We Don't Have to Agree to Be Friends

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I find it rather humorous that many Christians feel that they can not attend a church, or be someone's friend unless they agree with them on everything. "They must see it my way... or it's the highway!" They say. Ha ha! That is so immature and childish! Of course it's not like that here at Mercy Church, since all those people left already (lol!)

As a pastor I think it's important to teach and preach the truth as you see it, that is what I do, BUT I am also very aware that it is often just that; "how I see it", and how I see it may change as I grow and mature. This has been true so far in my 40 year life. What I used to believe in some areas has definitely grown and developed through the years ... with life experience and kids ... we change!

My core beliefs have not changed, for example; I believe that Jesus is the savior of the world! Absolutely confident in that truth! Now, what has changed is how I maybe define the meaning of that truth. What does it mean that Jesus is the savior of the world ... what does that mean for you, for me, and for the world around us. How does it effect my life, how I live, how I interact with others, etc. That truth has grown in me over the years to mean so much more than it did 20 years ago.

Back to my point; We don't have to agree to be friends! This is a true sign of maturity in a Christ-follower ... when they can agree to disagree and still walk in unity not conformity!

Case and point; I was having lunch with a Christian who is Pro-Choice. I am Pro-Life. We discussed each others perspectives, obviously seeing it completely different, yet we did it agreeable. I don't hate him, he doesn't hate me ... we both love Jesus and yet see the world a bit different. Guess what, that's okay! I know you narrow-minded fundamentalist types have a problem with that I am sure ... and guess what ... I am okay with you having a problem with that! God still loves you, even though you are wrong. lol!

You Are Not Alone

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Psalms 23:4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.

Most everyone knows this scripture in the Bible, but I just was thinking about those of you who are feeling alone right now and wanted to remind you of it! Because it is so true! You are never alone, God is with you, even when you do not feel Him, He is there!

All of us have experienced dark times in life, times of pain, frustration, confusion, doubt, fear, loneliness, sadness ... this is a part of being human. But we should take comfort in knowing that God cares. And just like when my son or daughter is hurting I hurt for them, even with them, often times I can not take the pain away, all I can do is be there when they turn to me. Turn to God today, He is waiting!

And can I just say on a practical note here; don't withdraw from your friends, your church and from your family ... run to them!

MY PRAYER FOR YOU:

Dear God, wrap your loving arms around each person who feels alone, may they feel your presence in their heart, in their life ... comfort them in this time ... may they know that you are there, right beside them ... may they allow you to guide and direct them safely to the other side of the situation they find themselves in, in Christ name, Amen!

God bless! I love you!

You Can't Judge a Book By it's Cover

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1 Samuel 16:7 But the LORD said to Samuel, "Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The LORD does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart."

I remember the line that many preachers used to explain that verse's application ... they would say that "we should work on your heart for God and our outward appearance for man." Which is something I used to say all the time as well until I realized just how ridiculous and untrue it is!

The TRUTH about that verse is this; we should work on our heart! It's our hearts that matter most, that is why it's what God looks at! Too many times we reverse it and we work on the outward to APPEAR more spiritual or righteous or holy then we really are ... but when we get our hearts right before God, then everything else will line up!

That is why true LIFE TRANSFORMATION isn't about cleaning the outside of the cup (like the pharisees did to empress people) it's about cleaning the inside! I am learning more and more lately that you CAN NOT JUDGE A BOOK BY IT'S COVER!

Here is the problem with "working on the outward for man" ... every "man" has a different opinion of what we should look like! Very unlike God. If you live your life only trying to please man, you will be an utter and complete mess!

God doesn't want us all to look alike on the outside, he wants our hearts to be pure!

The question isn't "what does a Christian LOOK like?" The real question is "what does a Christian ACT like?" and maybe even a better statement is "A Christian should BE LIKE Jesus!" ... it's not a matter of LOOKING like Jesus, it's a matter of BEING LIKE JESUS!

Choose to Change

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If you have ever read any of my blog entries over the years you are aware that I am a big proponent of the power of our choices. I believe that we are, for the most part, the sum total of our choices. I say "for the most part" because let's just be honest here - we can not chose how tall we will be, we can not chose the family we are born in to, we can not chose our skin tone, we can not chose our genetic code and so on. BUT we can chose our response (or attitude) to those things.

For example: My family genetics is to be overweight, my biological father died at 37 and obese, I have an uncle who at one time weighed 600lbs, and I was 50lbs overweight years ago until I chose to not be a victim of my circumstance (or genetics) and made a choice to eat healthy ... I lost the 50lbs and have been trim for 12 years now. All because I made a choice to eat a carrot rather than cake and take the stairs rather then the elevator.

I have a longtime friend from bible college who is short, like 5'4", and yet he walks and talks like he is 6'2". He is confident, successful, secure, well adjusted and just an all around wonderful person. Yet, I have known other people who were short and they have what people call the "short mans complex". They use being short as their excuse!

Each day you and I have a choice, actually many choices to make and it's empowering, I believe, to know that we can chose! Our lives are in God's hands AND our hands.

And just in case you are wondering; I make bad choices! We all do! We are human! BUT if we typically ONLY make bad choices, then our life will begin to reflect those choices.

It doesn't matter who you are, I am here to tell you that YOU HAVE A CHOICE! Chose life! Here is the reality; where are you right now? How is your life going? If you are honest are you where you are today because of your choices yesterday? I am just asking ... if so, it's never too late to start making right choices! FYI, just like changing your eating habit won't change you over night, nor will making right choices ... it's over time when you begin making right decisions for your life, your spouses life, your kids lives then you will start seeing things begin to turn around!

I love this proverb, I encourage you to read it ... it talks about making the choice to do nothing and what happens when we do nothing (which doing nothing is a choice!).

Proverbs 24:30-34

Warning Signs

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I am not sure about your life, but in my life I have typically always had "Warning Signs" that helped to protect me - Of course they only protected me WHEN I WAS OBEDIENT! Hello!

For example the sign above is saying that you are likely to get stung if you go into these waters. So when someone comes out of the water screaming in pain we can (lovingly say) "you read the sign you numb-nut ... you knew what was coming and you went in anyway... hello!" Right? And if we were the warning we say, "I told you so!"

I think many times (not always, sometimes we are blindsided) this is the way life is ... constantly giving us warning signs, and as a Christian I am convinced that God is the author of those warning signs to help lead and guide us through this life.

Warning Signs Come in 6 Ways

1) Word of God (there are many things in the good book that if we would only live by would save us from so much heartache and pain)

2) Prayer (asking for God's guidance is so important ... then listening to His voice)

3) Good Friends (Must be real careful here, not all friends are "good" for advice! Just because someone is around doesn't mean you should seek their counsel)

4) Pastoral Guidance (this doesn't mean that you seek your pastors thoughts for every little thing ... but your pastor may just be a great sounding board when considering something, especially something major)

5)Spouse (I don't do anything without consulting with Jana ... and if she feels a NO, then it's a NO for me too ... you would be wise to listen to me on this one)

6) Your Own Heart (have you ever done something because you wanted to do it so bad, and you knew the whole time you shouldn't? We've all done this! And then we later regret it ... so why not listen to your own heart and follow! Many times this takes quieting yourself so you can listen and get clear on it ... but worth it)

I've seen many people through the years destroy their life all because they wouldn't "Listen and Obey" to the many Warning Signs that God, Friends, Pastors, their own hearts were giving them! Just like the little illustration I gave at the start of this blog entry; the person shouldn't be surprised he was stung, he saw the sign and should have heeded it's instructions.

Now let me speak to you the reader: What warning signs are posted on your road of life? Are you obeying? Or do you think you'll skate by without getting stung? Just a warning from me A PASTOR... you WILL BE STUNG! Sins pay wages! Every time! This is one reason I teach and preach with such passion and will do it til the day I die ... to help people read and heed the signs!

And here's the deal ... I don't want to hear your lame excuses about how painful the sting is ... you knew it going into the water... you made the choice ... now you suffer the consequences.

Please read your Warning Signs!

Addiction, Choice or Disease?

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First I'd like to say that I am no expert on the subject of "addiction", nor have I read everything that is out there on the subject. But, as a Pastor I have come in contact with many who have addictions.

To start, my biological father was an alcoholic and died at the age of 37 from it. I have several family members who struggle with addictions. I have several friends who have gone through AA and found it to be very helpful. I also drank and did various drugs as a teenager, but found them to be vices rather than virtues, so I quit.

I realize there are many opinions out there on this subject, and there is no way we can all agree on every facet of addiction, but I do believe there are two things that we can agree on and that is that our CHOICES play a critical role in where our lives end up and that GOD is a key factor in recovery and being free. And whether you believe, like so many do, that addiction is a disease or, like me, believe that addiction is a choice, it's a real issue that many people, even family members, face and it's hurtful and sad and it's destroying lives.

I believe that we are responsible for our deliberate and conscious behavior. And when we say that people AREN'T responsible for their actions we error greatly. We live in a culture where we do not want to take responsibility for our destructive actions ... we want to blame anyone and everyone and anything other than ourselves.

Many people on facebook commented on my question on whether addiction is a choice or a disease? by saying that "it's a choice that turns into a disease" ... or "begins as a choice then becomes a disease" ... I think that addiction can lead to having a disease, which is much different than saying that addiction IS a disease. I agree with what one person said better, "It begins as a choice then becomes a habit.. it is not a disease. It is a habit..."

The bottom line for me is not to get you to see it how I do! Trust me! But to challenge you to make healthy choices for you, and those you love around you! And pray for those you know who are making unwise, unhealthy choices.

"but for the grace of God there go I"

Did Jesus Change Your Life?

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I do hope that on this particular blog entry I get a bunch of comments! (hint, hint)

I was recently thinking about how my life has changed, and how different I am because of my relationship with Christ; how my life has been so influenced (in a good way) by Christ. But what bothers me, or is at least disconcerting is how so many people's lives aren't better.

Before you get upset with me, let me explain: I see people who have done a 180 if you will ... leaving a life of crime, drug use, hurting people, lies, etc. etc. and when they encounter this Jesus that I serve and follow they become better people, better in every way. Then on the other hand there are people right in the church, who claim to love this same Jesus I love, but they are unaffected by their relationship with Him. Why? How? I do not know all the answers why this is, but I would like to take a peek in the window and give a thought or two.

Colossians 3:16 "Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God."

The key word there I believe is the word LET ... we are to LET the words of Christ DWELL in us, or one translation uses the word LIVE ... let the words of Christ LIVE in you. I know this to be at least one key element ... along with others.

If I am honest it really bothers me that I know way too many mean, ugly (I don't mean physically unattractive) Christians. I know Christians who have glow in the dark personality disorders and they hurt people all the time, yet they continue to be UNCHANGED by this Jesus I love and serve. Why? How? I know Christians who cheat on their spouses, lie to their kids, lie to their friends ... why? How can this be?

How has my relationship with Christ kept me from so many destructive things (I am far from perfect ... but you understand what I am saying I hope)? How is it that a relationship with Christ compels so many to live a better life, a life of honor, honesty and love for mankind ... and with so many others it doesn't seem to help them?

I do feel this is a mole, or a flaw on the face of Christianity though ... so many people claim to be Christians and when someone sees them doing things that are contrary to what they claim to believe in ... it's confusing.

What about you; how has your relationship with Christ changed you? Helped you? Influenced you? Encouraged you?

Hypocrite (2 of 2)

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Everyone of us is a hypocrite on some level! I think the important thing is that we are working to close the gap between knowing what we should do, and then actually doing it. Living it!

Hypocrisy is all about being a pretender! We all want to appear to others better than we really are, I know that I struggle with this at times, but the older I get and the more secure I have become in my relationship with Christ I don't care as much what other people think. I do care about what God thinks! And one day I will stand before Him and give an account for my life ... now that is what compels me to close the gap!

How is the gap in your life?