JAM!

I was very superstious growing up. I'm not sure where I got it from. Maybe it was hanging out with other peeps who shared their superstitions which maybe "made sense" then. I think thats what it was.

Without knowledge of the God, it is easy to make things to "explain" your "bad luck" or the fear you have inside. I remember I use to role down the window and spit out my window when a black cat crossed my path or for a while, I was scared to sleep in the fetal position because according to folk lore, it will make you poor. I didn't want to end up poor. Crazy huh? What "superstitions" or "folklore" do your practice?

I'm willing to bet a pretty penny that at least 20% of church goers believe in some folklore or superstition that is not close to being biblical. Jesus once said, 

"If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free (John 8:31-32 NIV)."

Jesus, the son of God came to direct us God's truth- all of it. Truth is ultimately what is "real" in the Kingdom of God. So believing in ghosts, leprechauns and Friday 13th is not a sin, its simply being unaware of the truth- the true nature of each of these. It's more like living in the dark and being okay with it.

What superstitions do you have? A favorite sock or a good luck charm? How about a cross necklace? It is time to put faith in the One rather than superstition.

Eschatology - Not Really

Do you even know what eschatology is? Prize to the one who can best explain it at Sunday School.

Matthew 22:37-39 (NIV)

Jesus replied: " 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. ³⁹And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.

This pic was taken a few months ago. For the last 2 years Sue and I have worked at making our ministry beneficial. Sometimes it is easy to forget why we do what you do. We can get "caught up" doing things for God and forget why we did it in the first place.

After all, what is the greatest command? Love God and love others. That's the bottom line. As a believer, I am to witness because I love my fellow man and want him/her to come to lasting relationship with Jesus- the Savior King.

As you go about scheduling your day and your weekend, remember, love God and love others. As a well known leadership guru once said, love people but manage things.

Truth Encounter - Bondage Breaker pg.28

John 8:32 (NIV) "Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free."

John 14:6 (NIV)  Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

John 16:13 (NIV) But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come.

When I was in college, we made it a point to share with others the "Truth" that could change people's lives. In reality, we only expressed the "Truth" as information and ideas. We debated words and ideas which was only a part of the "Truth". Since then, I've learned two things about the "Truth" that I didn't know before.

First of all, the truth is Jesus not just an argument about Him. The difference? The latter is about words and logic and giving people information while the former introduces them to Jesus Christ the Son of God who died for all our sins. Through Jesus we have a relationship with the Father. This is a real relationship that is not just information based. It is one thing to know I have a father, but it is another for my father to spend time with me, hang out, and do all the things that are tangible (something I can touch, see, & experience).

The second thing I've learned is truth is not just statements like, God is love. But rather, it is the combination of the knowledge that (God is love) and then experiencing how God loves me. I mean, think about the Samaritan woman in the Gospel of John. She heard about this God, but not until Jesus revealed himself to her that she then realized the King of kings was talking to her, ready to forgive her dark past, and wanted to have a true relationship with her. It was then that she experienced agape love.

So it's not enough to know the stories of the Bible. That's just the first step. We also need to experience God and take advantage of the benefits of being sons and daughters of the Heavenly King.

Dear God, thank you for today. You are a great God. I ask that You show yourself to me today. I know about you. In fact, I have heard of your fame. But today, this day, let me experience you and what it is to be your child.

Real Unity

http://partners-test.blogger.com/profile/04389029692580043632

Luke 9: 38-39 "Teacher," said John, "we saw a man driving out demons in your name and we told him to stop, because he was not one of us." Do not stop him," Jesus said. "No one who does a miracle in my name can in the next moment say anything bad about me, 40for whoever is not against us is for us. I tell you the truth, anyone who gives you a cup of water in my name is because you belong to Christ will certainly not lose his reward."

What really is unity? Is it simply agreeing with everyone and everything under the sun? Is there room for differing views within an organization and even the local church? Sure why not? At the end of the day, unity is not that I agree with you on everything, but that I agree that the end goal (the glory of God) is the destination. 

Whether it is within your church or your company, the approach of leaders may be different. As long as the end game (the glory of God) is accomplished, what is it to us that others must do things to our preference? Apply this to your company or to your ministry and watch God bring people with differing views add flavor to your organization.

Can you handle it?

God, open my eyes to what you are doing around me. Add flavor to my life by bringing those who will challenge me with differing views and perspectives. Give me the confidence to work with others, the humility to receive advice, and the wisdom to discern what to take in and what to agree to disagree. Let me greet all those who are in your service with love and reverence. In the strong and wonderful name of Jesus I pray, Amen.

Vietnam Accounts for 10%

http://myteedesigns.blogspot.com/2008/06/freedom.html

I just read a report that quantifies Vietnamese people (mostly women and babies) have accounted for 10% of "human trafficking" across the world since 1990. Most of these women are tricked into thinking they are marrying men who could pull them out of poverty. Now whether they chose it or it was imposed on them by their parents is less of a concern than the fact that around the world, in the 21st century there are people being taken and made into slaves.

When I was in school, my narrow window of awareness convinced me that the Emancipation Proclamation ended slavery- and so I reasoned, the world followed suit. That's what I thought. I have only been made aware of sex slaves and human trafficking within the last 2 years. I'm now 33.

We can do something about it. My wife and I just talked with a friend who shared that there is an opportunity for us to get involved in preventing human trafficking. For just $300 USD we can free a girl/lady destined to be sold to Thailand. This is such a small amount to do something life changing.

Keep you posted.

Without Compare

Psalm 103

⁸ The LORD is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love.

⁹ He will not always accuse, nor will he harbor his anger forever;

¹⁰ he does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities.

¹¹ For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him;

¹² as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.

¹³ As a father has compassion on his children, so the LORD has compassion on those who fear him;

¹⁹ The LORD has established his throne in heaven, and his kingdom rules over all.

²⁰ Praise the LORD, you his angels, you mighty ones who do his bidding,
who obey his word.

²¹ Praise the LORD, all his heavenly hosts, you his servants who do his will.

²² Praise the LORD, all his works everywhere in his dominion. Praise the LORD, O my soul.

Yesterday we celebrated the most influential event in history. Who in history has affected societies, transformed them more than Jesus Christ? There is no comparison. God's redemptive plan is beautify. The Resurrection of Christ is the greatest story in history.

I used to think Christianity ranked "higher" than other belief systems- just enough that I would choose it over others much like I like the ride of a Toyota over a Honda. Just little better. But as I walk with the Lord each day, there is truly no comparison. It's more like choosing between a luxury car and a child's bike to take me somewhere for 1,000 miles.

Which would you choose to take you there? Not much of a comparison is there? That's the different between sold out believers and those who are social believers. Its one thing to say you believe and another to live as a believer. I choose the latter.

And the Last

You ever thumb through photos of years ago and wonder what happened to the people you knew or places you went to for fun or with your family? That's where I'm at today. Looking.