I am so disturbed by this subject that on one hand, I do not want to blog about it because I fear it will be too much to read and jumbled...on the other hand, I want to raise awareness to this horrible act that occured recently, October 8, 2009.
Last Friday night while watching Dateline NBC with Chris Hanson I saw this horrible story. A new age philosopher/so-called self help guru name James Arthur Ray decided to have a retreat for his followers.
Those individuals who could afford the nearly $10,000 attended a retreat in Arizona. Bottom lie, Ray facilitated a sweat-lodge type "cleansing" ceremony that ended in the deaths of participants Kirby Brown, 38, James Shore, 40, and Liz Neuman, 49, and injuries to 18 others.
During the "sweat lodge" spiritual journey, people were passing out and vomiting, and Ray continued to encourage and "coach" people to stay inside the sweat lodge.
After the deaths of 3 of his followers, Ray, did say he felt bad about the tragedy and but continued with his work, saying, "I, too, want to know what happened that caused this horrible tragedy." On October 15, 2009, there was a report that Ray conducted a conference call with some victims and during this conference call, a self-described channeler said that the deceased had communicated with them and they said they "were having so much fun" out of their bodies that they didn't want to return.
I was dumbfounded. This really happened. The popular book he has written that you may have heard of is called, "The Secret."
I kept thinking to myself this is an excellent title for our culture today.
Everyone has a conspiracy theory. So why not buy into the idea that there is a "secret" to be uncovered regarding spirituality? These people paid $10,000 to unleash this "secret." Secret to what? To a better life? To self fulfillment? To satisfaction in life? To self actualization? To happiness? To purity? To conquering the idea that life is more than a mundane rat race and each life actually has meaning and purpose-to commune with God?
I think these people were looking for all of these things. The sad part is that they sought after the wrong shepherd. Jesus said, "I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep." John 10:11 Not so with the hireling. See a hireling is a hired person that does't really care about the sheep. The hireling just wants to get paid. The hireling does not lay his life down for his sheep.
I was (and still am) so grieved by this tragedy. These people paid $10,000 for a glimpse at the answer to the "secret" of life...to the meaning of life. I am willing to assume probably ALL of these people had a Bible at their home. My point is this. They spent $10,000 for an answer to life's most profound questions when they could have found the answer for free. John 3:16 gives the answer. Jesus is the answer. Jesus is the Way the Truth and the Life. Not only did these people buy the wrong book, but they followed the wrong shepherd. For 3 of these people, they lost their lives forever. Oh my heart aches for their families.
It's amazing to me that people will believe the lie and follow a gimick rather than believing God and taking Him at His Word.
What can I learn from this? False teachers are real. False teachers get paid and they trample people along the way. May we be bold to share our faith with others. Our Jesus is free and available to all. He already paid the price. He is the answer to the secret of life...to the fulfillment of life...May we encourage our friends and family to watch out for false shepherds because even though it's 2010, they are still out there....they just want to get paid and if lambs are hurt, well that's covered by the signed disclaimer...anyway...
Pray for the families of those who died in this tragedy. Pray for James Arthur Ray to be saved and stop promoting this lie. Thank your Good Shepherd for protecting you from the lies of "self help" and for laying His life down for you.
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
Tuesday, June 8, 2010
Lying to Ourselves
For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Hebrews 4:12
Isn't that so true? God's Word is indeed a sword. It pierces us and convicts us, but it also prunes us and cuts away all that junk that we don't need.
I read this verse from Psalm 119 the other day and gained a fresh insight:
"I lie in the dust, completely discouraged; revive me by your word.
I told you my plans, and you answered. Now teach me your principles. Help me understand the meaning of your commandments, and I will meditate on your wonderful miracles. I weep with grief; encourage me by your word. Keep me from lying to myself; give me the privilege of knowing your law."
Psalm 119:25-29
OK so many of us know that Psalm 119 is an amazing Psalm where David talks about God's WORD and how important it is for us to eat and drink God's Word. But when I read this little dagger from God's Word, I was blown away...
David says, "Keep me from lying to myself..."
I know it is a sin to lie. It is one of the 10 commandments. It is a sin to lie to God and to lie to others. It is a sin to tell little white lies and it is a sin to tell big ole whopper lies..But what about this? Is it a sin to lie to myself?
Yup. It is a sin to lie to myself.
Why do we lie to ourselves? We lie to ourselves to justify sin, to talk ourselves out of something, to justify some behavior we know is wrong. We lie to ourselves to get away from the Truth of God's Word. Remember, Satan is the father of lies, so when we lie to ourselves we are listening to Satan as he tries to feed us junk food.
Example 1:
I spent all day at church yesterday. I feel so refreshed and thankful for God speaking to me. So today I am pretty tired mentally. I don't need to read the Bible today. I read it pretty much all day yesterday. Today I am going to just veg out in front of the TV. (LIE)
Example 2:
I know I already spent money on clothes this month. But those shoes are on sale! They are so cute and will match with everything. I know I already have black shoes but these are different. My husband won't be mad...and if he is I'll just pout and explain how hard I work and how I deserve something new and it's my pay day. I am sure we'll have enough to pay the bills. I know! I'll just charge them. (LIE)
We lie to ourselves! It's something I never really thought about before encountering it in Psalm 119. Lying to ourselves is wrong and it hurts God, others and it hurts our growth in the LORD.
We should look at lying to ourselves as just as serious as lying to others or lying to God. This culture tells us we deserve things when we can't afford it. This culture tells us we should be spiritual but "not too spiritual." This culture tells us it's OK to lie to ourselves (for example- that we can eat fast food all the time and not be unhealthy or gain weight).
My suggestion to all of us (starting with me first) is STOP IT. Stop lying to yourself about this or that. If nothing is screaming out to you, pray about it. I am sure there is some area where you or I have been lying to ourselves about for far too long. I am so glad God awakened me to this truth from God's Word.
I want to pray like David. My prayer is "Dear Jesus, please keep me from lying to myself. Instead, give me the privilege of knowing your law."
Thursday, June 3, 2010
God's Will versus My Will
I have to be careful when I read about the Israelites and all their grumblings in the Bible. Sometimes I read about their conduct and I hear this, "Blah, blah, blah ...Wah, wah, complain...grumble...whine....whine" and I think to myself, "Why can't they see God's goodness??? Why are they never satisfied?"
In 1 Samuel 12 the Israelites complained to God about wanting a king.
Here we go again...Complain, complain, complain...
God gives them a king- king Saul. But that wasn't God's perfect will for them. He allowed it. But it wasn't His perfect will. I want to learn the valuable lesson between obeying God's perfect will and following after my own will.
Unfortunately, I can be a whiner and complainer too...
I want to be able to discern between God's perfect will and His permissive will to avoid unecessary pain in this life.
The Israelites were never satisfied. Aren't we the same way? We ask God for something. LORD, please can I have this new job? I'll give more to missions or to the church. Then we get the job and we grumble. LORD, I love the new job...but my boss is killing me! Can you please transfer me to such and such? That other boss is great and he's a Christian too.
Or LORD, it would be great if I moved to a nicer neighborhood. I'll witness to everyone! Please move me! Then, oh LORD. The neighborhood's great, we love our new home...but there are way too many helicopters flying over our home...and I can't sleep because of the sound of the cars driving by and and...
Bottom line we need to discern between our own will and God's will...when we make our requests (or wants) to the LORD.
Listen to Samuel's wisdom, "But when you were afraid of Nahash the king of Ammon you came to me and said that you wanted a king to reign over you, even though the LORD your God was already your king. All right here is the king you have chosen. Look him over. You asked for him and the LORD has granted your request." 1 Samuel 12:12 NLT
Later, Saul was anointed king and the troubles start. King Saul feared men. He cared and worried what others thought of him. Sadly, King Saul wasn't a man after God's own heart. King Saul waited for Samuel on on occasion and Samuel the prophet was taking long so Saul's patience grew thin....King Saul said, (paraphrasing) "I'll just offer the burnt offering myself." King Saul was not a priest.
Samuel replies, "How foolish...You have disobeyed the command of the LORD your God...Had you obeyed, the LORD would have established your kingdom over Isreal forever. But now your dynasty must end, for the LORD has sought out a man after his own heart."
1 Samuel 13:12-1
God is the same in Old Testament times through New Testament times to the 1950s and today...God is the same. He never changes.
God is STILL seeking men and women after His own heart.
But we grumble. We want more.
Part of this whole thing is due to the influences we allow in. The media, commercials, magazines, billboards are all telling us we "need" this or that. So we give in. We believe what man says we need to be fulfilled. A bigger car, a smaller waist line, a bigger house, a smaller greener car, a bigger savings account, new this, new that...
Stop the insanity! All we need is Jesus period. But, back to my heart's desire: to follow God's perfect will versus my own will. We can pray and ask for something and God may give it to us...but we will never, no never, I mean never, be satisfied until OUR PRAYERS are in alignment with God's perfect will for us.
What's God's perfect will?
To love God above all. To love God supremely, sublimely, more than anything else, and to love others sacrificially. If our prayers are in alignment with loving God more and loving others more, go for it! The prayer request is likely in alignment with God's perfect will. But if the prayer request is for something that is self centered or if we simply don't have total peace about the request, it is not likely in God's perfect will. This is hard to discern for sure! I struggle with this all the time...
We know that the Bible calls David a man after God's own heart. (Acts 13:22) He was all about being in God's perfect will. Of course he failed and we will too...but listen to this...David prays, "I love the LORD because He hears and answers my prayers. Because He bends down and listens, I will pray as long as I have breath." Psalm 116:1-2
I too want to pray as long as I have breath.
Knowing God's will should be easy. Seek God first and everything else will fall into place right? (Matt 6:33) But it's not always easy to discern things of the spirit because we have the flesh, satan and the world distracting us. So pray on saints! Keep asking, seeking and knocking...When you aren't sure what God's will is, remember this:
Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
In 1 Samuel 12 the Israelites complained to God about wanting a king.
Here we go again...Complain, complain, complain...
God gives them a king- king Saul. But that wasn't God's perfect will for them. He allowed it. But it wasn't His perfect will. I want to learn the valuable lesson between obeying God's perfect will and following after my own will.
Unfortunately, I can be a whiner and complainer too...
I want to be able to discern between God's perfect will and His permissive will to avoid unecessary pain in this life.
The Israelites were never satisfied. Aren't we the same way? We ask God for something. LORD, please can I have this new job? I'll give more to missions or to the church. Then we get the job and we grumble. LORD, I love the new job...but my boss is killing me! Can you please transfer me to such and such? That other boss is great and he's a Christian too.
Or LORD, it would be great if I moved to a nicer neighborhood. I'll witness to everyone! Please move me! Then, oh LORD. The neighborhood's great, we love our new home...but there are way too many helicopters flying over our home...and I can't sleep because of the sound of the cars driving by and and...
Bottom line we need to discern between our own will and God's will...when we make our requests (or wants) to the LORD.
Listen to Samuel's wisdom, "But when you were afraid of Nahash the king of Ammon you came to me and said that you wanted a king to reign over you, even though the LORD your God was already your king. All right here is the king you have chosen. Look him over. You asked for him and the LORD has granted your request." 1 Samuel 12:12 NLT
Later, Saul was anointed king and the troubles start. King Saul feared men. He cared and worried what others thought of him. Sadly, King Saul wasn't a man after God's own heart. King Saul waited for Samuel on on occasion and Samuel the prophet was taking long so Saul's patience grew thin....King Saul said, (paraphrasing) "I'll just offer the burnt offering myself." King Saul was not a priest.
Samuel replies, "How foolish...You have disobeyed the command of the LORD your God...Had you obeyed, the LORD would have established your kingdom over Isreal forever. But now your dynasty must end, for the LORD has sought out a man after his own heart."
1 Samuel 13:12-1
God is the same in Old Testament times through New Testament times to the 1950s and today...God is the same. He never changes.
God is STILL seeking men and women after His own heart.
But we grumble. We want more.
Part of this whole thing is due to the influences we allow in. The media, commercials, magazines, billboards are all telling us we "need" this or that. So we give in. We believe what man says we need to be fulfilled. A bigger car, a smaller waist line, a bigger house, a smaller greener car, a bigger savings account, new this, new that...
Stop the insanity! All we need is Jesus period. But, back to my heart's desire: to follow God's perfect will versus my own will. We can pray and ask for something and God may give it to us...but we will never, no never, I mean never, be satisfied until OUR PRAYERS are in alignment with God's perfect will for us.
What's God's perfect will?
To love God above all. To love God supremely, sublimely, more than anything else, and to love others sacrificially. If our prayers are in alignment with loving God more and loving others more, go for it! The prayer request is likely in alignment with God's perfect will. But if the prayer request is for something that is self centered or if we simply don't have total peace about the request, it is not likely in God's perfect will. This is hard to discern for sure! I struggle with this all the time...
We know that the Bible calls David a man after God's own heart. (Acts 13:22) He was all about being in God's perfect will. Of course he failed and we will too...but listen to this...David prays, "I love the LORD because He hears and answers my prayers. Because He bends down and listens, I will pray as long as I have breath." Psalm 116:1-2
I too want to pray as long as I have breath.
Knowing God's will should be easy. Seek God first and everything else will fall into place right? (Matt 6:33) But it's not always easy to discern things of the spirit because we have the flesh, satan and the world distracting us. So pray on saints! Keep asking, seeking and knocking...When you aren't sure what God's will is, remember this:
Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
Thursday, May 27, 2010
Dad is the Roof, Mom is the Wall
My 4 year old daughter Olivia is very talkative (I wonder where she gets it from). She often interrupts conversations between her parents- Chuck and I. I realized this was a problem because she was not respecting her dad. She needs to understand that her father is the head of our home...One day I explained to her, "Olivia, look out the window. See the roof on the house next door. Well Daddy is the roof. When the roof talks you listen and wait your turn"
One day she asked me, if Daddy is the roof, what are you? I wasn't sure what to say. My husband Chuck wisely answered, "Momma is like the 'walls' of the house."
She understood this illustration.
Last night I caught a brief segment of PBS Ground War and they showed a massive wall called "Hadrian's Wall."
This wall is a great fortification which was used to provide peaceful conditions in the frontier (or battle) zone. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hadrian's_Wall
As I listened to the narrator I was dumb-founded. The narrator said, "The wall sent a message to potential enemies that this empire was not backing down. This empire would fight to defend its people"
Oh my goodness LORD. That is exactly what I am as a mother. I am a WALL. I am standing in the gap between my children and the three enemies- The world, Satan and the flesh. I am the wall and will lay my life down for my children.
What do most parents do when there is a dog, or some sort of danger, they put their body in front of their child to protect them.
We need to be aware of the spiritual battles that are going on out there. We need to stand up for righteousness and be that spiritual wall for our kids.
There are some amazing walls built to protect empires. The great wall of china and the hadrian wall in England are just a few examples.
I found another cool example. This is a military tactic called a "shield wall"
The formation of a shield wall is a military tactic that was common in many cultures in the Pre-Early Modern warfare age. This strategy is of a "wall of shields" formed by soldiers standing in formation shoulder to shoulder, holding their shields so that they abut or overlap. Each man benefits from the protection of his neighbor's shield, usually the man to his right, as well as his own. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shield_wall
As parents, we can pray for each other. The Bible says, "the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds" 2 Corinthians 10:4 and Paul tells us to "take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand."
Jesus also said, "I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture." John 10:9
Of course we know that Jesus is the door as in the entrance to heaven, the one to whom we accept, we receive salvation. (Acts 4:12)
But by describing Himself as "the door" Jesus also meant that He literally was the door for the sheep pen. See in Jesus times, the shepherd literally laid his body across the entrance to keep the sheep in and to keep out the wolves.
Similiarly, I am the wall for my children. I am to teach my children the Truths of God's Word. I am to pray for and protect my little sheep, my children at all times. Indeed, there are many, many wolves out to snatch and rob my children of their joy and of the Truth of God's Word.
I heard Sonny from POD of the Whosoevers say the other day that the youth and young adults these days are just "consumers" they are just believing the hype. They are buying the albums, buying the clothes, buying the beer, buying whatever it takes to be cool. It is my job as a wall to defend God's Word.
But who is taking the kids to the mall to buy the revealing clothes? Who is purchasing the IPhone where a kid can access porn? Who is allowing a child to send naked photos on the internet? Who drops the child off at a concert? Who takes the child to get on birth control? Who pays the cell phone bill? THE PARENTS
We have taken a passive approach as a society in this matter...For example, I am so appauld at the Carl's Jr commercials. Why do I have to watch some girl eat a burger in a bathing suit? I am probably going to write a letter complaining because it is really getting out of control.
Remember, a wall sends a mighty message that the battle is on! We are not going down without a fight. We stand as victors in Christ and we will defend our kids' and protect them from this evil age.
So stand up! Be the wall for your spouse. Be the wall for your children. Be the wall for your loved ones and friends. Through prayer and living out your faith, this sends a message to the spiritual enemy, "Back off! I am a wall for my family! You can't penetrate the wall because it is founded on the Rock of Jesus Christ."
One day she asked me, if Daddy is the roof, what are you? I wasn't sure what to say. My husband Chuck wisely answered, "Momma is like the 'walls' of the house."
She understood this illustration.
Last night I caught a brief segment of PBS Ground War and they showed a massive wall called "Hadrian's Wall."
This wall is a great fortification which was used to provide peaceful conditions in the frontier (or battle) zone. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hadrian's_Wall
As I listened to the narrator I was dumb-founded. The narrator said, "The wall sent a message to potential enemies that this empire was not backing down. This empire would fight to defend its people"
Oh my goodness LORD. That is exactly what I am as a mother. I am a WALL. I am standing in the gap between my children and the three enemies- The world, Satan and the flesh. I am the wall and will lay my life down for my children.
What do most parents do when there is a dog, or some sort of danger, they put their body in front of their child to protect them.
We need to be aware of the spiritual battles that are going on out there. We need to stand up for righteousness and be that spiritual wall for our kids.
There are some amazing walls built to protect empires. The great wall of china and the hadrian wall in England are just a few examples.
I found another cool example. This is a military tactic called a "shield wall"
The formation of a shield wall is a military tactic that was common in many cultures in the Pre-Early Modern warfare age. This strategy is of a "wall of shields" formed by soldiers standing in formation shoulder to shoulder, holding their shields so that they abut or overlap. Each man benefits from the protection of his neighbor's shield, usually the man to his right, as well as his own. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shield_wall
As parents, we can pray for each other. The Bible says, "the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds" 2 Corinthians 10:4 and Paul tells us to "take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand."
Jesus also said, "I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture." John 10:9
Of course we know that Jesus is the door as in the entrance to heaven, the one to whom we accept, we receive salvation. (Acts 4:12)
But by describing Himself as "the door" Jesus also meant that He literally was the door for the sheep pen. See in Jesus times, the shepherd literally laid his body across the entrance to keep the sheep in and to keep out the wolves.
Similiarly, I am the wall for my children. I am to teach my children the Truths of God's Word. I am to pray for and protect my little sheep, my children at all times. Indeed, there are many, many wolves out to snatch and rob my children of their joy and of the Truth of God's Word.
I heard Sonny from POD of the Whosoevers say the other day that the youth and young adults these days are just "consumers" they are just believing the hype. They are buying the albums, buying the clothes, buying the beer, buying whatever it takes to be cool. It is my job as a wall to defend God's Word.
But who is taking the kids to the mall to buy the revealing clothes? Who is purchasing the IPhone where a kid can access porn? Who is allowing a child to send naked photos on the internet? Who drops the child off at a concert? Who takes the child to get on birth control? Who pays the cell phone bill? THE PARENTS
We have taken a passive approach as a society in this matter...For example, I am so appauld at the Carl's Jr commercials. Why do I have to watch some girl eat a burger in a bathing suit? I am probably going to write a letter complaining because it is really getting out of control.
Remember, a wall sends a mighty message that the battle is on! We are not going down without a fight. We stand as victors in Christ and we will defend our kids' and protect them from this evil age.
So stand up! Be the wall for your spouse. Be the wall for your children. Be the wall for your loved ones and friends. Through prayer and living out your faith, this sends a message to the spiritual enemy, "Back off! I am a wall for my family! You can't penetrate the wall because it is founded on the Rock of Jesus Christ."
Monday, May 24, 2010
Lazy Parenting Leads to Rebellious Kids
As a parent, of course I am concerned with the next generation. I want my kids to serve the LORD. This is a natural desire of every Christian parent. Godly parenting is work. God has been reminding me lately that lazy parenting leads to rebellious kids.
This truth is ALL OVER Scripture.
First, let me express why this is on my heart. Chuck and I chaperoned the 8th grade promotion Disneyland trip. We had a great time. However, the bus ride home was horrible. The kids were loud and talkative, which didn't bother me. My issue was with this-THE MUSIC. The bus driver was playing KIIS FM or some station and the kids were singing along to two songs...One was some about "Wanting to be a millionaire." The kids were singing along at the top of their lungs. It was not the song that bothered me as much as the excited way the kids sang the song...I felt this song expressed the next generation's mantra- "Give us money and forget morals and integrity. Forget God. Just make me a millionaire."
The second song was, "I kissed a girl and I liked it" sung by a female artist. The kids, boys and girls alike were singing this song with the same amount of enthusiasm. I literally was disgusted. My husband asked the bus driver to turn off the radio and the kids all said, "Hey...we like that song"
Oh man was my heart grieved...
The very next morning I read in my devotions about Eli the priest. I love the story of Samuel and how he was used of the LORD from his youth (or rather infancy) all the way through the end of his life. Hannah, Samuel's mom, prayed for him and gave his life over to be used by God and for His glory. Eli did not have such wisdom with his own children. Eli's sons, Hophni and Phineas were bad apples.
1 Samuel 2:12 says, "Now the sons of Eli [were] corrupt; they did not know the LORD."
The Bible further records how these corrupt priests (the adult children of Eli, a very righteous man) would seduce the women at the very steps of the tabernacle.
What did Eli do about it?
The Word states, "Now Eli was very old; and he heard everything his sons did to all Israel, [and how they lay with the women who assembled at the door of the tabernacle of meeting." 1 Samuel 2:22
So he said to them, "Why do you do such things? For I hear of your evil dealings from all the people.
No, my sons! For [it is] not a good report that I hear. You make the LORD's people transgress.
If one man sins against another, God will judge him. But if a man sins against the LORD, who will intercede for him?" Nevertheless they did not heed the voice of their father, because the LORD desired to kill them.
1 Samuel 2:23-25
Yes Eli rebuked them, but it was too late. He had allowed their behavior to go on without punishment or correction and now they were set in their ways. You see, I believe Eli got lazy in his parenting.
As I heard those kids singing those songs my heart broke. At first I was annoyed. Yuck! This music is awful. The lyrics are so morally repugnant (a fancy way of saying evil in God's eyes) and make me sick! However, later, when I read this story of Eli and his sons, I started to weep. You see, it's not the kids' fault. They are 8th graders. Yes, they are responsible for their own sins...but who told them what was right and what was wrong? I fault the parents. I believe parents these days are not instructing children anymore. Parents are too concerned with work, a mortgage payment, careers, fashion, celebrity gossip, vacations, and other distractions and they are letting cable TV, MTV, radio, internet, video games, and even national television raise their kids. The culture is influencing children for evil and many parents choose to turn a blind eye.
I can't imagine my parents allowing me listen to a song that says, "I kissed a girl and I liked it." I know that my parents were involved parents. My parents would literally call me at my friend's house when I spent the night to make sure everything was OK. My parents would get to know my friends and get to know their parents before I was allowed to have a sleep over. My parents purchased the CD's I listened to and knew what type I music I was into...Of course I wasn't perfect and I did listen to some inappropriate music from time to time...but the point is, my parents cared enough to be involved.
This is what grieves my heart. Eli was a man that feared God. He worshipped God and served him as a priest! Yet he failed to correct his sons. King David did this too.
Why is it that when we get so "busy" whether it be with worldly activities like partying (drinking, doing drugs, etc.) or Christ-centered and church related activities like being involved in Bible studies or evangelistic outreaches, we FORGET ABOUT RAISING OUR KIDS TO LOVE AND FEAR GOD?
Why do we neglect to discipline our children? OK, remember, I am not a pastor, preacher or scholar or anything...(just a concerned parent) but this is what I feel the LORD is telling me...We as a society in Old Testament times and even today, we simply get lazy with raising our kids.
1 Samuel 4:17-18 says, "So the messenger answered [to Eli] and said, "Israel has fled before the Philistines, and there has been a great slaughter among the people. Also your two sons, Hophni and Phinehas, are dead; and the ark of God has been captured."
Then it happened, when he made mention of the ark of God, that Eli fell off the seat backward by the side of the gate; and his neck was broken and he died, for the man was old and heavy.
The New Living Translation says Eli was "fat." I read this and I could not believe how this story mirrors our society today.
Warren Wiersbe's commentary says Eli lead a sedentary life and was probably overweight because of all the goodies he got to eat as a priest (remember they got a portion of the altar sacrifices).
Eli got lazy! He loved the LORD but he failed to instruct his sons how to love God like he did. He failed to correct them. He knew their lives would end in destruction...Notice that Eli doesn't even fall of of his seat because his sons were dead. He falls off his seat because he heard that the ark of God had been captured. I think Eli just gave up on his sons. Eli realized he failed as a parent and just threw his arms up and gave up in correcting them.
That's what many American parents do too. We just give up. "Yeah I know MTV is influencing my kids...Yeah I know my children listen to inappropriate music and inappropriate movies and inappropriate internet sites...but I give up. I am heavy and overweight and frankly, tired and lazy. But I'll make it to church next Sunday even if my kids don't want to come with me"
Oh how backwards this is! We must learn to teach our kids. To train our children in the way they should go. Jesus is the Way, the Truth and the Life. (John 14:6) Pastor David Rosales was sharing the other day how you don't need to train a child to hit his/her little brother or sister. You don't need to train a child to lie or to misbehave. These behaviors come out naturally, because of our sin tendencies. We as parents have the great responsiblity of shielding our children from evil whether that be in the form of music, TV, internet, friendships or activities.
The psalmist David wisely said, "I will set nothing wicked before my eyes; I hate the work of those who fall away; It shall not cling to me. A perverse heart shall depart from me; I will not know wickedness. "
Psalm 101:3-4
May we wake up and be sober and vigilant and PRAY over our kids and instruct them to be different! May we be caring, prayerful parents instead of lazy parents. May our children walk with the LORD and one day rise up and call us blessed. Proverbs 31:28
Even if a child does walk away from the LORD, don't give up on them...Let's not be lazy. Let's be prayerful and watch God work His miracles as He always does.
This truth is ALL OVER Scripture.
First, let me express why this is on my heart. Chuck and I chaperoned the 8th grade promotion Disneyland trip. We had a great time. However, the bus ride home was horrible. The kids were loud and talkative, which didn't bother me. My issue was with this-THE MUSIC. The bus driver was playing KIIS FM or some station and the kids were singing along to two songs...One was some about "Wanting to be a millionaire." The kids were singing along at the top of their lungs. It was not the song that bothered me as much as the excited way the kids sang the song...I felt this song expressed the next generation's mantra- "Give us money and forget morals and integrity. Forget God. Just make me a millionaire."
The second song was, "I kissed a girl and I liked it" sung by a female artist. The kids, boys and girls alike were singing this song with the same amount of enthusiasm. I literally was disgusted. My husband asked the bus driver to turn off the radio and the kids all said, "Hey...we like that song"
Oh man was my heart grieved...
The very next morning I read in my devotions about Eli the priest. I love the story of Samuel and how he was used of the LORD from his youth (or rather infancy) all the way through the end of his life. Hannah, Samuel's mom, prayed for him and gave his life over to be used by God and for His glory. Eli did not have such wisdom with his own children. Eli's sons, Hophni and Phineas were bad apples.
1 Samuel 2:12 says, "Now the sons of Eli [were] corrupt; they did not know the LORD."
The Bible further records how these corrupt priests (the adult children of Eli, a very righteous man) would seduce the women at the very steps of the tabernacle.
What did Eli do about it?
The Word states, "Now Eli was very old; and he heard everything his sons did to all Israel, [and how they lay with the women who assembled at the door of the tabernacle of meeting." 1 Samuel 2:22
So he said to them, "Why do you do such things? For I hear of your evil dealings from all the people.
No, my sons! For [it is] not a good report that I hear. You make the LORD's people transgress.
If one man sins against another, God will judge him. But if a man sins against the LORD, who will intercede for him?" Nevertheless they did not heed the voice of their father, because the LORD desired to kill them.
1 Samuel 2:23-25
Yes Eli rebuked them, but it was too late. He had allowed their behavior to go on without punishment or correction and now they were set in their ways. You see, I believe Eli got lazy in his parenting.
As I heard those kids singing those songs my heart broke. At first I was annoyed. Yuck! This music is awful. The lyrics are so morally repugnant (a fancy way of saying evil in God's eyes) and make me sick! However, later, when I read this story of Eli and his sons, I started to weep. You see, it's not the kids' fault. They are 8th graders. Yes, they are responsible for their own sins...but who told them what was right and what was wrong? I fault the parents. I believe parents these days are not instructing children anymore. Parents are too concerned with work, a mortgage payment, careers, fashion, celebrity gossip, vacations, and other distractions and they are letting cable TV, MTV, radio, internet, video games, and even national television raise their kids. The culture is influencing children for evil and many parents choose to turn a blind eye.
I can't imagine my parents allowing me listen to a song that says, "I kissed a girl and I liked it." I know that my parents were involved parents. My parents would literally call me at my friend's house when I spent the night to make sure everything was OK. My parents would get to know my friends and get to know their parents before I was allowed to have a sleep over. My parents purchased the CD's I listened to and knew what type I music I was into...Of course I wasn't perfect and I did listen to some inappropriate music from time to time...but the point is, my parents cared enough to be involved.
This is what grieves my heart. Eli was a man that feared God. He worshipped God and served him as a priest! Yet he failed to correct his sons. King David did this too.
Why is it that when we get so "busy" whether it be with worldly activities like partying (drinking, doing drugs, etc.) or Christ-centered and church related activities like being involved in Bible studies or evangelistic outreaches, we FORGET ABOUT RAISING OUR KIDS TO LOVE AND FEAR GOD?
Why do we neglect to discipline our children? OK, remember, I am not a pastor, preacher or scholar or anything...(just a concerned parent) but this is what I feel the LORD is telling me...We as a society in Old Testament times and even today, we simply get lazy with raising our kids.
1 Samuel 4:17-18 says, "So the messenger answered [to Eli] and said, "Israel has fled before the Philistines, and there has been a great slaughter among the people. Also your two sons, Hophni and Phinehas, are dead; and the ark of God has been captured."
Then it happened, when he made mention of the ark of God, that Eli fell off the seat backward by the side of the gate; and his neck was broken and he died, for the man was old and heavy.
The New Living Translation says Eli was "fat." I read this and I could not believe how this story mirrors our society today.
Warren Wiersbe's commentary says Eli lead a sedentary life and was probably overweight because of all the goodies he got to eat as a priest (remember they got a portion of the altar sacrifices).
Eli got lazy! He loved the LORD but he failed to instruct his sons how to love God like he did. He failed to correct them. He knew their lives would end in destruction...Notice that Eli doesn't even fall of of his seat because his sons were dead. He falls off his seat because he heard that the ark of God had been captured. I think Eli just gave up on his sons. Eli realized he failed as a parent and just threw his arms up and gave up in correcting them.
That's what many American parents do too. We just give up. "Yeah I know MTV is influencing my kids...Yeah I know my children listen to inappropriate music and inappropriate movies and inappropriate internet sites...but I give up. I am heavy and overweight and frankly, tired and lazy. But I'll make it to church next Sunday even if my kids don't want to come with me"
Oh how backwards this is! We must learn to teach our kids. To train our children in the way they should go. Jesus is the Way, the Truth and the Life. (John 14:6) Pastor David Rosales was sharing the other day how you don't need to train a child to hit his/her little brother or sister. You don't need to train a child to lie or to misbehave. These behaviors come out naturally, because of our sin tendencies. We as parents have the great responsiblity of shielding our children from evil whether that be in the form of music, TV, internet, friendships or activities.
The psalmist David wisely said, "I will set nothing wicked before my eyes; I hate the work of those who fall away; It shall not cling to me. A perverse heart shall depart from me; I will not know wickedness. "
Psalm 101:3-4
May we wake up and be sober and vigilant and PRAY over our kids and instruct them to be different! May we be caring, prayerful parents instead of lazy parents. May our children walk with the LORD and one day rise up and call us blessed. Proverbs 31:28
Even if a child does walk away from the LORD, don't give up on them...Let's not be lazy. Let's be prayerful and watch God work His miracles as He always does.
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
Why Stay Bitter? (Thoughts on Bitterness from the book of Ruth)
I like Ruth. She is a woman of integrity and strength. One of two women in the Bible with her own book named after her.
She was determined. She was loyal. She was resolute to stay by her mother in law Naomi’s side and said those famous words (often quoted at weddings), “I will go wherever you go and live wherever you life. Your people will be my people and your God will be my God. I will die where you die and will be buried there.” Ruth 1:16b-17 NLT
Naomi, Ruth’s mother in law knew she wasn’t going to win a fight with Ruth. If Ruth said this, she meant it and she wasn’t going to back down.
As the two widowed women traveled back to Bethlehem they are greeted by the welcoming committee, “Is it really Naomi?” They are excited to see her. But Naomi isn’t excited about anything. She says, “Don’t call me ‘Naomi.’ …Instead call me Mara, for the Almighty has made life very bitter for me. I went away full, but the LORD has brought me home empty. Why should you call me Naomi when the LORD has caused me to suffer and the Almighty has sent such tragedy?”…
“So Naomi returned from Moab accompanied by her daughter-in-law Ruth, the young Moabite woman.”
Ruth1:19b-22 NLT
Something is said to be bitter when it is a : peculiarly astringent, or disagreeable or b : distasteful or distressing. A “bitter situation” can be defined as a circumstance that is marked by intensity or severity accompanied by severe pain or suffering; bitterness in in emotion is expressive of severe pain or grief.
OK, so Naomi had some rough times.
As I read this, I think of people today in 2010. Job lay offs, the crash of the real estate market, bad economic times, cancer, murder, prodigal children, divorce, sudden death, miscarriage, addictions, earthquakes, etc. There are so many tragedies any one of us can become bitter. Naomi’s husband died and then later her sons die too. Tragic indeed.
But I want you to notice something that I never saw before in studying Ruth. Notice she asks the ladies to call her “Mara” because she is bitter. A name change in the Bible is common. We know this happened often.
Abram becomes Abraham. Jacob becomes Israel. Saul becomes Paul. Simon becomes Peter, etc.
Here, Naomi says, “I’ve hit hard times. God has allowed it. I am bitter.” “Don’t call me Naomi.” Naomi means “Pleasant.” She says call me “Mara” which means “Bitter.”
“I am no longer pleasant. I’ve lost my joy. I am sad and bitter and that’s that!”
Well, I’ve heard this story of Ruth and Naomi before. But as you know, the Bible is God breathed and can speak to you even though you have read a passage 10, 15, 20 or even 100 times. God speaks to us through His Word! (2Tim 3:16-17) Today, I learned something NEW about Naomi. As she is complaining that she is bitter, she asks her friends to change her name to Mara.
But notice, God doesn’t change her name.
The passage says, “So Naomi returned from Moab accompanied by her daughter-in-law.” Naomi is complaining and crying out to her friends how her life has been hard. We all go through hardships. Some more than others. But Naomi makes a false statement she says, I’ve changed my name “Call me Mara” but God wasn’t done with her.
Notice something with me, in the individuals I named earlier, Abraham, Israel, Paul and Peter GOD CHANGED THEIR NAMES. God was the one doing the name changing. It doesn’t work the other way around.
Here, Naomi wants to change her name from Pleasant to Bitterness but the Word of God still calls her Naomi. Cool huh? We all know the story. Ruth meets Boaz. Boaz is a distant relative of Naomi’s. They have a son named Obed (by custom, this son is also considered a son or heir to Naomi’s son, and thus Obed is her Naomi’s grandson). Obed is the descendant of Perez who is the son of Judah, and the grandfather of David. Naomi is blessed once again. Naomi is the great-great-great grandmother of King David.
So here’s what I learned, don’t jump the gun. Don’t change your name from “Pleasant” to “Bitter” when trials come. You don’t know what God is doing! Your story is not over yet!
The other day I was talking with a sweet girlfriend of mine who experienced many trials in the last 2 years. Poor investments resulted in a loss of her home. Her and her husband nearly divorced. A TV fell on her young daughter cracking her cranium and resulting in immediate brain surgery for her daughter. She was in tears telling me she prayed, "God please take me instead. Please spare my daughter." Moving from a house to a cramped apartment. A recent job layoff. I couldn’t believe it as she was telling me all of this. This is real life.
She then said, “I am the happiest I’ve ever been. God has broken down my pride. Pride I didn’t even know was there. I am so close to the LORD, to my husband and I treasure my children. I have it all.”
See, my friend chose the narrow road. Although she could have easily become bitter, angry and shook her first at God. She didn’t. She said yes my circumstances have been bitter and tough. But God remained faithful..so through it all, “Call me Pleasant.”
Wow. This is a true story. May we all choose that road too…
She was determined. She was loyal. She was resolute to stay by her mother in law Naomi’s side and said those famous words (often quoted at weddings), “I will go wherever you go and live wherever you life. Your people will be my people and your God will be my God. I will die where you die and will be buried there.” Ruth 1:16b-17 NLT
Naomi, Ruth’s mother in law knew she wasn’t going to win a fight with Ruth. If Ruth said this, she meant it and she wasn’t going to back down.
As the two widowed women traveled back to Bethlehem they are greeted by the welcoming committee, “Is it really Naomi?” They are excited to see her. But Naomi isn’t excited about anything. She says, “Don’t call me ‘Naomi.’ …Instead call me Mara, for the Almighty has made life very bitter for me. I went away full, but the LORD has brought me home empty. Why should you call me Naomi when the LORD has caused me to suffer and the Almighty has sent such tragedy?”…
“So Naomi returned from Moab accompanied by her daughter-in-law Ruth, the young Moabite woman.”
Ruth1:19b-22 NLT
Something is said to be bitter when it is a : peculiarly astringent, or disagreeable or b : distasteful or distressing. A “bitter situation” can be defined as a circumstance that is marked by intensity or severity accompanied by severe pain or suffering; bitterness in in emotion is expressive of severe pain or grief.
OK, so Naomi had some rough times.
As I read this, I think of people today in 2010. Job lay offs, the crash of the real estate market, bad economic times, cancer, murder, prodigal children, divorce, sudden death, miscarriage, addictions, earthquakes, etc. There are so many tragedies any one of us can become bitter. Naomi’s husband died and then later her sons die too. Tragic indeed.
But I want you to notice something that I never saw before in studying Ruth. Notice she asks the ladies to call her “Mara” because she is bitter. A name change in the Bible is common. We know this happened often.
Abram becomes Abraham. Jacob becomes Israel. Saul becomes Paul. Simon becomes Peter, etc.
Here, Naomi says, “I’ve hit hard times. God has allowed it. I am bitter.” “Don’t call me Naomi.” Naomi means “Pleasant.” She says call me “Mara” which means “Bitter.”
“I am no longer pleasant. I’ve lost my joy. I am sad and bitter and that’s that!”
Well, I’ve heard this story of Ruth and Naomi before. But as you know, the Bible is God breathed and can speak to you even though you have read a passage 10, 15, 20 or even 100 times. God speaks to us through His Word! (2Tim 3:16-17) Today, I learned something NEW about Naomi. As she is complaining that she is bitter, she asks her friends to change her name to Mara.
But notice, God doesn’t change her name.
The passage says, “So Naomi returned from Moab accompanied by her daughter-in-law.” Naomi is complaining and crying out to her friends how her life has been hard. We all go through hardships. Some more than others. But Naomi makes a false statement she says, I’ve changed my name “Call me Mara” but God wasn’t done with her.
Notice something with me, in the individuals I named earlier, Abraham, Israel, Paul and Peter GOD CHANGED THEIR NAMES. God was the one doing the name changing. It doesn’t work the other way around.
Here, Naomi wants to change her name from Pleasant to Bitterness but the Word of God still calls her Naomi. Cool huh? We all know the story. Ruth meets Boaz. Boaz is a distant relative of Naomi’s. They have a son named Obed (by custom, this son is also considered a son or heir to Naomi’s son, and thus Obed is her Naomi’s grandson). Obed is the descendant of Perez who is the son of Judah, and the grandfather of David. Naomi is blessed once again. Naomi is the great-great-great grandmother of King David.
So here’s what I learned, don’t jump the gun. Don’t change your name from “Pleasant” to “Bitter” when trials come. You don’t know what God is doing! Your story is not over yet!
The other day I was talking with a sweet girlfriend of mine who experienced many trials in the last 2 years. Poor investments resulted in a loss of her home. Her and her husband nearly divorced. A TV fell on her young daughter cracking her cranium and resulting in immediate brain surgery for her daughter. She was in tears telling me she prayed, "God please take me instead. Please spare my daughter." Moving from a house to a cramped apartment. A recent job layoff. I couldn’t believe it as she was telling me all of this. This is real life.
She then said, “I am the happiest I’ve ever been. God has broken down my pride. Pride I didn’t even know was there. I am so close to the LORD, to my husband and I treasure my children. I have it all.”
See, my friend chose the narrow road. Although she could have easily become bitter, angry and shook her first at God. She didn’t. She said yes my circumstances have been bitter and tough. But God remained faithful..so through it all, “Call me Pleasant.”
Wow. This is a true story. May we all choose that road too…
Saturday, May 15, 2010
Planting Jalapeño Seeds of Faith
I have never been one to like spicy salsa or chile. I prefer “medium” salsa. It has flavor but doesn’t require a tissue to wipe your tears or nose every five seconds from the fire!
I enjoy making fresh salsa for parties and gatherings. Yesterday I was making salsa. As usual, I took out the seeds from the yellow chiles. You see, most of us know the seeds contain the heat. The seeds of the chile contain the fire, the spice, the “kick” of the spicy flavor.
I threw away the seeds..I do this carefully because even touching the seeds is powerful and can burn your fingers.
The LORD reminded me of all the pictures in the Word of “seeds.”
He describes heaven as a seed that is planted and then grows into a tree where birds take refuge. This is what heaven is like. It starts small but grows into a mighty tree. (Mat 13:31-32)
Then there is the example of a mustard seed. Jesus wants us to have the faith of a mustard seed and then we can tell a mountain to be moved and it will be so. (Matt 17:20)
God reminded me as I threw away those tiny jalapeño seeds, that seeds have power.
For me personally, I do not believe I have the gift of evangelism. I will share my faith if the Holy Spirit prompts me…but I am by no means a large scale evangelist like Billy Graham, Greg Laurie, Raul Ries...etc.
I do not feel I am gifted in sharing my testimony or in sharing the Gospel. I will share whenever I can…but it’s not my gift.
What I do love to do is plant seeds.
I like to tell people that are hurting that I will pray for them. I like lifting these people up in prayer. I like to write notes to people who are sick or down. I like to share scripture with other Christians and even disciple a younger sister in Jesus if the LORD directs.
That’s me. I like to plant seeds…but that’s all I do...plant seeds. It’s not as cool as leading another co-worker, friend or family member to the cross. It’s not even a ministry. You don’t hear the church announcements say, “We need more people to plant seeds of the Gospel through prayer and encouragement to families in Mexico.” No, usually, they need people to physically go to Mexico to build houses, take food, etc.
Planting seeds is no big deal right? WRONG.
God reminded me how powerful jalapeño and chile seeds are. They are strong! They have fragrance. They cause eyes to water and mouths to catch on fire! Other seeds like mustard seeds, apple seeds and other plant seeds when planted under the right circumstances - soil (a picture in the Bible of person who has a willing heart to receive from God, Matt 13:8) light (Sun light is a picture of the Son’s light-Jesus, John 8:12,) and lots of water (a picture of the Word of God, Eph 5:26) will flourish and grow and bear much fruit.
So if you are one who likes to plant seeds, go on with yourself! Don’t lose heart and say, “I just plant seeds.” Keep it up. Keep planting seeds of faith with your unsaved family, friends, co-workers or even to strangers. Continue planting those “jalapeño” seeds of faith in others! They are more powerful than you think…
I enjoy making fresh salsa for parties and gatherings. Yesterday I was making salsa. As usual, I took out the seeds from the yellow chiles. You see, most of us know the seeds contain the heat. The seeds of the chile contain the fire, the spice, the “kick” of the spicy flavor.
I threw away the seeds..I do this carefully because even touching the seeds is powerful and can burn your fingers.
The LORD reminded me of all the pictures in the Word of “seeds.”
He describes heaven as a seed that is planted and then grows into a tree where birds take refuge. This is what heaven is like. It starts small but grows into a mighty tree. (Mat 13:31-32)
Then there is the example of a mustard seed. Jesus wants us to have the faith of a mustard seed and then we can tell a mountain to be moved and it will be so. (Matt 17:20)
God reminded me as I threw away those tiny jalapeño seeds, that seeds have power.
For me personally, I do not believe I have the gift of evangelism. I will share my faith if the Holy Spirit prompts me…but I am by no means a large scale evangelist like Billy Graham, Greg Laurie, Raul Ries...etc.
I do not feel I am gifted in sharing my testimony or in sharing the Gospel. I will share whenever I can…but it’s not my gift.
What I do love to do is plant seeds.
I like to tell people that are hurting that I will pray for them. I like lifting these people up in prayer. I like to write notes to people who are sick or down. I like to share scripture with other Christians and even disciple a younger sister in Jesus if the LORD directs.
That’s me. I like to plant seeds…but that’s all I do...plant seeds. It’s not as cool as leading another co-worker, friend or family member to the cross. It’s not even a ministry. You don’t hear the church announcements say, “We need more people to plant seeds of the Gospel through prayer and encouragement to families in Mexico.” No, usually, they need people to physically go to Mexico to build houses, take food, etc.
Planting seeds is no big deal right? WRONG.
God reminded me how powerful jalapeño and chile seeds are. They are strong! They have fragrance. They cause eyes to water and mouths to catch on fire! Other seeds like mustard seeds, apple seeds and other plant seeds when planted under the right circumstances - soil (a picture in the Bible of person who has a willing heart to receive from God, Matt 13:8) light (Sun light is a picture of the Son’s light-Jesus, John 8:12,) and lots of water (a picture of the Word of God, Eph 5:26) will flourish and grow and bear much fruit.
So if you are one who likes to plant seeds, go on with yourself! Don’t lose heart and say, “I just plant seeds.” Keep it up. Keep planting seeds of faith with your unsaved family, friends, co-workers or even to strangers. Continue planting those “jalapeño” seeds of faith in others! They are more powerful than you think…
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