brought disastrous results. Game pieces got lost. Puzzle pieces too. Toys were left out, leaving them in someone’s pathway to be tripped over and broken. The sports equipment was all gone, because he had left the things outside where they had been lost or taken by a passer-by. Adam’s parents kept reminding him to take care of his things properly, but he did not heed their warnings.
In a relatively short amount of time, what had been every kid’s dream room became a disaster. There was not one book that wasn’t torn or scribbled in. There wasn’t a game or puzzle with all the pieces. Not one toy still worked as it was designed to work. All because of one boy’s disobedience of the only rule his parents had given him: Take care of these things.
Adam starting whining and complaining that he had nothing to do. He started throwing tantrums and demanding that his parents buy him new toys and books and puzzles. He wanted new sports equipment.
He begged and pleaded and cried for his parents to replace what had been lost or ruined. When his parents didn’t do that and they reminded him that the reason he had no toys to play with was because of his carelessness, that is when things really got ugly. Do you know what he did? He began to blame his parents for the losses, saying that if they would have bought him better things they would have lasted. In other words, this situation was not Adam’s fault. It was his parent’s fault.
This story reminds me a bit of how we blame God for all that is wrong in the world. If God is so good, why are there so many bad things that happen in the world?
God created the world and all that is in it, and pronounced it GOOD. God only gave one rule to Adam and Eve, and all was well until they chose to disobey. When that happened, sin entered the world and all the consequences of sin. Is that God’s fault? Can we blame God for all the bad things in the world?
What do you think?
There once was a little boy named Adam who had no home. Adam’s parents had died, and he had no relatives to take him in, so he was put into a foster home. After a year or two, Adam was adopted by a couple who had deeply longed for a child. They were so thrilled to finally have a son, and it was with great joy that they welcomed him into their family.
On that first day, they brought him home and showed him the room they had prepared for him. His eyes got as big as saucers when he saw the wonderful room that was there for him. He had his very own big bed, with a bedspread that had his favorite cartoon figures on it. Curtains to match. There was a TV set with all sorts of DVDs. He looked over by the closet and there was a box of sports equipment balls, bats, helmets, roller blades, and an assortment of other things as well.
His parents had bought every kind of toy imaginable, and there were shelves and shelves of books, puzzles, and games. In the closet he discovered brand new clothes, just his size! He couldn’t remember ever having brand new clothes before! Adam’s parents had thought of everything, that was apparent! This was a bedroom that some kids only dream about!
Adam’s dad told him, "Son, this is all for you. All you have to do is take care of these things, and you’ll be able to enjoy them for a long time."
Adam began to settle into his new home, and in the next few weeks he enjoyed reading the books and playing with the toys he had. He played with them carefully, and always made sure to put them back in their proper place, so as not to lose any of them.
Sadly, eventually, Adam got careless with his belongings. He got into the practice of not putting things away, which brought disastrous results. Game pieces got lost. Puzzle pieces too. Toys were left out, leaving them in someone’s pathway to be tripped over and broken. The sports equipment was all gone, because he had left the things outside where they had been lost or taken by a passer-by. Adam’s parents kept reminding him to take care of his things properly, but he did not heed their warnings.
In a relatively short amount of time, what had been every kid’s dream room became a disaster. There was not one book that wasn’t torn or scribbled in. There wasn’t a game or puzzle with all the pieces. Not one toy still worked as it was designed to work. All because of one boy’s disobedience of the only rule his parents had given him: Take care of these things.
Adam starting whining and complaining that he had nothing to do. He started throwing tantrums and demanding that his parents buy him new toys and books and puzzles. He wanted new sports equipment.
He begged and pleaded and cried for his parents to replace what had been lost or ruined. When his parents didn’t do that and they reminded him that the reason he had no toys to play with was because of his carelessness, that is when things really got ugly. Do you know what he did? He began to blame his parents for the losses, saying that if they would have bought him better things they would have lasted. In other words, this situation was not Adam’s fault. It was his parent’s fault.
This story reminds me a bit of how we blame God for all that is wrong in the world. If God is so good, why are there so many bad things that happen in the world?
God created the world and all that is in it, and pronounced it GOOD. God only gave one rule to Adam and Eve, and all was well until they chose to disobey. When that happened, sin entered the world and all the consequences of sin. Is that God’s fault? Can we blame God for all the bad things in the world?
What do you think?
Sunday, October 18, 2009
The God Questions (Part III) "Do All Roads Lead to Heaven?"
On Sunday we did a whirlwind tour, examining the top ten religions in the world.
It is my hope that what emerged for you was an awareness of the ways in which Christianity stands alone, distinct from every other religion or philosophy.
1) The other religions are "me centered." They are about being dependent upon myself to do the right thing, think the right thing and change myself. As Christians, our dependence is upon Christ and His shed blood which saves us from our helpless condition of sin.
2) Some religions offer no eternal reward. Others offer a reward of paradise or nirvana. Those are very "me centered" as well. As Christians, our eternal reward is a continuation of our relationship with Christ, with joy, love, and peace being full and complete.
3) Some religions have many gods. Some have no gods. Some religions make us gods. As Christians, we serve a God who is Three in One, and who is bigger than all things created. I would have a real problem worshipping a God who manifests as a leaf or a snail or a volcano. While all of those things have life or power, our God's power is bigger than all created things combined.
4) Other religions are work centered. Christianity is Jesus-centered. He is the beginning and the end, and our salvation is totally dependent upon He who died to buy our ransom from sin.
I feel grateful to have come into the grace and mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ. How about you?
It is my hope that what emerged for you was an awareness of the ways in which Christianity stands alone, distinct from every other religion or philosophy.
1) The other religions are "me centered." They are about being dependent upon myself to do the right thing, think the right thing and change myself. As Christians, our dependence is upon Christ and His shed blood which saves us from our helpless condition of sin.
2) Some religions offer no eternal reward. Others offer a reward of paradise or nirvana. Those are very "me centered" as well. As Christians, our eternal reward is a continuation of our relationship with Christ, with joy, love, and peace being full and complete.
3) Some religions have many gods. Some have no gods. Some religions make us gods. As Christians, we serve a God who is Three in One, and who is bigger than all things created. I would have a real problem worshipping a God who manifests as a leaf or a snail or a volcano. While all of those things have life or power, our God's power is bigger than all created things combined.
4) Other religions are work centered. Christianity is Jesus-centered. He is the beginning and the end, and our salvation is totally dependent upon He who died to buy our ransom from sin.
I feel grateful to have come into the grace and mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ. How about you?
Monday, October 12, 2009
The God Questions (Part II) "Is the Bible True?"
On Sunday, we talked about the Bible and some "facts" about the Bible that some of you may have been surprised about.I won't take the time to reiterate what was said, but I do want to add one more thing to yesterday's message.
The fact that the Bible has been preserved with integrity is something that, in my mind, can only be a God thing. It seems to me that God wanted His words preserved in a way that they would hold the same meaning to us as they did way back when they were first written. That tells us that His word is important and we should pay attention!
It is so easy for all of us to take the Bible for granted! There are probably only a few bookstores in the United States where you can not pick up a copy of the Bible. If you can't find one in a given bookstore, it is probably because that bookstore is dedicated to a certain philosophy that doesn't value the Bible or it is some kind of bookstore that is focused on technology or science or medicine or some other area of study or expertise. Most every bookstore that sells "general" books would have a Bible, and usually in more than one version (NIV, KJV, etc.).
Because the Bible is so readily available to us, we do take it for granted. I probably own at least two dozen Bibles in various forms and versions.
When Beverly and I took a trip a few years ago, we went to the New Holy Land center in Arkansas. While there, we viewed a documentary about how the Bible came to be translated into English. I did not realize that it wasn't until people like John Wycliffe and William Tyndale came along that the Bible was translated for the common people in the language that they could read and understand.
Many people were persecuted for bringing the Bible to the common people, and some people (like Tyndale) were actually martyred for it.
So this book that we so take for granted is a book that was brought to us by great sacrifice by scores of people.
So the next time you read your Bible, say a prayer of thanks for all those who came before you who sacrificed so that you could hold that book in your hands!
Sunday, October 4, 2009
The God Questions (Part I) "Is God Real?"
Remember the example of the Pepsi can this morning? What do we know about Pepsi?
- Someone had an idea for a sweet drink, and created it.
- Someone had an idea for a container, in this case a can, that holds the perfect amount.
- Someone got an idea for a pop top that would eliminate the need for a can opener.
- Someone came up with a logo and the graphic design for the outside of the can.
What are some of the arguments that they might use?
- You can't possibly know it was created, because you weren't there.
- You don't know that the human that created it really exists because you've never seen him or her.
In the case of the second argument, while it may be true that I've never met the person who invented Pepsi, when I drink from that can I am pretty sure that I am enjoying the fruits of the person's labor. The product he created is proof that he existed.
Psalm 19:1-2 "The heavens proclaim the glory of God. The skies
display his craftsmanship. Day after day they continue to speak;
night after night they make him known."
display his craftsmanship. Day after day they continue to speak;
night after night they make him known."
This verse is the crux of what we talked about on Sunday. Look around you. What do you see? You might see things in your home such as a kitchen faucet, a can opener, a lamp, a clock, a piano or guitar, or a thermostat to run your central air and heating. You might see things outside in your yard such as a gas grill, a lawn mower, sprinklers, a patio cover, flower pots, or gardening tools. Go out further, out into nature, and you see tall redwoods, magnificent mountains, and awesome waterfalls.
What all of those things have in common is that they are created things. Some were created by people. Some were not created by people.
We don't have to actually meet the people who created those things in order to know that those people exist. Their inventions testify of their existence on this earth.
It's the same way with God and the things He created. His creations testify of His existence. Just like it is illogical to believe that the Pepsi came into being all by itself, it is even more illogical to believe that the vast universe with the clockwork precision that it runs with was something that just happened by accident.
Faith is not about logic, but the verse in Psalms suggests to me that it is illogical to look around this beautiful world and not see the hand of a Creator God.
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