Blog - The Narrow Path

August 31, 2018September 17, 2018

Ain’t God Good!

One morning this week while savoring a cup of coffee at the dining room table, lost in thought, contemplating the busy work day ahead; I was struck by what I have frequently called a “God Moment”, when God reaches down from Heaven and taps you on the shoulder, providing you with just exactly what you need at the moment. At arm’s reach through the window pane hangs two, very busy, bird feeders. Most mornings there is an albeit small, cacophony of raucous commotion from a growing group of finches. These little guys enjoy a friendly riot, vying for their spot at the free meal. But, this particular morning, it is the hummingbird feeder or its visitors, that captured my attention. We usually have three ruby-throated hummingbirds that frequent our offering but the last few days have brought a few more to sample our hospitality. Their presence breaks through my “mind-in-neutral” state like shattering glass. Tiny, synchronized flight patterns, my own aerial ballet, and all I can think is…”Ain’t God Good”!

Miracles in a Thimble

These wonders of nature are, at the least, beautiful. More than that, they are a miracle that would nearly fit in a thimble. They remind me

that marvelous wonders can be beheld in the most simple of things. We just have to open our eyes and our hearts to take them in. Just to emphasize the point, these little emerald streaks have hearts that beat over 1200 beats per minute inside their chests. Hummingbirds breathe around 250 times a minute, even at rest. They flap their wings an average of 53 beats per second. Due to being able to rotate their wings in a complete circle, they are the only birds that are capable of flying backward. Pretty cool stuff, huh?

Back to the God Moment

As I stated earlier, sometimes God reaches out and gives us a tap on the shoulder, giving us just the right message. You may remember that in the last post, I shared that I have been suffering from anxiety issues. I believe that the Evil One is at the core of that suffering. I am getting better but God sent me an Instant Message that He surely knew I needed to speed my recovery. My message was clear. “Even in the midst of the chaos, there is beauty.” God is present wherever you are.

My whole countenance changed as my iridescent messengers flitted about. My heart became lighter with each wingbeat. I had a new message to share with the world within my reach. Today I would happily proclaim a message to all. Today I would make this Psalm my own.

This is the day that the LORD has made;

let us rejoice and be glad in it.

Psalm 118:24 ESV

This day I would do as the Psalmist instructed us to do.

Make a joyful noise to the LORD, all the earth;

Break forth into joyous song and sing praises!

Psalm 98:4

Ain’t God Good!

The people in my office, the students who came to the bookstore, could all sense something was afoot. I enthusiastically shared my morning with all who inquired and the joyful noise was magnified. Those bright green marvels had done their work and brought God’s word to so many. I hope that you will take the time to slow down a little and just look around you for the beauty and marvel at the miraculous works of out Creator. Chances are, you we find your own “God Moment.” Ain’t God Good!

Wonderful Creator, We thank you for the blessing of your Creation. Help us to see your hand in our lives, making us mindful of Your great love for us. Remembering that You are always with us and that You are always for us. We give You thanks and praise. In the name of Jesus Christ. Amen

August 15, 2018

Be Not Afraid

There appears to be much debate over how many times that God tells His people not to be afraid. Some say 365 (once for every day of the year). Many reliable sources say the sentiment, if not the exact words, actually appear somewhere closer to one-third that many times, but the message is still pretty clear. God wants us to fear only Him and if we do, we will not have reason to fear anything else. The connotation of fear of the Lord that the Bible refers to is not the “quaking-in-your-boots” sort of fear that we think of today but more a “love and obey” type of thing. Trust plays a huge part in this idea. If we obey God’s commands and trust in His promises for us, we show Him our Love (yes, that’s Love with a capital L) then God is always Faithful to His Promise. Be not afraid, fear not, or don’t be afraid are not reckless statements, not instructions to possess false bravado. Be Not Afraid (again, notice the capitalization) is a command from God Almighty meant to give us peace.

Fear Is A Liar

We all wrestle with demons. The Evil One loves to torment and distract us. He loves to cause us to fear. Maybe we fear the future, the unknown, or just uncertainty over a job in turmoil, but as Zach Williams says “Fear is a Liar”. Fear can, and so often does, rob you of strength, of focus, of peace of mind, and in the worst cases, of the very will to live.

What is your Flavor?

We all have our particular fear, the thing that gnaws at us, keeps you awake at night. My own peculiar flavor of fear is anxiety. Anxiety is the dis-ease that causes one a nagging disquietude, an uneasy restlessness over things that are unknown or beyond one’s power to control. It is quite debilitating and many suffer from anxiety’s clutches. We mostly suffer in silence, feeling somehow responsible for things that may or may not be real or rational. Many feel somehow less than we should be. Lots of us become ashamed of our perceived failure and we keep it to ourselves, as best we can. No one likes a public shaming. I have been suffering from just this type of fear for the last couple of months.

I have neglected you, my readers, but I have also neglected myself and my wife. I have given much energy, too much, to being anxious over things beyond my control. I hated it but it has been kicking my backside. I was unable to be as I truly want to be. Thankfully, through God’s Grace, I am slowly regaining my equilibrium, crawling out from under the weight of my anxiety..

Don’t be Anxious About Anything…

Paul tells us in Philippians, chapter 4, just what I need to hear (maybe over and over). He admonishes the church at Philippi that Jesus is at hand and that they should give thanks for all that they have and while rejoicing in their spirit they should pray to God, in the name of Jesus Christ to provide for their needs. The message is the same for Christians today. I obviously need these words etched onto the back of my hand. They are some of my favorite in the Bible.

⁶do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.⁷And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7 ESV.

Be Not Afraid

This is some profound stuff! I have heard it paraphrased all my adult life. But until just now I had not put the second verse together with the first. The promise in the second verse is the part to hang your hat on. Paul is telling us that if we do a simple thing, God promises to give us a greater Peace than we can imagine. Talk to God, He has got this! Whatever this is. We are never alone. When God is for us who (or what) can stand against us? Why be distracted by fear? Anxiety and fear, the tools of the Devil, can have no effect in the face of God’s protection and love. Be not afraid.

Abba, I pray that you have mercy on all of us who suffer from any kind of fear. Watch over us as we sleep and bring us Your Peace. Reveal our inner strengths to us and increase in us the knowledge that our strength comes from you, the One God Almighty. In Jesus’ Holy Name I pray. Amen

June 27, 2018

All You Need Is Love

I have spent several weeks thinking about and writing about the Holy Spirit, His gifts and the fruits of those gifts. I thought I was finished with that subject matter for a while but I can’t shake the need to share these thoughts with you. As I listen to the nightly news (the outlet isn’t important), peruse social media, hear people talking in public; I am saddened that the most important of the fruits of the Holy Spirit, the second most important commandment from God himself (Matthew 22:35-40 ESV), is being found in such short supply in today’s socio-political climate. People are so intolerant, so hate-filled. I, for one, am losing patience. If we could just find some common ground, some respect. It should be easy to do. There is no cost, no qualification; all you need is Love.

The Solution is Simple

My apologies to the Fab Four for borrowing their title. And now the song is playing in both our heads. Cool. Thanks, guys. But I digress.

Could not most of the problems that we face today be solved if more people practiced the love that we are called to by God. If we would just love one another. I think that love of self has gone too far. Don’t get me wrong. I have a love for myself as God’s creation. I have been gifted with grace and mercy beyond measure. I pray that I will use those gifts for God’s glory, I believe that is the reason that they were poured out on this broken sinner. I am not the point of God’s Creation. I am a servant (I pray to be, daily), helping to fulfill His plan.

Compassion On The Cross

Mankind was given the perfect example of love, unconditional, in the person of Christ Jesus. He loved us so much that he gave His life up to death on the cross so that our sins would be forgiven, giving us direct access to the Father through prayer, and giving us life eternal through that death and resurrection.

¹³Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. John 15:13 ESV

Credit: Pixabay

Can’t We Just All Get Along?

Are we not hearing the right words from the pulpit of our churches on Sundays? Is no one paying attention? Or are we making a conscious choice to live as though those words don’t apply to us? And when there are hatred and violence committed against one another in our cities; where are our churches? Why are they so often silent? Why are they not among the first on the scene to heal the hurt and to bring the love of Christ into the places where it is needed most?

All You Need is Love

Look, I am not perfect. I am not saying that loving everyone is easy. It isn’t. What I know is that love is a healing salve that can cure a whole sack full of hurt. Our world will not get better by itself. We are headed on an express lane toward the End of Days and the only way to slow down the runaway hatred and despair is to apply that salve liberally. You may not be able to change the whole world, but you can make your portion of it a better place… all you need is love.

Abba, Father, fill us with a love for each other that flows from us like the waters of a great river. Take away any fears that keep us from sharing that love with those who need it most. Create in us compassionate hearts and guide us to show that compassion unashamedly. All this we ask in Jesus’ name, who was the perfect example of your love. Amen

June 19, 2018

Fruits of the Holy Spirit

The last couple of posts have been regarding the arrival as well as the gifts of the Holy Spirit. I would expect that we each have a story or two to tell of how the Holy Spirit has shown Himself in our lives. I pray that each of us has come to know the Holy Spirit personally as he touches and guides our lives. As we walk as the Spirit leads us we will begin to change from worldly creatures, driven by the desires of self and desires of the flesh. The gifts of the Holy Spirit will begin to bear fruit and we will transform into beings who are driven by the Spirit, mindful of things that make us more holy, children of God.

Credit: Andreas F. Borchert
Dublin Christ Church Cathedral

The Desires of the Flesh vs. the Fruits of the Holy Spirit

Saint Paul wrote of the Fruits of the Spirit in his letter to the Church in Galatia. He told the Galatians that the fruits of the Spirit were in direct opposition to the desires of the flesh.

¹⁶But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. ¹⁷For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do.” Galatians 5:16-17 ESV

Mankind is weak-willed when it comes to the desires of the flesh. We are all too easily distracted and even more easily swayed. It is far too easy today to follow our flawed nature. St. Paul goes on to identify the desires of the flesh and to point out their danger.

¹⁹Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, ²⁰idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, ²¹envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. Galatians 5:19-21 ESV

The Fruits of the Holy Spirit come with an Inheritance

Finally, Paul tells us that if we use the gifts of the Holy Spirit; wisdom, understanding, counsel, fortitude, knowledge, piety, Fear of the Lord, they will manifest in us and bear fruit. That fruit will lead us to our Heavenly reward.

²²But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, ²³gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. ²⁴And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. Galatians 5 22-24 ESV

Jesus ascending to Heaven; Credit: John Singleton Copley

Lead Me Holy Spirit

So, as Jesus was preparing to ascend to Heaven, He promised to ask the Father to send us a Helper. The Father sent us the Holy Spirit to be that helper, that guide to light our path. He came with a great commotion that Pentecost Day long ago and rested upon the Twelve. By the power of the Holy Spirit, Peter addressed the thousands of Jews who were gathered and they too received the Spirit. Through the succession of generations, we too, have received, been counseled, led, and strengthened. Within us, the seeds of Salvation have been sown. We must bear fruit. The Fruits of the Holy Spirit.

⁸For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life. ⁹And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. Galatians 6:8-9 ESV

Father, I pray that each of us gathered here will receive the gifts of the Holy Spirit and that they will grow within us, bearing fruit through their use and practice. Erase our fears and send us into the world to love and serve with a compassionate heart. Let us become a reflection of your love for all who are lost, neglected, sick and downtrodden. Abba, I pray these things not for our glory, but for Your Glory. In Jesus‘ name, I pray. Amen

June 16, 2018June 16, 2018

Gifts of the Holy Spirit

Last time I was with you I posted about the coming of the Holy Spirit on that long ago Day of Pentecost. As the Apostles were gathered in The Upper Room, the Holy Spirit made an auspicious entrance. He settled upon The Twelve and their lives were instantly changed. His presence was witnessed by many, the Disciples spoke in tongues that were foreign to them and the gathered crowd understood in their own languages. Peter became the Rock upon which the Church was built and thousands of souls joined their souls to Jesus. The gifts of the Holy Spirit were introduced to the world that wonderful day.

I shared with you a personal revelation in that the Holy Spirit is not only intended to be our internal, personal guide and spiritual helper as indeed Christ had foretold. His wisdom and strength are meant to also work in an Upward and Outward path, helping to spread the Good News of Christ even to the ends of the earth. Wisdom and strength are not the only gifts that the Holy Spirit brings us. These gifts are first mentioned in the Old Testament, Isiah 11:1-3a. ESV.

“There shall come forth a shoot from the stump of Jesse,
and a branch from his roots shall bear fruit.
²And the Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him,
the Spirit of wisdom and understanding,
the Spirit of counsel and might,
the Spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord.
³And his delight shall be in the fear of the Lord”

The Gifts of the Holy Spirit and the Catholic Church

The Roman Catholic Church has long recognized the gifts of the Holy Spirit as being wisdom, understanding, counsel, fortitude, knowledge, piety, and fear of the Lord. All these gifts are intended to work together inside of us to increase and perfect our ability to show the greatest gift of all which is love. Saint Thomas Aquinas wrote (in Summa Theologiae) that the four gifts of wisdom, understanding, knowledge, and counsel direct the intellect and the remaining three gifts (fortitude, piety, and fear of the Lord) direct the will toward God.

Wait… Hold On…Stop!

Y’all, I just realized I was going into book report mode! Holy Junior High! That is not what you should expect to find on TheNarrowPath. That isn’t me. I can’t imagine that is why you are here. Let me get back on track.

Haunted

As I write this, I am listening to one of my new favorite songs. The message is simple and comforting. I hope that you will give a listen to Ghost by MercyMe. (I apologize for the commercial.) I woke up yesterday with this message playing in my head. I had an overwhelming feeling that I was to share it far and wide. So I called K-LOVE to make a request (boy, that sent me back a couple of decades!), but they didn’t have it yet. Everything is digital these days.

“Holiness keep haunting me”.

“Lead me through the darkness. Lead me through the unknown.

Oh, lead me Holy Ghost”.

Thanks, guys. Guide, comforter, teacher, mover, and shaker; the Holy Spirit is all of these and more.

Baptized in Water, Cleansed by the Holy Spirit

We, as Christians, are baptized in water and cleansed by the Holy Spirit. His gifts are bestowed on us all. Scripture tells us that the Holy Spirit guides us in the use of His gifts.

“⁴Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; ⁵and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; ⁶and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone.⁷To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.⁸For to one is given through the Spirit the utterance of wisdom, and to another the utterance of knowledge according to the same Spirit, ⁹to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, ¹⁰to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another the ability to distinguish between spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. ¹¹All these are empowered by one and the same Spirit, who apportions to each one individually as he wills.” Matthew 12:4-11 ESV

It is my prayer that each of us is aware of the presence of the Holy Spirit in our lives and that we use His gifts to grow in Faith, that we allow Him to guide us in the service of God and that through the power of the Holy Spirit we will spread the Good News of Jesus Christ even to the ends of the earth.

Next time … the Fruits of the Holy Spirit.

June 2, 2018

Pentecost and the Holy Spirit

A couple weeks ago we, in the Anglican Communion, observed the Holy Day of Pentecost. On that day we celebrated the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the disciples of Jesus after His Ascension to Heaven. Held on the seventh Sunday after Easter, Pentecost is celebrated 10 days after the Feast of the Ascension which is celebrated 40 days after Easter. Chapter 2 of Acts of the Apostles describes the arrival of the Holy Spirit like this:

¹When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place. ²And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. ³And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested on each one of them. ⁴And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance. Acts 2:1-4 ESV

This was no casual deal. It didn’t just slip by unnoticed. A multitude of Jews from all over the land observed this raucous commotion. They thought the Apostles were in their cups, too much wine. On this day Peter finally found his voice and his conviction as the rock upon which the Church would be built (Acts 2:14-41 ESV). He boldly spoke to the gathered crowd as he was moved by the Holy Spirit and around three thousand souls were saved.

The gift of the Holy Spirit

Jesus had promised the Apostles, as he prepared to ascend into Heaven, that He would ask the Father to send a Helper.

¹⁵“If you love me, you will keep my commandments. ¹⁶And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, ¹⁷even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you.” John 14:15-17 ESV

The Spirit comes in so that the Gospel goes out…

I read a great blog post on the gift of the Holy Spirit recently on RookieAnglican that described the Holy Spirit in a way I had not previously considered. The article introduced me to the idea that the Holy Spirit was not

meant to only dwell inside of us, to speak in that small, quiet voice, guiding us in our personal faith journey. The article describes the Spirit’s movement as something Outward and Upward rather than something to cling to as a point of personal pride. Unshared, the Holy Spirit made the Apostles look pretty silly, even drunk when first settling upon the Upper Room. When the Spirit moved Peter to speak to the crowd, thousands of souls were given to our Savior. Outward – to send the message out far and wide, Upward – to lift souls up to God. The Spirit goes out, so that all might be lifted up.

The Holy Spirit, for sure, was sent to live inside of us, to guide us, comfort us, teach us, to be God’s Presence in our lives. But the Holy Spirit, like the Gospel of Christ, was meant to be shared, to the ends of the earth, that all might know the glory of God.

Next time we will reflect on the “Gifts of the Holy Spirit.” Until then, may your paths be illuminated by the Power of the Holy Spirit. I pray that you be moved to share His light with the world.

May 24, 2018

Get Thee Behind Me Satan, Part II

When we last spent time together, I began to tell you a bit of what has been going on in my life lately. Most of what I shared was good, very good. I am richly blessed. But not all was good. I am afraid that because of the good and also due, in part, to my own lacking prayer life; I became the target of Satan’s attention and thus fell victim to some of his provocations and vexations. Satan’s attacks are obviously a clear and present danger today. They are growing more prevalent by the hour.

I believe that the Evil One takes particular pride in causing trouble for those who belong to God. If the Devil owns your soul, why need he bother to hinder you or cause you misery? He does not need to test the depth of your faith. However, it his very nature to sow doubt in the minds of Christians. The Devil is crafty and sly. He has been tempting man and plying his slick skills since the Garden. I believe Satan doubles his efforts to distract or cause trouble for those of strong faith, especially those who are doing the work that God has given us to do. We are taking away souls to whom he lays claim, helping them to choose Good over Evil. To choose Christ and be saved.

A Blip on Satan’s Radar

Last time I wrote about the successes I believe that I was having in the name of our God. I was careful not to claim any of the glory for myself. I am guarded

to boast in God alone. I am pretty sure that God has not been taking me down a peg or two due to my own pride. All that I need, is to know that I glorify God. I am driven to use the gifts that He has given me for His glory. I am guilty, however, of dropping my guard. I was lax in my praying for God’s protection from the Evil One’s ministrations and I believe he wanted to be a speed bump in the road of my ministry.

The Attacks Begin

The first obstacle and distraction took place as my blood sugar took a serious plunge. As a diabetic (type 2) I watch my numbers carefully and have my levels under control. Out of the blue, my blood sugar readings at midday started regularly hitting the very low 60s and down in the 50s. I started being dizzy and disoriented, my vision blurred and I got very jittery, nearly like a palsy. I panicked, my wife panicked, even my endocrinologist panicked. With warnings of potential diabetic comas and the like, I was schooled in emergency measures to take and I now carry a special kit in case I pass out due to dropping blood sugar levels.

And the Hits Just Keep on Coming…

As if this was not enough to bench me, there would be a second and third attack to take me out of action for a while. I began to cough and have labored breathing. After going to the doctor, I found out that I had walking pneumonia. I was given a prescription and sent home to rest. After a week I realized that I was not getting better, in fact, was getting worse.

After returning to the doctor., having five vials of blood drawn and a series of chest x-rays; I found out that I had full blown pneumonia. Fluid in both lungs. I was prescribed more antibiotics, steroids, two types of cough medicine and again sent back home to rest and get better. At least I was not hospitalized as well. I was, however, cut off from all of you. Silenced in my mission, but not in my prayers.

Faith Wins, Every Time

I am now back to work, building up to a full day. Pneumonia saps your strength and leaves you with no energy. I am told that I should expect to take about a month to fully recover. I realize now why so many of our older folks die from having pneumonia. Whether from having too much pride or from not girding myself from evil, the Devil stopped me in my tracks. But no more! God protected me, after all. Get thee behind me Satan! Be gone. You hold no power over me, for I belong to God Almighty! By the Power of the Holy Spirit, I will continue my Commission!

May 14, 2018

Get Thee Behind Me, Satan!

Dear ones, I am under attack. I believe that you are the reason, and it makes my heart sing out with joy! In the last couple of weeks since I last posted, my life has been rocked by hardship. My very life has been threatened by sickness by which I have been cut off from everything. I have become the target of the Evil One. This is my simple prayer. I declare in the Name of God, the Father; God, the Son; and God, the Holy Spirit that the powers used against me, and you, cannot stand up to the Power of the name of our God. Get thee behind me Satan, be gone!

Things have been going well here on The Narrow Path. There has been a growing number of believers who have found their way here every day. Because of the blog, I was recently asked to preach a sermon at a statewide teleconference Bible Study called Thee Real Bible Class. I was honored to be invited, but I am no preacher. However, I do love a good soapbox to stand on and I believe that God has put me to work to use the gifts that He has provided.

God uses the Broken

I spoke to the group about God’s Divine use of the broken to accomplish His work in this world. The Holy Spirit guided my words and the message went over well. The next day I got confirmation of the power that there had been in the message. Apparently, the group wanted me back. All the glory be to God! My prayers had been answered and my mouth had opened but His words came out.

There were more new subscribers to sign up here on TheNarrowPath.net and the week finished with a bang. God had shown pleasure in my mission to reach out to those in need of His presence in their lives. I could feel it and I dropped my guard. That is when the manure hit the rotary oscillator.

I believe that, as Christians on a mission to carry God’s message, we are susceptible to the attention of Satan and his minions. That he places obstacles in our paths and, at the very least, attempts to distract us from our missions. He takes pleasure in making our lives uncomfortable if he can; if we let him.

Prayer for Protection

I have been making it a part of my daily prayers for some time to pray to be surrounded by a hedge of God’s protection to keep the Evil One and his machinations at bay so that I, and my loved ones, might be safe from harm. The Devil loves to cause trouble for those whose souls do not belong to this world. We, as individuals, are not strong enough on our own to fight all the darkness that he has at his disposal. But he cannot stand against the power of our God, The Name of Jesus, or the Light of the Holy Spirit. We must not hesitate to call upon The Trinity to come to our aid and have faith that we will be rescued.

In taking pride in God’s works, my prayers slipped. I did not include my prayers for protection for a few days and I left myself vulnerable to attack. The Evil One saw a chance to slow down one of God’s servants, even one who plays as small a part as I, and he began his work to disrupt mine.

Next time I’ll fill you in on exactly what has been going on but, in the meantime, please pray for your own protection and that of your loved ones. The Devil cannot take you from God’s Love and care but he can sure cause more misery in your lives than you care to experience. God can fix that. Seek Him. Ask Him. He wants to hear from you.

Until next time,

April 19, 2018April 23, 2018

Where Are Our Churches?

The world is a hot mess! Not many would argue this point. There are murders in our streets and in our homes. Children are being bought and sold by sex traffickers. Hatred and intolerance are the order of the day. One cannot trust the media or the government. Morality is at an all-time low. Family values are a thing of the past. Video games and social media are the central influences of our youth. The debauchery practiced during the reign of the Roman Empire does not hold a candle to the practices of today’s society. Laws protect the criminal. Surely we are on the express train to the End of Days. Armeggedon must be just over the horizon. All these statements lead me to the big question. Where are our Churches?

More than just an hour a week

Don’t get me wrong, I think there are many strong Christians congregating together to grow in the image of Christ. However, it isn’t enough to meet for an hour on Sunday and then go about the status quo. We should take a lesson from Christ tossing the money changers from the Temple. It is way past time to stand up. Be heard. Make a difference. Jesus was not a pushover. We shouldn’t be either. We are supposed to love each other. Does the father show his son love if he does not offer him direction and correction if needed? Does God the Father not guide and correct his errant children.

Churches as Something for Everybody

Churches have obviously not caused the downfall of society as we know it. They did not destroy family values. But why have they not taken a wider stance in rebuilding the lost values of our people? Have we grown too comfortable in our pews hearing messages to make us feel good? Have our churches, with their coffee bars, and stage performances, their gymnasiums, and their pablum-for-the-soul preachers rotted our perception of what we are to be about? Beloved, if your Pastor is not challenging you to be more like our Savior, to pick up your cross and bear the weight of its burden, you may as well have stayed home. We were made in God’s image, not He in ours.

Casting Crowns is one of the leading groups in Christian music today. One of their most popular songs challenges the complacency of today’s Church. The lyrics to If We Are The Body get right to the marrow of the matter:

“But if we are the body
Why aren’t His arms reaching?
Why aren’t His hands healing?
Why aren’t His words teaching?
And if we are the body
Why aren’t His feet going?
Why is His love not showing them there is a way?”

Where are our Churches?

Why are more of our churches not present in the inner cities, teaching children to read? Should not more church groups be feeding and clothing the homeless? Why are there not enough church-run food pantries? Should not our churches and our pastors be incensed by the lack of respect and love for our fellow man that has become so evident in our youth culture?

What are they teaching?

There are far too many mega-churches today, with edifices that cost millions of dollars, preaching the gospel of prosperity, conforming God into our image, hardly ever making congregants squirm in their pews because the message from the stage confronts their sinful lives. Letting their people pick and choose which sins to overlook.

We as a brotherhood of Christians have become lazy. Our Churches have allowed that to happen. It is apparently too easy to attend services on Sunday and retreat back to our comfort zones. Our brothers and sisters in Christ are not being challenged effectively. We cannot be the hands and feet of Jesus if we are not making the effort to be the hands and feet of Jesus. It is way past time to reach out to our neighbors in need. It is time to put down our smartphones and parent our children. We may not feel that we can change the world but we can change our part of it. We just have to show up. Stand up.

“Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I have not come to bring peace, but a sword.” Matthew 10:34 ESV

I don’t believe that Jesus was proclaiming the need for violence but challenging His followers to be different from the rest of the world. To stand up for Christian principles, and challenge the world to bring change. When has there been a greater need than now to do just that? We must stand up, become warriors for Christ. Pick up our swords and fight for God. If your church is not moving you toward making a stand, to reach out to those in need of some Jesus in their lives, not moving you to be the hands and feet of Christ; then maybe it is time to change…churches.

April 18, 2018

There Is No Place Like Home, Part II

When last we were together, I shared that the life of a young person in a military family can leave quite a mark on the makeup of a young mind. That the transient lifestyle that I lived caused me to crave something permanent. Left me believing that I might never have what I wanted most, a place that I could call home. I left the story having experienced an epiphany. The lightning bolt of realization had struck. Indeed, there is no place like home!

You have been cordially invited… Home

I may have come late to the party but I had been carrying my invite in my back pocket for some time and didn’t even know it. The permanence that I longed for was something that I possessed all along. I just had to claim it. I have written before that we are “just passin’ through” this world. There was never meant to be any permanence here. My home, and yours, is already waiting for us. Our place has been reserved. Jesus has gone before us to prepare the place. He told the Apostles:

“Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also.” (John 14:1-3 ESV)

When Jesus spoke of the final judgment, He said

“Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.” (Matthew 25:34 ESV)

When I had been Baptized I had been given the invitation. The deed to my permanent home was in my unworthy hand. I need not look any longer in this world.

The Communion of Saints

In this world, we are called to fellowship with other Christians as we are instructed throughout the Gospels and Epistles. I believe that we do this for several reasons. We are surely in training in this realm for our eternal life in the next. The Apostle Paul says in his letter to the Hebrews:

^“And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works,not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.” (Hebrews 10:24-25 ESV)

I am pretty sure that we can all use the support, the prayers and the encouragement that should be part of meeting regularly with our fellow Christians. I may be the one amongst us that needs it the most. What better place to prepare for our Heavenly home than in the midst of those who are striving for the same things in life.

Jesus came to heal sinners

When the scribes and Pharisees asked the Disciples why Jesus spent time with tax collectors and sinners, Jesus responded:

“Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.” (Mark 2:17 ESV)

I have often heard that church is not a country club (or hotel) for saints but a hospital for sinners. This last statement has been attributed to many from St. Augustine to Abigail Van Buren (Dear Abby). Whoever said it, I believe they had Jesus’ words in mind. Though the building in which we meet is by no means our home, I believe that Church is a place we belong. We are called to congregate together, to support each other, to pray for each other and the world. To praise the One who made us. A place to rejoice in our blessings and share the Grace of God with each other. To celebrate our various gifts.

A place to belong

The communion of Christian fellowship is a place to gain the strength and renewal needed to face the world. Our Churches should be full of the Love of Christ, one should be challenged and encouraged there, uplifted and confronted. Even this transient heart can find comfort and peace there, a sense of belonging. It is a place to help us find our Home. It may not be our final destination but it is a great place to start. After all, there is no place like Home!