Trusting the Pathmaker

I went hiking with the youth today out at Buseik State Forest. It was a beautiful day for a hike. We walked around some pretty narrow trails and then stopped at a little creek. It was a lot of fun. My ankle is a little sore now, but it was worth it.

When we got to the creek, we played around for a little bit and then had a great time of reveling in God's beautiful creation. The youth talked about the beauty of God's creation, the fun of hanging out together and the nice workout we had.

As we talked, I was able to share with the youth how our hike through Buseik was a lot like our Christian walk. Guess what? Now I am going to share it with you.

On a hike (a good one at least) there are many hills and obstacles. The path is not always an easy road. Sometimes it is full of loose footings and winding narrow ways.

The Christian walk is like that as well. There are many toils and troubles that we will face. We get into situations that we may be uncomfortable in or that we can't see the solution to.

The good news is that on a hike or in our Christian walk is that we can trust the maker of the path. As we hike, we can be sure that the path that is set before us is safe. It doesn't lead us to places that are dangerous. It leads us to the destination. It leads us to the creek. Our Christian path is that same way in that we can trust the Pathmaker. Jesus leads us and guides through all things. The beautiful thing is that God has promised to complete the good work in us that he began. He guides us to the destination...paradise.

Sometimes the hike can be long and tiresome. Sometimes we may feel like we are lost. Sometime our footing is a little shaky. Trust the Pathmaker. He will lead us into paradise.

Dr. Horrible's Dilemma

So, I have been watching a video called "Dr. Horrible's Sing-A-Long Blog." It's a funny story about an amateur villian (Neil Patrick Harris) and his attempt to become a part of the Evil League of Evil and work with his idol Bad Horse with his terrifying whinney. What can I say, it's a pretty funny story (and the msuci is great)! If you have some time, I suggest watching it at www.drhorrible.com

The last time that I watched this I was struck with an interesting thought. I will try to explain it without giving too much away. Near the end, Dr. Horrible is faced with a decision. He can either become a member of the Evil League of Evil and be the villian of his dreams or he can have the girl of his dreams.

Dr. Horrible can either have everything that he thought he always wanted...or...everything he thought that he ever wanted.

When we are only looking out for ourselves and the things that being us contentment and pleasure, we will never be satisfied. We will always be wanting more. And as Dr. Horrible learns, you can't have everything because sometimes our desires are conflicting.

I think that I go through a large portion of my life trying to get the things that will make Bill happy. I am just now coming to the understanding that the treasures that I can conjure up and store for myself are just fleeting whispers of security and purpose. The things that I think that I want will never be fulfilling to me. I will still be empty and needing more.

As a Christian, all I need can be found in Christ. His love, character, strength and commission are all that I need to be full and complete. He came and dies so that I might have life and that I might have is to the fullest. A life that is overflowing. Only God can fill the desires of my heart because he knows what is best for me. He knows me better than I know myself.

It's been said that you can't make an omelet wittout breaking a few eggs. I think that is true. When i am trying to do things simply for myself, I am breaking eggs and then dumping them into the trash. There is no omelet in sight. In Christ, there will be many times of struggle and hardship. Jesus doesn't promise that it will be easy. He doesn't promise we won't break some eggs, he just promises us the omelet.

Where Wisdom is Found

Job was a man that the Bible calls “blameless and upright; he feared God and shunned evil” (Job 1:1). Job, in his righteousness, begins to be tested. Many horrible things happen to him. His children die and all his possessions are lost. He even becomes very sick. To Job, there seems to be no real reason for these tragedies. In the midst of all his troubles, Job asks God for answers and for a divine justice. Job calls out to God and hears no answer. The answers he does get come from his friends. They tell Job that his suffering is a consequence of his sin. Job does not give in to that explanation. He continues to seek God. Throughout this time of testing, Job seeks answers as he does not understand what is happening. Even though he does not understand, Job’s commitment to God remains as Job begins to understand about true wisdom.

But where can wisdom be found? Where does understanding dwell? No mortal comprehends its worth; it cannot be found in the land of the living. The deep says, “It is not in me”; the seas says, “It is not with me.” It cannot be bought with the finest gold, nor can its price be weighed out in silver. It cannot be bought with the gold of Ophir, with precious onyx or lapis lazuli. Neither gold nor crystal can compare with it, nor can it be had for jewels of gold. Coral and jasper are not worthy of mention; the price of wisdom is beyond rubies. The topaz of Cush could not compare with it; it cannot be bought with pure gold. Where then does wisdom come from? Where does understanding dwell? It is hidden from the eyes of every living thing, concealed even from the birds in the sky. Destruction and Death say, “Only a rumor of it has reached our ears.” God understands the way to it and He alone knows where it dwells, for He views the ends of the earth and sees everything under the heavens. When He established the force of the winds and measured out the waters, when He made a decree for the rain and a path for the thunderstorm, then He looked at wisdom and appraised it; He confirmed it and tested it. And He said to the human race, “The fear of the Lord – that is wisdom, and to shun evil is understanding” (Job 28:12-28).

A characteristic of God seems to be revealed to Job in the struggles and silence. God is and has all wisdom. Job had been going through and continues to go through many struggles that he cannot comprehend. Job continually seeks wisdom. He seeks from God in prayer and lament. He also seeks it from his friends. Eventually, Job realizes that wisdom does not come from inside himself. In fact, he says that no human can summon wisdom from inside himself. Job realizes that true wisdom comes from God alone because only God knows where wisdom dwells. God, upon seeing wisdom, reveals that wisdom to mankind. That wisdom, simply stated is love God and hate sin.

Job continues through his struggles and holds onto that wisdom that God has spoken. Even though there are many tragedies that Job is facing, he continues to fear God and shun sin. As the testing is completed, Job is blessed for his faithfulness to God. Job is blessed for having an answer when he was not even sure of the question. That answer is that God is the almighty, sovereign One that knows what He is doing even if His people do not understand. In this understanding, Job realizes that everything, including his life, is not about him. It is about God and the path that God leads us down.

This principle of spiritual formation shown in Job is one that applies to us every single day. There are so many times when our prayers seem unanswered or things do not go the way that we expect. We cry out to God and everything seems to be silent. Our life seems unfair and unjust. Job shows us that, even in the midst of uncertainty and suffering, God contains all wisdom. We, as followers of Christ, must choose to follow and rest in that knowledge. “The fear of the Lord – that is wisdom, and to shun evil is understanding” (Job 28:28). Things may seem unfair and may be hard for us to understand, but God, who loves and provides for us, is in control of all things. He knows us better than we know ourselves. He knows what we need. “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those that love him, who have been called according to his purpose” (Romans 8:28).

The key is faith. We, as the called people of God, have to have faith that God is in control of all circumstances. We also have to have faith that God is good. In everyday life, that faith looks like the faith of Job. Despite our sufferings and losses, we must trust that God, in His wisdom, has a purpose and a plan. God, in love, keeps us close to Him even when we cannot make sense of the world around us.

Office Ethics

I love "The Office." I try to watch every week. Anyway, last night's episode dealt with ethics in the work place. The new HR rep had to go over the rules of the office with all of the employees to fill a mandate that came from the corporate office.

During the meeting, Oscar brings up that they are simply talking about rules and not real ethics. Kevin says, "I'll drop an ethics bomb on you. Would you steal bread to feed your family?" They go on from there and get crazy, as that office usually does, and the meeting goes no where from there.

I got to thinking about ethics.

"Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. Because of these, the wrath of God is coming" (Colossians 3:1-6).

The Bible provides us with rules and items to follow. It also gives us basic outlines and examples of the Christian life that we are to live. However, the Bible does not explicitly cover every single situation we will face in our lives. Does this mean that it is insufficient? I don't think so.

Ethics is defined as “a set of moral principles, the study of morality.” Christian Ethics would then be the moral principles that are taken from the Bible and the Christian faith. God's Word does provide us with the truths and the guidance to live a good, moral life even though it does not give specific guidance in all specific situations.

However, in any moral situation, we can receive guidance and perspective through the truth of Scripture. In some cases it will be simple, like the rules for Christian living we find in Colossians, chapter 3. In other cases, however, we need to do a little digging. The absolute best way to do that is to pray over God’s Word. Part of the Holy Spirit's role is to teach us the truth of Scripture: “But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you” (John 14:26). “As for you, the anointing you received from him remains in you, and you do not need anyone to teach you. But as his anointing teaches you about all things and as that anointing is real, not counterfeit—just as it has taught you, remain in him” (1 John 2:27). And that same Spirit indwells in all believers. So, your teacher is always present. Accept no substitutes. When we pray over Scripture, the Spirit will guide us and teach us. He will show us the truths we need to stand on for any given situation.

God's Word provides all direction for living a Christian life even though it doesn't cover every specific situation. Most things we can simply see what the Bible says and follow the proper course based on that. In the cases where Scripture does not give explicit instructions for a given situation, we need to look for the principle behind it. Again, in some of those cases it will be easy. Most of the principles Christians follow are sufficient for most situations. In the rare case where there is neither explicit Scripture nor seemingly clear principle, we need to rely on God. We must pray over His Word and open ourselves to His Spirit. The Spirit will teach us and guide us through the Bible to find the principle we need to stand on so we may walk and live as a Christian should.

This would be a route I would love to see them take on "The Office." I wonder what Dwight's prayers would sound like.

A Simple Knock-Knock Joke

Knock-Knock
Who's there?
God
God who?

Okay, so maybe it is not so simple. The way that we answer that question will totally affect what we think and how we act. Is God different for every person? Is God some abstract force? Is God good?

The real question is who does God say that he is? Moses, when he was sent to lead the Israelites out of Egypt asked the same question.

"When I tell the Israelites that their God has sent me to lead them to freedom, they won't believe me. They will ask which god sent me. What is his name?"

God responded by saying, "I AM" (paraphrase from Exodus 3)

God's response shows us that he is the all-powerful creator or all things. He exists outside of time and space. He is God and has been and will be throughout eternity. It also shows that he is a personal God. He is big, great and powerful, but he desires a personal relationship with me. He cares so much that he even has numbered the hairs on my head. He was also willing to die so that I might be with him forever.

I guess, in life, there will be a number of disappointments. We are surrounded by an seemingly uncaring world full of seemingly uncaring people. However, when we have no where to turn. We have I AM.

Knock-Knock
Who's there?
I AM

Ultimate Frisbee...A Picture of Faith?

I have been dedicated recently to having youth events that have some spiritual application. In short, I don't just want to entertain the youth that I come into contact with.

Anyway, last night we had a great time playing Ultimate Frisbee. How does that glorify God? Well, in itself, it probably doesn't, but I used it as a picture for my youth last night.

Ultimate is a team sport. Each person playing has their own roles and responsibilities. It takes all players working together to reach the goal. Teams function better when all are encouraged in their abilities and moving in the same direction.

This is like the body of Christ. We cannot full realize our full potential apart from other Christians. God has made each of us specifically, for specific purposes that are to be used with others to reach the goals God has set for us.

Another interesting aspect of Ultimate (and the reason we play at C of O) is that when we are all playing and having a good time other people are attracted and want to join in the game.

In our Christian lives, when we are living and acting according to God's will. When we are working and serving in our communities with an attitude of love, people will be attracted. We then decide if we invite them to join us or just keep playing.

Needless to say, I don't think we will ever look at Ultimate Frisbee the same way.

I'm Impressed

I was talking with one of my good friends last night. We talked about a lot of things, but we settled on why people do the things they do. By this we were talking about lying, hurtful words and the need to impress the people around us.

I think that these things come from our desire to take care of ourselves. We want to be liked or respected or popular. These things aren't bad, but the truth about who we are isn't found in the things that we do for ourselves. It isn't found in the facades that we put up for other people. The truth about who we are can be found in God and His truth about who He created us to be.

The fact is that I'm impressed with anyone that is in a constant, abiding relationship with Jesus. To me, that is the fullness of joy. I have bad days when I try to be in control of myself, but my best days are when I am true to who God created me to be.

I can't live up to the expectations of the world around me. I can't live up to the expectations that I set for myself. I can live up to the expectations that God holds for my life because He is the one who lifts me up to achieve true joy in who He has made me to be.

I have to rest in that. I don't need to be the strongest, the fastest or the best. I just have to be loved...by God.

Faith in the Furnace

In Daniel 3, King Nebuchadnezzar is building a large golden statue and commanding the people to bow down to it when they hear music. He goes on to say that anyone that does not bow down will be thrown into the furnace (Daniel 3:1-6). All of the people, at the sound of the music, bow down to the statue. All of the people bowed except for three (Daniel 3:12). King Nebuchadnezzar became furious and called for the three men to be brought to him.

“Is it true, O Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, that you do not serve my gods and you do not worship the golden statue that I have set up? Now if you are ready when you hear the sound of the horn, pipe, lyre, trigon, harp, drum, and entire musical ensemble to fall down and worship the statue that I have made, well and good. But if you do not worship, you shall immediately be thrown into a furnace of blazing fire, and who is the god that will deliver you out of my hands?” (Daniel 3:14-15)

King Nebuchadnezzar threatens the Israelites to heed his command. He even goes so far as to set himself over and above God. He implies that no god can save them from the King’s hand. Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego knew that their God was the one true God. They replied to the king’s words.

“O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to present a defense to you in this matter. If our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the furnace of blazing fire and out of your hand, O king, let him deliver us. But if not, be it known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods and worship the golden statue that you have set up” (Daniel 3:16-18).

The Israelites told the king that they did not need to offer an explanation for their actions. They claimed that their God could save them. Even if He did not save them, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego refused to serve anyone other than the true God.

King Nebuchadnezzar became furious and ordered the furnace to be burned hotter (Daniel 3:19). Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego were sent to the furnace. The heat of the furnace killed the guards surrounding the Israelites (Daniel 3:22). As the king looked into the fire, he saw three men standing in the furnace

“Was it not three men that we threw bound into the fire?… But I see four men unbound, walking in the middle of the fire, and they are not hurt; and the fourth has the appearance of a god” (Daniel 3:24-25).

King Nebuchadnezzar called the men out of the furnace and praised God. He also commanded that all of the people would only praise the God of the Israelites (Daniel 3:28). The faith of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, and the faithfulness of God, brought Nebuchadnezzar and the people of Babylon into the recognition that God is God.

Many times the application to this passage of Scripture says that if we have enough faith, God will deliver us from all those who look to cause us harm. I think that application is, perhaps, not the best application of this Scripture. It seems to put the good work on us, rather than God.

I think that the main character in this story is God and Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego know that this is true. When threatened with death, the Israelite men declare that God is able to save them. They go onto say that even if He doesn’t they will burn. To these three men, God is bigger than the idol, the king and even their own lives. They didn’t know that God would save them. All they knew was that God was their God and alone would be praised.

Sometimes we are set before idols and commanded to bow down. These idols can be addictions, the opinions of others, work or a number of things. A lot of times those idols are ourselves. We think that we are, or should be, in control of our own lives and if we don’t look out for ourselves, what god can save us? Pride, temptation, or fear causes us to bow down to many idols in spite of what we know to be true in God and Christ. Where we find our significance is what drives us to these idols and away from God.

God promises to never leave us or forsake us. He is in control of everything. We need to trust that God is faithful to his promises. We can see that He is by simply looking at His history of faithfulness. That doesn’t mean that everything will always work out the way we think it should, but it does mean that God’s glory is revealed in all circumstances. Whether we are exalted and lifted up or thrown into the furnaces of life, God is with us and will not forsake us. Our significance is found in the glory of God.

The truth is that God is our significance. He is the One that has created us and set us in motion. He leads us and goes with us through the ups and downs of life. He is in control of all things. The truest thing about us is what God says about us and not what we say about ourselves. Just like Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, we must be willing to stand for God’s glory even when we are faced with the fire.

Road Closed

I was driving to my Philosophy of Ministry and Leadership class at the Rogers, AR extension of John Brown University. I was going the way that had always gone and was really not thinking about where I was. Then I came upon something that made me have to take notice. The road was closed. The one way that I knew how to get to my destination was closed.

I started thinking about my ultimate destination...sanctification. I got to thinking how great it is that this road will never be closed to me. God has promised to continue a good work in me until the day of Christ Jesus.

Then I got to thinking about the people around me. Jesus is the only way into the Kingdom, but how many times do people seek me out to point them to Christ? Do I give them a "road closed" sign because they are different? or because I don't want to take the time?

People are watching all the time. The Gospel is lived out in the crucible of life. When people see Jesus in us, do we jump at the chance to point them to eternal life or do we show them a "road closed" sign?