Crisis of faith

/
Mother Teresa, what a hero! And to think she was having "dark nights of the soul" as she lived in the light of God's favor.

I was checking the news for the day to just make sure I wasn't missing anything going on in our world and I came across this TOP story, Mother Teresa's Crisis of Faith. Basically, there are letters she wrote that reveal a "crisis of faith" of sorts. Times she felt alone, all alone, no God, no Faith, and miserable.

Of course it grabbed me by the soul and I read. Wow! I have not even allowed time to process this "news", but I am thinking; How does this happen? How can I avoid it? Is it avoidable? Why?

These are all great questions we must ask ourselves. And I can only hypothesise to the reasons she faced these dark nights of the soul. But, I will tell you what has caused me to have dark nights of the soul.

1.) God led me there - just as the spirit led Jesus into the wilderness, I believe He leads us there for a purpose as well. Ultimately for my good, and my growth.

2.) I led myself there - I have made decisions that were bad, unfruitful, and dark. And the result is I strayed from the path God had for me. My choices! When I chose to speed (which I never do - ha ha!) I put myself in a situation to get a ticket! It's not always things I choose TO DO, but also in the things I chose NOT TO DO. For example, when I chose NOT to talk with God, and NOT read my Bible - I chose darkness. My mind becomes clouded, and when I stay fresh with my relationship with God it clears the fog.

3.) Evil led me there - Tempation. Just as David (in the Bible) was tempted to have an affair with Bathseiba, we are tempted to do bad. This leads to dark times.

4.) (Like #2) I chose to sacrifice when God has not asked me too (1 Samuel 15:22 "...Obedience is better than sacrifice...") I think sometimes we make assumptions about what it is to be holy, or a saint, or a believer, or a person of faith, or a Christian. Like in the movie, The DaVinci Code when Silas would punish himself for his sins by beating himself. I think we do this, honestly I do this sometimes. I don't beat myself, but a mildler type of beating. I make extreme sacrifices that God has not asked me to make, but I do it to punish myself, or make myself feel more holy.

Now, please understand I think we NEED to sacrifice much more than we do many times (especially in our spoiled rich culture), but we must always ask; is this something God is asking me to do, or is this me?

The fruit of sacrifice is death, but the Fruit of obedience is life.


For the complete Mother Teresa story go to: http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,1655415,00.html

Is Drinking a Sin?

/

I’ve been asked this question many times. And the Christian world is split in two on this one. Some Christians feel that it is terribly evil and you should never touch it or even look at it, or eat at a restaurant that serves it, and then there are those who feel as long as you drink responsibly (not being drunk, or inebriated) you are fine.

Usually those who feel it is evil look down on those who do drink and would never drink in public where people could see them, but they do it secretly... this is what we call being hypocritical!
Can I just say that clearly those who feel drinking is evil should stay clear of it, BUT do not judge those who feel it’s okay to drink responsibly. Too many times we Christians like to put OUR convictions on others… which is to judge.
So Timmy, do you drink? And what do you think about it? Well, first let me say that I fall in the camp that believes that to drink responsibly is fine, as long as you are not getting drunk, or taking away from your responsibilities in any way. (I could teach here for 3 days!)
Do I drink? I do on occassion. I recently made a decision to limit my consumption of alcohol. Not because I think it’s a sin! Drinking is NOT a sin! It’s a choice that each person must make! Now on special occassions I may still have a beer with pizza, or a glass of fine wine when in the company of my wife.
Though, for me I just got to thinking about my bio-logical father who died at 37 years of age from alcohol, and many of the health challenges associated with alcohol he faced… and I just made a decision that I felt was the best thing for me, my family and my ministry. Now, don’t get me wrong I still smoke a good cigar now and then. And no, I don’t inhale!
On a serious note; there was a scripture that kept ringing in my mind when I was thinking about all this; 1 Corinthians 6:12 “All things are lawful for me, but not all things are profitable. All things are lawful for me, but I will not be mastered by anything.”

I try and look at all of life through these "filter" questions:
1.) What does this ADD to my life?
2.) What does it take away from my life?
3.) What value am I or my family receiving from this?
4.) What does this ADD to those around me?
5.) What is the long term advantage or disadvantage of this activity?
6.) Will this activity help me achieve my goals?
Now sometimes there are things we all engage in that are purely because WE JUST ENJOY IT! Like a ice cold beer with pizza, and that is wonderful if you like that! We, as Christians SHOULD enjoy all that life has to offer! Just drink responsibly!

Much love!

Like a Child

/

I love my “spiritual talks” with my kids, and this one is the best one yet.

I was doing my usual - asking probing questions about God, the universe, life, death to Shaeylea the other day and it went something like this; “so Shaeylea, how do you know that God exists?” She said, “Well, I wouldn’t be here if He didn’t exist.”

I was like, “okay… alright… good answer… daddy is going to go pray for a while and think on that some more”.

You know what is amazing about that exchange was that it was simple, yet deep. It was, Childlike.


Which reminds me of:

Mark 10:15 “I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.”


Where are you and I complicating (adultifying) the whole God thing? I think far too many times we make it difficult, confusing and complicated... when it's really easy, plain and simple!


God is real! How do I know that? Just ask any child, she'll tell ya!

God Sees the Caboose

/

Isaiah 40:30-31 “Though youths grow weary and tired, and vigorous young men stumble badly, Yet those who wait for the LORD will gain new strength; they will mount up with wings like eagles, they will run and not get tired, they will walk and not become weary.”

Have you ever been headed toward a Railroad Crossing, thinking to yourself; “please Lord, don’t let there be a train… I don’t have time to wait” and then you begin to accelerate just incase there may be a train coming? I never have, but I have heard of people doing that! Ha ha!

Then what happens? There’s a train! So, you either turn around or go another way, or you wait, then wait, then wait some more.
Have you ever had the train stop? Oh isn’t that a blessing? Have you ever turned around to go another way, just to keep the car moving, and come to find out that it would have been faster to just wait? And finally, have you ever been at a train crossing out in the flat country where you could see in both directions for miles and miles and no matter how long the train was you could see the caboose?

Have you noticed that it was easier to be patience and wait because you could see what was coming? You could see just how long you were going to have to wait… and that made it much easier. As a matter of fact a short train in the city that is being blocked by buildings seems to take much longer then a long train in the country, huh? Why? Simple because you can see what’s coming!

Our relationship with God is more like the City Train Railroad Crossing – our view is blocked and we do not know when “it” (i.e. our problem, our struggle, our stress, our depression, our hard time, etc.) will be over. But the good thing is, God SEES the caboose! Have faith in Him, and trust He will keep the train moving.

Appreciate every moment in life

/

Life doesn't always go as planned! And being happy is a choice we must make each morning when we wake up.

I must admit I am pretty optimistic and a fairly happy guy. Though I have those days when I am just not feeling it. I do not "feel" happy, and therefore it’s a struggle to act happy.

Now some people (I’ve heard) will just take a pill to make them happy. I do not support that lifestyle, though I do see why people do it. I personally think it is cheating, and a crutch to facing life head on. When you can face life head on you create opportunities for growth.

I recently watched the movie Peaceful Warrior which was a great movie by the way. In the movie there is a great scene that reinforces this thought of “Appreciating every moment in life”. Watch it and see if you find it!

Something to remember; not “every moment” in life is actually going to be enjoyable. We are going to have flat tires, crying kids, failed tests, low Sunday attendance (that’s for the pastors) and door dings. All these things are just one moment in life… don’t allow them to ruin your whole life.

Many times we’ll let the irritations in life become so big that they overshadow the great everyday things. For example, the very fact that you are able to read this is wonderful! Appreciate that!

Challenge: Look for what things in life that are great and appreciate the rest of what life brings your way!

What to look for in a church?

/

Lucas Bearg forwarded this blog to me from a guy I do not know, but I liked him after I read his "16 things to look for in a church". I thought he must have been talking about Olathe Life Fellowship. Have a great day!


If I were looking for a church to attend in the morning, here is what I’d look for:



1. When I enter do I hear laughter?
2. Are people greeting me as a job or a joy?
3. Does the place look like they were expecting me?
4. Are people buzzing as they greet each other?
5. Is there spirited music playing as people gather?
6. Does the music move me?
7. Do the people on stage look real and engaged?
8. Are the announcements short, strategic, and to the point?
9. Is there a printed outline with Scripture already printed on it?
10. Does the pastor smile?
11. Does the message title promise a relevant topic I am interested in?
12. Does the pastor speak with humility and authority?
13. Do I feel the presence of God?
14. Are people listening and engaged?
15. Is the service no more than 71 minutes?
16. Does it pass by fast?



posted by David Foster at http://www.davidfoster.tv/



Abortion Clinic Bombing

/

I was just thinking how messed up people must be to justify blowing up an abortion clinic in the name of "pro-life" or in the name of "God". I've always believed that "2 wrongs don't make a right".

But don't we all get confused at times and justify our ungodly stupid behavior? I think we do!

I know that a few months ago I was bashing right-winged-conservative-legalistic Christians in an attempt to correct their judgmental attitude. But I soon realized I was doing the very same thing to them that I was accusing them of doing to me. Ha! Aren’t we all whacky sometimes?!

We must all remind ourselves of these scriptures when dealing with people.

Luke 6:37 "Do not judge and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven.

Mark 12:31 “Love your neighbor as yourself.”

Luke 6:31-33 “Do to others as you would have them do to you. If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even 'sinners' love those who love them. And if you do good to those who are good to you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners' do that.”

I think a good rule of thumb for us Christians is to be people of unimaginable love.

Questions Christians should be asking

/
I think the questions we ask are very important. The questions we ask tell a lot about us; like what's important to us.

Being a church planter (that's just a person who has started a church) now for just 4 years I am seeing church, Christians, seekers and the de-churced in a whole new light. And it is causing me to ask lots of questions... like:

  • What can we (the local church) do to reach people who are not even looking for a "great church to plug into"? I am learning that seekers aren't really seeking many times. We call them seekers, but they are fine to do a million other things on a Sunday morning besides seeking a church service to attend.
  • How can we better recruit and equip Christians to lead (volunteer and serve)? Our culture in KC is "Christians come to church to be fed". And that is just not biblical. Christians are here to do the same thing as Jesus; He came to serve... He came to seek and save the lost... He came to make a difference. So should we!
  • What great innovative idea have we not thought of yet to accomplish the great commission?
  • How can we get Christians to become missionaries in their circles of relationships?
  • How can we purge selfishness out of people's hearts?
  • What can I DO to be a better Christ-follower in and through my local church?
  • What is not getting done in my church because I am not using my talent or gift to do it?
  • What does God think of Christianity? Is it what He intended?
  • What things is God really interested in?
  • What risks does God want me to take for Him and for His kingdom?

My Prayer

Dear God, help me and those around me to ask you the right questions, and I pray that we would ask from you the answers to those questions. Help us to be thinking people. People who are committed to following you no matter what. We truly want to be people of significance, people of passion, people of impact! At the end of the day God, we want you to smile on what we have done, because we have done what you have asked us to do. In Jesus name, Amen!

UnderSTANDing Leadership

/
“Leadership is the challenge to be something more than average” – Jim Rohn


I am intrigued by this thing called leadership. I often wonder why some do, and some don’t. Why some learn and others don’t.

Leadership is ultimately influence. But I believe great leadership is influence to do good. Too many people in this culture are poor leaders; leaders who influence people for bad.

When I was younger, even in my 20’s I had a desire to be famous. I guess I am not alone. Many people I have spoken too have wanted to be a “rock star” of sorts. This explains the popularity of American Idol show. But I have matured, at least some what; now rather than being famous I want to be influential. I want to help people have a better life.

I believe that in each person’s core we want to be a force for good rather then evil.

So that thought out; how can we grow our leadership muscle? Become more influential? Truly help people?

1.) Prayer – I know I know this seems so trite! But it’s easy to say, easy to write (or type) but not so easy to do on a daily basis! Start today!
2.) Study God’s Word – Another easy thing to say, yet difficult to find time in our busy schedules to do. Start today!
3.) Sincerity – 1 & 2 done on a regular basis will make this one really easy!
4.) Practice – Do leadership. Start small, and God will give you bigger stuff!


“The key to great influence is being great at whatever you are doing now”
– Timmy Gibson