Man Up!

“Man Up”! What a common phrase used today. Used as if to show our dismay that a boy was being “sissy”. It shows our cultures view and expectation of men is to be a buff, weightlifting, full of him-self dude! It is all about power, power, and more power. We look around us and we see, products of what we expect, “real” men!

Ezekiel 22:30 says, “So I sought for a man among them who would stand in the gap before Me ….. but I found no one”! How sad, right? We look around and see lots of real men, and God couldn't even find one! In a whole nation. Could it be guys that we have the whole idea of being a real man all wrong? Is there a chance that our view of masculinity isn't what God had for us? I think we have.

“Help, Lord, for the Godly man ceases! For the faithful disappear from the sons of men. They speak idly everyone wit his neighbor; with flattering lips and a double heart they speak” (Psalms 12:1,2). How ironic that when the Godly men were disappearing the thing that was noticed was useless conversation! They spoke of temporal things, constantly, and made each other feel good. In his book “Disciples of a Godly man” R. Kent Hughes points out (after a lengthy study) that less than 10% of men have friends, real friends. So if 10 guys read this, one of you has a friend. Is that you? I mean take a look at David and Jonathon's friendship. It was one of love, commitment, mutuality, loyalty, and encouragement. When they got together they weren't talking trucks, football, hunting, or any other man-power subject, they were concerned for each other spiritual welfare. It was more like, “how are thing going, for real”? Or “Hey man, how are thing going with such-and-such”? They shared their struggles and lifted each other up with their souls! Do you have such a friendship? Does your time with the guys go beyond the surface level of why your having those conversations? I am not saying we need to get together, cry and have a sissy fit of our lives with the guys and “get in touch with our feminine side”, hug and leave. I don't like that at all! I am saying we need to get together and be men, real men, helping each other. Spurring each other on to good works! Keep each other focused on what really matters! Like David and Jonathon.

So maybe you want such a friendship but don't understand why we can't get one? Troy Meeder in his book Average Joe says it this way, “We don't have friends because we don't try to have friends, yup that simple!” Proverbs 18:24, “A man who would have friends must first show himself friendly”! Come on guys, it isn't that hard! We need to be those men, to stand in the gap! To make a difference. I am tired of “masculine men” who go through life without without making a difference in the lives of their peers. It isn't that hard! Lets man up and care about each other!

Route 24!

While you wait oil changes, next day air early AM delivery UPS, Freaky Fast Jimmy John sandwiches, and faster internet, who can deny that the United States is in a hurry for instant gratification! It is amazing how we “need” things right now! Even when we are little we can't wait till we are 15 so we can drive, then we can't wait to graduate college and get married. After that we rush into marriage, then children, and retirement! It is a hurry, run, can't wait life! No stopping to smell the roses, let alone plant some. Once we reach the next thing it disappears into a new goal! Then when were older we seek anti-aging cream and hair die in a desperate grasp for what we blew bye to reach were we are. Maybe your tired of hearing negative things about our easy luxurious life in the USA, I am not condemning it, just admitting its true! It is so sad how we look for “then” and miss “now” because “then” is beautiful. It is true “then” is a beautiful time, but so is “now” because all of life is a gift from God full of amazing jewels!

In The Book of Virtues, William J. Bennett tells a story called “The Magic Thread”. The Story is of a strong able young boy named Peter, who unfortunately is flawed with impatience. One day while scampering through the woods as young boys do he happened upon a old woman. The woman gives him the chance to skip the “boring” and “mundane” things in life so he can get on to the “exiting” and “fulfilling” things he was anxious to get on to. The change came through a ball with a silver thread pealing off. If he was to pull the thread in would literally skip him forward in time. So the next day while in a rather unexciting class he tugged the thread and instantly he skipped forward to the end of class! As life went on he skipped school altogether and went on to marriage and kept on going to “whats next”. But sadly, when he comes to the end of his life Peter realizes the emptiness of such existence. In his impatience he has skipped all of lives meaningful memories. All he had to look forward to is the grave.

I know what none of will ever get the chance to skip life as Peter did, but it makes a good point. Don't waste were God has you right now. No matter what you have on your goal sights. Maybe graduation from high school, college, marriage, retirement, or something smaller wait on God's time by serving right now! Focusing on that thing rather that God ruins life itself. Like the songs says, “I'm in a hurry to get things done. Rushing, rushing till life's no fun. All I really got to do is live and die. But I'm in a hurry and don't know why”! Troy Meeder in his book “Average Joe” says it so well. “After spending years searching for grandeur, I can tell you with certainty that real joy, fulfillment, and life lie in the quite of an early morning sunrise, the laughter of children, the soft whisper of a wife – even in something as simple as a hot cup of coffee in front of a wood stove on a cold winter's morning. Those are the moments that make life full and rich”. Zac Brown Band also lays it out plainly in their song “Chicken Fried”. They sing; “It's funny how it is the little things in life that mean the most. Now where you live, what you drive, or the price tags on your clothes. There's no dollar sign on a peace of mind, this I've come to know.”

This summer God gave me an awesome opportunity to work on youth ranch in Taylor, Missouri (hisranch.org for those interested). While there, a group of friends and I took several trips to central Illinois to visit friends and family. There were two routes we could choose from, a slightly quicker route taking the interstate and bypassing all the small towns, and then Highway 24, a two lainer road taking us through woods, farming communities and one gas station towns. Without fail we chose to stop and smell the roses with route 24. We made some great memories that will last a lifetime. We didn't just spend time together, we spurred each other on to good works. I would trade those trips for the world. So here is my challenge for you, take a “route 24” view on life. God has made a beautiful thing called life, lets now blow it by to see whats around the corner. God has got that under control, now worries! Seek God and He promises that “all these things shall be added unto you” (Matthew 6:33). It is not the getting to point B that matters, it is the A to B! Seek God, wait actively on Him! Take a route 24!

Greyhounds and Rabbits!

If your like me, it seems that life has a way of taking our focus off of what really matters. We seek a comfortable life, a newer car, a remodel on the house, or maybe a nicer saddle (okay maybe that more my problem than yours)! Every paycheck we tend to see it as one step closer to happiness! Worry about being able to make it surrounds us. Jesus said in the Sermon on the Mount, “Therefore do not worry, saying, 'what shall we eat?' or 'what shall we drink?' or 'what shall we wear?' For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For you heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.” (Matthew 6:31-33). We seek after these things in life that really are meaningless in the large scheme of things! Yet we devote our whole being to seeking it out. But to us it is bigger than life, we just can't go on without it.

In the world of greyhound racing dogs are trained to run after a fake rabbit. These dogs devote all there energy in a quick short race after a fake quarry. There focus is unwavering, there muscles rippling through there sleek body as it gives it all. His devotion is note worthy, it is admirable, however it is pointed to a priceless goal, a fake rabbit. It doesn't happen to often but occasionally a dog will finally reach his prey. Can you imagine the momentary sense of accomplishment! He has run and run for this moment! But then despair, it is fake! What a feeling of despair! So much time spent training for this, and it was all for nothing. Only for that time back to run after the real rabbit! Once a dog has caught the bait he is usually retired because he refuses to run after what he knows is superficial bait.

Look around you, there are people all around running in the “rat race” of life. Seeking a corner office, a bigger home, college education, or a high respect in the church. None of these things are wrong, but are just distractions from what really matters. I am not condemning a “comfortable life”, but at what cost are you claiming it? Sometimes humans too reach there “rabbit”, but often times not till there life is close to over. They look back at there life and the family and friends they could have invested in. They could have spent more time investing in love (eternal) instead of money (temporal). You never find a retired mad who's advise to the younger is to “work hard, and you'll reach your goals”. They always say, “spend more time with those you love”. If you really stop and look at it, what is a nicer home if you don't have the memories in it because your making money to support it? What is corner office if you are always sacrificing to go to it? God knows your needs! He cares and will fulfill them, your kids won't remember how much you gave them, but they will remember the times you spent with them. Deep inside you know what your “rabbit” is! I encourage you to lay it down and go for “The real thing”. There is no despair involved when you finally reach it, only joy!

Worthless? Priceless!

The other day when I was listening to a wonderful story of how God had worked in a young Christians life I heard an interesting statement from the convert. He was responding to a question about how Satan tempts him. He said that He will try to tell him that he is worthless and that he (Satan) wants control of his life. What irony! That Satan puts value in your soul while he is telling you that your worthless. The very fact he is tempting you contradicts that. Your not worthless, your priceless!

I just got done working on a youth ranch in Taylor, MO working with handicapped and underprivileged children. God brought 5 others to the ranch for the summer besides me, and do you know what? Each one of us had a very unique story of how God brought us all to the ranch, starting years and years ago. God had been working with each of us individually, in a unique way pursuing us! Listening to those testimonies it wasn't like God was distant as we struggled to were we where, he had been active in all of our lives individually! “For it is God who works in you both to will and to do His good pleasure” (Philippians 2:13).

Did you know that God knows everything about you, He knows when we go to bed and wake up. He takes the time to become familiar with our habits! (Psalms 139:1-3). Its not like this is all in some database either, God knows and cares about it all! He even chose when and where you were born (Acts 17:26). “Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed upon us that we should be called the children of God” ( I john 3:1).

But your value to God doesn't come without cost. Unfortunately the adversary, the devil, would like your soul as well. But God values us so much that He would never let us be tempted greater that we can handle (1 Corinthians 10:13). And the power that over comes is not ours, it comes from the one who loves us more than we do! “He who is in you is greater that he who is in the world” (I john 4:4). The key is allowing God to fight for us! So know that no matter how you feel about what God is bringing you through right now, He loves you more than will ever know and the very fact your feel this way proves it! God bless!

Breath!

The other week during a bible study at church, the minister asked us to do a very challenging exercise. He asked us to take a breath, and slowly let it out. So I am going to ask you to do the same. Go ahead. Now realize something, that could have been your last breath. God has promised that He “will never leave us or forsake us” (Hebrews 13:5) even though we are not sure of the A to B of life. However we all know one thing is for sure, we will take our last breath! So if that would have been your last breath and you knew it, what you have done to be remembered. When the minister asked us that my mind immediately went to my grandpa's last hour. Right before he was life-flighted to the hospital he, unable to speak, grabbed my grandma's hand, squeezed it and kissed it. Now he is gone, but my grandma has a very special memory to carry her on, and so do I. My point is, that he didn't just go, he left with a legacy right to the end. It didn't start there though, his whole life was an example. So imagine your life, yes (hopefully) your a christian and you've given your life to Christ. But it doesn't end there, there's more to it. Can people see my life as an example? Am I showing people, not only God's love, but His wisdom? Are the younger people looking up to me seeing Christ-likeness? I sat beside a person on a train today and had a nice chat about his college and the youth ranch I am working at, but I didn't share Jesus with him. Will I be standing beside him at judgment someday? Am I being effective for Jesus through Jesus today? May God help me and guide me to serve Him more with all my being! That someday my last breath with be a shebang for those left after!

Rambo and Fences

My brother Caleb had a tobiano black paint stallion named Rambo, whom he

loved. Caleb provided a fenced-in lot for Rambo with a plenty of food, water, and shade

from the heat. It also proved protection from things like poisonous plants and cars

driving down the road. He provided this safe haven for Rambo’s own good, because

he loved Rambo. One night around 3:30 A.M. our neighbor called and informed us

than Rambo was out of the pastier standing by the road. A place of danger away from

were we had intended him to be safe. You see Rambo’s heart wasn’t in the pastier, it’s

desires weren’t there. Sometimes in our lives we need “fences” (rules and guidelines

to live by) to remind us of sin and to protect us from it. In those fences God provides us

with all the necessary things in our walk with Him, because He loves us. But you see,

those fences can’t really hold us in. We have the power to walk through them, jump

them, or find a loophole. They only serve us as a reminder of were we should be with

God. If we first don’t place our hearts in the fence, then they are pointless. The heart

of the matter is the matter of the heart. We have to choose to see those fences as a

blessing not a legalistic confinement. Without them we would walk aimlessly into sin,

like a soldier going to battle without armor. Have you had placed fences placed in your

life? Is your heart in them?

Just a Person

The angel said to her, “Rejoice, highly favored one, the Lord is with you; blessed are you among
women!” But when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and considered what manner
of greeting this was. Then the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found
favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and shall call
His name JESUS. He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God
will give Him the throne of His father David. And He will reign over the house of Jacob forever,
and of His kingdom there will be no end.” (Luke 1:28-33)

What a great passage! The announcement of the birth of The Savior! The verses above were
the part of a very good message I heard the other day. You know, it is very easy for us to look
at Mary and be amazed (and maybe jealous) that she was chosen to do such a great work for
God. She must of been a super-woman, right? She was a person chosen to fulfill God’s will!
How about Moses? He led the Israelites (God chosen people) out of bondage. He was just a
person chosen to fulfill God’s will. How about the Apostle Paul? The man responsible for most
of the writing of the New Testament and leading more people than we will ever know to Christ.
He was just a person chosen to fulill God’s will. So how about me, or you? "...He chose us (you
and me) in Him before the foundations of the world, that we should be holy and without blame
before Him in love." (Ephesians 1:4) You and me are people chosen to fulfill God will. We are
just as much in God’s plan as all the Patriarchs of old. So what am I doing (today) to fulfill and
seek out that will?

“For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of
evil, to give you a future and a hope.” Jeremiah 29:11

What do you think?

I have asked God to mold and shape me into a person that can reach out to struggling people, but I don’t know how ready I was for Him to show me the filthiness of my own heart. As a person with a desire to love and help others it pained me to find myself judging others and expecting the worst of them. A poem that was shared with me really convicted my heart of this. The poem is The Right Kind of People by Edwin Markham.

Gone is the city, gone the day,
Yet still the story and meaning stay:
Once where a prophet in the palm shade basked
A traveler chanced at noon to rest his miles.
“What sort of people may they be,” he asked,
“In this proud city on the plains o’erspread?”
“Well, friend, what sort of people whence you came?”
“What sort?” the packman scowled; “why, knaves and fools.”“You’ll find the people here the same,” The wise man said.
Another stranger in the dusk drew near,
And pausing, cried “what sort of people here
In your bright city where yon towers arise?”
Well, friend, what sort of people whence you came?”
“what sort?” the pilgrim smiled,
“Good, true and wise.”
“You’ll find the people here the same,”
The Wise man said.

Abraham Lincoln said it like this: “If you look for the bad in mankind expecting to find it, you surely will.” So I have been looking for the good in everybody, and you know, I have been able to find it! May God fill your life with his loving spirit towards others! God Bless


“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.”
Philippians 4:8

Lovest thou Me?

Recently I have been challenged by the words of Christ to Peter after His resurrection. "Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me more than these"? He Peter said to Him, "Yes, Lord; You know that I love you". He said to him, "feed my lambs"(John 21:15) . Christ asked him two more times, and both times Peter confirmed his love. Jesus responded "tend my sheep", and feed my sheep". Peters love for Christ called for action. Jesus wasn't satisfied with just plain words of love, He asked Peter to act on his love. If we read the book of Acts we will see that Peter did indeed act out on his love. Again in John 14:15 Jesus commands us to show our love for him by keeping His commandments (action). With-out action, our love is dead! I am not saying that works are our salvation. "For by grace you have been saved through faith, and not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast" (Eph. 2:8,9). However you cannot have faith without action. "For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead" (James 2:26). Those actions, coincidently, are equal to nothing without love (I Corinthians 13). Faith without love is dead. With dead faith we are nothing. Sometimes it is hard to show the love our love for Christ. Rev. Kent Hughs brings out an inspiring, but challenging point in his book " Disciplines of a Godly Man". He says when Apostle Paul refers to running the Christian race (Heb. 12:1) that the Greek words have a direct meaning of working-out and sweating. Sometimes this love we have for Christ is going to take "spiritual sweat." Are you willing to take one more step, or lift the weight one more time when you'd rather drop and lay down? what would your response be if Jesus asked you, "lovest thou me"?

"And now abide faith, hope, and love

the three; but the greatest of these

is love.

(I Corinthians 13:13)

What Is Truth?

Judges chapter 2 tells of a time in Israel that "all the people served the Lord all the days of Joshua , and all the days of the elders who out lived Joshua." However "when all that generation had been gathered to their fathers, another generation arose who did not know God." That deeply troubled me. How did an entire generation that served God all the days of their life raise a generation who didn't even know God? The word used for "served" in the verse directly refers to sacrificing in the temple. So to put it in today's terms "they went to church". Sometimes it seems that there is this big part of my life that goes to work, cleans my car, gets food, and mows the lawn. Then there is this little part that serves God "with all its heart". God yearns to have a much deeper relationship with us that. If we are serving Him our desires should be to be more like Jesus Christ. (Philippians 2:5, Galatians 3:27). The very word "Christian" means "Little Christ". Our faith isn't complete by going through the motions! It is about love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Those things are proof to others that we serve God (Galatians 5:22-23). We should constantly be seeking our soul's salvation by comparing our selves, not to others, but to Jesus and His infallible work (Philippians 2). We cannot do this without meditating on God and His word. Johnny Cash wrote a song depicting the times he lived in. The song was called "What is Truth". The older generations, fresh out of a terrible world war, had become passive in their walk with God and in raising their children. They wondered why the young people had gone "crazy" with their music, clothes, and lifestyle. Cash says (well sings I guess) that the youth were simply asking what is truth because they couldn't see it in their parents lives. In a way they were reliving the days of Israel. If we truly live our lives for Christ as described in His word those looking up to us (and there is someone) won't have to ask "what is truth"?

The Greatest Story

The other day I heard a story that pricked my heart. It was about a missionary, who was just back from a extensive furlough. The very first Sunday he was back, he began preaching about the death on the cross. His wife said to him, "You just came back from America, they want a story about America. They've already heard this one." His response to his wife's concern challenged me. He responded "Then let them know an old man back from America still has no better story than the cross." Sometimes we (or at least me) can get so caught up in other "Bible subjects" that verse like John 3:16 (For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life) seem so unimportant. Or maybe I speak for myself. But that story, is the one we live for. We should never get tired of it. The driving force in our lives should be that story. How truly amazing that "the word (God) became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory" (John 1:14). Even more amazing is "HE was wounded for OUR transgressions, HE was bruised for OUR iniquities; the chastisement for OUR peace was upon HIM, and by HIS stripes WE are healed" (Isaiah 53:5). But, Hallelujah, the story isn't over; if we believe, repent, and forsake our old life (and sins) we can live free through His grace! (John 3:16, Luke 24:46,47). That Story is the most precious of all. I owe my life to it. Lets always tell that story!

"I love to tell the story,

'twill be my theme in glory,

to tell the old, old story

of Jesus and his love."

The Red Balloon

Just A video my sister-in-law showed me that I really thought was good and I thought I would pass it on!