Don't touch the hot burner!!

The other day, my son was attempting to make himself a sandwich. The problem was not with the sandwich, but the location as to which he decided to make it.

I had just boiled some hot dogs for our family for lunch, and I moved the hot pan off of the burner to another cool spot on the range top. 

Our cook top is a smooth glass surface with radiant burners beneath the glass. If you've ever used one of these, you would know that the surface remains quite hot even though the burner is off. They even have a light that shines red as long as the surface is too hot to touch.

Apparently this feature was not evident to my son. He knew the surface was hot, because I had just called them in for lunch, and the pot was still cooling on the stove. What he didn't know was which burner was used.

Even though the light was on to alert him of the incredible heat he will soon feel, he felt compelled to test the validity of the little red light by touching the burner with the palm of his hand.

He claims he only touched the surface for a second, but clearly it was hot enough to cause 2nd degree burns to his palm. 

The funny thing was, we didn't know this had happened until we heard the water running constantly in the bathroom.

My wife asked if he was alright, to which he answered, "I'm okay, I just burned myself.".....this soon sent my wife and I into a bit of panic.

Wouldn't you know it, we were also out of medical supplies to treat such a burn.
As I was reflecting on all of this, God whispered a perspective I didn't expect. My son wasn't sure if the burner was hot, but against all the warning signs, he decided he must know for himself. Most of us are that way with God.
We hear all the time the question, "Why do bad things happen to good people?" To most of us, the answer eludes our thinking. Some of us believe we've been bad and we deserve punishment. Some believe our past is never really far enough away from our circumstance.
If shame is Satan's #1 tool against our relationship with God, then it is "logical" that our sin deserves punishment.
This was true for thousands of years under the Law of Moses, but then God's Son stepped out of His royal power and entered the world as a lowly carpenter. He lived for 33 years, and paid the final bill for our past, present, and future; with His death, burial, and resurrection. His grace and mercy shown on His cross covers a multitude of our sin. Are we then free to sin without consequence? Of course not!!
So why as believers and followers of Jesus Christ do we still feel the pain of our sin? I can't speak to every instance, but for me, I experience pain because I did not listen to the warnings. God never causes our pain(1), that comes from our decisions or the decisions of others. No, God uses our circumstances to produce in us a peculiar glory that He uses for His purposes in our lives.
Even natural disasters are a result of someone who ignored God, and proved it for themselves. Just read the story of Adam and Eve. All of creation has been groaning like pains from childbirth, and decay entered with sin.
Does God shout or blast a warning signal when you are approaching danger? No, He speaks in a whisper.
Why a whisper? A shout or a blast of an alarm seems more appropriate. If He loved us, He wouldn't want to see us harmed, right?......take a moment and ponder that question......that sounds more like a question Satan would ask. (a) Satan asked Eve, "Surely God wouldn't kill you, right?"
First of all, God does not think like us, and He does not react like us.....thank God!! God's love for us is not based on our love for Him....thank God!! God doesn't use our pain to manipulate our need for Him.....thank God!!
When the time comes for you to make a decision, no matter how trivial, God has already made the warning; sometimes we have grown dull to His pleadings. Our selfishness and pride has determined to prove it for ourselves. Even if God did many miraculous signs and wonders, even if He sent messengers after messengers, even if He sent Himself to suffer the penalty of our choices, would we then listen?.....some would, but most would not. We are bombarded with many things begging for our attention and God refuses to compete.
God whispers His love to those who are listening for Him.(b) The fact that we hear from Him is proof of our love and affection for Him. We view this life as the whole, but the truth is, our life is but a vapor in all of eternity(c) Everything that happens in this life is used by God to draw us closer to Him, our creator.
Only through spending time with Him, knowing Him, listening intently, do we begin to see the path He has laid out for us. When trouble comes, we will know it because of a catch in our spirit. Just like a child knows the sound of their mother's voice, so too we learn the voice of the Holy Spirit.

"I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.”      -Jesus  

John 16:33 

 I love this new song by Shane & Shane, but listen to what John Piper has to say about pain and trouble:

"Dark, have been my dreams of late."

Have you ever felt dark? Watch this clip and see if you can identify the lies.

Most of us have listened, at one point in our lives, and darkness is where we find ourselves. 

We face a real enemy. He seeks to devour us like a hungry lion. Do you need release from his clutches?

Listen for the promises as you watch this clip. 

Lies of the Deceiver

Gandalf Releases Theoden from Sarumans spell

Click Here

Call out to Jesus, for He is the light. 

"I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won't have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life." 

John 8:12

Field of Dreams: Peace they lack

As I began to write this series on the movie "Field of Dreams", I never realized the journey I would go on. Much of what I have written has been born out of my personal journey. The heartache of failure, missed opportunities, and friendships that have let me down. Nothing truly prepared me for this journey of redemption.

When you say yes to following something or someone, it always seems to produce in you a loyalty and energy that cannot be derailed. Over time the fire begins to fizzle and you lose heart, at least until something or someone else comes along with the newest and greatest.
We all find ourselves with a longing to belong. A dire need to be a part of something greater than ourselves. Where it gets hard however, is when we realize that thing that we have devoted our lives to, is actually greater than ourselves. We feel overwhelmed and out of control, and we lose heart. Resigned to the fact that greatness has escaped us once more, we put our head down and drudge through life lacking purpose and hope. Looking at every new opportunity through our cynical lens and casting pessimism on anyone who thinks they've found it.
How did this happen? How did we grow for so many years and only progress so little? All is lost.....Right?
As I started the greatest journey of my life, I realized the next greatest thing. Someone or something, had been waiting patiently with His arms wide open. No condemnation, no judgement, no settling for second best, but unconditional love. No strings attached, no effort given to earn it, just freedom.
As a believer in Jesus Christ and the "Good News", I am astonished at how far away I stayed from the truth of the Messiah or what a Savior really meant in my life. Late in my teens, I had said yes to Jesus, and heaven everlasting was my reward. I've done it, I've called upon the name of the Lord, and now I'm saved from the perils of Hell. But did I really believe Jesus wanted more?
I didn't do anything, except say "Yes" when He called my name. On the sound of the breeze He whispered, "Brad....If you build it He will come."
I stepped back with a certain awe and wonder. Could He really be talking to me? What should I do? Why would He speak to me? Doesn't He know the failure I am? Doesn't He know how far away from Him I have fallen? Doesn't He know my past? Isn't He Holy, and pure? Why should He defile His Kingdom with the likes of me?
By all rights as creator God, He could have commanded anything, but with a gentle whisper He said, "If you trust me with everything, I will take care of everything."
Jesus didn't want my feet just inside the protection of heaven, He wanted me to love Him with an unconditional surrender, so that He may give me life.
Soon after saying "yes" to Jesus, those who were the closest to me, became my adversary. Why would they not just love me? Why do they have to oppress me with their judgement? I couldn't see how scared they were.
Change always bring discomfort on those who travel in your comfort zone, because their comfort zone is changed. They can't understand and continue to ridicule. They even attack those who support you because they are scared those people are leading astray. They even begin to think you've brainwashed your kids to believe your lies. It broke my heart. He loves me, but they reject me. Fear is so powerful, it will destroy you if you let it.
Then I heard God whisper gently again, "Ease his pain." What I realized was He said, "This call is not just for you, there are others who lack hope."
So with wide eyes I began to search. What's funny is, He never asked me to do the searching.
Full of confusion and grief, I began to question if I'd been asked to do anything.
Ready to walk away from it all because of the constant rejection and condemnation from others, He whispered again,....."Go the distance." "Don't give up. It's going to get real hard. You're going to have to walk through the fire if you want to be really useful."
Along the way I met many who are on the same journey. Suddenly, I didn't feel so alone. Suddenly, there was hope. Suddenly there were others who found the courage to listen because of me. Really? What did I do?
Oswald Chambers writes in My Utmost for His Highest, that a true Saint will be completely unaware of how God is using them to change the lives of those around them.
In February of 2014 my family was commissioned by Greater Europe Mission to be missionaries to Europe and bring the "Good News" to all the peoples there.
How did this happen? We applied, but my past should have disqualified me, right? What does God want me to do now?

"People will come"

I have taken some liberties with the famous speech by Terence Mann who was portrayed by James Earl Jones, but I think this is the crux of the whole movie for me:

People will come. They'll come to you for reasons they can't even fathom. They'll turn up to hear the message not knowing for sure why they're doing it. They'll walk up to you as innocent as children, longing for peace. Of course, we won't mind if join our story, you'll say. It's only $30 per month. They'll pass over the money without even thinking about it: for it is money they have and peace they lack. And they'll walk out to the Kingdom; sit in shirtsleeves on a perfect afternoon. They'll find they have a reserved blanket somewhere along one of the riverbanks, where they sat when they were children and dreamed of their heroes. And they'll feel the love of Christ and it'll be as if they dipped themselves in magic waters. The memories will be so thick they'll have to brush them away from their faces. People will come. The one constant through all the years, has been Jesus. Humanity has rolled by like an army of steamrollers. It has been erased like a blackboard, rebuilt and erased again. But Jesus has marked the time. His Kingdom, His love: it's a part of our past. It reminds us of all that once was good and it could be again. Oh... people will come. People will most definitely come.

Listen closely to the whispers of redemption. God's bigger story. Eden reborn. The Kingdom of God.
Once we understand the importance of standing firm on the decisions we've made, we become galvanized to expect the unexpected. We become determined to never give up.
Archie Graham had gotten his wish of playing against big league pitchers, but now his true calling comes to life when Ray's daughter falls and begins to choke. He rescues Ray's little girl.
Through the tragedy of her injury, Ray's wife's family finally sees the supernatural, and realizes how wrong they were. They become determined as well.
Once they saw the miracle, they become determined to find the means to support any way necessary.
But more often then not, families never make it this far. Many never support the call of God that you feel so convicted to follow.
Henri Nouwen writes in his book "Making All Things New":

"To set our hearts on the Kingdom therefore means to make the life of the Spirit within and among us the center of all we think, say, or do."

He then goes on in another book, "A Spirituality of Fundraising", that fundraising is a very concrete way to help the Kingdom of God come about. The Kingdom of God is where He provides for all that we need. It is the realm of sufficiency where we are no longer pulled here and there by anxiety about having enough. Even a seemingly small act of generosity can grow into something far beyond what we could ever ask or imagine.
When you welcome people into this realm of the Kingdom, in a sense, you are giving them the very thing Terence Mann was talking about. "For money they have, and peace they lack."
The Kingdom of God is a collaborative effort of those doing the work, those seeking to be a part, and those supporting out of there God given resources.
Nouwen says, if we raise funds for the creation of a community of love, we are helping God build the Kingdom.
The call to follow God through His whispers has never been about us, it's always been about others. Submitting ourselves in such a way that we become useful for the Kingdom. Note: I didn't say make ourselves useful, but surrendering to our creator so that out of our humility we become a conquering warrior.

"But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” Acts 1:8

"People will come....."

It must be true.....

"The rain and snow come down from the heavens and stay on the ground to water the earth. They cause the grain to grow, producing seed for the farmer and bread for the hungry. 

It is the same with my word. I send it out, and it always produces fruit. It will accomplish all I want it to, and it will prosper everywhere I send it."  

Isaiah 55:10-11

Most of us have heard this verse a time or two, but maybe in a different version. I believe it is always used out of context. Many will say, "God's word will never return void" and then move on like the Bible is some boomerang that you use to fling at people.
I have personally been told after teaching the Bible, "Oh, don't worry if they got it or not, God's word NEVER returns void."
This seems a dangerous way to use the word of God. As I read the NLT version, I get a distinct impression that God will do what HE wants with HIS word and it will always produce fruit. What if we use HIS word the same way? Does it still produce fruit?
Recently, I participated in a spirited discussion about telling people the truth, and doing it unapologetically,which spiraled into a debate on free speech and civil rights. Now I am not here to argue the truth being delivered, but I will argue that Christians use the truth as a "weapon of mass destruction."
"I have a right to put a sign in my yard that says "Turn or Burn,"" was told to me. And I suppose you would have that right in America or other free democratic societies, but how does this build bridges of relationship and compassion? How does this make a hardened people any more receptive to the Good News of Jesus Christ? Does this sound like something Jesus would do?
I'm not trying to stand in my pulpit and condone the actions of the world, but I certainly don't believe the actions of Christians looking like the world, just singing a different tune, will ever make disciples of Christ.
Certainly we are entitled to debate such tactics and policy, but to fling truth about as a weapon, and then say "God's word won't return void" is irresponsible.
There is a lot of sin in this world, but we as Christians need to stop taking stands against just the sins that make you uncomfortable (homosexuality, abortion, pornography, oppression, drugs) and take a stand against ALL sin (gossip, murder, corruption, hypocrisy, adultery, divorce, coveting, etc..).
The point is, we should care less about how we are going to eliminate sin, and care more for the marginalized, the poor, the widowed. Care for the hurting, the lost, the hopeless.
How should we then stand up against Satan?
Stand in the gap for those you meet. Live in such a way, that the light of Christ shining through you compels them to know more. Love EVERY child of God as yourself. Yes, even the homosexual. You see, many people we brow beat with our theology are blind to the ways of God, because God intends them to be. The only way their eyes can be open is to measure God's people by what THEY believe.
"Well I hate the sin, but I love the sinner." I challenge you to ask any unbeliever you know just how much love you show them in regards to their sin.
It is impossible to show anyone the love of Christ if don't truly have it yourself. We end up being medieval Crusaders, lopping off their heads until they repent.
The blood of Christ was shed for ALL, not just the few who figured it out. Our mission as Christ followers is not to use the Bible as a weapon of truth, but to love the sinner so much, it breaks their heart to offend you.

If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat; if he is thirsty, give him water to drink.
 In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head, and the Lord will reward you. Proverbs 25:21-22

I know loving someone to build a relationship is hard, and maybe even unwanted, but someone loved YOU enough to build a relationship in order to tell you the Good News. Don't forget it was JESUS who died on that cross, not you. Let Him worry about being offended.

"You must love in such a way 

that the person you love feels free." 

— Thich Nhat Hanh

Is the whole batch ruined with just a little poo?

       My pastor preached a sermon recently on 1 Corinthians 5:6. Paul is addressing the church in Corinth about allowing sinful people to exist within their fellowship. Paul uses bread dough to illustrate this point.
       Paul asks "Don't you realize that sin is like a little yeast that spreads through the whole batch of dough?" His thought is quite profound, and I think we need to sit up and pay attention. Too many churches have "yeast" or sin, running wild throughout our congregations, but most of us defer responsibility to do something about it to someone else. Before we know it the "yeast" has consumed the group and we've all become sour.
       My pastor asked this question. Suppose you have a batch of chocolate brownies, and somehow a little doggie poo fell into the batter. Is the whole batch ruined? It's not like it was a lot, maybe just a pinch. Isn't it still edible? Suppose it was just in one corner of the pan, couldn't you eat around it?
       If you answered NO to these questions, then you would agree with Paul. Sin, no matter how small, if allowed to exist in our congregations, will infiltrate the whole.
       Please don't hear me saying the church should be filled with self-righteous, condescending, holier-than-thou, people; for we all sin and fall short of God's glorious standard (Romans 3:23).
But, I believe if we are all working toward the goal of abiding in Christ, surrendering ourselves to the Holy Spirit, and straining toward the goal of sanctification; we are getting rid of the poo.
It would be easy to just insulate ourselves from sinful people, and live sanctified lives separate from the outside world. In fact many early churches practiced this behavior. Some religions today still behave this way.
       In Luke 5:32 Jesus tells us the reason he wanted to establish his church:

"I have come to call not those who think they are righteous, but those who know they are sinners and need to repent.”

       So if Jesus came to save the lost, then why do we continue to orbit within our church meetings? We spend more time praying for ourselves and the needs of our friends than we ever spend praying for those outside our social orbit. Why?
Don't worry you are not alone, Paul addresses the church in Corinth on this issue in vs. 9 of chapter 5:

 ^"When I wrote to you before, I told you not to associate with people who indulge in sexual sin."

No problem, right? I can avoid people who dress sexy, talk dirty, and flirt uncontrollably. What Paul says next gets to the core of our conversation:

 ^10 "But I wasn’t talking about UNBELIEVERS who indulge in sexual sin, or are greedy, or cheat people, or worship idols. You would have to leave this world to avoid people like that. ¹¹ I meant that you are not to associate with anyone who claims to be a BELIEVER^[a] yet indulges in sexual sin, or is greedy, or worships idols, or is abusive, or is a drunkard, or cheats people. Don’t even eat with such people."

     Seems pretty harsh, but this goes back to a little poo among believers. Paul is not saying one or two believers who indulge in sin are okay, as long as the rest are strong Christians. No he says we aren't to "even eat with such people."
If we open our doors to sinful BELIEVERS and lower the entrance fee so all BELIEVERS can come in, then we have muted the Good News. We must be set apart from the things of this world, but not insulated from it. What should we do then? Paul answers that question in vs. 12-13 of chapter 5:

^12 "It isn’t my responsibility to judge outsiders, but it certainly is your responsibility to judge those inside the CHURCH(the people of God, not the meeting) who are sinning. ¹³ God will judge those on the outside; but as the Scriptures say, “You must remove the evil person from among you.”"^[a]

      So why do we spend most of our lives avoiding unbelievers? Why do we condemn them for being lost and doing only what lost people do?
When I was a student in high school we were always told to avoid parties and people who acted lost, because they might influence us to sin and stumble. Besides we don't want to do anything that might "ruin your witness." What I think we were being told, is don't do anything that might ruin what self-righteous people might think of you. Maybe we were never modeled on how to "not be of the world, but in the world."

'For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.' John 3:17

If we don't spend time with unbelievers, how will they ever hear the Good News of Jesus Christ.
      Interesting fact about the early church: God's people never claimed the name Christian for themselves. They were given that name by people on the outside of the faith because they saw Christ's teachings being lived out. When was the last time someone said that about you?