Anyone Else Out There?

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I have been asked on numerous occasions if I felt that there were aliens or anyone other than "us" living out there somewhere in the universe, or in another universe or solar system. And I definitely lean toward the idea that we are it as it pertains to intelligent life anywhere other than Earth. And there are several reasons I believe this:

1) In the creation Story when God created everything - the only intelligent things He created were Humans, Animals and Angels. There is no mention of any other intelligent life forms. i.e. Martians, Venetians, Jupiterians, etc.

*Obviously this does not mean that He didn't create other life and just didn't mention it in the Bible. I mean, let's be honest here! I do believe that it is possible there is life out there ... I just don't think there is.

2) There isn't any substantial proof of intelligent life on other planets. I am not a big UFO or Alien sighting person. I thinks it's all a hoax. I have a good friend who believes in that stuff, and I do not make fun of him for doing so, but i just don't believe it. I of course believe Unidentified Flying Objects ... have seen several myself, but I am sure someone who knows their plans could have cleared the air for me and said, "that's a 747 Timmy!"

3) Bible says God created everything that is, including Earth, Planets, the Heavens - Sun, Moon and the Stars ... why wouldn't He mention life else where? Maybe because He didn't create life else where.

The Bible is rather silent on the issue, so I am simply giving you my pastoral opinion - take it or leave it. I am not trying to change what you believe about it. I honestly don't think God cares whether you believe in Aliens or not. I do think the movie was great though!

Na Noo, Na Noo!

Working From Home Successfully

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I started working from home back in 1994, just 6 months after getting married. I created a diamond wholesale/retail business to help make quality Engagement Rings affordable for poor college students. It actually started with my own search for a Diamond Engagement Ring for Jana back in December of 1993 when I proposed just 2 1/2 months after starting to date (when you know, you know.)

I have learned a few things over the years to make working from home work and here they are. This list is not all inclusive, I mean there are several little things that are obvious (at least to me anyway, i.e. keep good records, be professional, have a computer, give great customer service, etc. etc.) I even dressed up (yes I wore a tie) when walking from my bedroom to office-bedroom to start my day. I dressed for success for the industry I was in and because I was so young at the time I felt it was important to dress up for credibility. Times have changed today ... I do not feel this is as necessary, though depending on the industry it may very well be. Being a pastor I dress casual, but nice (*I don't wear flip flops, t-shirts, jean-shorts or anything ... of course this is because we live in Kansas ... if I lived in california I would) and I wear suits when I must (wedding, funerals, etc.)

*I am talking about when I am at church ... I wear all the things above when I am at home, or when I don't have any appointments ... obviously God doesn't get offended at flip flops, T-shirts or jeans ... only religious people do that, and God isn't religious.

All that said, you must find what works for you and the people you are working with.

1) SET a schedule.

In other words, HAVE OFFICE HOURS!

2) KEEP your schedule.

Don't let petty NON-WORK things mess up your work. If your office hours are 9 - 5pm then work 9 - 5pm!

3) INFORM family of your schedule.

This is huge. I remember after we had our first child, Jana would assume "since I was home" that I could watch our little bundle of Joy while she ran errands. And though I was "home" I couldn't work and watch our child at the same time (now this would be different if I had too ... like if I was a single father, or if you are a single mother, then you do what you need to do to make it work) but in my case Jana was a stay-at-home mom so I needed her to do what she did so I could do what I did to earn the money so we could live in a house, not in our mini-van down by the river!

4) Family should HONOR your schedule.

So if you are a spouse of a "work-from-home" person ... let him/her work! If they don't work, they don't get their job done, and when they don't get their job done they don't get money and if they don't make money, you don't have money, and when you don't have money you live in a van down by the river ... and that sucks!

5) Create a WORK area.

This can be the kitchen table, but I recommend have "a place", some place in the home you can set up shop. You don't need to spend a bunch of money, but you need to have a spot that is "your office" and everyone knows "that's mommy's/daddy's office."

Plus, this helps you get in the mode to work when you enter that spot. At least it does for me.

Peace to you and I wish you the best!

Enjoy Life w/Friends

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Wednesday, April 14th I celebrated my 41st Birthday with all my dear friends! And not only do I have wonderful friends, but we had an outstanding time just enjoying each others company. We told jokes, we laughed, we broke bread, we drank wine and the guys all had a cigar to celebrate my birthday. It was a grand time.

I had someone on facebook tell me that life should be enjoyed, and sometimes we all need to be reminded of that!

CHALLENGE:

Remember to enjoy life, even when life isn't all that enjoyable you can make the best of it! And when I think of what Jesus words, "I've come that you may have life and have it to the full ..." He meant it! So decide to enjoy your life ... and your friends!

Jumping for Joy

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I am convinced that there is one KEY to happiness, and that is PURPOSE. Living for a purpose greater than ourselves. If and when we spend most all our time focused on ourselves we grow more and more depressed, but when we can forget about ourselves (for the most part) and focus on helping others, or serving a greater purpose ... we have JOY!

Christ gives meaning to an otherwise meaningless existence!

John 10:10b Jesus said, "... I have come that you may have life and have it to the full."

John 14:27 "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid."

Virginity

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I still hold a very classic few on sexuality even though in our society today I may seem old fashion. I don't find following God's standards for sexuality to be "old fashion."

Let me start by saying that though I hold a classic view (Biblical view) for saving yourself till you are in a committed relationship (which I believe to be marriage) I was unable to keep my self pure until my wedding day. I wish I had been able to save myself for my one and only bride, though I do not live with regrets because what's done is done ... no point in crying over spilt milk.

So I guess this little blog entry is for 2 different groups of people - those who are still virgins, and those who were maybe a little wild in your younger days.

STILL A VIRGIN

What can I say that you may have already been told by many others? I don't know. First, saving yourself for your spouse is God's Ideal ... meaning it's God's best. And if you care about living God's best life, then wait till you are married to have sex. Secondly, having sex with just anyone, even when you "think" you are in-love, just muddies-up the emotions of what you really feel towards someone. You actually will find yourself emotionally attached to someone that you normally wouldn't be attached too. Being physically involved with someone messes up your true feelings and can make you make some really stupid decisions that you will later regret! Trust me, I do know what I am talking about! Lastly, if someone really really loves you they will honor you and your commitment to remain pure ... if they disrespect that than just mark my words they will disrespect you in other ways later in the relationship - guaranteed!

WILD PAST

Unfortunately, this was the life I chose to live from 17 to 20 years old and it took me many years to forgive myself for living so contrary to God's ideal for my life. I finally was able to forgive myself and receive God's love and forgiveness and not continue to punish myself for my past. This may sound corny, but you can become a virgin in your heart again. Okay, it does sound corny, but yet it's true. God can restore you heart and make you clean.

The great news about God is that He stands waiting to forgive us of our sins when we confess them, and turn from them.

CLOSING THOUGHTS

Sex is a GIFT from God to a marriage! In my opinion it's the BEST gift! And we got some really cool stuff for our wedding, but none of them touched the gift that God gave us ... and it's a gift that keeps on giving, even after 15 years it's like it was just given to us ... never will it go out of date!

So, to the single person I challenge you to not be careless with the gift that you one day will give to your spouse ... cherish it, keep it ... don't share it with others ... your spouse will be so blessed if you do this.

To the married person, enjoy this gift with your spouse often!

Parents Matter Most

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Let me start by giving you my "disclaimer" as to not be mis-understood by what I am going to say in this blog entry.

DISCLAIMER: The churches I attended as a child were wonderful churches with wonderful pastors. What I am going to say is absolutely NO reflection on them in anyway. I also was in a great school system with great teachers who loved education and children. What I am going to say in NO reflection on them either. I only want to talk about WHO plays the MOST IMPORTANT role in a child's life; I believe it to be the PARENTS!

Parents, listen up!

I am who I am today not because of the churches I attended, (though they played a role, but NOT the primary role)or the schools I attended (they played a role as well, but NOT the primary role), or the teachers who taught me (though they played a role, just not the primary role), or the friends I hung with (though they played a role, just not the primary role.) On and on I could go ... I am who I am because of my parents influence on my, day in and day out!

I do believe that EACH OF THESE and those I didn't mention (employers, peers, culture, etc) played a large part in who I am today, no doubt! But I contend that who I am today PRIMARILY falls in the lap of my parents. I, fortunately, had wonderful God fearing parents who dragged my lazy rebellious rear to church every Sunday until I left home at 19 years old. This is something I am extremely thankful for today! Parents, I don't care if your kids want to go to church or not, they go, and of course this would mean that you can't be a lazy-rear and not go ... it's hard to get them to understand the importance of God/Church when we don't faithfully model this.

Parents, we are our kids role model whether we like it or not. You want your kids to be honest, then YOU be honest! You want your kids to have a good work ethic, then you model a good work ethic, you want your kids to love God, then you model a life that loves God!

SCHOOL

Kids attend school 9 months out of the year, which translates into roughly 180 days of school, and about 1,200 hours in class with the teacher. Parents spend pretty much 365 days with their kids and 3420 hours a year with their kids. (obviously the numbers change a bit according to parents schedule)

In my opinion School, Church, Employers should all compliment what we AS PARENTS have drilled into our kids hearts and minds! Or at least help prepare them when they step out into the real world, on their own, they have had godly role models day in and day out for 18 plus years to help them make right decisions.

Yet another disclaimer: If your kids are not making good decisions, and have maybe gotten themselves into trouble this isn't necessarily a reflection on you! Kids make their own decision that sometimes fly contrary to everything we modeled and taught! So, be encouraged!

I encourage us as parents with this; we definitely have better odds of our kids turning out right if we model for them what a "right" life looks like ... but just as Jesus modeled for us the perfect life, we still live contrary to His example, and He is perfect.

And lastly, God was Adam and Eve's only role model and He was absolutely perfect and they still chose to disobey and eat the forbidden fruit ... so take heart!

The Rain

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I love the rain. One of my favorite months of the year is April, and not just because I was born in April, but because of the April showers!

I love the rain for many reasons:

1) It's cleansing!
2) It's refreshing!
3) It's clean!
4) It's pure!
5) It reminds me that spring is here, and summer is coming!
6) It's nourishing!
7) My daughter likes it because it reminds her of God's love for us.
8) I love the sound!
9) It's peaceful, powerful, romantic and mysterious!
10) It's out of our control!
11) It's a great backdrop for reading!

I am sitting in a lawn chair in my backyard watching the kids play and the temperature has dropped by at least 20 degrees and a cold wind is coming in from the north and clouds are moving in and the sky is turning an eerie greenish color. I love the rain ... I love stormy weather!

Christian Atheism

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A.the.ist - a person who does not believe in the existence of a supreme being or beings.

Chris.tian - a person who exhibits a spirit proper to a follower of Jesus Christ. Christ-likeness.

I have been a Christian most all my life, didn't live like it through much of my teen years, yet today I love Jesus Christ with all my heart (at least I feel like I do.) We all have times and seasons in our lives when we are more "on fire" for God, to use an old 80's churchy word, and times we are but cold embers.

As a pastor I am seeing more and more "Christians" who are acting like they are Atheists.

I am of the persuasion that if belief doesn't result in action, then do you even believe at all? I seriously wonder.

And sadly this is what I see running rampant in today's culture, Christian Atheism; People who claim to believe in Jesus, God, the teachings of scripture, yet live completely counter to His teachings.

God help us all!

No Money Worries

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Have you ever driven through those neighborhoods that make you ponder the question; “what do these people do for a living? … cause it’s not what I am doing.” Or, “what would be like to have no money worries?” Have you ever wondered what it would be like to need something and be able to just buy it with no concern of being overdrawn? What would it be like to have more than enough for anything you need or want? What would it be like to not force your son to wear his older sister’s pink soccer cleats because you don’t have the $50 for real football cleats? Or what would it be like to not depend on your tax return to be able to afford a vacation? What would it be like to take the family to Disney World without having to sell one of the kids in order to pay for it? Lol!

I think this is where many of us live. And if we are honest it’s our own fault for the most part. Certain decisions we made along the way have brought us to the very spot we are … and it’s not where we necessarily want to be, but we’re here. So now what?

The difference between those of us who must budget very carefully the little we have and those who HAVE budgeted very carefully and now have lots of money in their budget is that they have been very smart in how they have managed their money – they are what we call financially savvy … or maybe just lucky (like a wealthy friend of mine who happened to be at the right place, in the right business (.com biz) back in the early 90’s and hit the jack pot when Al Gore invented the internet (lol!)) or maybe they’ve been extremely frugal (living below their means – like Dave Ramsey teaches.) I also feel that God actually blesses some people with a gift to earn lots of money. Money that I hope is used for Kingdom purposes.

Here is another thing my millionaire friend said, “Timmy, more money sometimes just means more worries!” So true.

I will add this, whether you have a lot of money, or a little money we are all STEWARDS of what we have. God has given each of us the ability to earn what we earn, now the real question is; ARE we stewarding it well? Are we giving to God through the local church? Say what you want, think what you want, go ahead and justify however to make you feel better about what you are doing currently with your money… it doesn’t change the fact that as Christians we are to be generous givers! I am convinced that many, if not most of the wealthy people are generous givers (I know several millionaires and every one of them are very generous.) I believe there is a lesson for each of us to learn about wealth.

Let me close with this scripture … one of my favorites! I think it sheds some light on the subject of MONEY WORRIES … worry comes from a lack of trust, when we trust someone, or something we do not worry! And in the below scripture God is saying that we should trust Him fully and not worry … then down in verse 9 we see that one way we show our trust in God is by honoring Him with our wealth, whether that’s $1.00 or $100,000,000.00.

It’s nice to be in a place of trust rather than in a place of fear and worry! Trust Him today!


Proverbs 3:5-10 “Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight. Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD and shun evil. This will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones. Honor the LORD with your wealth, with the first fruits of all your crops; then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine.”