Do You Think God Grades on the Curve?

    I am wondering today, “What does it take to please God?” Some think that the way you please God is through religious ritual. You do certain kinds of rituals and then God is pleased and you’re in the in-crowd.

Others think that the way you please God is through rules and regulations – and that if you just do certain things, then God will say, “You’re okay.” But that doesn’t please God either.

    Some people think that if my bad works are real low and my good works are real high, and we kind of balance them out, well, maybe God will grade on a curve and as long as I do more good than bad, I’m okay. That’s not true either. 

    The Bible says that there’s only one way that I can please God:  

    And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him. - Hebrews 11:6

How can I tell if I’ve got real faith?

How do I know I’ve got the kind of faith that pleases God?

How do I know I have the kind of faith that gives me access into heaven?

WHAT IS REAL FAITH?

REAL FAITH IS NOT JUST SOMETHING I FEEL 

REAL FAITH IS NOT JUST SOMETHING I THINK

    Faith is odorless, it’s colorless, it’s weightless – So how do I know when I’ve got it?

    Faith is like calories – I can’t see them, but you can sure see the results.

REAL FAITH IS NOT JUST SOMETHING I BELIEVE

REAL FAITH IS SOMETHING I DO!

In the Bonds of Calvary,

Giving God the Glory

Eighteen months ago the oncologist very somberly told me that the life expectancy of a person with my diagnosis was generally between one to three years.

What she didn’t tell me but I read in her transcribed report was this: “The life expectancy of this patient is 12-18 months. This is a very optimistic prognosis.”

I am now beginning my nineteenth month since the diagnosis and feeling very well. The tumor has continued to shrink without any chemo, radiation, or medications.

I am overwhelmed by the love and care that continues to be extended toward me as you pray and  together we believe that God is able.

I give God  the glory for all He has done.

In the Bonds of Calvary,

Where’s my Bucket?

Some years ago, I read one of those Reader’s Digest stories, Life in These United States.  It seems that the writer lived on a farm in the mid west when she was little and her city bred cousin came to visit.  The city cousin was slightly farm challenged and tried hard to adjust.  On her second day she spied some pretty flowers at the other end of the fenced in meadow.  She asked if she could pick the flowers and her cousin said it would be ok.  Pointing to what was a big black bull in the field, she said, “what about that”, and pointed to the creature.  “Oh, Horace is our old bull, he won’t bother you at all”.  With that she went on her way to do errands.

The city cousin thought it would be easier to put the flowers in a container, and searching the barn, she found a bucket.  Then she skipped out or the barn, scaled the fence and walked across the field happily swinging her bucket.  As she got about half way, the bull looked up at her and lumbered in her direction.  Cousin ran in response and Horace the bull, began to lumber faster and faster!  Out of breath she reached the fence, hopped over and ran to find her cousin.  I thought you said he wouldn’t bother me – that bull chased me all the way back across the meadow!

The farm cousin looked her over and saw the bucket and began to laugh.  He wasn’t after you!  You were carrying his feed bucket. Horace wanted to eat!

That’s what we do.  We carry the bread of life into a world of hungry people!

Where’s my bucket?

In the Bonds of Calvary,

What do you say to the voice in your burning bush?

Every one of us has some situation, setting,  or person which becomes a “burning bush”.   This “burning bush” becomes a place where we know the promise and comfort of the guidance of God’s spirit as well as the challenge of God’s call to a faithful life.

  As I struggle to hear God’s call for my future, or as I seek clarity in God’s call for my life, I know this: God has given me, like Moses, what I need to fully accomplish God’s desire for me and for my life.   I know that as I look at the future it may seem too big a dream to picture ….. 

In the end, I am not so different as I encounter God at my burning bush.  I will be  curious, explore my faith, enjoy the divine encounter and know that God has already blessed me with everything I need to act on that call.

And I know that in the end, my call will ultimately  let others know that God is still around.  The I AM is life…..  Hope……. Purpose……. World transforming.  I am the messenger and the hard work of setting captives free, bringing food to the hungry, creating peace in the midst of war, love for enemies, healing for the turned cheek, has always been God’s work anyway.  I simply tell the Good News.

 What do you say to the voice in your burning bush?

In the Bonds of Calvary,

Do You Have a Pet “Rock”?

Have you ever seen a pet rock? I met one some years ago. A  student in college was not allowed to keep a dog or cat  so he kept a smoothly polished rock instead. It sat on his bedside table where he could stroke it, especially when he felt lonely and far from home. He said it gave him a secure feeling.

Have you ever seen a pet Bible? People do keep Bibles as pets, and they usually sit on their bedside tables too. Often they fondle its pages, reading a favorite verse or two to comfort and relax them before they go to sleep. By this means, they think they are maintaining a relationship with God. Unfortunately, for all the practical difference it makes to their lives, they might just as well stroke a rock as the leather of their Bible.

 They want the comfort and security of the prophetic word without having to face up to its disquieting challenge to their lifestyle. So they find ways of controlling that word, muzzling its bark, domesticating it.

I sure don’t want to be like that.

In the Bonds of Calvary,

Where Are The Peacemakers When We Need Them?

The peace that Jesus came to bring was not just for one nation but for all the nations of the world. The peace would not be brought about through political force or conquest of war, but through the humble Jesus who, even though a King, came “gentle and riding on a  donkey” (Zech. 9:9)

The question is being asked today from all walks of life, “Where does world peace begin?” World peace does not start way over there someplace. It begins in our heart and in our minds.

Our peace mission is cut out for us here and now….. in our hearts, homes, offices, factories, schools, buses and even churches.

Every day and every minute of every day we can follow after the things which make for peace.

We can follow after : Truth ..Tact….Tolerance.

We can follow after : Patience…Poise…Politeness.

We can follow after Love….the things which are lovely…and the light of understanding.

We can follow after prayer rather than Pride, Prejudice, and Pettiness.

When there is peace in the heart there is peace in the family.

When there is peace in the family there is peace in the community.

When there is peace in the community there is peace in the nation.

When there is peace in the nation there is peace in the world.

Christmas reminds us that there is hope for our battered and bewildered world. The beautiful

message of the angels to shepherds long ago was

“GLORY TO GOD IN THE HIGHEST, AND ON EARTH

PEACE, GOOD WILL TOWARD MEN.” Luke 2:14

It may be a little early to think about Christmas but it is not too soon to think about PEACE.

In the Bonds of Calvary,

Three Things That I Cannot Do.

I cannot climb a fence that is leaning toward me. I cannot kiss someone who is leaning away from me. And, I cannot make peace with someone who refuses  to come to the table and talk.

An antagonist who was speaking to James MacDonald,the Prime Minister of England, said, “The desire for peace does not necessarily ensure it.” “Quite true” responded Mr. MacDonald, “neither does the desire for food satisfy your hunger, but at least it gets you started toward a restaurant.”

I think that the benefits of peace are more worthwhile  than the satisfaction of having justification for my anger so I am willing to negotiate.

I will purpose to move toward peace by refusing to continue the battle.

I think the path to peace is marked by goodwill.

In the Bonds of Calvary,

I Am Trying to “GET IT TOGETHER”

 Today is my birthday and you would think after all these years I should have it all together. But, in all honesty I am working hard in trying to do that.

I am building a foundation on strong principles. I have decided what priorities I intend to live by.

I will keep the main thing the main thing. I often quit too soon because I lose the dream of the big picture.

I know it is always right to do right. On the other hand, the “right” to do something doesn’t  always make it the right thing to do. No matter what decisions I make –whether in family or career– it is always right to do right.

I am endeavoring to find the best way to provide for me and my family.

I am working on truly loving and caring for others.

In The Bonds of Calvary,

Putting Others First?

John Maxwell says that if you are a leader and no one is following you, then you are merely taking a walk.

I can talk about success, skills, visions, plans, strategies, discipline and many other things, but the most important principle for me as a leader is how to relate to followers.

I must be sensitive to others, my disposition is far more important than my position. I must constantly ask what is best for those who follow me. My heart should be ruled by a servant attitude and not self preservation.

I should learn to speak kindly because the words I speak will bring out the best or the worst in people. The way I treat people on the way up is how people will treat me on the way down.

Leadership means putting people first.

 God is trusting me to bring out the best in the people around me. To heal their brokenness, their failures, and help them achieve success in finding their destiny and releasing their God given potential.

Every person desires to be somebody and they need to know I care, before they will care that I know.

 I have so much still to learn…..

 In the Bonds of Calvary,

The Game is Fixed!

 Have you ever met someone who wants to give up before the game is over? 

One of the most frustrating things in any sport is when people want to quit because they are behind. 

I think that the same is true in the church world as well.

 I guess we need to be reminded whose side we are on. 

The game is fixed!

The Book says we win!

I know that we take some hard hits.

I know that we sometimes get knocked out of bounds in life.

Sometimes the scoreboard might show that we are behind.

God says we are the winner.

The only way a believer can be defeated is if we give up and quit. 

I have decided to stay in the game and win!

In the Bonds of Calvary,