When the scars upon my heart
Met the scars upon His hands,
Something changed forever,
Becoming something very grand.
Bleeding within my chest,
Trembling with fear and shame;
My heart heard a gentle Voice
Softly call my name.
It was barely beating;
Hardly worth the life;
Broken very often
And stabbed with many a-knife!
Wounds of disappointments
And redirected prayers;
Confidence depleted
Made heartbeats hard to bear.
Scars of intentions
Misunderstood by friends,
Oozing self-resentment
Self-pity did defend.
Inadequacies coursed through
Veins of broken dreams.
My bleeding heart stood gaping...
Death's nearing rapidly it seems!
But the Voice whispers gentler
Yet louder, to my heart.
Tender hands stretched out
To offer a fresh start.
Hesitation filled my soul.
Yet, with shaking stance
I offered up my broken heart
For yet another chance.
And then the hands opened wide,
And much to my surprise
I found a loving touch of God
Understood my great demise.
For there upon those open palms
Were nail scars so deeply driven,
Oozing out the love
And forgiveness freely given.
And those scars upon His hand
Touched the scars upon my heart;
And though His scars grew deeper,
Mine simply did depart.
There was my heart, no longer scarred
Nor heavy as a stone...
But newly fresh- a heart of flesh!
His scars have cured my own!
Yes, when the scars upon my heart
Touched the scars upon His hands
I was changed forever,
And am becoming something grand!
by Charlotte Saben 8/26/10
Saturday, August 28, 2010
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
A Lesson From King David
King David was a man. He was just a simple shepherd boy with some musical talent, when God called him to become a king. But he didn't become that king overnight. Not even over the next couple of years. He had a lot of growing up to do. And he made some errors along the way. He left us a legacy to learn from.
We can learn some things NOT to do from King David. We all know he never should have dwelt on the sight he saw of Bathsheba sunning herself...but that's another lesson for another day.
Today, I believe God is showing me something very significant about our society, and how easy it is to get involved in the wrong kind of politics.
David was not exactly a politician. Yet, he had a substantial following of men ready to defend and die for him, even before he became king. It is true, that God had already chosen him, annointed him, and called him. Yet, David continued to b e a servant of King Saul, comforting him when he was bombarded by fear and anxiety attacks. Even after it became evident that King Saul was no longer the best ruler for Israel, David did not usurp his authority or brag about the facts of his anointing. He quietly grew, knowing in his heart that some day, God would make room for him.
In today's world, we currently have a very controversial leader. Many Christians voted for him, believing the previous administration had erred greatly in important issues. Some now regret it. Others do not.
What concerns me here, more than the decisions that the President is making, is the daily decisions many many Christians make to undermine him. Personally, I will say that I did not vote for him, nor can I support many of his choices. I too, was among those who passed on jokes and made fun of him. I referred to him in ways that were not Christ-like.
And then, I read the story, AGAIN, about David and Saul. Saul had become so fearful of losing his kingdom, that he set out to kill DAvid. The saga takes up several chapters in the Bible. But the story that stands out to me, is where King Saul goes into a cave to respond to a bodily function, and David and his men are already inside. Saul doesn't notice them, but they notice him. One even suggests to David that he sneek up behind him and kill him. After all, God had already anointed David to be the nnext king...
David toys with the thought, and then slips up behind and cuts off a piece of the kingly garment, and pockets it. Later, he produces it to proce he could have killed the king. But DAvid said, "I will not harm God's anointed." He honored the position of the king. (By the way, originally, Saul was chosen by the people because they disliked the previous administrative dealings. They did not want a theocrasy, but wanted to be ruled by men.)
I coorelate that story to our current situation. God did not ordain our President and anoint him...or DID He? Supposedly we prayed for the election. Supposedly we voted with our conscience. And yet, here we have a controversial guy many do not like. Oour system is run by the people (suppoosedly). God did not "choose" the president ahead of time. Supposedly. Now I wonder, IF God's people, who are called by His name (Christins) humbled themselves and prayed...then we must accept that God MUST have had a hand in rising up this current adminsitration, no matter what we think of it. And the Bible, which we believe to be the Word of God, says clearly to pray for our leaders.
Should we not take the same stand as DAvid did? Should we not resist harming the man in the position of leadership? It seems to me that the REAL enemy of our land, and our spirits, the devil himself, has gotten quite a hayday going with hateful words and jokes. We are undermining the authority of the man that God has allowed to lead us.
The Word says nothing about any man delivering us or healing our land...it is GOD who shall do this...through PRAYER, not jokes, and political upheaval. I am not saying we should not exercise our rights to speak up against what we believe is wrong...or to voice our opinions. But our opinions that deride an authority can only be siding with evil. I am not saying we should not stand up and be counted and declare what we feel....but I see this as two different things here.
1. We should responsibly speak up for righteousness and demand our laws be based in it.
2. We should support through PRAYER ALL the leaders God has currently allowed in our society.
3. By allowing our hearts to become bitter, hateful, or fearful, we are not declaring the Kingdom of God for our country.
I think this is an evil sly undermining of America...not by our President or ANY administration, but by the forces of evil, who divides the Christians, causes our hearts to not be one, causes our hearts to be fearful and dissatisfied....thus preventing us from the true power of God.
Think about it please! I am no longer going to be participating in anything divisive or unproductive or demeaning towards leadership. I will not be sending any forwards of political jokes or rumors of things undermining our President. I will send prayer requests of information that has been substantiated for which we need to join in prayer. I will admonish my friends and brothers and sisters to pray and to surrender our hearts to God's love. I will honor the position of authority that God has graciously allowed us to maintain in this country for over 23o years! AND I will speak up to my leaders, expressing my concerns, in a godly fashion. And I will use the power of my vote to say what I mean!
Let us take to heart the verse about humbling ourselves. (Who of us would even want to be President right now?) Let us PRAY! Let us pray with contrite and upright hearts, fully surrendered to God. Let us lay aside the agendas, the fear, the jokes and comments, and truly seek the Lord for our great nation.
We can learn some things NOT to do from King David. We all know he never should have dwelt on the sight he saw of Bathsheba sunning herself...but that's another lesson for another day.
Today, I believe God is showing me something very significant about our society, and how easy it is to get involved in the wrong kind of politics.
David was not exactly a politician. Yet, he had a substantial following of men ready to defend and die for him, even before he became king. It is true, that God had already chosen him, annointed him, and called him. Yet, David continued to b e a servant of King Saul, comforting him when he was bombarded by fear and anxiety attacks. Even after it became evident that King Saul was no longer the best ruler for Israel, David did not usurp his authority or brag about the facts of his anointing. He quietly grew, knowing in his heart that some day, God would make room for him.
In today's world, we currently have a very controversial leader. Many Christians voted for him, believing the previous administration had erred greatly in important issues. Some now regret it. Others do not.
What concerns me here, more than the decisions that the President is making, is the daily decisions many many Christians make to undermine him. Personally, I will say that I did not vote for him, nor can I support many of his choices. I too, was among those who passed on jokes and made fun of him. I referred to him in ways that were not Christ-like.
And then, I read the story, AGAIN, about David and Saul. Saul had become so fearful of losing his kingdom, that he set out to kill DAvid. The saga takes up several chapters in the Bible. But the story that stands out to me, is where King Saul goes into a cave to respond to a bodily function, and David and his men are already inside. Saul doesn't notice them, but they notice him. One even suggests to David that he sneek up behind him and kill him. After all, God had already anointed David to be the nnext king...
David toys with the thought, and then slips up behind and cuts off a piece of the kingly garment, and pockets it. Later, he produces it to proce he could have killed the king. But DAvid said, "I will not harm God's anointed." He honored the position of the king. (By the way, originally, Saul was chosen by the people because they disliked the previous administrative dealings. They did not want a theocrasy, but wanted to be ruled by men.)
I coorelate that story to our current situation. God did not ordain our President and anoint him...or DID He? Supposedly we prayed for the election. Supposedly we voted with our conscience. And yet, here we have a controversial guy many do not like. Oour system is run by the people (suppoosedly). God did not "choose" the president ahead of time. Supposedly. Now I wonder, IF God's people, who are called by His name (Christins) humbled themselves and prayed...then we must accept that God MUST have had a hand in rising up this current adminsitration, no matter what we think of it. And the Bible, which we believe to be the Word of God, says clearly to pray for our leaders.
Should we not take the same stand as DAvid did? Should we not resist harming the man in the position of leadership? It seems to me that the REAL enemy of our land, and our spirits, the devil himself, has gotten quite a hayday going with hateful words and jokes. We are undermining the authority of the man that God has allowed to lead us.
The Word says nothing about any man delivering us or healing our land...it is GOD who shall do this...through PRAYER, not jokes, and political upheaval. I am not saying we should not exercise our rights to speak up against what we believe is wrong...or to voice our opinions. But our opinions that deride an authority can only be siding with evil. I am not saying we should not stand up and be counted and declare what we feel....but I see this as two different things here.
1. We should responsibly speak up for righteousness and demand our laws be based in it.
2. We should support through PRAYER ALL the leaders God has currently allowed in our society.
3. By allowing our hearts to become bitter, hateful, or fearful, we are not declaring the Kingdom of God for our country.
I think this is an evil sly undermining of America...not by our President or ANY administration, but by the forces of evil, who divides the Christians, causes our hearts to not be one, causes our hearts to be fearful and dissatisfied....thus preventing us from the true power of God.
Think about it please! I am no longer going to be participating in anything divisive or unproductive or demeaning towards leadership. I will not be sending any forwards of political jokes or rumors of things undermining our President. I will send prayer requests of information that has been substantiated for which we need to join in prayer. I will admonish my friends and brothers and sisters to pray and to surrender our hearts to God's love. I will honor the position of authority that God has graciously allowed us to maintain in this country for over 23o years! AND I will speak up to my leaders, expressing my concerns, in a godly fashion. And I will use the power of my vote to say what I mean!
Let us take to heart the verse about humbling ourselves. (Who of us would even want to be President right now?) Let us PRAY! Let us pray with contrite and upright hearts, fully surrendered to God. Let us lay aside the agendas, the fear, the jokes and comments, and truly seek the Lord for our great nation.
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
Where is the Creator?
I watched a show on the Science Channel just the other day. It was supposed to be a scientific search for a Creator of the Universe. I was very much amused, I must confess. I did not get in on the entire program, as I overlooked the start time. However, as best I can recall and figure from the remainder of the story, their quest was quite daunting for these poor spiritually-challenged researchers.
One math scholar spent years and thousands of dollars trying to find a pattern to the mathematical foundation of the world. HE researched and refigured, and, actually concluded their was, in fact, an intelligent pattern that holds the world together...mathematically speaking that is. After all of this expense and time, he decided that, since he himself was a declared non-beliver, this mathematical pattern, in itself, was and is, the "creator". His theory was based on the fact that this "math" does, and always has, "existed", and somehow was the factor in causing the evolutionary process to make the world. That seems so silly to me. How can a mathematcial "entity" (even if it DID exist) create renewable life? It seems ludicrous to me to reject an intelligent and personal God as Creator and embrace a mathematical pattern instead. With all that money wasted on his research, he could have fed a world of hungry people, most of whom would consider themselves "believers".
The next scientist created a "god-helmet" to prove that God exists only in our brains. He, too, spent tons of money which could have been MUCH better used, especially since his final conclusions really conclude nothing at all. He showed an experiment where he has a "volunteer" place the helmet on their head which is hooked up electronically much like an EEG. He claims that when he causes electrical impulses to stimulate a certain area of the brain, that the volunteer senses spiritual entities, thus "proving" that God exists only in our brains. One problem with this theory is that it has already been proven that such electrical impulses can stimulate smells, tastes, and even visual hallucinations. Does that mean then, that these same smells, tastes, and visual object do NOT exist outside our brains? You see, although those stimuli may not have been present when the brain was triggered, they DO exist in reality. The brain did not create these images or senses, but rather recalled them through the electronic stimulation. So then, rather than drawing the conclusion that God only exists in our brain, encouraged by culture and lore, it seems much more logical to me to conclude that this actually proves His existence, since all other stimuli produced exists. The "fact" that someone could sense the presence of God by an electronic impulse does not in any way mean that He was not present. Since He is omnipresent, He would obviously be there. It IS possible that the part of the brain this scientist chose to stimulate is the part that GOD created to be filled ONLY by HIM! Thus, when stimulated, it produces a special sensitivity to His presence. I think that is actually a "no-brainer!"
The third scientist in this story announced that he, indded, does believe in the existence of a "Creator". His version of this "creator", however, sounds more like something out of Greek or Roman mythology...trying to make Him into something we can relate to without having to accept the truth of the Gospel. This "brilliant" scientist spent many dollars and countless hours concluding that God is the ONLY true reality. I give him a couple of brownie points for that one! However, he claims that God is much like a gigantic computer, controlling life and us on the enoromous screen of the Universe. He claims that there is "scientific evidence" that all of life is "pixilated matter". He referred to the molecular disections of matter, explaining that since atoms are microscopically "pixilated", all of life is "obvilously" just a computer-like existence for the amusement of a creator. He likened the "creator" as an impersonal (on an individual basis, that is) who sits somewhere "playing" with life just for enjoyment. Oh, he may "care", for the sake of the "game", but has no plan or love or any of the personal attributes Christians and other religions give to Him. It amazes me that, while discovering enough scientific evidence to convince himself of the existence of God, or a Creator, he rejects a personal God for such a silly thought.
I still ask myself why people are afraid to admit that the Bible and Science compliment each other, when Science pursues the truth. There is no true scientific fact that the Bible refutes, and vice versa. The religions of the Earth that have lent their own interpretations of God's Word may have clouded reality. But scientists seem to pride themselves on their "research", so why do they resist researching the Word of God?
One math scholar spent years and thousands of dollars trying to find a pattern to the mathematical foundation of the world. HE researched and refigured, and, actually concluded their was, in fact, an intelligent pattern that holds the world together...mathematically speaking that is. After all of this expense and time, he decided that, since he himself was a declared non-beliver, this mathematical pattern, in itself, was and is, the "creator". His theory was based on the fact that this "math" does, and always has, "existed", and somehow was the factor in causing the evolutionary process to make the world. That seems so silly to me. How can a mathematcial "entity" (even if it DID exist) create renewable life? It seems ludicrous to me to reject an intelligent and personal God as Creator and embrace a mathematical pattern instead. With all that money wasted on his research, he could have fed a world of hungry people, most of whom would consider themselves "believers".
The next scientist created a "god-helmet" to prove that God exists only in our brains. He, too, spent tons of money which could have been MUCH better used, especially since his final conclusions really conclude nothing at all. He showed an experiment where he has a "volunteer" place the helmet on their head which is hooked up electronically much like an EEG. He claims that when he causes electrical impulses to stimulate a certain area of the brain, that the volunteer senses spiritual entities, thus "proving" that God exists only in our brains. One problem with this theory is that it has already been proven that such electrical impulses can stimulate smells, tastes, and even visual hallucinations. Does that mean then, that these same smells, tastes, and visual object do NOT exist outside our brains? You see, although those stimuli may not have been present when the brain was triggered, they DO exist in reality. The brain did not create these images or senses, but rather recalled them through the electronic stimulation. So then, rather than drawing the conclusion that God only exists in our brain, encouraged by culture and lore, it seems much more logical to me to conclude that this actually proves His existence, since all other stimuli produced exists. The "fact" that someone could sense the presence of God by an electronic impulse does not in any way mean that He was not present. Since He is omnipresent, He would obviously be there. It IS possible that the part of the brain this scientist chose to stimulate is the part that GOD created to be filled ONLY by HIM! Thus, when stimulated, it produces a special sensitivity to His presence. I think that is actually a "no-brainer!"
The third scientist in this story announced that he, indded, does believe in the existence of a "Creator". His version of this "creator", however, sounds more like something out of Greek or Roman mythology...trying to make Him into something we can relate to without having to accept the truth of the Gospel. This "brilliant" scientist spent many dollars and countless hours concluding that God is the ONLY true reality. I give him a couple of brownie points for that one! However, he claims that God is much like a gigantic computer, controlling life and us on the enoromous screen of the Universe. He claims that there is "scientific evidence" that all of life is "pixilated matter". He referred to the molecular disections of matter, explaining that since atoms are microscopically "pixilated", all of life is "obvilously" just a computer-like existence for the amusement of a creator. He likened the "creator" as an impersonal (on an individual basis, that is) who sits somewhere "playing" with life just for enjoyment. Oh, he may "care", for the sake of the "game", but has no plan or love or any of the personal attributes Christians and other religions give to Him. It amazes me that, while discovering enough scientific evidence to convince himself of the existence of God, or a Creator, he rejects a personal God for such a silly thought.
I still ask myself why people are afraid to admit that the Bible and Science compliment each other, when Science pursues the truth. There is no true scientific fact that the Bible refutes, and vice versa. The religions of the Earth that have lent their own interpretations of God's Word may have clouded reality. But scientists seem to pride themselves on their "research", so why do they resist researching the Word of God?
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
The Deserts of Life
When I drive to work every morning, I have some choices. I can take the busy, city-like street aways and drop down to my destination through a myriad of housing developments. OR I can take the southern, country roads, passing farmland currently being harvested. This is the route I prefer. Today, the farmer was harvesting hay. At least I presume it is hay. It is green and once cut, they make it into bales. They also have already harvested grain and flowers and some other produce.
I watched this morning as the birds lit in the grain field. There is quite a bit of stubble from which the birds are gleaning. They are very pretty, and I am glad they can have the remains after the harvest. I thought about how many birds, insects, and other small animals might be gleaning in that field. It made me think about the harvest times in my life...the cutting back, the mowing down, and so forth that the Lord takes us through regularly.
And then I turned the corner! No more fields! No more birds! Now I was staring out at what appeared to be barren desert. It seemed dry and lifeless; hot and desolate. Yet, my knowledge of this desert tells me that there is much life teeming in the dust. There are lizards, snakes, insects, some birds, and even coyotes roaming through the brush. This made me think of the desrt times of my life. The seasons where life feels hot and dirty; nearly unbearable, and lifeless. Yet, I must remind myself that even in those times, there is life in my desert! Yes, there is hope. There are many spiritual lessons to learn. There are many people I have yet to meet, to whom I must relate. There are unproductive times, it seems, because I do not have a higher perspective. I remain looking at the human level on the misery of the heat and dryness. I find myself thirsting. I find myself covered with the dust of mundane life.
Oh, yes! I must remember where the living water is! There are many streams in this physical desert if one knows where to look. There are underground wells that seep water through the dust. There are even cool air blow holes, if one knows where to look.
And I do. I just seem to forget. I get overwhelmed with the thirst and the journey and forget to go to the Source.
The Lord is the Source of all provision. He is the only One who can quench the thirst within my soul. And the more I spend time with Him, whether He is leading me beside still waters or through the desert, the more I enjoy all that life brings my way!
I watched this morning as the birds lit in the grain field. There is quite a bit of stubble from which the birds are gleaning. They are very pretty, and I am glad they can have the remains after the harvest. I thought about how many birds, insects, and other small animals might be gleaning in that field. It made me think about the harvest times in my life...the cutting back, the mowing down, and so forth that the Lord takes us through regularly.
And then I turned the corner! No more fields! No more birds! Now I was staring out at what appeared to be barren desert. It seemed dry and lifeless; hot and desolate. Yet, my knowledge of this desert tells me that there is much life teeming in the dust. There are lizards, snakes, insects, some birds, and even coyotes roaming through the brush. This made me think of the desrt times of my life. The seasons where life feels hot and dirty; nearly unbearable, and lifeless. Yet, I must remind myself that even in those times, there is life in my desert! Yes, there is hope. There are many spiritual lessons to learn. There are many people I have yet to meet, to whom I must relate. There are unproductive times, it seems, because I do not have a higher perspective. I remain looking at the human level on the misery of the heat and dryness. I find myself thirsting. I find myself covered with the dust of mundane life.
Oh, yes! I must remember where the living water is! There are many streams in this physical desert if one knows where to look. There are underground wells that seep water through the dust. There are even cool air blow holes, if one knows where to look.
And I do. I just seem to forget. I get overwhelmed with the thirst and the journey and forget to go to the Source.
The Lord is the Source of all provision. He is the only One who can quench the thirst within my soul. And the more I spend time with Him, whether He is leading me beside still waters or through the desert, the more I enjoy all that life brings my way!
Sunday, May 23, 2010
God is Bigger than any Mountain!
"Fear not! For I bring to you tidings of great joy which shall be to all people! For unto you is born this day, in the City of DAvid, a Savior, which is Christ the Lord!"
We tend to quote that passage during the Christmas Season. But I wonder how much thought we give it at other times. Fear not! That is quite a bold statement, yet so profound for our times! People are fearful of many things. The economy has many otherwise calm, intelligent people, experiencing sleepless nights, plotting and planning...Health care and health issues drain the finances and peace of many these days. Simple tests can not only be expensive, but also revealing of challenges most don't want to face. Children! What does the future hold for them? Will there be ammenties for them? Will there even be enough food and water and natural resources to give them a future life as we have known it? The list could go on and on. Fear is a powerful tool. It has been used by politicians, by preachers, by governments and tyrrants. And, most certainly, by the enemy, satan.
"I bring you tidings of GREAT joy which shall be to ALL people!" The coming of Jesus was not then, and never has been, proclaimed as GREAT joy to all people. He has become an offense to many. Even those of us who claim to be His followers do not consistantly live in GREAT joy! We often let the fear and worry cloud out the joy. Joy is based in faith, not fact. Facts can be daunting. Facts can be skewed. But faith...IS the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen! IF we really believed that, we should be living in constant and GREAT joy! ALL of us! He came for ALL people. Are we making that evident?
"For unto us is born, THIS day..." Sometimes the birth of Jesus can seem like a long ago historical event, which, of course, it is. But THIS day is the day in which He can be born in us afresh! His birth takes on new significance every time we bask in His love. Think about all that it meant for GOD the SON to give up His Godhood and come down to Earth, submitting to the confinements of a human body! It baffles me! It is overwhelming to think that He would do this for us! He is the same yesterday, today, and forever! This is the day to praise and serve our Savior.
"In the City of David, a SAVIOR, Christ, the LORD!" The geographical spot of His historical birth is extremely significant for manyh reasons. I choose not to go into details here on this blog, today...maybe another blog soon... But the fact that He is the SAVIOR and LORD stand out! He is Savior of the entire world! Even those who do not recognize or acknowledge Him were on His mind and heart on that cross! His love kept Him hanging there!
The Word says that one day EVERY knee shall bow, and EVERY tongue confess that Jesus Christ is LORD! He is Lord of the Universe! He is the Lord of lords. But even more significant and amazing, He is the Lord of my life! I have given thought, yet probably not enough, to just what that lordship should mean. And I fall very short.
When Jesus reigns in our hearts, so does peace, joy, love, etc. And yet, how much do I worry, fret, become depressed, and even get angry at others that He loves so much! How often I try to control my life, and sometimes the lives of those around me! I fuss about the politians. I worry about the future. I complain about the economy! I scurry about in traffic, wishing others would drive like I want them to! So, I must ask myself...Is He really LORD? Is He LORD THIS day? Am I living the GREAT joy, or seeking out my own happiness? Am I fearless or fearful?
I pray that each day becomes THIS day of GREAT joy to ALL people so we can FEAR NOT! And it starts with me...let there be peace on earth (and in all hearts) and let it begin with ME!
We tend to quote that passage during the Christmas Season. But I wonder how much thought we give it at other times. Fear not! That is quite a bold statement, yet so profound for our times! People are fearful of many things. The economy has many otherwise calm, intelligent people, experiencing sleepless nights, plotting and planning...Health care and health issues drain the finances and peace of many these days. Simple tests can not only be expensive, but also revealing of challenges most don't want to face. Children! What does the future hold for them? Will there be ammenties for them? Will there even be enough food and water and natural resources to give them a future life as we have known it? The list could go on and on. Fear is a powerful tool. It has been used by politicians, by preachers, by governments and tyrrants. And, most certainly, by the enemy, satan.
"I bring you tidings of GREAT joy which shall be to ALL people!" The coming of Jesus was not then, and never has been, proclaimed as GREAT joy to all people. He has become an offense to many. Even those of us who claim to be His followers do not consistantly live in GREAT joy! We often let the fear and worry cloud out the joy. Joy is based in faith, not fact. Facts can be daunting. Facts can be skewed. But faith...IS the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen! IF we really believed that, we should be living in constant and GREAT joy! ALL of us! He came for ALL people. Are we making that evident?
"For unto us is born, THIS day..." Sometimes the birth of Jesus can seem like a long ago historical event, which, of course, it is. But THIS day is the day in which He can be born in us afresh! His birth takes on new significance every time we bask in His love. Think about all that it meant for GOD the SON to give up His Godhood and come down to Earth, submitting to the confinements of a human body! It baffles me! It is overwhelming to think that He would do this for us! He is the same yesterday, today, and forever! This is the day to praise and serve our Savior.
"In the City of David, a SAVIOR, Christ, the LORD!" The geographical spot of His historical birth is extremely significant for manyh reasons. I choose not to go into details here on this blog, today...maybe another blog soon... But the fact that He is the SAVIOR and LORD stand out! He is Savior of the entire world! Even those who do not recognize or acknowledge Him were on His mind and heart on that cross! His love kept Him hanging there!
The Word says that one day EVERY knee shall bow, and EVERY tongue confess that Jesus Christ is LORD! He is Lord of the Universe! He is the Lord of lords. But even more significant and amazing, He is the Lord of my life! I have given thought, yet probably not enough, to just what that lordship should mean. And I fall very short.
When Jesus reigns in our hearts, so does peace, joy, love, etc. And yet, how much do I worry, fret, become depressed, and even get angry at others that He loves so much! How often I try to control my life, and sometimes the lives of those around me! I fuss about the politians. I worry about the future. I complain about the economy! I scurry about in traffic, wishing others would drive like I want them to! So, I must ask myself...Is He really LORD? Is He LORD THIS day? Am I living the GREAT joy, or seeking out my own happiness? Am I fearless or fearful?
I pray that each day becomes THIS day of GREAT joy to ALL people so we can FEAR NOT! And it starts with me...let there be peace on earth (and in all hearts) and let it begin with ME!
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
LESSONS FROM THE TREEHOUSE...POOR IN SPIRIT
SHARING SOME LESSON FROM OUR CHILDREN'S MINISTRY!
Jesus was up on a mountain ministering to many people when He told them how to receive the blessings of God. He mentioned several attitudes that we should have if we are to receive God’s best. This is called the “Sermon on the Mount” among many Christians. It is also called the Beatitudes. We are going to be studying those “attitudes” as the way we should “be” or live. These are our “Be Attitudes”! And they are the way to God’s blessing. “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of Heaven.”
What does it mean to be “poor in spirit’? Sounds like most of our characters here today are having a hard time understanding this. Some people think it is just being “down”, acting serious instead of silly. Others think it means to actually be poor…like no money…no self-value…not liking yourself. But that is NOT what Jesus was talking about when He spoke of the many blessings God wants to give us.
Being “poor” in spirit simply means to be aware of our weaknesses and be willing to quickly repent when we mess up! There is a story in the Bible about a young man who really messed up big time. He went from being very rich, to being very poor in a very short time. He didn’t start off very “poor in spirit” and wasn’t set out to inherit the Kingdom of Heaven.
You see, this young man and his brother were the sons of a very wealthy man. The younger one decided that he wanted to have more fun than he thought he was having at his dad’s place. He knew that one day he and his brother would inherit all that their father owned. And that was a LOT! But this young man did not want to wait around until his dad died and left it all to them. He wasn’t really interested in the family business or property…only the money it brought them. So, he decided that it made much more sense to ask his dad for his inheritance now. He thought that if he was given the money that he would eventually receive NOW that he would have much more fun. He did not value the right things in life. He did not think about his future, only what he wanted right then. He may even have teased his brother for not joining him in requesting money to waste while they are young.
Well, his father loved his son very much. He must have known that this was not a good choice for his son. But, for whatever reason, the father gave in and let him have the money. Perhaps the young man had argued or presented a case that sounded reasonable. Or perhaps that was a choice the father had made available at one time. Or perhaps he knew that this son would not learn the lessons he needed any other way.
So, the young man took off with his riches. He called all of his friends and their other friends, and everybody who knew who he was, to come and party with him. He was so popular! He was a star! Everyone loved him! They had such a great time. He had one party…then another…and another. He showed his friends a great time. They must have gone to all the amusement parks of their day. They must have ridden camels and horses and participated in chariot races. They may have traveled around the area, looking for adventure. They tried everything they could to have fun.
But, it only lasted a little while. The young man had not thought about what he would do when his money ran out. Maybe he assumed one of his friends would give him more. Perhaps he thought he could get more by gambling or playing games for money. The sad news was…his money was gone and there was no more. There was no one to give him nor lend him any money. All the friends that had shared in the fun left him. They probably called him “Loser!” and other such names. They probably laughed at him for not planning his budget. They were no longer his friends. Apparently they left him and didn’t even take him back home or with them.
He found himself all alone, hungry, and broke! He wished he was back home with his dad and brother. But how could he get back? He had no money and was too tired and hungry to walk all that way. Besides, he thought that his father would be ashamed of him and not want him back. So, he went to look for work. He probably didn’t really know how to do much, since he had been wealthy and had had servants at his father’s home. And there were not a lot of jobs available. But he did find one…feeding pigs! Pigs are not very clean or mannerly animals. In fact, many Jewish people thought of them as unclean to be around, to the extent that people who were around them were not accepted in the community. But this boy was hungry! So, he took the job. As he was pouring the slop on the trough, he wanted to eat it himself! Imagine eating pig’s slop! Pigs eat whatever nobody else wants to eat! They eat the garbage that is scraped from plates or dropped on the floor. They eat the empty corn cobs, weeds, carrot tops, roots, etc. This boy had eaten wonderful meals full of his favorite things, yet here he was jealous of what the pigs were eating! No one, not his boss, not his former friends, not any pretty girls, not any pigs…gave him anything!
So, he finally had a good thought! “I know! I will go back to my father’s house. I am not worthy to be his son now that I have wasted his money and did some things I should not have done. I have brought shame to his house. So! He gave me what I wanted before, maybe he will again! I will ask him to allow me to be a servant. My dad’s servants eat a LOT better than these pigs. He is kind to them and they have nice rooms to sleep in as well. I would LOVE to just be a servant in his house. I am going home to see if he will let me serve him so I can eat again!
This young man had learned to be “poor in spirit”. He began to understand that he was not any better than the servants his father hired. He realized that serving others was a good thing…and that being sorry was not good enough, He had to be willing to change his attitude. He had to be willing to go from being a “big shot”, “cool dude” wanting to be popular and famous, to being willing to serve and earn his “keep”. What an attitude adjustment for him!
Repentance means turning around and changing the direction you were headed. It means being willing to become completely different and give up all that you desired before. That is being poor in spirit, and this boy had finally achieved it!
He headed back, tired, lonely, and still hungry. It was a long walk. People did not treat him kindly. They thought he was a homeless wanderer, maybe even dangerous. So, he went on alone..,
Meanwhile, back at his father’s house, his dad had watched for him every day. He looked down the lane. He sent servants to look further down the lane, knowing that some day, his son would return.
And that day, he did return! The father saw him coming. The servants may not have recognized him, but the father did! He knew it was his son! He ran down the lane to meet him, and fell at his feet and kissed him.
The son was very touched by this and said “I am not worthy to be called your son. Just let me be a servant in your house. I will be totally happy with that!”
But the father called his servants and told them to kill the fattest calf he had, get some music going, and have a party. “My son is home!” he cried.
The older brother wasn’t so happy with all of this because he had been obedient and hard-working while his brother messed up. He complained that it was not fair. But his dad said “You have always had my blessing. Your heart was always to serve me.
You have always understood being ‘poor in spirit’, humble and hard-working. Everything I have has always been and always will be yours. But your brother, here, was dead and is alive again. He did not have a proper heart for blessing, but now he does. We MUST rejoice and have a party!”
So, they celebrated that this young man learned how to have a repentant heart, how to have a servant’s heart, and how to be poor in spirit. This time he can inherit the Kingdom of Heaven. That means he can live with God forever, and have all that God has for us, which is MUST MORE than the wealthy father had to offer.
Jesus was up on a mountain ministering to many people when He told them how to receive the blessings of God. He mentioned several attitudes that we should have if we are to receive God’s best. This is called the “Sermon on the Mount” among many Christians. It is also called the Beatitudes. We are going to be studying those “attitudes” as the way we should “be” or live. These are our “Be Attitudes”! And they are the way to God’s blessing. “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of Heaven.”
What does it mean to be “poor in spirit’? Sounds like most of our characters here today are having a hard time understanding this. Some people think it is just being “down”, acting serious instead of silly. Others think it means to actually be poor…like no money…no self-value…not liking yourself. But that is NOT what Jesus was talking about when He spoke of the many blessings God wants to give us.
Being “poor” in spirit simply means to be aware of our weaknesses and be willing to quickly repent when we mess up! There is a story in the Bible about a young man who really messed up big time. He went from being very rich, to being very poor in a very short time. He didn’t start off very “poor in spirit” and wasn’t set out to inherit the Kingdom of Heaven.
You see, this young man and his brother were the sons of a very wealthy man. The younger one decided that he wanted to have more fun than he thought he was having at his dad’s place. He knew that one day he and his brother would inherit all that their father owned. And that was a LOT! But this young man did not want to wait around until his dad died and left it all to them. He wasn’t really interested in the family business or property…only the money it brought them. So, he decided that it made much more sense to ask his dad for his inheritance now. He thought that if he was given the money that he would eventually receive NOW that he would have much more fun. He did not value the right things in life. He did not think about his future, only what he wanted right then. He may even have teased his brother for not joining him in requesting money to waste while they are young.
Well, his father loved his son very much. He must have known that this was not a good choice for his son. But, for whatever reason, the father gave in and let him have the money. Perhaps the young man had argued or presented a case that sounded reasonable. Or perhaps that was a choice the father had made available at one time. Or perhaps he knew that this son would not learn the lessons he needed any other way.
So, the young man took off with his riches. He called all of his friends and their other friends, and everybody who knew who he was, to come and party with him. He was so popular! He was a star! Everyone loved him! They had such a great time. He had one party…then another…and another. He showed his friends a great time. They must have gone to all the amusement parks of their day. They must have ridden camels and horses and participated in chariot races. They may have traveled around the area, looking for adventure. They tried everything they could to have fun.
But, it only lasted a little while. The young man had not thought about what he would do when his money ran out. Maybe he assumed one of his friends would give him more. Perhaps he thought he could get more by gambling or playing games for money. The sad news was…his money was gone and there was no more. There was no one to give him nor lend him any money. All the friends that had shared in the fun left him. They probably called him “Loser!” and other such names. They probably laughed at him for not planning his budget. They were no longer his friends. Apparently they left him and didn’t even take him back home or with them.
He found himself all alone, hungry, and broke! He wished he was back home with his dad and brother. But how could he get back? He had no money and was too tired and hungry to walk all that way. Besides, he thought that his father would be ashamed of him and not want him back. So, he went to look for work. He probably didn’t really know how to do much, since he had been wealthy and had had servants at his father’s home. And there were not a lot of jobs available. But he did find one…feeding pigs! Pigs are not very clean or mannerly animals. In fact, many Jewish people thought of them as unclean to be around, to the extent that people who were around them were not accepted in the community. But this boy was hungry! So, he took the job. As he was pouring the slop on the trough, he wanted to eat it himself! Imagine eating pig’s slop! Pigs eat whatever nobody else wants to eat! They eat the garbage that is scraped from plates or dropped on the floor. They eat the empty corn cobs, weeds, carrot tops, roots, etc. This boy had eaten wonderful meals full of his favorite things, yet here he was jealous of what the pigs were eating! No one, not his boss, not his former friends, not any pretty girls, not any pigs…gave him anything!
So, he finally had a good thought! “I know! I will go back to my father’s house. I am not worthy to be his son now that I have wasted his money and did some things I should not have done. I have brought shame to his house. So! He gave me what I wanted before, maybe he will again! I will ask him to allow me to be a servant. My dad’s servants eat a LOT better than these pigs. He is kind to them and they have nice rooms to sleep in as well. I would LOVE to just be a servant in his house. I am going home to see if he will let me serve him so I can eat again!
This young man had learned to be “poor in spirit”. He began to understand that he was not any better than the servants his father hired. He realized that serving others was a good thing…and that being sorry was not good enough, He had to be willing to change his attitude. He had to be willing to go from being a “big shot”, “cool dude” wanting to be popular and famous, to being willing to serve and earn his “keep”. What an attitude adjustment for him!
Repentance means turning around and changing the direction you were headed. It means being willing to become completely different and give up all that you desired before. That is being poor in spirit, and this boy had finally achieved it!
He headed back, tired, lonely, and still hungry. It was a long walk. People did not treat him kindly. They thought he was a homeless wanderer, maybe even dangerous. So, he went on alone..,
Meanwhile, back at his father’s house, his dad had watched for him every day. He looked down the lane. He sent servants to look further down the lane, knowing that some day, his son would return.
And that day, he did return! The father saw him coming. The servants may not have recognized him, but the father did! He knew it was his son! He ran down the lane to meet him, and fell at his feet and kissed him.
The son was very touched by this and said “I am not worthy to be called your son. Just let me be a servant in your house. I will be totally happy with that!”
But the father called his servants and told them to kill the fattest calf he had, get some music going, and have a party. “My son is home!” he cried.
The older brother wasn’t so happy with all of this because he had been obedient and hard-working while his brother messed up. He complained that it was not fair. But his dad said “You have always had my blessing. Your heart was always to serve me.
You have always understood being ‘poor in spirit’, humble and hard-working. Everything I have has always been and always will be yours. But your brother, here, was dead and is alive again. He did not have a proper heart for blessing, but now he does. We MUST rejoice and have a party!”
So, they celebrated that this young man learned how to have a repentant heart, how to have a servant’s heart, and how to be poor in spirit. This time he can inherit the Kingdom of Heaven. That means he can live with God forever, and have all that God has for us, which is MUST MORE than the wealthy father had to offer.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
