This morning during my quiet time I began to hear some things that were quite edifying. We live in an age of overload when it comes to information. We are overwhelmed. The information would be useful if it was more reliable but it too often changes. You will hear that eggs are bad for you one week and then a year later you will hear that the affect that eggs has on your cholesterol is not conclusive. Every answer to a problem always raises a new question. Our lives are constantly being bombarded with way too much to think about. The questions that kept rolling around in my head this morning were about how much do I need to know about anything. What is useful to me? How much can I absorb? When and why does some of the information become such a burden?
The Spirit came to my rescue and reminded me of a few verses in scripture.
1 Corinthians 13:8
Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when perfection comes, the imperfect disappears.
1 Corinthians 13:11-13
When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things.
For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.
And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.
One thing that you can take away from these verses is the peaceful realization that each of us only know in part anyway. It seems to me that trying to know more than our part can become a heavy burden to many. For example: The guy that prepares the salads at a restaurant does not need to know how to manage a restaurant. The restaurant manager needs to have that kind of knowledge. The guy that prepares the salad can advance into new knowledge if he becomes the assistant cook but he still doesn't need to be bogged down with all the managerial concerns of the restaurant.
Our journey with the Lord can be hindered and bogged down when we try to become more than we are at the time. We want to be all that we can be at any given time but we certainly don't need to stress ourselves out by trying to become more than we are. We are incomplete all by ourself for sure. We will never be able to survive the Christian life without community. Even with a full compliment of brothers and sisters in a vibrant community there is still the stark realization that the perfect has not yet come.
How much do we need to know? The answer will come when you discover the real you because who you are is who God loves and the knowledge that He has given you is for you only and those in your circle of life. Yes, who you are is tarnished by sin just like everybody else but the redeemed you is God's gift to you. Your talents and your person are God's gift to your family and friends and your circle of life. When that circle expands then God will give you more. Until then, use what you have learned from Him right where you are and live in peace. The bigger picture is His anyway.
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
A Rock and A Hard PLace
You have heard the saying many times about being caught between a rock and a hard place. If you visualize that situation it looks very uncomfortable. I guess that is what makes the saying so meaningful. How many times have you found yourself there? I have to admit that I am going through one of those times right now. Sometimes I wish that I didn't know what I know because it costs me plenty. I also know that knowing the truth about something holds you accountable for what you have learned and in many ways calls on you to do something about it. That's where I am stuck at the moment. I am busy trying to sustain all that I have on this old earth and at the same time I am acutely aware of my need to hear from the Lord about so many things.
Retirement does not really seem to be an option for many people anymore. Retire to do what? Most folks that I know are still out there trying to earn more money to keep up with what they have. All the retirement planners are out in full force sending you invitations to their seminars to help you plan for this major event in your life.
How does the Lord view all of this that we do? Did you ever wonder? That's a dangerous question but I think that it is an important question. When you read the scriptures and in particular the Book of Proverbs you will find a lot of verses condemning a slothful life style and praising things like faithfulness and commitment. Our work is an arena that can be used to learn commitment and perseverance. I'm inclined to believe that why we work may be more important than how we work. If we really know the "why" then we can see our real motivation and we can also see what kind of fruit that we produce with that motivation.
Life is fleeting and eventually the rock and the hard place scenario shows it's ugly face when you begin to ask these questions. When you are young, you don't question things as much because you just don't have the time to ponder when the car breaks down and the kids need clothes for school. You just get it done and move on to the next project but lurking in the background of our busy lifestyle is the undiscovered truth and motivation for a better life. A life that has purpose and hope and a life that lasts beyond the time we spend in this world. Our time here is such a tiny piece of eternity.
I pray that all that read this (I also include myself), will stop and ask the better questions so that the Lord can have His way into our heart. I really believe that many of our frustrations would cease to exist if the grip that this world has upon us was removed and replaced by a real relationship with the one who created us in the first place. If that sounds way out there to many of us then that is clear evidence that we have not yet found our life in Him and that our life is still our own and that is a life that will inevitably find itself between a rock and a hard place.
Retirement does not really seem to be an option for many people anymore. Retire to do what? Most folks that I know are still out there trying to earn more money to keep up with what they have. All the retirement planners are out in full force sending you invitations to their seminars to help you plan for this major event in your life.
How does the Lord view all of this that we do? Did you ever wonder? That's a dangerous question but I think that it is an important question. When you read the scriptures and in particular the Book of Proverbs you will find a lot of verses condemning a slothful life style and praising things like faithfulness and commitment. Our work is an arena that can be used to learn commitment and perseverance. I'm inclined to believe that why we work may be more important than how we work. If we really know the "why" then we can see our real motivation and we can also see what kind of fruit that we produce with that motivation.
Life is fleeting and eventually the rock and the hard place scenario shows it's ugly face when you begin to ask these questions. When you are young, you don't question things as much because you just don't have the time to ponder when the car breaks down and the kids need clothes for school. You just get it done and move on to the next project but lurking in the background of our busy lifestyle is the undiscovered truth and motivation for a better life. A life that has purpose and hope and a life that lasts beyond the time we spend in this world. Our time here is such a tiny piece of eternity.
I pray that all that read this (I also include myself), will stop and ask the better questions so that the Lord can have His way into our heart. I really believe that many of our frustrations would cease to exist if the grip that this world has upon us was removed and replaced by a real relationship with the one who created us in the first place. If that sounds way out there to many of us then that is clear evidence that we have not yet found our life in Him and that our life is still our own and that is a life that will inevitably find itself between a rock and a hard place.
Thursday, April 10, 2008
Rock Star to Worship Leader
I have to admit that looking back in time does give me a little better perspective about what I was encountering at such a very young age. I had just left the rockin' roll world, got married, gave my life to the Lord, did the work of an evangelist, moved to Pittsburgh to eventually become a worship leader. That's a lot of stuff in a span of about 5 years. Young Christian rockin' rollers were springing up all over America. They didn't call it "Contemporary Christian Music" back then. They didn't call it anything. Early on in the 70's young christian songwriters and musicians were madly in love with their new found life in Christ and they wrote songs about their faith and experiences. The motivation for all the music had nothing to do with recording their songs for commercial use.
I was one of those young christian rockers and I had no desire to take my new songs to a record company. They were songs from my heart. Many of my songs were about struggles in life and spiritual warfare with God's enemy. My songs were testimonies of my life in Jesus. Some were joyful, some were sad, some were combative. The psalms of David were much like my songs. He had his ups and downs emotionally and so did I. I remember how well my songs were received by the young people in Follansbee and how the Lord used my songs to bring many to repentance and into His saving grace.
I would often teach some of my songs to the folks at the church. I felt very comfortable doing those songs because they were directed by the Holy Spirit in my heart. They had such life changing power. I also was learning how to lead the congregation into worship with songs written by songwriters of worship music. They were usually simple little praise songs and usually repetitive. Some of the songs had some elaborate arrangements as well. I felt a bit out of my element but I gave it a go anyway. The folks in the church were so excited about the new music and were supportive of my role as a worship leader. I had my doubts at times.
I remember one of the elders saying that it seemed that the songs that I had written reached a higher spiritual plateau when I did them verses the other songs. I had always hoped that Pastor Ron would tune in on that elders discernment but Ron was convinced that I needed to be stretched in that area and that it was good for me to learn and teach other music.
In hindsight I can see how church and church services can get in the way of what God is doing in the hearts of people. The musical deposit that the Lord put in my heart was now being interrupted by songs that He already gave to others. Pastor Ron did not intend to curtail my songwriting but probably did not fully recognize what God was doing in me at the time. This is another path of good intentions that I see occurring all over the church in America. The meeting and or church service can often take precedence over much of what God is doing in the hearts of his people. I didn't recognize it at the time and neither did Pastor Ron. Hindsight makes it easier to understand. Now, if we could only learn from what history teaches us.
Next up...
The Young Elder
I was one of those young christian rockers and I had no desire to take my new songs to a record company. They were songs from my heart. Many of my songs were about struggles in life and spiritual warfare with God's enemy. My songs were testimonies of my life in Jesus. Some were joyful, some were sad, some were combative. The psalms of David were much like my songs. He had his ups and downs emotionally and so did I. I remember how well my songs were received by the young people in Follansbee and how the Lord used my songs to bring many to repentance and into His saving grace.
I would often teach some of my songs to the folks at the church. I felt very comfortable doing those songs because they were directed by the Holy Spirit in my heart. They had such life changing power. I also was learning how to lead the congregation into worship with songs written by songwriters of worship music. They were usually simple little praise songs and usually repetitive. Some of the songs had some elaborate arrangements as well. I felt a bit out of my element but I gave it a go anyway. The folks in the church were so excited about the new music and were supportive of my role as a worship leader. I had my doubts at times.
I remember one of the elders saying that it seemed that the songs that I had written reached a higher spiritual plateau when I did them verses the other songs. I had always hoped that Pastor Ron would tune in on that elders discernment but Ron was convinced that I needed to be stretched in that area and that it was good for me to learn and teach other music.
In hindsight I can see how church and church services can get in the way of what God is doing in the hearts of people. The musical deposit that the Lord put in my heart was now being interrupted by songs that He already gave to others. Pastor Ron did not intend to curtail my songwriting but probably did not fully recognize what God was doing in me at the time. This is another path of good intentions that I see occurring all over the church in America. The meeting and or church service can often take precedence over much of what God is doing in the hearts of his people. I didn't recognize it at the time and neither did Pastor Ron. Hindsight makes it easier to understand. Now, if we could only learn from what history teaches us.
Next up...
The Young Elder
Tuesday, April 8, 2008
Alone...Part III
Thank you all for your prayers! Glen made it through the surgery and did very well. I just spoke with him and he really seems to have a greater appreciation for life and the world around him. It was enjoyable hearing him talk about the whole ordeal of open heart surgery because he seemed so energized by what he just went through. He is staying with his three boys and wife at the moment. He has been separated from his family but this operation has forced everyone into a family reunion. I really feel that the lines of communication are open for Glen now. I am looking forward to the day when he realizes the great love the Lord has for him.
After all, that is what we all need. Starting with the Lord Himself and then one for another.
"All You Need is Love".
After all, that is what we all need. Starting with the Lord Himself and then one for another.
"All You Need is Love".
Tuesday, April 1, 2008
The Pirate Opener....
Every once in awhile I post an entry about the sports world because it is so intriguing to me. It is one of those places that you find real drama. Nothing is for sure. A game has to be played and no one knows the outcome until the final whistle blows or the last out is made. I really understand the fascination with sports in America because most of us don't like pre-programmed events with obvious outcomes. We also like movies like "Lost" and "24" because nothing is ever the same. It's a new adventure everytime.
The Pirate opening game in Atlanta was unlike any baseball game that I have ever seen and I have seen a lot of baseball games. The Pirates were ahead by 5 runs going into the last inning and their usually reliable relief pitchers couldn't get a ball across the plate in the last inning and then our outfielders watched a ball drop right between them allowing more runs to score. They kept walking batters and eventually gave up a single and the Atlanta Braves tied the game with a 5 run inning. What a let down! You would have thought for sure that the Pirates were destined to lose the game after all of that but the mighty Braves began to stumble. In the 12th inning the Pirates scored 3 runs and you thought that they had the game in the bag again but they gave up two more runs in the bottom of the twelfth and then finally got the Braves out and won the game by the skin of their teeth. It was a crazy game of emotion and then lost emotion mixed with anger and frustration.
After watching that game I felt like I participated somehow. I was drained. God made drama and adventure an integral part of life. We all like to see it and we all like to be involved in something that challenges us. Sports is just the by-product of our God-given desire to overcome and conquer. The scripture is full of strong meat for those of us who like to compete. Run the good race! He set His face as a flint! With God all things are Possible!
Batter Up!
The Pirate opening game in Atlanta was unlike any baseball game that I have ever seen and I have seen a lot of baseball games. The Pirates were ahead by 5 runs going into the last inning and their usually reliable relief pitchers couldn't get a ball across the plate in the last inning and then our outfielders watched a ball drop right between them allowing more runs to score. They kept walking batters and eventually gave up a single and the Atlanta Braves tied the game with a 5 run inning. What a let down! You would have thought for sure that the Pirates were destined to lose the game after all of that but the mighty Braves began to stumble. In the 12th inning the Pirates scored 3 runs and you thought that they had the game in the bag again but they gave up two more runs in the bottom of the twelfth and then finally got the Braves out and won the game by the skin of their teeth. It was a crazy game of emotion and then lost emotion mixed with anger and frustration.
After watching that game I felt like I participated somehow. I was drained. God made drama and adventure an integral part of life. We all like to see it and we all like to be involved in something that challenges us. Sports is just the by-product of our God-given desire to overcome and conquer. The scripture is full of strong meat for those of us who like to compete. Run the good race! He set His face as a flint! With God all things are Possible!
Batter Up!
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